Alvarez Automotive Repair

What a rip off place, don’t take your car there, mr. Alvarez needs to work on his customer service, and is business skills. Greedy owner. Will not come back to this place

Wow!!!
I just do smog in this place
This so amazing
Fest, professional and easy
The price is good and the customer service very good
To do smog this the place!!!

As a young blonde female, many automotive repair shops in the area have tried to rip me off. Unfortunately, this is one of those places. I came in for a smog check and Gaspar told me that I «almost passed» but needed to drive my car all the way to Goleta to test it out. After I returned about 25 minutes later, he told me with a chuckle that «I had great timing because he was about to head home» even though he promised to wait for me to come back .
He failed my smog and charged me $ 45, telling me I can come back another time but he would charge a $ 25 retest fee… even though most other places offer free retests!
I did not make any repairs on my vehicle (my check engine light is fickle and that is why Gaspar failed me) but it turned off on its own and I passed my smog at a different repair shop. I strongly recommend Pedro Smog on Salinas. Great service, I was in and out in 10 minutes without an appointment. I do not recommend getting ripped off at Gaspar’s shop.

Gaspar is the best! He has been fixing my car for four years now… and I wouldn’t go to anyone else in town. He is always able to help me even when I haven’t made an appt. and has come through for me during emergency situations. He is very honest, hard working, and kind. I have always had exceptional service from him!

I called around Santa Barbara for a star certified smog check and found Alvarez automotive. Gaspar is the man that runs the place and he was very pleasant and professional. The service was extremely fast. I called Gaspar to see if an appointment was needed. He said that I could just come in and it would take about 20 minutes. Based on this experience, he was a man of his word and I would definitely recommend this place for automotive services.

Just purchased my first used car in California and they made the smog check a breeze. Called up and had an appointment 30 min later, friendly staff gave me a quick quote and brought my car in immediately. Gaspar and his wife were both personable and made my short wait comfortable. Couldn’t ask for much more.

They say that repeat customers is the sign of a quality business. I’m one of them and Gaspar is my man. He does quality work charges fair prices tells you the truth and doesn’t waste your time.
When it came time for repeat business he remembered me my car the previous work and was ready to go for the next job.
Jerry

Gaspar is the man! Had to get my son’s car smogged in one day and it had to be a star smog cause we live in L.A. county and he goes to school in Santa Barbara. Gaspar squeezed us in without in appointment and had us on our way in no time. Super honest, friendly and professional. Will only take my son’s car there for service and repairs while he’s away at school.

Quick, easy, and friendly service! After trying two different smog places and driving all over Santa Barbara (One had a broken machine and charged extra for enhanced and another recommended Gaspar since they don’t do enhanced smog at all), Alvarez Auto Repair was a welcome relief.
Got a quick quote for $ 50 on Smog – they don’t charge extra for enhanced smog checks. Yay! I took more time picking out lunch at Fresh N Easy across the street than it took for the check.
Gaspar and his wife were both really nice. They also do more than smog checks and will definitely consider them for future car repair needs.

I walked out of a service station down the road after listening to the attendant argue with a customer for 10 mins over an internet coupon…
Alvarez’ was a breath of fresh air. His wife and young son have me a quick quote ($ 50 total for smog) and immediately serviced my car. No wait. Also, they didn’t give me any BS about out-​of-​county «enhanced» smog fee. They have an addition certification (Star?) which, to me, means they aren’t some shady, hardy qualified operation. They might cost $ 5 more than shop down the street with the coupon, but the friendly, family environment made me feel at ease. Gaspar’s wife was very personable, honest, and has a great smile. I will certainly be coming back.

Gaspar fixed the gear shift selector on my 2006 Suzuki Forenza a few months ago, and his work was quality. He also gave me a fair deal on the price after the dealership tried to charge me triple the amount. He is not a predator on his customers as one person posted. I would take my car to him again.

Gaspar is a super nice guy who is honest and reliable. I completely disagree with the reviewer who said he preys on women who don’t know about cars. As a woman, I have used his garage for engine problems to oil changes and he always does quick, reliable work at the price he quotes me beforehand. He has always been able to get my car in at short notice and completes the work fast. I highly recommend Alvarez Automotive as a great locally owned family business with excellent service.

They diagnosed my check engine light quickly, fixed it and got me smogged. Excellent service.

Avoid this place at all cost. This guy prays on women that have no clue about cars. He charges a ridiculous amount of money for things like replacing brake pads, tire rotation, replacing fuses, etc.