1. Jesco Auto Center

1. Jesco Auto Center

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Escondido, CA

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Jesco Auto Center

4.4 (69 reviews)
Closed 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Services - Jesco Auto Center

Oil changes

Routine automotive maintenance

Smog check

Jesco Auto Center Photos

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Recommended Reviews - Jesco Auto Center

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Jesco Auto Center
Alex D.

I didn't want to have to write this review because I love supporting small businesses and local people but this made me feel so angry. From the first time I called this place I thought they were going to be honest. A man named Peter made me an appointment and got me checked in when I dropped my car off; he seemed friendly. My car had multiple issues involving my steering wheel...horn not working, airbag light on, a clicking noise when making small left and right movements as well as a rope noise or grinding noise when turning the wheel all the way to make u-turns and turns in general....all the issues focused around the steering wheel area. When I explained over the phone and in person what was happening with my car, it was nice that Peter said he worked on Hyundais before and knew the issue it was having, but this was also his downfall... he never really listened to ALL my words, he just listened to key words about the clicking noise and thought he immediately knew the answer and he didn't listen to the rest of the issue I was having. He kept interrupting me to say, "I've worked on this issue many times; I know the fix." So I take my car in, he tells me he knows what to fix and that it'll be done the next day. I kept trying to tell him there was more than just one issue of a clicking noise but he was basically like "yeah I know the issue no problem I got it." He wasn't really listening to listen, he was listening to respond. But I left my car there because I trusted them and figured they are mechanics and they will fix it. When picking up my car, which cost $1,465, I test drove it in a circle in their parking lot AS SOON AS I GOT IN IT, and immediately I pulled back up to the office and told Peter I still heard a weird noise in my steering wheel. He sits in my car and just moves the steering wheel around while in park. I asked him to test drive it through the parking lot and he said "it's okay I don't need to." I said again, "yes please go test drive it. I don't mind, I want you to." Again, he says, "no it's okay this is normal." He just ignored me asking him to please test drive it in a circle that would have taken him 60 seconds or less. So again, I trust him and I drive away. They were also closing at this point so I figured they were done for the day and wouldn't really look at my car anyway. Well the next day my steering wheel is at least 3 times louder than it was when I was asking him to test drive it. I was working all this day though so I had to call him back the next day and tell him. Peter says, "you didn't tell me about any rope noise." And I said "yes I did." He says, "no you didn't. You told me about a clicking noise but no rope noise." Again, I repeat, "yes I did. I told you about the clicking noise but told you there was also a rope noise." Again, he argues back with me that I didn't tell him but he'll let me bring it back and he'll look. This made me so mad. I DID tell him, he just never listened to me. He heard when I said a clicking noise and after that he tuned me out and ignored that I said there was also a rope noise. So I ask, "did you get a chance to test drive my car?" He sounded offended and said, "of course I did." Well this is a lie because if he test drove my car before and after it was "fixed," he would have absolutely heard this rope sounding noise. Sitting in my car while it's in park and twisting the wheel is not the same as test driving it. This made me even more angry because now I really felt lied to. I have video proof that this rope noise AND the click noise were there before I brought my car to Peter, and that Peter did fix the click noise but NOT the rope noise. Don't try to tell me that the noise wasn't there when I literally have video recording before and after coming here. The cherry on top was that finally when he said that I could come back in and he would check it out, I thought he was going to say "come in today or tomorrow morning," but instead he says, "come in next Monday or Tuesday." An entire week after my first appointment when this all originally happened. Yikes. With issues regarding my steering wheel, waiting a week isn't the safest, and it felt like he was putting me on a back-burner because he didn't care about my happiness with their job. Ultimately, I will not support this business and he has lost my entire family now as clients. I have also told all of my friends so they know too. Whether Peter made an innocent mistake and overlooked something, or whether it was intentional, he argued on the phone with me about this, gaslighting me, and that's what lost my business forever. I spent over $1,000 for you to put in 50% worth ethic when I pay you for 100% worth ethic. It's sad and disappointing you almost can't trust any mechanics these days. I'm now having to take my car into another location to pay yet ANOTHER mechanic to fix this.

Where's the lower timing cover gasket? Oh it's definitely leaking from the "valve cover"
Kenny C.

Jesco Auto Center is the biggest scam , upsell and they didn't even install the lower timing cover gasket!!!! It was leaking afterwe spent 1k on timing job, oil pan gasket, they said I needed a new radiator which was non sense too. Took it back I didn't even see the lower timing cover gasket missing yet, they wanted to charge 150$ for a defective valve cover... I said bullshit it was dry there... they got mad and complained he had to pay a technician to diagnose the problem.. avoid these crooks at all cost. Doubt they would even fix their mistake the owner is an arrogant man who delegates jobs and doesn't even look himself, because he is partially blind

5w30 is the wrong oil type.

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29 days ago

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6 months ago

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3 months ago

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8 months ago

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8 months ago

Fantastic experience. I was in n out and they were super helpful. Good prices too! I highly recommend

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8 months ago

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8 months ago

Peter and his staff are great! Love that this place is a family own business! I highl recommend this place!

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8 months ago

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10 months ago

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4 years ago

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6 years ago

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2 years ago

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Kim N.

