Santa Monica Autoworks

These guys do excellent work. That is where the positive side of this review ends. Suffice it to say that if they tell you you need work done get a second opinion. I took my car in for a 75,000 mile check up and was handed a list of $ 5000 worth of work they said needed to be completed. I took the car elsewhere and asked them to check it over. After a review of the car they told me the car was in good shape and that they don’t recommend any repairs. I responded with asking about a couple of things that were on the list given to me by Santa Monica Autoworks. They took a second look and gave me the same answer. Nothing! needed to be done. The only reason I can come up with that somebody would want you to spend $ 5000 on repairs that aren’t necessary is A) they are recommending repairs in advance of an issue you might experience over 75,000 miles or B) they are trying to rip you off. Either way I’m not spending $ 5000 I don’t have to.

This was my first visit to Autoworks, which I selected based on the strength of the Unilocal reviews. Took my BMW X5 in for a few minor things, which in the X5 always seem to be major regardless, but in this case they remained minor. No hassle, no ordeal, just straight up got the job done as and when promised. I’ve been taking the car to the dealer up until now, always a little hesitant to take it to another shop even after the warranty expired. But now I am kicking myself for not going to Autoworks sooner. Great job guys. Highly recommend.

Can’t recommend this place enough. Great guys, professional, accommodating and fair. If you have an Audi, BMW, Volkswagen or Mercedes, this is the place to go to get it serviced. Hands down.

I’ve been bringing my 1999 E320 Mercedes here for several years. Even as my mileage ekes up to 175k, the car still runs beautifully thanks in large part to Mike, Brian, Brett, Mario, and crew. Beyond that, these guys are good people. Honest, compassionate, smart, and funny. Nutty as it sounds, I like taking my car in for tune ups and repairs because I like catching up with them.
They do stay busy, so be prepared to schedule work a week or 2 ahead of time, but you’ll get excellent service.

Great neighborhood service shop. Always helpful & friendly staff that explain details so you know what they are checking and what needs repair. Mario even taught me how to use my car’s computer to check simple diagnostics myself!

Brian and Santa Monica Autoworks are still wonderful and their customer service and communication are excellent. I’m still seeing them for my BMW 325. Thank you, Brian!

I have always said you need to find two angels you trust completely when you move to a new place: your doctor and your car mechanic. I brought my Mercedes here for years and had trust and confidence that it was being well taken care of and so was I. A great relief.

As you can see with most Unilocalers these guys are the best. Brian was very helpful and I knew from the first conversation that he and his team would get the job done. Mike is a great guy as well, the mechanics know what they are doing and got me back on the road fast. Thanks guys again

I’ve been bringing my cars to Mike and Brian at SM Autoworks for going on a decade now, and they’re the best auto mechanics I’ve ever had.
You’re probably familiar with the vague sense of dread that accompanies a trip to most auto service shops. It’s like the dentist — you show up terrified, strange and hideously expensive procedures are performed, and part of your face is numb when you leave.
But not at SM Autoworks! Case in point: once I had an issue with the tie rods on my old A4, was quoted something ridiculous by the dealership, and took it over to SM Autoworks to get their take. They explained my options in detail, the costs and benefits of going with used parts vs new, the labor involved in replacing them, and ultimately recommended the lower cost option. Then when they got in there and one of the bolts was rusted solid, they pulled the thing out and showed it to me as they explained the delay. And in the end the quality of the repair work was excellent.
The guys have always been straight-​up honest, willing to answer questions and explain things, and still hundreds of dollars cheaper than the dealership. I wish I could have them do my teeth too.

We’ve been taking our cars here for years. Brian is the best! He’s trustworthy, efficient and knowledgable. Highly recommended. Won’t go anywhere else.

