B & A Automotive

Very trustworthy. Completely echo what most reviewers previously mentioned. Came here for an oil change and was done in less than 30 min. Watched from the office area and was impressed with their efficiency. When I tried to tip him, he adamantly refused, even though the oil change was a little over $ 40. (Much cheaper than other places I’ve been to).

Great service. Arrived 6:55 am and my safety inspection was done in 15 minutes. Highly recommend!

Read the reviews and it’s close to where I live so decided to get my safety inspection and oil change done here. Actually did it just this morning! I thought it’d be best to go when they opened at 6, and I got there around 6:15 — 6:20. They were already busy! Brian said it would take an hour and a half, and I didn’t mind waiting so I sat on the bench. The place is small like everyone says, but I didn’t realize there’s only that one bench to sit and there were already two guys there. Luckily, they offered me to sit there, and even though I said they were there first, one got up and I was very grateful for his kind gesture. Anyway, as I sat there, I could observe that Brian (… And his brother? Sorry, my first time there, I don’t know the details!) were very hardworking, fast, and efficient. They are also very nice and friendly! My car was done around 8:05 and Brian apologized for the wait. Of course no apology was needed. I was just thankful he took me in even though he was busy and did what I asked him to do for my car. Very pleased with their services.

I came here for a safety check on my way home from work the other year. I noticed that they open early in the morning and decided to try and get my safety check before I started work this year. The service was excellent and quick.
Thank you B&A Automotive!

My dad took me to this place for a safety check last year. We came again this year. It gets really busy throughout the day. Do come really early. We came at 7:45 ish on a Tuesday and it was packed with cars already.
Even though it was busy the workers there are attentive. They get the work done quick and efficient. They provide really awesome and great service.
Pricing isn’t crazy expensive. My safety check cost $ 20. I’ll definitely be back if my car needs fixing.

My car has been making a metal screech noise. I took it to Goodyear to get an inspection on it, wasn’t sure if brakes, fuels or hoses. I spent 2 hours there waiting… for them to say it’s my brakes, and I had to schedule an appt for it (on another day). And invoiced me $ 410 to change them.
I called around a few other places (with good reviews) but most places were booked up till Feb. So I called B & A, yesterday, to see if I could make an appt for brake change. The gentleman I spoke to said to pull in after work so he could check it out before changing out my brakes… but I missed them by 30 minutes (darn you Waikiki traffic).
So this morning I pulled in at 7:40am, to my surprise not many cars in their lot. He told me he could hear my rear brake discs screeching. He said he’d take my number if I wanted to wait at home since he’ll be done with it around 10:00am. So I walked my giddy butt home & waited. ^_​^
I ended up watching Star Wars at lost track of time and called them at 10:38am asking if it was finished. They had just finished it so my bf drove me down and we picked it up. He showed me the brake pads and how they were worn down but still had a few more miles on them… that scary noise though… aah.
He also told me front brake pads are okay, and charged me $ 210 and some change. I was very satisfied that I could take it in and also get fixed the same day and at a lower cost than GY.
I would definitely recommend this place. But do not come on a weekend because the last time I came it was on a Saturday and everyone was trying to get something done.
Today (12÷24÷15) wasn’t too bad and because I came at a time that wasn’t a busy (7am).

Overall impression:
There’s no reason to go anywhere else if you live near here. The most honest, dependable guys you would ever meet in the business.
Price: they charged me $ 5 to fix a flat. Sears charges at least 20 – 30. Other repairs are all very reasonable. No outrageous prices for installation, etc!
They are fast and efficient. They know exactly what they are doing. If they don’t do something (like bodywork) they will tell you right away and not waste your time or money. They are incredibly honest and hardworking. I’ve tried paying them more for certain things and they won’t accept the money. Oil changes might be slightly more expensive here than other places (like $ 40), but you know that you will get good oil and they won’t jack up your vehicle.

