Dave Scholl Automotive

Dave’s one star reviews are not deserved. I have taken many Volvos to him over the years as has my son. He’s a bit surly, doesn’t talk much, and looks at you sometimes as if he’s just waiting for you to shut up so he can get down to business. His wife Terry helps him and she’s quite the opposite, very personable. Anyway, Dave is an excellent mechanic and more importantly, very honest. Volvos aren’t cheap to fix, he’s not a low end mechanic, but not any more expensive than the other ones and you get absolutely no bull shit from Dave.
So if you want a one hour dissertation on what’s wrong with your car, or detailed itemized to the penny estimates, go somewhere else, but if you want your car fixed, fixed competently, and at the going rate, Dave is the guy. He will not do a repair unless it is necessary and when you pick up your car, you know you are good to go.

Found out after had work authorized, I could have saved $ 200./elsewhere on the radiator. After all the hype and commercials about Dave Scholl Auto, I could have not been more unhappy. Not only were all the «prices» not itemized, he was quite short with me and also showed no respect towards my college-​aged son, since he had many questions and was such a costly repair (s). Since he couldn’t be bothered by «itemizing» the parts, labor, and discount, (which was over $ 2k for a 1997 Volvo), we took it elsewhere, and had it all done for under $ 1k, and a couple of the parts Scholl had on his list, were not even needed. If you want to sit down w/​a pro, who will explain each part, be patient, and talk over such a large estimate with you without gouging you… DON’T Go here!!! :(

Dave is the best of the Swedish craftsmen, revered in their native land, as economical with their words as they are with there tolerance of all things yuppie. It you feel you are slumming when you leave Montecito or that your newly polished bs degree validates anything other than your desperate need for a 50 unit course in economic and emotional reality this is not the shop for you, No manicured male doll at the gate taking orders and administering feel good therapy.
Just a small team of highly talented, honest Volvo specialists. Fifteen years ago my trusty 740 died out near gavoita. Although I had asked to be towed to a large shop the driver recommended Dave and called ahead. I answered David’s questions whil we were driving and then he abruptly ended the conversation. Dave met us at the gate and before the tow driver had the car on the ground Dave had replaced the fuel pump relay and the car was running. The bill was super reasonable and the service fantastic. He had the courtesy not to point out other issues .
In the interim the car has been serviced by another swede in Santa Monica with a very similar work ethic and a few whinney reviews.
I indicated the general area of the water leak to Dave and a few minutes later he had the problem diagnosed, a list of the needed parts and the cost which was again very modest.
There’s an old joke about swedes that helps explain the culture. Rolf comes home from another day of hard work to confronted by his wife … Rolf, it’s been twenty years since you said you loved me. Puzzled he replies. Ya, you are right and if it ever changes I will let you know…

My aunt and uncle were in town. They had some car trouble, we asked around on who worked on Volvo in town. We took it down to the shop, and Dave diagnosed and repaired it in a jiffy. I would definitely recommend Dave Scholl automotive. By the way their shop dog Cody is an awesome Chocolate lab.

Took my ’99 V70 in to confirm what I believed to be an ABS module failure from my research online.
He diagnosed it as such and also informed me that my transmission speed sensor was faulty. Good information. Much appreciated.
I dunno if he doesn’t like college-​aged kids or what, but this guy was not amiable in the least. I got vague, one-​word answers to my questions (I learned not to ask too many after a while). All in all, he didn’t seem too happy to have my business, so I don’t think I’ll be coming back.
Thanks for the info Dave. Not all of us kids are spoiled brats. I just wanted to know what was wrong with my car so that I could fix it.

I would not recommend this mechanic to anyone. We had a terrible experience when we took our Volvo to get repaired. He did the job, charged $ 400 and a few days later it was making the same noise again… so we took it back, he checked it and said that it was something completely different (but affecting the same parts he had replaced) and it would cost $ 2,500!!! He said he missed it because the car was not running when he got it but we still got charged $ 90 for him to check it and do absolutely NOTHING to the car! He did not make us sign any papers before doing the repair but we still paid him (we really shouldn’t have — that was part of the initial repair)
When I asked him to explain further and break down the cost of the repair, he basically tried to give me an explanation but just based on no facts. So for the $ 490 that we paid him, the car is still in the same condition if not worst. Beware of this mechanic, he’s definitely not an honest one.
Don’t take your car there, its not worth it your time and money.

This man was completely rude to me on the phone and acted like I didn’t know what I was talking about when I called in reference to my Volvo 240 wagon.
I have been a proud owner of seven Volvos, and I understand their intricacies ~therefore I know when I need new shocks~ despite the fact that I am a woman.
Is it so difficult to communicate on a telephone in a polite manor ?
Such a bad reputation mechanics have for being know-​it-​alls, and this contributes to that generalization, which is unfortunate.
There are classy and confident mechanics out there~ just have to find them…

Dave is a great guy and a straight shooter.
Very reasonable.
He’s not free, but he doesn’t overcharge.
I totally trust him
He’s helped me so much and never charged for advice or his generous gift of time

Was passing through Santa Barbara overnight and showed up at Dave’s place 10 minutes before opening hoping to resolve a ‘check engine’ and surging issue with my XC70. Dave said he would have a look at it and within an hour and a half, I was out of there with a newly replaced fuel sensor that the computer found faulty and that he had in stock. The car ran great the rest of the trip. Really appreciated the short notice service and the very fair price.

One reason I bought a Volvo is that I knew I could take it here for service. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Started taking my Volvo here after I got tired of getting incredibly expensive estimates from the dealership. A co-​worker recommended Dave Scholl’s work, and I now see why. He does a great job, is honest and friendly, and definitely a better value. Highly recommended.