Samo Wheel & Brake Service

Always get my brakes done here now, always very happy with price and honesty. They have sent me away without charge telling me my brakes didn’t really need changing yet, after the dealer said they did and wanted to charge me an arm and leg. They always finish the job within the time frame they quoted, often sooner. I have moved away to Inglewood but still come back all the way to Santa Monica if I need brake work.

Wow! Amazed at Howard’s honesty and trust. While he could easily have tried to pad the repair, he didn’t. He and Luis were upfront about what needed to be done, came in below their estimate, and were done with the repair very quickly. When I had to make arrangements on picking up my car, Howard was SUPER flexible with pick up and payment. I’m grateful that there are still honest shops like his. Don’t hesitate to check him out!

Howard and everyone at Samo are the absolute best! I have a Honda Civic and I’ve had my brakes down a few years ago with them. I’ve thought I needed to get them replaced and every time I’ve come in they’ve assured me they aren’t ready to be replaced yet. It’s rare you find a mechanic who is so honest and efficient in their work. Beyond trustworthy! I can’t recommend this place enough.

The 5 star reviews for this place are no gimmick. Howard runs the show and is extremely good at what he does! Definitely coming back here to support a great family — run business

Top of the line auto mechanics. Honest, thorough, experienced. Went there because of great reviews and was not disappointed. Will definitely go back there again. Highest recommendation possible.

Everything one would hope for in an automotive service.
Howard is an experienced, HONEST, and mild tempered man who will perform quality work for a fair price. He is a calm man who will provide talented and efficient service.
I give Samo Wheel and Brake my highest recommendation!

Came by to ask for a quick look at my brakes and oil before a cross-​country road trip. They didn’t try to get me for a $ 80 diagnostic fee. A nice local business (a rare non-​chain in Santa Monica!). They helped me right away and got me back on the road with peace of mind that the long drive will go smoothly. If I needed a repair in the area, this is the first place I’d trust with my car!

I found Samo via Unilocal when I started hearing this horrible squealing noise coming from my tires. Assuming it was the brake pads I took it over to Howard at Samo.
I’m telling you, the reviews are all true (note that I have no opinion of the one crabby one). This place is fantastic. I spoke to Howard via phone this morning and took the car over around 10AM. They took it for a quick lap to hear the noise and drove it right onto the lift. They took the wheels off and made their inspection. Sure enough, it was the brake pads causing that horrific noise. Howard said he could do the pads for about $ 200 and include the rear brakes for another $ 600. He also noted that the rear brakes didn’t necessarily need to be done today but we could just to start fresh, but he wasn’t about to force them on me. He then asked if I wanted them to do the job or if I wanted the wheels put back on and to take it elsewhere. Naturally, I stayed, and he said it’d be about 2 or 3PM when they’d be done. He then offered to drive me back to work but I declined and grabbed an Über.
Howard called around noon (!) and said it was all done. They did the job for $ 191. I can NOT recommend this place enough. Go, go, go!

Howard is awesome! I heard squeaking sound coming from my car so I was ready to get new brake pads. When Howard checked out the brakes he said they looked brand new and the sound was natural and he would hate for me to spend money when I didn’t need to. That was a huge breath of fresh air compared to what you would normally expect from a mechanic. Not only that we had a great conversation about our Alma Mater and how he got into his family business. Next time I need my brakes checked I know who I’m going to.

My ’98 Nissan was pulling to the right and the steering wheel was shaking quite a bit so I called in to ask about an alignment. They were able to see me right away, same day. We took it around the block for a test drive. The nice man told me that he felt the tire itself may be the problem but took measurements and checked the alignment anyway.
After a quick review, he was able to tell me the honest truth: this wasn’t really an alignment problem. «I could give you an alignment you don’t need and take your money, but that wouldn’t be cool.» He recommended I change my tire (s) and offered me some helpful information. He answered all my questions and said: «You don’t owe me a thing!» as he ran off to answer the ringing phone, eager to help the next person in line.
Honest place. Give them a call.

I am SO GLAD that I went to Howard! Being a single gal, I try to really stay on top of the maintenance of my car, but I am not always the most well informed, so really have to trust the folks that I go to for service. I was hearing a slight squeaking in my brakes, so stopped in to see Howard. I was expecting needing to have brake pads replaced, but was elated when Howard checked and told me that I still have plenty of life on all four of my brake pads! He told me the slight squeaking occasionally is natural and that I should be set for about another year before I need a check up. I drove away very happy, with no charge. GREAT SERVICE.

