California Motor Works & Tires

Rich Pontillo

★★★☆☆

3 years ago

Pleasant, no line and took my walk-in promptly. However, very expensive for smog testing, probably double than other Star Certified stations. My particular situation was only a visual fail, rather than telling me before running entire test, (which other stations have done) they waited until after and charged me $80+, and they don't offer free re-testing, if failed.

Rachel Shyloski

★★★★★

7 years ago

Alan and his crew are honest, hardworking, and reliable people. They have been my go-to car place since moving to San Diego four years ago. I have had several issues with my 2003 Toyota Camry, and not only have they helped me with those repairs, they have helped me decide when something can be fixed on my own (such as replacing a light bulb and getting the part from Auto Zone), or if something can wait, etc. Alan has also been beyond gracious in allowing me to pay the bill in a couple separate payments when I needed to pay some upon pick-up, and the rest once I got paid, after we had developed rapport over the years. I feel grateful for having them as my dependable car place to go when my car needs help!

Joshua Klein

★☆☆☆☆

6 years ago

Worst experience of my life for car buying. Was looking for DMV brake and light inspection, I suggest you look around. They charged me $150 (after I went I found another place for 75$), and they failed me over some pretty trivial stuff (some plastic pieces, brakes were .001 mm too thin, headlights only required a few screwdriver turns) -- and hit me with a $500 bill. My mechanic over at BT auto (5 star place), could do the work for half the price again. Learn from me, go somewhere else.

Justin Rahn

★★★★★

5 years ago

I took my 2014 Acura to the dealership when some of the alerts were popping up. They said that the alerts were caused by a tire monitor that needed to be replaced, and that it would cost over $400. When inspecting, they also said I needed new front brakes which they quoted close to $600. I couldn't help but feel like I was getting ripped off, so I decided to get a 2nd quote. That's when I talked with Allen at California Motor Works, and I am so lucky I did. In addition to saving me money, he also was a pleasure to work with & had the work done quicker than expected. I highly recommend California Motor Works to anyone looking for an honest, reliable, and friendly business to take excellent care of your car.

josh hans

★☆☆☆☆

2 years ago

These people are crooks. Tell you one price on the phone and the way over charge for a brake and light inspection for a new 2022 vehicle in perfect condition for $295 and a smog check that says right on there board for $59 they charged 129.95. 2500 Chevy pickup. Either don’t go to them and or take a picture of what you sign beforehand so they can not pull a fast one on you

Lizbeth Delqadillo

★☆☆☆☆

4 years ago

I was in need of a light and break inspection for my salvage car. I took it here and they charged me 150 for the inspection however, they said it failed due to having aftermarket LED lights. We proceeded to purchasing regular lights and took it back, they were gonna charge us an additional 300 for them changing the lights and also for them to print the certificate and also for them to inspect again. I would totally recommend going elsewhere, it was my mistake for not reading the reviews prior to taking my car. Disrespectful people not even polite.

Luke Felzer

★☆☆☆☆

2 years ago

Went in for a salvage vehicle inspection. They charge $150 which is on the high side. They had to adjust the headlight and replace a couple bulbs. With the “diagnostic charge” and the hour worth of total time they charged me $485. So do not go here! This is robbery and I will be reporting them to the Better Business Bureau and CA Dept of Automotive Repair.

Hayden Watson

★☆☆☆☆

2 years ago

Made the mistake of not reading reviews prior to taking my car in. The guys working here are dishonest. Was told twice that I wouldn’t be charged a re-inspection fee if I had them do the work in-shop then proceeded to be charged $195 for re-inspection after (which they didn’t even do since I watched them install my lights then call it good). Lesson learned!

Daryn Huang

★☆☆☆☆

a year ago

They charge $250 to do lights safety inspection. Which is already too expensive. Then they say to replace the lights will cost $1000. $250 to buy original 1 license plate light, $500 for 2 Honda original front fog lights, and $250 for labor. Then another $175 for re-inspection fee. This is only for a 2006 Honda Odyssey. It's going to be $1425 total. Does that even make sense?

