I had a great experience bringing my Jeep Renegade in. I originally came in for an oil change, to have the brakes checked because of some squeaking, and to have the A/C looked at. They were thorough, straightforward, and kept me informed about what they found without making me feel like they were trying to sell me a bunch of things I didn't need. They also discovered a nest under the hood, which was definitely an unexpected bonus adventure, and took the time to talk through what they were seeing and what might have caused it. (My Renegade turned into a temporary wildlife studio apartment.) I really appreciated how friendly and honest everyone was. It's hard to find an auto shop where you feel comfortable trusting their recommendations, and I left feeling like my Jeep had been genuinely well taken care of. I'll absolutely be bringing it back for future service. Highly recommend! read more

I went to Jaeckels Automotive after my daughter getting some outlandish diagnosis from a dealership. They said brakes were dangerously in need of replacement and catalytic converter was 'trending down' and would need replacement. Jaeckels inspected the vehicle and reported that the brakes had at 20k before they even needed to be looked at and, as I suspected, the catalytic converter was fine and you can't test them to rate as trending down. I appreciated the honesty and the integrity to give the facts when we would have been accepting of brake jobs and been unaware they were not needed now. The dealership put my daughter in a state of fear because they said the brakes were so bad they were unsafe. She even postponed a trip until we could get them taken care of. Jaeckels has earned my future business and my respect for their business practice. I recommend Jaeckels without hesitation. read more

Super nice people always getting the job done.! If you want reliable and friendly service go here couldn't tell you another shop in Santa Maria that compares! read more

We have trusted Kevin Jaekels and Kevin Pule for many years for our cars. Always great service, honest diagnosis and recommendations. Great local shop read more

I have been going here since import auto shut down. This is the most honest and straight forward automotive repair shop one could ask for. read more

They know their stuff! I cancelled my appointment with Honda Santa Maria and went with them instead.

Fantastic mechanics. Honest business people. Excellent value. Highly recommend. I bring all of my cars here.

This shop did some work on my 1994 Ford F150 a few months the back! The prices were fair and they took care of some other issues they identified when working under the car that would need to be worked either way which ended up saving me some money. With all car work its not always a good feeling spending money but with the work they did and the amount it cost I felt it was reasonable. Whole team was great. I ended up chatting with one of the mechanics who said he was a Ford master tech before or currently* and he gave me some tips and things to look out for. I will definitely go back for my other car needs. read more

They are honest, trustworthy, and professional. They continue to be the best in town. I highly recommend them.

Great service and honesty. They are very busy at times but that just shows people want there work done by them!

Took my Jeep in for some unexpected work that the dealership "couldn't locate the source of" but as soon as this was in the lift at Jaeckels, they found it. Very professional, very fast, and accommodating with my schedule. Very thankful. read more

Incompetent mechanics could not even diagnose a bad spark plug wire, charged me approximately $500. For a new distributor I didn't even need. Worst auto repair shop in Santa Maria Ca. If you need your auto repaired steer clear of this shop. read more

Kevin Jaeckel is an honest, fair, competent, and reliable auto mechanic. Having an auto mechanic that is trustworthy is worth it's weight in gold and Jaeckels is my go to. I almost hate to let everyone know, because they always get us in and out quickly with prompt and reliable communication. We have come here with several different vehicles and the experience has always been a good one. For my sake, please do not ever go here. For your sake, you should always go here. read more

My boyfriend and I were on a roadtrip in our 2003 cargo van. We heard a new whistling sound and stopped in to Jaeckels to have it checked out. Kevin helped us identify the problem and went for a test drive. We were back on the road in under 20 min. Kevin was awesome, we highly recommend. read more

Without knowing this job, I took my car to it. It was in need of tremendous amount of work. Trevor and Kevin took the time to explain everything going on with it and why it wasn't working. , They worked extra hours even an extra day to make sure my car was ready for the holiday. I cannot express the amount of gratitude I have for that level of incredible professionalism and kindness. I recommend them without reservation. They are wonderful! Thank you, Trevor and thank you Kevin! read more