Thanks Howard! Brought our 2005 Envoy in because the Service Brake System warning lights were coming on intermittently. The vehicle is almost 10 years old and on the original pads. They checked everything and topped off the brake fluid. Said we would need all four replaced in a month or so but not today. Wouldn’t charge anything for the exam either. Will definitely have them take care of this when it’s time.

Awesome service!!! Thank you Howard and Luis for all your help! I got my brakes and rotors replaced today. Howard explained everything to me and quoted a very reasonable price. A great family owned and operated shop. While waiting for the job to be done, Howard offered to drive me to a nearby coffee shop! I will be back here … after 30,000 miles :) THANKS AGAIN! — Kathy

Wow. Someone who really knows what they’re doing and tries to fix what’s there rather than just replace everything. Awesome.

I went with my SO to this shop to get brakes checked. We knew that something was wrong because we would hear this grinding sound every time we stepped on the brakes (sometimes, it would sound like there was a low-​flying airplane right above us. Yes, I know; we probably should’ve brought the car in earlier).
Anyways, Howard was a really nice, courteous, and upfront guy who gave my SO options to choose from and gave recommendations on what to prioritize (front and rear v. front only). Most importantly, he gave my SO a good price!

I recently replaced my struts, shocks, and all four tires so I just naturally assumed it was time for an alignment, especially since I haven’t had one done for five years.
I went in on a Saturday, told Luis I needed an alignment and he asked me why, and if there was any pull. I said not really, so he took a test drive, pulled the car into check it out, and to my surprise — he said I didn’t need one!
I was fully prepared to pay for an alignment, yet Luis said all was good. I have never had that type of experience at any mechanic before — even though he didn’t get anything out of me today, he’s earned my future business hands down.

Went there to have the brakes on my Lexus, checked. Luis, the mechanic, gave a fair review after inspected my brakes.
Even though, he told me I had 3 – 4 months left, I decided never the less to change them, as well as the rotors.
The price was reasonable and the work done efficiently and professionally.
Great people. Definitely recommend Samo for brake service.

My brakes were making a grinding noise and I knew it was time to get it taken care of. Two years ago I went to master brakes and disliked their service and was charged a lot more than I believed was fair. I chose to go to samo after reading their Unilocal reviews and I am so glad I did. The owner Howard is so friendly and honest and made my experience so pleasant. I am so glad that I have found somewhere I can trust.
Thank you!

I’m so impressed with the service here! It’s so nice to have a mechanic you can trust!
I decided to drop my car off at Samo when my breaks were getting loud. Five minutes later, I get a call: «Your breaks might make some occasional noise, but they’re safe and you could get another year out of them. Don’t worry, you don’t owe me anything for looking.»
WHAT?! Who gets a mechanic like this? I’m a total dumb dumb when it comes to cars, so it’s nice to know I’m not going to get ripped off.
I’ll definitely come back here! :)

My brakes started making an awful metal on metal sound… which I proceeded to drive on for at least two weeks before finding the time to get my pads and rotors replaced. When a meeting suddenly cancelled and I had a couple hours on my hands, I found Samo on Unilocal and drove over without an appointment since it was close to my hour.
I drove into their lot, and was surprised that it was uncrowded and calm. Howard quickly approached me and asked how he could help. I told him I knew I needed my brake pads replaced and probably my rotors, and I needed to wait while it was done. He took a quick look, told me that he would have to check the prices of the parts but it could be as much as $ 400 (which was already music to my ears because I had paid more than that the last go round at the dealership), but he would call to confirm before commencing any work. I said I would walk to the nearby Coffee Bean and work there, but Howard offered to give me a ride to a café a few blocks away with more food options and good wi-​fi service. Within 10 minutes of arriving there, he called and said the price would actually be $ 344.
About an hour and a half later, Howard called to say he was on his way to pick me up. Pulled up in my car which thankfully wasn’t making that awful noise. Gave him a ride back to the store, paid my check, and was on my way!
All that to say — pricing is reasonable, service is quick, Howard is very friendly and personable, and this is probably the best service I have had related to car repair in LA. I will be back… just hopefully not too soon!