Imports Automotive

Came here for a smog check after seeing an ad on Craigslist. $ 28 out the door. Appointment started on time, job was done, and price was as quoted. About as good an experience for a smog check as one can hope for. They cannot do STAR certified Smog Checks though.

I have been going to Import Automotive for about 7 years now. Carlos, the owner goes WAY above and beyond to help solve the issues with my cars. His prices are beyond reasonable. He runs a OBD check without charging. Every place I called when my check engine light came on in my Infiniti wanted $ 75 or more just to diagnose it. I have had a Infiniti and a Volvo that he repaired repeatedly and just bought a BMW. I wouldn’t go any other place for repairs. I highly recommend going to Import Automotive! They are by far the best in the county.

Carlos and team are always fast, honest, and priced well. I’ve taken two cars to them for everything, and it is soon to be three.

I have taken all my cars to Carlos and his team. Excellent knowledge, hardworking, and honest. Carlos will go out of his way to accommodate your schedule and your budget!

Imports Automotive is simply the best when it comes to fixing imports and other vehicles. Carlos is very knowledgable when it comes to repairs. He has upfront pricing and does a excellent job. He is also very honest. I have been going to imports automotive since it first opened. I have never been disappointed. Keep up the great work Imports Automotive!

Over the years Carlos has saved me tons of money by researching recalls and warranties! He has always done an excellent job for a fair price. He’s honest, dependable and affordable!

Many of the well-​known Subaru performance shops in the bay area are not open on Saturdays. For me, it was personally challenging to leave work, just to get a job done (simple or major) on my 2015 Subaru STI.
I consulted the trusty Unilocal and found Imports Automotive.
I called to inquire and I had a pleasure speaking with Carlos (the owner). He was pleasant to speak with. He was genuinely interested discussing with me about my STI and the cars he’s owned in the past. He’s share some of the track days he’s done, etc. So by that, I know I’ve brought my car to a mechanic that will certainly take care of the customer’s car, as if he’s working on his own vehicle.
I brought in my STI to install an aftermarket brake line and complete flush of the brake fluids. I am preparing my car for the track day that’s coming up within a few weeks. I dropped off my STI to his shop in the morning, and returned as soon as I received the call that my car is ready for pick up. I spent another 20 minutes just chatting with him upon my return. He was just very easy to talk to. He was very personable. He’s definitely someone who enjoys driving performance cars. It puts me at ease to know Carlos is like-​minded. He’s got the background of a ‘car enthusiast’. He’s done the job well installing the brake lines and bleeding the system.
The brake lines have definitely made immediate improvement over stock. No more ‘mushy’ feel from the brake pedals. It is now is firm, responsive and consistent. My STI is ready for the track thanks to Carlos.
I will certainly return to Imports Automotive in the near future.

If only having one good experience, you can call it coincidence or luck.
This time is my 12-​year old Ford Explorer which brake light on dash came on and off for a while. Also sometime it made grinding noise when braking. I called Carlos asking him if they fix American car too (I know the shop name is Imports Automotive). He said of course, bring it in!
They replaced the front brake pads and rotors with very reasonable price. I asked him if it’s necessary to replace rear brake too, he said no. Most of the mechanics would suggest you to replace everything even it’s not necessary. Now you can see how honest this man is!
Thank you Carlos and your folks for the quality works!

Imports Automotive is a superior business! The owner, Carlos, is such a great guy to do business with! He is honest (he recently advised me that I did not need the work a local dealership told me I needed), his work top notch, and his prices are incredible!!! Honestly, I no longer dread having to have my car serviced because I know I will be told the truth and not have to pay inflated prices! I feel bad for those folks out there that don’t know about Carlos and Imports Automotive! But hopefully the word will continue to spread. Thank you Carlos for running a truly fine business!!!

We’ve been taking our cars to Carlos for 10+ years. He has always been honest, competent, and friendly. We are middle-​aged, and we know from experience how rare these qualities are — esp. in a mechanic! So, treasure Carlos like he’s gold! (To the person who says he sold her a lemon, I can only say that I find that hard to believe, because this doesn’t sound like the Carlos we know.) We would recommend him w/​o hesitation.

Carlos is one of those people that you treasure when you find. In the Automotive industry it’s hard to find someone that you trust completely. I want to thank Carlos for always being honest and upfront with me. Keep the integrity and you’ll keep customers like me for life bro.

