Needed a smog check. They definitely pay attention. Told them I would be there first thing when they opened. I didn't tell them I was running late but rolled up around 9:30am and the lady walked up and said "smog check right?" I was there no more than 10-15 min for $47. I would return. Fast, friendly, reasonably priced. My housemate and boyfriend have also had some other auto work there with positive experience it's a little confusing with the name...Kennedy or Salas but seems to all be the same shop shop no matter what shows up on google map vs Yelp vs what's on the building. read more

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Salas Automotive is probably the best auto repair I have ever delt with. Fidel and Angela are very knowledgable on many different makes and models. Professional, Honest, friendly and the prices are as fair as you will ever find. They give you honest assessments with no high pressure up-sells. I have been using them for several years now and you won't find a nicer family owned business. Having an honest reliable mechanic is a true blessing in this life. Thanks Fidel and Angela! read more

I'm always impressed with how friendly, caring, and honest Angela and Fidel are. Sometimes it can be intimidating walking into a mechanic as a young woman who doesn't know much about cars, but I always feel so well taken care of here! My Prius broke down today and I haven't been to Fidel's shop in years. Angela remembered me and sent me to the Toyota dealership with my issue after letting me know it would be cheaper to have that part replaced there. They were also great years ago when I had my cat converter stolen. Highly recommend this spot, they are worth of your trust :) read more

Blew up my radiator on my way down to Santa Barbara during the 4th of July weekend. Brought my car in and they were able to get me back on the road within a day. They did an amazing job and I'm grateful for the work they did. The owners were also very friendly! read more

Wow. Great mechanic. Our Toyota mechanic recently retired (is that even allowed). We brought a car here for a prepurchase inspection and were super impressed by his knowledge. We will bring our cars here for repairs in the future. I grew up poor, so I know a decent amount about working on cars and mechanics. lol. I have changed alternators, water pumps, brakes and rotors, leaf springs, even a transmission. Fidel found a potential issue with a car that checked out in every other way. He saved me a lot of headache. I look forward to doing business with Fidel in the future and I am glad to pay for his expertise. read more

I'm a little bit in shock right now. My wife and I just moved to the area and she has a 1997 Landcruiser. There is a problem with the charging system and I called to see if I could bring the car in. The person I spoke with, without even looking at the car, quoted me roughly $800 to replace the alternator and battery, which sounded like a reasonable price, but I was surprised to have a solution without taking a look at things first and didn't think the battery needed to be replaced anyway. When I even started questioning this, and asking what the cost would be without the battery replacement, I was told that they didn't even want to work on my wife's car. I'm 56 years old and have been around a bit. Never have I ever had anyone say anything like that. I suppose they must have more business than they need to turn away a potential customer. And that we are new to the area and once we find a good mechanic for our cars, we would certainly want to keep going to them, they just lost a possible loyal customer. Just kind of shaking my head at what happened. Took my car instead to Bowman's auto. Highly recommend them. They did a great job replacing the alternator at the quoted price and never once suggested I needed a new battery too. Anyone that even has a basic understanding of cars knows that there's an easy test to determine if a battery is operating properly and can handle the required voltage to operate a car. Turning me away because I didn't think I should spend $300 to replace my battery without even testing it first raises serious questions for me. In the end it worked out great for me as a new Santa Barbara resident. I discovered Bowman's auto and look forward to a long relationship with them taking care of our FJ80 Landcruiser. read more

I absolutely love this amazing team led by Fidel and Angela. Very kind, professional, and focused on getting the repair done as cost effective as possible. Trust them completely and would highly recommend them for your auto repair needs. David read more

I highly recommend SALAS AUTO REPAIR INC, Lexus Toyota Honda Specialist on 205 S Salinas St in Santa Barbara. The owner/mechanic, Fidel used to work at DCH Lexus and opened his own shop three years ago. He is super honest, almost half the price of what this new dealership owner group is charging. I took my Lexus IS 250 in for a big maintenance service today- basically got every single kind of fluid changed, front and rear brake replace, alignment, throttle body service and got my car back within 6 hrs. My car drives so much nicer after their service. They even offered ride and washed my car before pick up. Dealership service without the dealership prices. Can't be happier! read more