I like their service. Fast and efficient and reasonable. Will be back.
All they need to do is to put seat protection as their clothes are greasy!
Maybe I’ll bring my own paper sheet or garbage bag next time. :)

Love this place. I got a nail in my tire and they were so quick and efficient! I heard that they were the earliest place that opened at 6, and since I go to work early, I figured I try them out.
To sum it all up… They are quick and get straight to the point. I literally pulled up to the lot and they took my car right away. He was very good at communicating with me and went straight to work. I’ll be back here for my safety check, since I hear so much about that.

Very friendly guys, told me gotta wait about 30 mins for my safety check but not even 15mins it’s done. Too bad they don’t do the noise maybe from the control arm or the steering of my suv. If they do I’ll be happy to have them fix it for me.
Now telling all my ppl to go there!

Over the years, nothing has changed. These guys are still the same great people.
They are fast, reliable, affordable, and most importantly, honest! Since they are so busy and have only two mechanics though, they are limited to minor repairs (i.e., nail in tire, oil change, headlight restoration, etc.) Although, I find that most people come here for safety checks anyway.
These guys are so honest, there were a couple of instances that I thought I was getting UNDERcharged. Think about it: How often do people feel that way nowadays?
Although there are great reviews about these guys being «nice, wonderful, honest,» I hope that some people won’t take advantage of that. These guys literally work from dusk till dawn completing everything thrown their way.
The few things that would deter some people from this place would be the parking, the volume, and the fact that they only do minor repairs. However, if it is these guys, they’ll make it work!

Small place, kinda put off at first because there’s no where to park so when we got there as were just told it’d be about an hour wait and we had to find parking near by. Not sure how to hold our spot and make sure someone want cut in front of us so we were about to go somewhere else. But the guy came back and said he had time for us now. Very quick, he aligned our lights and replaced the license plate light for us. Altogether $ 27.00, but we only brought $ 25.00 (because safety check is $ 19.00 and we thought nothing was wrong) but the guy let us slide — very greatful!
Will be back and will recommend coming here.

I was surprised to see that the place I usually go to for my safety checks (past 8+ years, always passed) decided to stop doing them and became a self serve station for gas only. I tried another garage only to find out either they don’t want to pass cars over 10 years old or they only like to see their regular customers that comes into their place for repairs (I think the later). I don’t have no proof but working in this business myself (father had his own garage) and members in my family that are ASE Certified and State Certified mechanics in my family for over 35+ years that moved to Oregon, I know how a lot of garages work over here. I won’t mention where I worked as a mechanic myself and used to do inspections back in the 80’s and 90’s and PUC inspections also. I’m retired but not that old, only 61 yrs, so I still do auto repair and motorcycles as a hobbie.
These 2 brothers at B&A Automotive are old school type of mechanics (the best type), they look at what they have to do for a legal inspection and don’t go FISHING around for extra repair work for their shop, PERIOD. Using the term FISHING, Local mechanics will know what I’m, talking about.
The other place I went to, did just that (Fishing) but the guy at the other place was very young but also very polite to me so I don’t want to get down on him as he was obviously following orders from his boss or someone, one can tell, even the best actors, can’t lie that good. They are getting some bad reviews lately, so maybe it will pay them back in the long run?
Well B&A Automotive first asked for my paperwork to make sure the numbers matched on the old stickers I had on the car already and then drove my car into their stall. Good that they actually drove the car into their stall, you can feel a lot of things even on a short pull into a stall type of move with worn steering components and suspension parts, brakes, not a complete trouble shoot of all of the systems but a good idea if there is something that is really worn out (drive axles, tie rod ends, wheel bearings, steering wheel alignment, etc, it will show on a short move into a stall.
I seen him check the brakes as he pulled it in and he also compressed the motor just a little to see how the brakes hold, how the transmission clutches are catching (Automatic trans only, manual clutches can be checked also this way with hand brakes, not a true test, but a ballpark test to see if they are working Ok enough), good check guys! Checked all my lights, tint, horn and wipers. Walked around and checked my tires for bad wear. Checked my headlight alignment with their roll around headlight alignment machine and checked the VIN number. He opened the hood but I never seen what he was looking in there for but I wasn’t worried as everything was Ok in there. I’m probably more serious about my cars than most mechanics are of there’s.
He was going to change one taillight bulb and got a screw driver but after closer inspection, he could see it was working, just the morning glare was on the taillight assembly. Honesty right there!
Although I talked about a lot of things, I want you to know, they do a good check. The compression test is what I call it but it’s usually for the brakes, handbrakes but can also be used for a quick check on the trans. If you drove your car into the place, it’s about 95% yours is OK also, nothing to worry about and he could had just done it to mines since my car is 15+ years old? Looks better and runs better than most 8 year old cars.
They don’t talk that much but business owners like to get the job out and not keep the customer waiting which they did good at also. As I paid him I did tell him he was rated highly online and he did check a few things more than I thought he would and was a good inspector, and I actually got a smile and a Thank you. Maybe we’re around the same age? lol
Here at B&A, they are honest and if they say you need something, then most likely you really do and what I hear about them, their prices are good, so have it done by them and support your local smaller shops. Maybe I liked them because my father’s shop was called B&D Automotive and was located in the Kakaako area back in the 70’s?
Lets keep them doing what they do the best at, giving you good service at the right price and not fishing for work.