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6 years ago

Best car mechanic place in town. They are honest and don't upsell on things you don't need. Prices are very competitive. A+++

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8 years ago

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Page 1 of 2

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Review Highlights - Jesco Auto Center

Peter took the time to clearly explain what my car needed and kept me updated throughout the process.

Mentioned in 39 reviews

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So Cal Smog Check

So Cal Smog Check

5.0
(192 reviews)

I am extremely happy with the fast, professional, and outstanding service performed on my car the…read moreother day. The owner, Eli, greeted me warmly, communicated clearly throughout the process, and completed the work efficiently. The shop is exceptionally clean, including the restroom, and has a comfortable waiting area. They even offer customers a complimentary chilled bottle of water while they wait. The pricing is very reasonable, and they also provide a $10-off coupon. What impressed me most was Eli's honesty and attention to detail. During his inspection, he brought to my attention a legitimate issue with one of my engine torque mounts. I truly appreciated this because even the dealership failed to mention the problem when my car was serviced just a week earlier. What touched me even more was Eli's genuine kindness and generosity. He took the time to explain the issue and even offered to help address the deteriorated part. He truly went above and beyond to provide the best customer service I have ever experienced. Thank you, Eli, for your professionalism, kindness, and generosity. I am incredibly grateful for the excellent service and care you provided. I will definitely be returning for my next smog check. I highly recommend this business to anyone looking for honest, reliable, fast, and exceptional service. This place deserves 10 stars instead of 5!

Hands down- the fastest smog check ever! I checked in, chatted with the super nice employee, and…read morewalked into the waiting room. I barely had any time to aimlessly scroll on my phone when my car was ready. The employee quoted ten minutes...no way. He was done sooner. Grab a coupon from their website. It's ten dollars off. Credit cards and cash accepted. Easy to find, big waiting area, super fast. See you in two years!

Escondido Auto Tech

Escondido Auto Tech

4.9
(183 reviews)

Dropped it off to have them check eveything for our trailer hauling road trip coming up, 100k mile…read moretune-up & breaks checked. This was our 1st time here and they are now our only go-to. They didn't oversell me (like our last mechanic place did constantly telling me I needed something fixed and it wasn't needed), very professional and did our whole list of service in a day.

Call me a fan! After…read moreover 30 years, my trusted, go-to mechanic closed his shop. I was at a loss for where to find another honest, reliable, knowledgeable auto mechanic shop. After a lot of Yelp research, I found Escondido Auto Tech. I brought my vehicles for a smog and got great service each time. Found them easy to work with too. Next, I brought in my car for maintenance and a list of repairs and items to check on. Let me not bore with the mundane details, just know: -they took good care of the car, addressing every item on my list. -Frank, the service manager, took the time to discuss the list of repairs with me and explained what they would do-to make sure we were on the same page with everything. He listens! In fact, when he received the list (which I'd emailed ahead of time) he immediately spotted a safety issue and reached out to me to get it addressed promptly. -they finished the work AHEAD of the promised completion time -took the trouble to score parts at a lower price than quoted (and passed on the savings!) -provided a detailed completed work order with information I about my vehicle that I found valuable. Like I said, call me a fan!

Super Smog

Super Smog

4.2
(95 reviews)

Guys here were super fast and super nice. I brought my 2022 lifted jeep here and the price was…read moreamazing . And you can walk in without an appointment. I will definitely come back. I highly recommend this place .

I had purchased a Groupon for a Smog Check at Super Smog Escondido. Johnson immediately greeted me…read morewhen I arrived. I was the only customer throughout my visit and did not have to wait while he immediately began the intake process and inspection. Near completion, he mentioned that it had been a little difficult to read the numbers on my catalytic converters. This was surprising because, although my vehicle is a 2000, the converters were newly installed just a few years ago. I shared that I had bought my vehicle at an auction and afterwards learned it needed all four of the converters so...spending more than the car is worth.. I had new ones installed a few years ago. I have also had my vehicle smogged after the converters were installed, years ago. After completing the inspection and passing, I provided my Groupon to another Auto Tech while Johnson moved my car out of the service bay. Johnson instructed the other Auto Tech, if I was paying cash, it would be $10 (exactly) for my "8.25" smog check certificate". (I didn't realize this discrepancy until after I had left). Right after I had paid and after he had parked my vehicle, Johnson re-approached the service desk and explained that he needed to charge me an additional $10 because there was an "aftermarket service charge." I replied that I had read some of the reviews his business has received and mentioned that, in his replies, he often states for customers to refer to the terms of the Groupon. I then explained that there is nothing in the terms and conditions on the Groupon that mentions an "aftermarket service charge." He referred me to a sign under the service desk that showed a $10 charge for aftermarket parts, then he admitted it is not included in the terms on the Groupon certificate but that he would be adding it soon. He then offered not to charge me the fee "this time" but that now I would know for next time. Two stars for the fast, friendly service; minus three stars for the round up the certificate fee and the other surprise upcharges. Ultimately, I suggest you reconsider going to Super Smog Escondido if it would make you uncomfortable to refuse to pay incorrect charges ($10 instead of the $8.25 certificate fee) and other inappropriate charges that this business will likely try to tack on. Personally, I plan to not return. There are other smog inspection places nearby that are competitively priced and don't play these haggling, bait-and-switch games.

Jesco Auto Center - autorepair - Updated July 2026

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