I had such a wonderful experience at this shop! The owner and his wife are truly kind, experienced, and honest people. I ended up needing a new radiator (mine was cracked) and 2 new wheel bearings. They explained all the costs upfront, and their pricing matched the range I would pay in Kelly blue book auto pricing estimates - so I know they were being honest. They took time to show me pictures of what they found, and went above and beyond to go over all my options with me. On the day of my repair, they even offered to have one of their employees drive me back home! Which I gladly accepted. They also offered to pick me back up to get my car. They even got my car washed for me when I came to pick it up...! I have never been to a mechanic who has gone this above and beyond. They are so kind and caring - very refreshing. A trustworthy, family business. They have pictures of their young kiddos and dogs in the office when you come in - very sweet. They are also very on time and reliable. I brought my car in 2 different times, and got it back when agreed upon so I could make it to work on time. And they even texted me updates during the repair..! Highly recommend! I have a 2003 Toyota Highlander and my car is running great. I will forsure be coming back if I need more work done! read more

This spot is so sweet! The workers are friendly & chill. They were quick & affordable I needed to get my belt changed & they changed it fast & charged me w/ the quote they gave me over the phone. Love this spot they are honest & sweet! Honestly if you need a fix go here & i'm all for supporting small business these guys are rad! read more

I got a mobile inspection done on a car I really wanted (a Subaru Outback). The mechanic found the entire bottom was rusted and warned me about the possible spread to the engine bay. This guy saved me THOUSANDS on my first dealership car. I'm grateful for his honesty and would refer anyone to him. read more

Very friendly, honest and fast mechanic. Got me in the next day and quotes fair prices over the phone. Highly recommended! read more

Salas auto repair - Brake replacement - Auto Repair Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

These reviews are clearly false. I called and asked if they could disconnect the HFL on my son's Acura RDX. This was after researching his parasitic battery drain and troubleshooting after we replaced alternator and battery ourselves. Rather than doing so, the mechanic tells me he first needs to run a $300 diagnostic(for what I've already diagnosed?). Then calls me 1 hour after the car arrives and says "all his guys" have been working on the diagnostic and figured it out. It's the HFL.. duh!.. I told him this the day before. Now he charges an additional $200 to fix it. Oh no, he didn't fix anything, he just disconnected it. We let him change the alternator as well because it has been overused. $1100 later and about 2.5 hours of work- my boy is back on the road. Son is attending UCSB and I am in the Bay Area therefore I was at the mercy of this dishonest person and he knew it. Moral of the story, find an honest mechanic and pass on this guy. read more

Best mechanic I've dealt with in Santa Barbara. He did the brakes on my Lexus. Honest, on-time and extremely well spoken. I can't recommend him enough. read more

The only mechanic I have found who I felt I could trust immediately. They were so helpful and got me in quickly when my car needed urgent repairs. Gave me good pricing and even transportation when my ride fell through. 10/10 for great service, pricing, and workmanship. read more

Salas mechanic is fantastic. I found him on Yelp and gave him a shot with a few moderate vehicle repairs. His prices were very fair and his work is excellent. His staff is super friendly and easy to work with. It is sometimes hard to find a fair priced honest mechanic, but Salas is just that. read more

My daughter was visiting friends at UCSB this week and her car would not start. After calling AAA we determined that most likely cause was a bad starter. We had the car towed to Salas and that's where they first began to impress me! Their shop closes at 6pm and the tow truck was stuck in traffic. They waited an additional 30 minutes for my daughter's car to arrive! A+ customer service! After removing and testing the starter we were able to confirm the problem was in-fact the starter. The 2015 Volvo S60 requires an OEM starter and the nearest Volvo dealership is in Calabasas 70 miles away! First thing in the morning the guys at Salas drove 140 miles round trip, replaced the starter and had her out the door by 2PM. Thanks guys! I can't tell you how much I appreciate how far you went out of your way to help out! read more

Fidel was one of the most professional and nice mechanics I've ever met. He was able to properly diagnose my car and fix the battery problem within a reasonable time for a great price. If you're looking for a trustworthy and genuine person to help you out with your auto problems, he's definitely the most qualified person to call. Thanks Fidel! read more

They are excellent mechanics at a reasonable price. So my son thought I was nagging bc I repeatedly reminded him to wash his car. I mean dirt was caked on it, so filthy. He learned why after his window regulator broke and his window wouldn't close. Called Salas, he immediately located the parts and was out to the car fast. Fixed the window in about 45m. Great job, great price, and don't have to worry about rain. Lol Thank you for ur excellent work, you earned a new life long customer. al read more

My car was in dire need of multiple things to be worked on. Fidel was great at explaining things and setting up a game plan to get everything done- his patience was so greatly appreciated! I have definitely found our family mechanic, highly recommend his services! -HONEST -PUNCTUAL -HELPFUL THANK YOU!!! read more