This has to be the best place to get a safety check on the island. Fast and to the point. No frills, first come/​first served policy. In and out in 20 minutes.
Two of the guys are twins or identical family members… for one second I thought the dude could teleport.
Rest assured… neither of them can teleport.
I asked.
They didn’t get the joke.
I’m an idiot.

This place was fantastic! I went during a weekday to get my vehicle inspection and they were quick and efficient. I only had to wait around 10 minutes before they started the inspection and the inspection was quick. He even took the time to remove the adhesive that my old inspection from two years ago left that the other place never took off. $ 20.
Only drawback is the lot is kind of tiny, but the guys working are helpful to maneuver your car so you’re not blocking anything. I would definitely return to them!

This place is definitely the place to go for a safety. I should’ve went here then to Lex B. (I went for an appointment and waited for 2 hours. Only to leave without any service because I really lost 2 hours of my life for nothing)
I got here about 1 PM and it was a little hectic. Cars just finishing up their inspections, while two others just came minutes before me. I had to wait in my car for a few minutes while customers left and they made space for myself and the other two cars on the lot.
So I was the 3^rd in line, but no more than 20 minutes of waiting I was next. I was in and out no more than 40 minutes.
You would think since they’re fast they aren’t attentive to detail. But watching these twin brothers work, they are very into detail. They just have a great system going on and very hard workers that they can inspect cars in minimal time.
This is one of the few times Unilocal has helped. I wouldn’t have found this place without Unilocal

All-​star service! I came in for annual safety inspection. They only accept walk-​in, so be there early. I stopped by around 8am. There is only 1 customer before me.
They did the check fast, took about 10mins. And it cost $ 20. They also clean the residue after you tear off the old sticker! Great service, will come back!

I soooo wish I could give B&A more than 5 stars. They deserve a bajillion!
My light bulb in my front left light had gone out and I immediately knew that I needed to bring my car to B&A. Now, I could have had my boyfriend change it for me, but I didnt want to wait 3 weeks for his procrastination to wear off for my light to get changed. xP
I brought my car in around 1p and man oh man were they busy. Their shop was a little packed but I was able to pull in just fine. One of the twins came up and asked what I needed done, and I explained and he got right to it. I sat on the side and waited only about 15 – 20 minutes. I saw that he was struggling to put the lens back on but I thought nothing of it.
The next day, I was washing my car and noticed that the lens wasnt pushed in all the way in comparison to the other side. In addition, there was a crack :(Ive never had this happen to me, so I took a picture to show them, just in case they didnt believe me.
I didnt know how to go out about it; i didnt want to go right out and accuse them of breaking my light because I know (and have heard) that its hard to change the light because of putting the lens back. Plus we’re all human. But since it was late that day, I wasnt able to call. I actually wasnt able to call until Friday (I had it changed on Monday) since I was always at work during their hours.
I spoke to one of them about it and they said to bring it in. Again, I missed their hours on saturday, so i had to wait to bring it back in until Monday. I brought it in and he immediately recognized me after I briefly explained what happened. He took a look at it for a few minutes and said that he needed to get the necessary part and that I would need to bring it in the next day.
So I brought it in the next day with my boyfriend following me in his car. It was so packed that i couldnt even park in the shop, and needed to park on the street. The same twin recognized me yet again, and came up and asked for my keys and phone number.
Went to eat and got a call less than an hour and a half later that it was ready. Rushed back to see how it looked and it looks brand new! :) I was ecstatic and he explained about why the parts look different than the other side (since it wasnt in regulation). I didnt mind; she looked perfect :) Found out that the part itself was $ 100; I asked if I had owed him anything but he said no.
These guys are amazing. I know that if this were anywhere else, they would have accused me of getting the crack somewhere else but they owned up to it and replaced it for me.
Im actually thinking about going back to them to get the other side replaced so it looks new too.
You guys. This is where you need to take your car. Seriously. They may be quiet and soft spoken but theyre awesome.
Thank you B&A!!!