Bottom line: The most important thing to know is this-- you can trust Kevin and Trevor to tell you the truth and charge a fair price for solid, dependable work. They have a great reputation, and the shop is always busy, so I highly recommend making an appointment or getting there right when they open. For details about my experience at Jaeckel's, read on... Update #2: I've been coming to Jaeckel's for eight years, now, so it's time for another update. My truck (which is 22-years-old) is in their shop today, probably getting a new alternator. I can't overstate how much I appreciate Kevin and now his son, Trevor, who is working with him. As an older, single woman, in all of the times I've been here, I have always felt like they treated me fairly, and many times they've been beyond fair-- working with me to get my truck running at a price I could afford on a fixed income and a tight budget. A while back, Jaeckel's was booked several days out, and I needed a repair that couldn't wait because I was going out of town, so I went to another shop across the street. The mechanic was so rude, and seemed annoyed when I asked questions about the mechanical issue. I know I paid more than Jaeckel's would have charged me for the same repair. Update #1: Since I wrote my original review, I've had my truck serviced at Jaeckel's several more times. They replaced my brakes on one occasion, and replaced my spark plugs on another. I've been there for a couple of other things, too. Once or twice I've added on some minor repair, and they didn't even charge me. Their customer service always exceeds my expectations. Original review: I've been very impressed with this shop! They replaced my PCV valve hose when my truck failed a SMOG test, and they did it for significantly less than another shop had quoted. I was in and out in under a half hour. A couple of days ago, my truck died and wouldn't start, and the AAA driver who tried unsuccessfully to jump start it told me that both my battery and my starter were bad, and I possibly had a bad positive battery cable, too. I went to Jaeckels first, fortunately. I explained exactly what my truck was doing, and Kevin said that even though the jump start didn't work, it might JUST be the battery. Hoping to at least get it started so that I could avoid the cost of towing, I picked up a new battery from a parts store, and changed it myself. (I'm a 60 year-old female, BTW). To my surprise and delight, it started strong and it runs just fine! It seems to be charging normally! Kevin was right! This advice ended up saving me the towing and labor charges, and possibly unneeded services, if I'd gone to another shop. I'd been hoping to find an honest, reliable shop that I could count on when my 16-year-old truck needs a repair or service, and I think I have. I will definitely bring my truck to Jaeckel's for any future issues! read more

Everything was great and taken care of in one day. Of course, nothing is cheap today but our issues were taken care of professionally and swiftly. I have no reason to go anywhere else for automotive repairs. read more

I recently needed to find someplace to service my Prius (change some coolants & spark plugs). I heard good things about Jaeckels, so thought i'd give them a try. It's a pretty busy place, I had to wait about a week to get the car in, but I wasn't in a hurry, so that was not an issue for us. The owner was courteous, and answered questions that I had before our appointment. Drop-off went smoothly. It took them a little longer to do the service than I anticipated, but again , that was not an issue and I was able to get my car later that afternoon. The car runs great; we've had no issues with it since we picked it up. The pricing was very reasonable and we would use Jaeckles again. read more

This is a wonderful, trustworthy business that I have been going to for about 15 years. I appreciate being able to call - they know who I am and although often busy, will try to work me in. Thank you Jaeckels Automotive for helping me keep all my vehicles running. read more