I came to Santa Barbara from out of town to (potentially) buy a 1994 Roadtrek camper van that I had never seen before. Fidel met me at the sellers home and did a full inspection of the van. He went through tires, brakes, generator, etc (and many additional things that I didn't even expect he would be willing to do) and he pointed out the work that needed to be done inside and out of the RV/van. Thanks to Fidel, I was able to negotiate a very fair price for the van, and drove it home. I found Fidel to be exceptionally helpful and generous with his time. If I lived in Santa Barbara, he would be my mechanic without a doubt! Thanks Fidel!! Joy read more

We had a RV rental with mechanical problems near Carpinteria on a Sunday evening. Fidel showed up first thing next morning and isolated problem to mass air flow sensor. Had the RV back on the road, did a great job and was thorough. read more

Salas auto repair - Auto Repair Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

My old Lexus hybrid has been having intermittent electrical problems for years: clicking, windows/locks not working, dome light staying on and doesn't turn off, and other random things. Every time I thought I might bring it in, it would go away and I knew the mechanic would think I'm crazy. Finally during the big rainstorm the 'check hybrid engine' light came on and the power steering went out. Not good. I figured I would have to buy a new car. My husband called Salas and he asked if the floorboards were wet -- odd questions -- and sure enough, he figured it out over the phone. So impressed. Like Click and Clack. Turns out the sunroof drainage system was clogged with gunk, and it was overflowing into the fuse box, and wreaking havoc. He'd seen it before. We had it towed in, and Salas had at it for 2 days, took the interior panels out, replaced the hose let it all dry out. The wires were not damaged. They also discovered a leak in the radiator hose that we had suspected, and replaced that. They took it to the car wash, cleaned my car beautifully and checked everything was watertight. They drove it around to make sure the lights did not come back. I mean, these guys were thorough. Then he picked me up at work when it was done so I didn't have to Uber over there. I was so excited to have my car back, its been years since it was that clean. I've been driving it for a few days before writing this review, just to be sure, and it's been perfect. His wife in the office is competent and knowledgeable, too. I kind of can't wait to go back! Is that weird?? I never ever said that about a mechanic before. read more

Fidel and Jose were amazing all-around. Fidel gave me a quote over the phone and stuck to that quote exactly even though they did a lot of extra work. He was personable and professional, worked clean, and was very thorough. We are very thankful to them as we were stranded with our RV and we could not have done this without them (my husband is disabled). Thank you again to Fidel and Jose! read more

I got a frantic call from my wife from the Home Depot parking lot telling me that our Toyota Van wouldn't start. I phoned Fidel and he quickly figured out the problem was the starter while on the phone. He told me he would pick up a starter on his way over to be prepared and told me that if he was wrong he would return it. He gave me an estimate before he started work and didn't exceed it. He ended up being correct and had the van all fixed in less time than it would call to get a AAA tow. I will definitely use again. read more

Fidel is our new favorite mechanic! He is honest and really knows his stuff. Our alternator went out on our truck and he got a new one installed quickly. He is friendly, communicates every step of the process and stands by his work. We will definitely be calling him for future car repairs. If I could give him more stars, I would gladly do so! Also, I would recommend Fidel to people like me who don't know a lot about cars. He fixed what needed fixing and looked over the engine to assess any future problems (like how much life a belt had on it) but didn't try to sell me other repairs. It's hard to find a mechanic who is both knowledgeable and honest and I think Fidel is both of these! read more

I have been using this mechanic for several years now and he never lets me down. He always charges what he quotes and gets the job done when he says he will. read more

Fidel fixed all four shocks on my car. Gave me a price in advance and held up to it. Good quality product and good quality service. I shopped around and got 5 offers. He was among the two cheapest and I chose him as he was flexible and I did not have to worry about dropping car of at a shop. I will go back with other issues and can highly recommend his services. read more

Fidel is an excellent mechanic. He has an in-depth knowledge of cars giving me great confidence as he carefully explains any repairs that he suggests. I think one of the biggest concerns with auto mechanics is trust. I trust Fidel completely. He shows up on time and the convenience of the mobile service is wonderful. His oil change prices are competitive while I save all the drive time to the mechanics shop besides the loss of use of my car for a day. Fidel is done in an hour and I'm good to go. I needed a really big job done recently. Fidel saved me $300 over my old mechanic. He is a full service mechanic that you can bring virtually any job to. He'll also check over your whole car for needed maintenance so you avoid repair headaches or breakdowns later. I highly recommend Fidel! read more

Please note that they do not provide mobile services, they are only doing in-shop repairs, so the "mobile" in the name is a misnomer.