This place is fantastic! I have used Imports Automotive twice now, once for an engine issue and more recently for a broken axle on my Volkswagen Jetta. Both times Carlos (the manager) has been SO great… friendly, helpful, and completely honest about everything.
The cost of service both times has been less than HALF what was quoted at Dirito Brothers. This place is a lifesaver! I will definitely be back for all future automotive issues.
Thanks, Carlos!

Stellar!
My car has been way past due for a timing belt and water pump replacement… because you pay through the nose for that. I called Imports Automotive and Carlos gave me a quote that no one could beat.
Services were done at the estimate price, work was finished by the said time, friendly honest guys… can’t complain. No foolishness here like I’ve experienced at other shops on Monument Blvd.

I rarely submit reviews, but I have to on this guy Carlos! I’ve been going there a little over 2 years and this dude has been honest as can be! My sister’s 03′ X5 had a transmission failure; Carlos looked for the best route for us to get this repaired at a very economical price. I had my 95 Land Cruiser blow a radiator and was replaced by Carlos with one the best price out there. Same car with knuckle rebuild (most you cruiser heads know this is a very expensive rebuild) at a very reasonable price! Had a small leak due to a rip and took it back to Carlos, he replaced the seal for free with no questions asked!
The latest thing that happened with my fleet of cars… Wife’s 06′ Honda civic EX was leaking coolant (I’d figure it was either a radiator or a water pump failure). Took it in to Carlos and what do you know, it’s a cracked engine block! Here’s the key, Carlos could have done what he quoted on a block/​engine replacement. But he went out of his way to research and see if there was any recalls or similar issues with this year of Civics. He was able to find a Honda recall/​TSB regarding Honda extending their warranty for my wife’s Civic and that her car did fall within the guidelines. The Civic is now at a Honda dealership for repairs.
My point is, in these day of crappy mechanics who’s out there only for your money, Carlos really stands out as an honest mechanic. He could have overcharged me for any of the services listed above (trust me, I do my research throughout the net and specific vehicle forums), but he choose the high road and understands the value of returning customers. Could have charge and made some nice $$ on the civic engine deal, but opted for a better solution that was covered by the manufacture and had my best interest in mind.
Lastly, there are many facets to a car and the person who gave Import Automotive a bad review about a car that was sold by Carlos may not understand this. I don’t think any mechanic out there can predict «future» failure of parts on any used car nor would any used car dealer ever warrant an used vehicle.
Sorry for the long review, but I hope this helps with any Unilocalers out there who’s looking for an honest, knowledgeable, and fair priced mechanic.

Carlos is a dishonest and unprofessional mechanic. He sold us a car which broke down the next week. We took the car to Dirito Brothers and the diagnosis showed that the car needed repair for more than $ 3,000.00. He said everything was fine with the car, and he knew perfectly all the expensive problems it had. He made us sign a letter saying NO WARRANTY. Be very careful with this dishonest mechanic!!!

Carlos is top notch. Honest mechanic. Brought my car in for a head gasket replacement. Engine running nicely now. Went back because A/​C stopped getting cold after getting the car back from the head gasket job, Carlos fixed it for free.

Excellent knowledge, service and very flexible. Carlos is a true mechanic-​explains what the problem is and how to fix it.
Example: He replaced my 2005 Acura MDX water pump, timing belt, and drive belt all for 550 $. I received quotes from other auto shops of 950 $-1000 $!
Thanks again Carlos for taking care of me.

Trust worthy, Very knowledgeable and their price is very reasonable. Will definitely come back.

at 70ks miles I replaced my fornt brakes for my 2005 toyota sequoia. After towing a boat for a coupple of years, I thought I needed front brakes pads replaced. With 90k miles, I took it in to have it checked. he said the fronts are fine, you need the rear replace. I asked him I wanted genuine Toyota parts, he said not a problem, between genuine Toyota parts and aftermarket, not much of a big difference and its better to always better to use Toyota parts because they last longer. Last year I took my 2007 Toyota Camry with 85k miles in for the rear brakes, he said I have 50% life left and don’t need it replace. After 1 year of commuting from Brentwood to San Francisco, I notice my rears are making a little noise, so I took it in. He checked it out and said I have 40% life left and I don’t need it replaced. He mentioned Toyota installs hard rear brake pads that’s why I am getting the noise and that’s why these are going to last long. He also mentioned just rinsing the rear now and then with water will help with the noise. It does help.
It is hard to find a good and honest mechanic. If it doesn’t need replacing, he will tell you.

Got my truck up and running again