Worst Auto Repair Shop I've ever gone to, NO TROUBLESHOOTING SKILLS JUST PARTS CHANGERS. I took my 1987 Chevrolet Elcamino to Jaeckels Automotive in Santa Maria because it was running a little rough and had a misfire. I told the owner Kevin J. when I dropped the car off, I thought perhaps there's was just a bad spark plug wire, and he told me they would check it out for me and let me know. I received a call later in the day from Kevin J. and he told me my distributor was bad and needed replaced so I authorized the repair for a new distributor. I picked the car up the following day and paid $417.53 for the repair to replace the bad distributor. When I got the car home and pooped up the hood, I noticed the air cleaner lid was loose and not secure and found the wing nut had been stripped out as a result of over tightening. I then took car back to Jaeckels Automotive and told Kevin J. his mechanic over tightened the wing nut on the air cleaner lid and stripped it out, his mechanic then looked at the stripped-out wing nut and told me it was already stripped out before he removed the air cleaner lid which wasn't true. I then complained to the owner Kevin J. and he wasn't willing to hold his mechanic accountable or do anything about the stripped-out wing nut and in fact made up some bogus excuse for him and said there was a spacer under the wing nut, but this had nothing to do with his mechanic over tightening the wing nut and stripping it out, I then left the auto shop and was forced to go purchase a new air cleaner wing nut for my car to replace the one they stripped out. Upon driving the car, I further noticed the car was still misfiring and the problem had not been fixed. I then took the car to PATS Automotive in Santa Maria and ask him to do a diagnosis on the car to find out why the car was misfiring. Upon hooking my car up to his diagnostic machine he told me there was a bad spark plug wire #3, he replaced the bad spark plug wire which took care of the problem, and the car was no longer misfiring. I then went back to Jaeckels Automotive and spoke with the owner Kevin J, and told him he owed me $417.53 for the replacement and repair of the so called bad Distibutor they installed on my car which I didn't need and didn't fix the misfiring problem. Upon Kevin J reading the repair invoice I showed him from PATS Automotive reflecting the car had a bad spark plug wire he then ask me what I wanted to do, I told him he owed me $417.53 for the distributor he put on my car that I didn't need and didn't fix the misfiring problem, he then said I'll give you $250.00 back and I told him no he owed me $417.53 the total amount I paid him for the distributor he replaced on my car I didn't need; Kevin J. then said to me "This is Bull***sht and told me to come back the next day and he would refund me the full amount so I said ok and left his shop. Upon going back to Jaeckels Auto the next day to pick up the $417.53 I was handed $400.00 $17.53 short of what he owed me and no apology for the inconvenience and aggravation they caused and wasting my time. I will never go back to Jaeckels Automotive for any future repairs on my car and I find them to be dishonest, incompetent to even do basic troubleshooting test of a spark plug wire on my car that was misfiring. It's obvious to me the mechanics who work there are nothing more than "PARTS CHANGERS" with no troubleshooting skills. I will follow-up with a complaint to the Automotive Better Business Bureau as I don't believe they should be allowed a license to do automotive repair. There are Automotive Repair Shops in Santa Maria that do good honest work but Jaeckels Automotive is not one of them. read more

Great place to go to, the owner and everyone else working there are very knowledgeable and they don't bs you. Been coming here for over a year now, and appreciate all the insight and abilities of their mechanics. read more

Jaeckels was very professional and their prices are very reasonable based on other repair shops in the area.

All went really good. I mentioned issues that I was needed to be repaired. They checked and let me of whether or not the issues needed to be fixed or replaced. I appreciated their honesty. All the employees were friendly. I will definitely use them again. read more

Honest and quality work. We can always count on them to get the job done or direct us in the right direction

I can't say enough about this shop! I am new to the area and my trusted mechanic is three hours away. I had an issue with my car, called them up and Kevin told me to come in and he would take a look even though they were booked solid and swamped with business that day. He did as thorough of an inspection as he could without an appt or tearing it down, drove with me in the car trying to locate the noise. I can't tell you enough how much that resonates with me. I am happy I now have a trusted shop to go to in Santa Maria if I am in the need of repairs. He will be servicing my car next week. Clean shop, greeted respectfully and overall a great vibe. Thank you Kevin! read more

