Toms Auto Service

After reading reviews for Tom’s, I brought my SUV into their shop to get a check up before I went on a road trip to Phoenix. They were friendly and took care of what I asked for. I then brought my wife’s CRV to them to check the brakes, knowing they probably needed replacement. They did the brake service for around $ 200 which I thought was a fair price.
Two positive experiences!

I changed jobs from SLO to AG about 8 years ago, went to a couple different shops in South County before I found Tom’s. I’m a devoted client since 2009 and wouldn’t go any where else. Tom and his mechanics have experience and integrity.

Although a very busy auto shop, these guys are the best in town. Had a great experience when having my van repaired, even when I had some minor issues getting the car back. Tom himself came and helped me fix a simple problem. If you need your car repaired and are on a budget they will work with you to keep your car running and your bank account full. Thanks Tom’s Auto! Definitely will bring my vehicles here for future service.

They fixed my car fast, for not too much money, and now it runs like a champ. Thanks Tom’s Auto Service! We will definitely be coming back.

Tom and his staff have been working on all of my family trucks and autos. His shop is fast, fair and the friendly service is second to none. I recently took my daughters ford ranger in for a loud clacking noise. Tom diagnosed it while we waited and repaired the valve problem in the same day. Thanks Tom

Had to have our van towed in after it stalled on the freeway. Once again, Tom & his wonderful crew was able to diagnose the problem, made the necessary repairs, his charges were very reasonable & we had the van back in less than 24 hours. This automotive repair business will have our loyal gratitude & future business for years to come. If you’re looking for hard working, knowledgable, honest mechanics, this is the place to take your vehicle for trustworthy service.

Was misled to believe a service needed to be performed on my vehicle sooner than other mechanics recommended. Also, was quoted an estimate over $ 90 more than other local mechanic in SLO/​AG county for the exact same work. Sorry, they might not have lied to me, but weren’t honest about what needed to be done.

Great service with a smile. Good, honest shop with great people. They fixed a stripped oil drain plug on my ATV and didn’t price gouge even though it was a holiday weekend. I would highly recommend! I dealt with Corbin and he was a great guy and mechanic!

I’ve lived in Arroyo Grande since 1985 and have always shopped locally for goods and services. When my auto service center closed its doors several years ago I happened to run into a friend who referred me to Tom’s Auto Service on Grand Avenue. Although we have many choices here in the Five-​Cities, when it’s comes to auto repair, I choose Tom’s. They are friendly, professional and knowledgeable. I urge you to give Tom a call to discuss your automotive repair issues. He will go the extra mile for you.

We were on a road trip in SLO and got the car stuck on one of those parking barriers. We managed to get it off, making a terrible crunching sound in the process and pulling the barrier off the pavement leaving the spikes sticking up about 6 inches. We did not want to drive back to the SF Bay Area without checking out the car. It was 3 pm on New Year’s Day. Left a message at Tom’s. At 5 pm he called back to let me know he was closed but I could bring the car in the next morning.
I arrived about 9 on Jan. 2^nd and the place was FILLED with cars, trucks, you name it. After hanging out for only about 20 minutes, Tom put my car on the rack, checked it out and showed me the scrape and explained why it didn’t damage anything. When the car was down and ready to go, I asked how much I owed him.
He replied, «Nothing.» I expected at least $ 50 bucks and knowing I was from out of town and wouldn’t be back he probably could have pushed it to twice that. Tom is the kind of human being we can all strive to emulate. He reassured me by calling me on a day his shop was closed and again when he took the time to show me what had been done to the car and, on an incredibly busy day, explain why it was not a problem.
Thank you, Tom. You have my vote as a mechanic and a kind and generous person!

One of these days I’m going to give Tom some money!
I’ve always done my own work but a year or so ago I was being lazy and pulled in to Tom’s garage to see if he had time to put the Ranger up on the rack to check the brakes. He took it right in, I was out in 10 minutes and he wouldn’t take a dime for his time. Fast forward and a week ago I took it back in to check the ball joints. I looked at them a week before and they seemed OK but the trucks got 175K with the original joints and I wanted a second opinion. Made an appointment and when I arrived I drove right onto the rack, no waiting and I was out 15 minutes later. He says he doesn’t see any reason to change them. What do I owe you? No charge. That wasn’t going to work the second time because we all know time IS money but Tom was fine with no charge for this.
I had my dog in the truck and took her out before the truck went in the shop bay and tied her in some shade while I went in to talk with Tom. When I came out I found a bowl of water by her that one of the technicians had brought out to her!
I do most of the work on my vehicles myself but if I can’t or don’t want to do it I wouldn’t take it anywhere but Tom’s. Great hometown professional service.

Tom’s is a very friendly atmosphere. He runs a very honest shop that has the customers best interest in mind. I take my car whenever there is a problem and tom and his guys get it done fast and affordable for me. They have always been able to fix whatever I can throw at them. I recommend toms to all my friends and family. Definitely give them a call!

My car failed a smog check at another shop. I took it here to get repaired. The same problem occurred before I could get it re smogged. (check engine light was on)
I found out from Bureau of auto repair that only a smog shop can make repairs like this.
I was told this was a different problem and did not get my money back.
I also discovered later that he used to mange Midas who was shut down by BAR.
Won’t be back!

These guys are trustworthy. I’d recommend them to anyone who needs to have work done on their car.

Great honest work

I took my 97 Dodge Dakota in for repair on a recommendation from a friend. It had been making a squeaking sound from the fan belt area for a while. The sqeaking got worse and turned into a metal on metal knocking sound. Then the truck started to lose significant power. Depressing the accelerator past half way did nothing. I expect a little more from my 5.2L. I thought that a pulley or my water pump had gotten so frozen that it was sucking power from my engine or worse, a push rod had busted. So I took it to Tom’s Auto Service.
I had it towed late one day, and by 9am the next morning he had an estimate. I needed a new water pump and my catalytic converter was totally rusted out, which was plugged with rust and the main cause of my loss of power. I was a little skeptical, having known my cat was a rusty pile for years. I authorized that, but told him I would replace the water pump myself as I had done that before. Most mechanics I have dealt with don’t like to hear that, but Tom was very cool about it. He replaced the catalytic converter in a matter of hours. He did a fantastic job. The truck was back to its old powerful self, and I could hear the great exhaust sound for the first time in years!
I would definitely recommend Tom’s Auto Service to anyone I cared about.
Thanks Tom!