I first called Salas about 18 months ago after my 2002 Nissan Xterra was losing power on the road and leaving me stranded. Because I didn't want to risk driving, he came to my home. I thought "oh no, he's going to charge me an arm and a leg for Mobile service!" Quite the contrary, he came and diagnosed the vehicle and fixed it within a couple hours and the price was more than reasonable! Next time, my check engine light kept coming on..Salas talked me through some possible problems over the phone and when I tried the simple fixes that didn't work, he came right out and fixed my car again. Each time quoting me fair prices along the way. I was never surprised with a huge bill. Most recently, my starter quit on me and Salas came to my home and put in a new starter and was up and running within an hour. The price was far less than I would have been charged the dealer or another mechanic shop. Bottom line, I will not have anyone but Salas work on my vehicle again. I trust him 100% and refer family and friends to him. My 70 yr old Mom had an emergency situation and he came to her rescue as well and fixed her car on the spot (along with an oil change, because she needed it). She couldn't believe the service and the price! Thank you, Salas! I'm so glad I found you! read more

Fidel came through immediately when I needed a new alternator. He was very knowledgeable and quick. Also found an issue with my car's thermostat, which he was happy to fix! Fidel made sure everything he did was done right. He arrived to my location within 20 minutes, and finished within 45. All of this great service at the best price we could find. I'd highly recommend Salas Mobile Mechanic and will be calling again, should I run into any issues in the Santa Barbara Area! read more

Salas auto repair - Auto Repair Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The ABSOLUTE best mechanic in Santa Barbara without a doubt whether a service station or mobile service! Reasonably priced, knowledgeable, professional, personable & punctual. Gets right to work, informs you on how he diagnosed your issue & educates you on your vehicle. Took care of my Wife's car(a no start) in an hour. I was so impressed, a car I had sitting for 2yrs needing both front axles & a starter that I called him back in a week to fix it. Came at 7am & took 2hrs & now that car is running great again. HIGHLY recommended & I will call him for anything I can't do myself from now on. Exceptional service!!! PS: He is also Smog Certified!! Call you soon about the alternator for my truck! THANKS AGAIN!!!! read more

This was the best experience I have ever had with a mechanic or any car person. He came out to my house to help me on a Sunday! He explained everything to me, and I never felt stupid. His price was reasonable. I could not recommend this company enough. read more

The greatest service ever. Fidel was quick to respond and did a wonderful job with a difficult problem !

Fidel is wonderful​! So Patient with us in limping along our old car. He helped us make sure it was safe enough to drive even during the crazy winds we had during the Thomas Fire. He promised not to leave uswithout​t a car. As a worried mom, I am truly grateful. Thank you!!!!! read more

Called 5pm on Tuesday and my car was fixed by 11am the next morning. Can't beat that! Plus the price was fair and comparable to two other shops I got an estimate from. Thanks!! read more

Salas has been mine and my husband's go-to mechanic for almost a year now. After calling him once we never went back to any shop. He has somehow made the all too stressful situation of "going to the mechanic" convenient, easy, and affordable all while offering excellent customer service. He takes time to explain the issue both technically and in terms I can understand. Salas has a genuine and professional approach to fixing cars and has saved us both time and money. For this reason, we will always contact Salas for any mechanical services we may need. read more

My new favorite mechanic is Fidel! His sincerity and fair price to get my Honda fixed is what won him my business. Felix will be recommended by me to all my family and friends. Don't bother calling anyone else. He changed my starter and oil on my 2003 Civic in less than an hour and a half. Fair, honest, expeditious and friendly is rare in a mechanic. You are the first Fidel. read more

Fidel is reliable, knowledgable, and the most honest mechanic I've worked with! I had a persistent check engine light on my 04' Toyota Solara for over a year. Different mechanics mis-diagnosed the problem and they kept on saying it was just a fuel cap issue. I would change the fuel cap and the engine light would just come back on. This problem was starting to hinder my car from passing smog (which was already late) and I needed to get the problem fixed ASAP. Fidel did detailed diagnosis test both with the computer and physical examination, and figured out the real problem! It ended up being the a little hose that have cracked and it was releasing some smoke in the engine, hence, causing the light to come on. Fidel was able to fix the problem permanently and got my car to pass smog the same day! He's definitely my long-term mechanic from now on! Thank you Yelp for helping me find Fidel! read more