My best friend and I were on a road trip going down South from the Bay Area when my engine light came on as we were approaching Santa Maria. I took a leap of faith picking a random automotive shop and I'm glad we stumbled upon Jaeckels! Trevor & Kevin were quick to help. They figured out the problem, ordered parts, repaired my car in an hour and we were back on the road! We made it to our destination and back home safely. Thank you Trevor and Kevin! read more

Recently they performed a maintenance on my car which included changing out spark plugs. One day later while driving to LA my engine light came on and was flashing and my car started shaking. I had to get it towed home which ran $500. I took it back to their shop and they said It was a knock sensor error but could not pinpoint problem. I picked up my car and noticed the chrome side railing on left side was coming off - They fixed after I brought it to owners attention. i will never bring my car back here again and stay with my local dealership. Poor work and this cost me $1500 with tow, maintenance, and rental. read more

Trustworthy, fast, fair pricing. Been going here for many years (probably over a decade) and always recommend them to friends and family. I wish my favorite mechanic didn't retire, but still continue with them and the great service level hasn't faltered. read more

Never been here before, I had full trust in them because my mechanic of 20 years recommended them to me. I had major engine repairs needed on my vehicle. Kevin and the crew were honest and gave me their opinion in what was best for me and didn't try to price gouge me with unnecessary extra this or that. They were direct and to the point in what was needed to get my vehicle back on the road. I highly recommend them and would definitely be back if I need to. read more

I needed an oil change and went during my lunch break. Their turnaround time was quick (20 min) so I waited for my vehicle in their office. Would recommend if you need a quick service. read more

Best place in the entire Central Coast. Everyone is treated with respect--women can feel at ease here. These guys are the real deal: honest and friendly. read more

Jaeckels Automotive - Business card - Auto Repair Near Me - Santa Maria, California

The best, most honest, and reasonably priced shop in town. No trying to sell unnecessary repairs either. If you are a single lady who with limited automotive knowledge, like me, you can feel confident that you will not be taken advantage of. Wish I could say the same for other shops in town. Its a huge relief to have excellent mechanics who are also honest looking out for me and my vehicle. A friend referred me to them, and I would not hesitate to refer them to others for the best service in town. Only one issue... because they are so good they are always really busy, so make appointments before its an emergency! read more

I have been taking my cars there for ten years and they are the best! Honest, fair prices, fast, and very good service.

Hands down THE BEST guys to work with. Honest, and dependable. Feel so fortunate to have found such a legit team of mechanics!!

These guys are ALWAYS busy so, be sure to make an appointment! Honest as the day is long, fair prices, excellent work and NEVER any upselling. You get exactly what you pay for and the confidence knowing the job was done right the first time. I won't take my vehicles anywhere else! read more

Good prices and they always takes good care of my car. Very trustworthy place and people!

Fast when I needed it! My car was towed in the evening to Jaeckels (based on good Yelp review) for a bad starter, they got me repaired by 2 the next day on a Friday. Courteous, helpful, fair price for the amount of work necessary (remove intake manifold among other things). read more

Come get a quote here. If your an hour away from this place, find a way to get a quote here. Talk to Steve. Trustworthy right off the bat. Expert. Informative. Confident. Quick. Social. He just drove the car for 5min and beginning statements include, "I'm 99% sure it's this" & "It'll be around this much". He was right. I got quotes from 4 other garages. Saved me $1,600 in 2hrs. This guys will take care of you. This guy works like there's a fire under him. Turns your "Big auto problem" into his little 2hr joke. Schedule is always building so set some time. These are my mechanics now and they should be yours. read more

Best Automotive shop in Santa Maria! I called Thursday morning and told the owner the problems I was having with my vehicle and he took it first thing the next morning! Such great service, I will be coming here again if I come into car trouble! Thank you!!! read more

I've been taking our vehicles to Jaeckels now for a few years after being referred to them by another happy customer. I'd previously used dealerships for service and was consistently underwhelmed and felt taken advantage of. I would highly recommend them to anyone that's looking for an honest and reputable mechanic. Fair pricing, fast service and a great local shop. read more