I frankly can’t say enough good things about Santa Monica Autoworks. After my warranty ran out on my BMW 3-​series, I had that dreaded moment of having to find a new auto mechanic, on top of that one who specializes in BMWs. With the help of all you Unilocalers I took my car to Santa Monica Autoworks and I“m so happy that I did. Both Brian and Mike who run the shop are great guys and 100% honest about what your car needs and what it doesn’t. Not only that, their prices are completely reasonable and fair.
They’ve made a lifetime customer out of me. I will never take my car anywhere else. If you live anywhere in all of Los Angeles, this place is worth the drive to take your car too.

Brian and Mario are awesome. They are honest super helpful and very prompt to help with any questions and schedules. I highly recommend bringing your car to these guys! Two thumbs up!

Yeah they guys know what they are doing. They are awesome to do business with… I have been taking my car here for two years and won’t go anywhere else now!

In response to the business owner feedback: I do remember what happened and not making things up here. You kept the car for two days and it was not fixed. Your logic of keeping the car until you determine the fix is not possible as this is my primary means of transportation. You are correct regarding reducing the initial fee to diagnose the problem because the shop was unable to determine what is the issue for sure hence my point in the review. I had to pay for car rental, your shop charge, and still my car problem was not fixed!
I appreciate the fact that you are busy, most car repair shops are but you took the car in and I was charged for whatever work you did. It’s not called help. If you provide service for free then you are helping.
In the end, I still had to fix my check engine light. I took the car to another shop. They were able to diagnose and fix the problem in the same day. End of the Story.

Mike, Brian, and all their mechanics are the best. Very professional and will take the time to explain what the problem is and even show you pictures. As a woman it’s rare to find a mechanic who doesn’t treat you like an idiot ripe for scamming. SM Autoworks is the opposite of that! I could not recommend them highly enough. I have 09 Jetta TDI and they’ve come in cheaper than the dealership each time on repairs or regular maintenance. They’re very honest and upfront about what maintenance you need now and in the future.

These guys are great. They offer full, thorough and accurate diagnostics and are honest with you throughout the process — explaining exactly what is going on and how they would recommend addressing an issue in a way that meets your needs and actually fixes the problem.
They aren’t recommending any stopgaps that only fix symptoms and not the base problem, so you don’t have to feel like you’ll be dealing with the same issue over and over again.
I’ve never worked with an auto shop where I felt like I could really trust what I was being told and that the quality of the work would be top-​notch. Well done and keep it up.

Here’s the deal: your car needs fixed? Take it to SM Autoworks and it will not just be fixed, it will be repaired.
Had my BMW 328i at 2 other ‘mechanics’. Both had no idea what they were doing — one of them actually put me in danger (I picked it up from their garage and drove down the I-​10 where the car just stopped running!).
Finally took my car to SM Autoworks where Brian and the team did a FULL repair of my car. They even handled a third-​party warranty company that I had.
The process was long (it needed to be, in my case) and thorough.
This happened 4 months ago and I waited until now to write a review — wanted to see if anything would go wrong. And — you guessed it — my 2007 BMW runs like a brand new car because of these guys.
SM Autoworks. There is no other option for car care in LA.

Another mini owner here. I was really afraid walking into the garage, after my previous beloved mechanic passed away, I prepared myself after listening to horror stories from my friends. I was HUGELY relieved. I immediately felt better just by the way i was greeted. After diagnosing my car, Brian called as promised, took the time to explain the problem with me as if he were discussing a loved ones health issues. Cost not nearly as bad as I had anticipated. Told me to stop by in a thousand miles just to «make sure». And to top it off gave me a pep talk after i had mentioned that a family member had died this week. They have a new lifelong customer, and, for sure I will be pointing my friends in their direction.
Downside? Not open on weekends and close early, but, hey– I kind of appreciate that…

I also own a MINI, and as such have been here a few times. They’re very professional, very honest, and keep you up to date with what’s going on. They also do good work, unlike the 2 previous shops I went to before finding this one.
Highly recommend if you own a MINI/​BMW

This place is awesome. The guyz are friendly & professional… I love Mike, Brian & the whole crew… Look out Merz dealerships… they are thee best in diagnostics, service & satisfaction…