Kelvin Lee

★☆☆☆☆

a year ago

I bring my car for a light and break inspection and they asking for 250usd. after that they said both foglight need to replace and it will cost around 800-1000usd for them and i need to pay the inspection fee again which is 175usd. I found the light i need from amazon for 54usd and i will never go back to this store again. I mean the guy helps me are nice but the fact is the price are ridiculers. I spent 250usd for them to tell me the light is not working.

Herb Slocum

★☆☆☆☆

a year ago

What a Scam ! Went in for a Brake & Lamp Inspection quoted $257 Ouch Was their for about and hour . Salesman came back & said I had a left front fog light out I said really I checked all my lights prior to coming over ! I'm the Service Mgr @ Big Brand Tire but he said fog light out & if we fix it $400 + $175 Re-inspection Fee .. I Said what the for a bulb 💡 😤 Now it turn out you have to buy the whole assembly Amazon Prime has it for $150 for both assembly or the Dealership has it for $280 ea . Was recommending this shop to all my customers friends & family..Never Again they are Crooks 😡 They Use their State License like a New York Loan Shark & They Our Theifs I drove 15 miles & now my Fog light is out no way 🤬

Mike Jackson

★★★☆☆

a year ago

I went to get my car smogged here. I printed out the coupon from their website which doesn't have an expiration date, and was for $19.95. When I arrived to get the car done, I was told they haven't honored the coupons for a few years. The job was done quickly and efficiently, but the cost was $60 instead of what I thought was an advertised price of around $20

Michael Lord

★☆☆☆☆

a year ago

I needed a DMV required Brake and Lamp inspection. As one of the only Brake and Lamp inspector's I could find in San Diego, I was forced to use them. They charged an obnoxious $760 for the inspection, smog, and cleaning the headlights. Also to "fix" my parking brake that was working before I went in. If I defogged the headlights myself it was an additional $200 to reinspect. SCAM! DO NOT GO HERE. There is a reason this place is so poorly rated.

Cindy Mohr

★☆☆☆☆

2 years ago

I really should have read the reviews before I went to this place. Definitely ripped off. We needed to get a light and brake check in order to get our vehicle inspected for a salvage title registration. I had called around other places and the going price was just under $90. Everyone was too busy and we were desperate to get our car taken care of. When I called here he had openings but I didn't think to ask what the cost was because the going price for this service is under $90. When we were done he told us there were 13 lights out. Our car doesn't even have 13 lights. He charged us $250, then he told us if he wanted us to change the light bulbs out that would cost another $898. Our car only has seven. Told us we could get it rechecked within 30 days for another $150, why would we go back there when everyone else charges $87. Please do not waste your time. Wish I saw all the posts on here, any good ones are definite lies. I would consider him a scammer for sure. He's the kind of person that gives mechanics bad names.

Mengshan Liu

★☆☆☆☆

a year ago

I needed a light and brake inspection for my salvage car, so I brought it here. They charged me $250 for the inspection but informed me that it failed due to aftermarket LED lights. We went ahead and purchased regular lights, but when we returned, they wanted to charge an additional $600 for changing the lights, printing the certificate, and conducting a re-inspection. I highly recommend going elsewhere. It was my mistake not to read the reviews before coming here. The staff was disrespectful and impolite

Cameras Phu

★★★★★

a month ago

I brought my car in for smog check and oil change and brakes this price very reasonable they are doing a great job I will bring my car back for more service

Ryan Legge

★☆☆☆☆

a year ago

Illegal operations, will try to scam you into repairs that you do not need and refuse to do anything to make the situation right! Alan was extremely rude and unprofessional, and hopefully the B.A.R. will educate the shop not to lie to customers. My car "failed" brake inspection saying, "LEFT REAR SIDE MARKER LIGHT NOT WORKING". The photos show otherwise. "HEADLIGHT TOO DIM NEED TO BE BUFF IT OUT", not only is not a test category, but there are no measurements or any indication that any were even made. The same thing goes for the brakes, and it is illegal to claim that a part is below the minimum specification without providing the measurements on the invoice. I was skeptical from the moment they showed me the invoice, and had my suspicions verified by my regular shop. I tried to give Alan a chance to make it right, but he doubled down, started being rude and raising his voice, saying they do it like this all the time. I have filed a complaint with the B.A.R. and will not be returning.