As residents of Hawaii, we should really support our small businesses. If you need some minor car care, i.e. safety check, oil change, auto transmission and brake fluid replacement, this is your place.
Read the Unilocal reviews and thought I should check this place out. It lives up to their rating. The guy who helped us is not exactly the friendliest but is very helpful to explain. I was not pitched any upselling or any other sales pitch. Straightforward and honest is the vibe that I got.
I had my brake fluid completely changed and auto transmission fluid flushed out and it came out to a tad under $ 100. If you take it to a dealer it would cost you around $ 129.99 for the auto transmission flush itself.
Tip: best to make an appointment before coming.
Highly recommended.

Honesty & Automotive Repair Shops usually don’t go hand-​in-​hand, but the shady, dishonest grease monkey days are a thing of the past at…
B & A AUTOMOTIVE!
Since moving back to Honolulu a couple years back this place is my go-​to spot for my minor car needs or even if I have a simple question! Trust is earned with me! Located on a busy corner of Liliha St. & Kuakini Hospital, across of the mini-​Longs, it’s a place that’s always busy– cars coming and going non-​stop! Just look for the fire-​engine red building– can’t miss it! It’s super small with only a few spots to pull your car in or out, so it’s best to call for an appointment or take a chance and just wait. Fortunately, if you consider waiting it’s not the worse area to wait… Especially if you love local foods and desserts! I mean Liliha Bakery, Jane’s Fountain, Salted Lemon, and even Shimazu are only a few blocks away!
I’ve been here on several occasions and always felt I wasn’t ripped off! These guys (brother mechanics & family owned & operated) are very upfront and honest! The worse is having a smooth talker as your mechanic! You want dudes that touch your engines to not mince words and only offer facts! This is the place that offers only facts!
Just be aware that the brother tag-​team mechanics are also identical twins– NO JOKE! So, just realize that brother #1 wears eyeglasses and brother #2 does not! Brother #2 might be an inch taller too, but seriously this might save you from repeating the same questions over and over. The receptionist in the tiny cramped office (that looks like a hoarders outhouse) is the daughter of one of the twins! No clue which one! She resembles both… Duh! She answers the phone and such!
Great place for honest safety checks and general maintenance work, but not for big work! These guys are good and old timers flock to come here– knowing they won’t get ripped off, but with the overload of people waiting to get work done… I conclude that the twins realized that the most profitable thing to do is stick with the basics! Just realize that you’ll wait no matter what…
I definitely recommend…
B & A AUTOMOTIVE!
Aka (B)OMB.COM & (A)WESOME! These twins are simply the best out there, but sadly because of the growing popularity… Big projects are now a thing of the past. Good news is that they’ll refer you where to go if your car will just take up room! Straightforward is a good thing if it saves you money, right?!
Awesome twins! Just don’t know who’s the Daddy of the girl!
So, everyone knows my ride is a midnight-​black sexy Maserati, worth a cool half-​million, but where do I bring my «other» car? Yup, you got it… BOMB​.DIG​GITY​.COM;)
BIG KAHUNA TIPS:
Early hours M-​F 6am-​330pm; Sat 7−11am.
CC accepted.
Leave keys in car for fastest service.
Get here EARLY!
OVERALL GRADE: 4.7-STARS!
LIVE ALOHA…
Unilocal REVIEW #355