Ventura Muffler & Brake Center

Caitlin Swedroe

★★★★★

2 years ago

I am from the Midwest and I've been here for only a few months, and most mechanics and car people here in CA give me a look of fear, scared of all the rust under my car. My exhaust was leaking and no one wanted to fix it because they didn't want to do more damage. I took my car here after two different mechanics and when the owner looked at me and told me he could fix it that day - I started crying out of relief because I honestly thought I was just going to have to buy a new car. They fixed my car in a couple hours and they were so nice and amazing. Melody and a friend of theirs and I talked about our families and vow renewals while Gary worked on my car. A lot of these reviews say Melody was rude to them - and honestly - maybe she was responding to you being rude first, or difficult, or mansplaining. She just doesn't need to take that. I used to work retail and it was so hard being nice to people that were being rude to me, it really kills you on the inside after a while. Melody is perfectly nice and a great business owner and a great mom. Go here. They are perfectly lovely, amazing people and such a cute pair.

Lee Riopelle

★★★★★

4 years ago

Previously, I had an issue with another car that the Owner Gary assisted me with without charge. So, from that kindness, I took my 300 Chrysler there today to inquire about an oil change and replacement of the air filter. After a fair and reasonable estimate he took my car in and did the work on the spot. His wife was friendly and I enjoyed talking to her. These folks are honest, fair and ready to please their customers. I rarely recommend, however, I do here. I'll be back to have a major service done, so give them your business.

Clayton Vallen

★★★★★

2 years ago

Brought my tundra here for a muffler and they helped me figure out exactly what I wanted. I didn’t have much knowledge but I knew the sound I was looking for and these guys nailed it. The staff was very friendly (Gary and Melody) and I liked that they didn’t really push me to purchase. That made it easier to make my decision to use them too! I will definitely be bringing my business to them in the future as well!

Bill Truckenmiller

★★★★★

5 years ago

I highly recommend this place. Melody at the front desk was very knowledgeable, helpful and nice. Gary did an excellent job on my truck. He replaced my muffler, shocks, and alternator, but there was a faulty warning light that he spent hours trying to fix at no extra charge. I was on vacation and they made sure I had my truck back to use every night since I was living in the camper on the back. I drove back home to Washington and everything worked great. I am very pleased.

Marie

★★★★★

6 years ago

The shop is owned and ran by a husband and wife. Service is amazingly excellent. Super clean inside. "Melody (wife) is extremely nice, professional and knowledgeable. She runs the front desk, knows this business inside and out. They have excellent customer service on the phone and in person. The owner took care of my daughters vehicle (muffler) right away, excellent service with competitive prices.

Andrea Rodriguez

★★★★★

8 years ago

My old suburban failed smog and I needed a catalytic converter. I was very impressed with the level of service provided by everyone there. I got a price very quickly, an employee gave me a ride home to pick up my second vehicle, and then less than two hours later I got the call that my car was ready and they picked me up from work. Highly recommend this shop!

Cindy Kosinski

★★★★★

a year ago

Far more than brakes and mufflers! I've been going to them for over 20 years and now my daughter goes too! I've always received exemplary service!

Jay Perez

★☆☆☆☆

4 years ago

Walked in to get some info about an aftermarket exhaust. The lady at the front is mad at the world. She said what do you want to know repeatedly. I just wanted to talk about my options. She was just a bad representation for that shop. Didn’t even want to talk to the mechanic after her. And then there was a kid yelling don’t come back. That is my true full experience. I walked away confused with the whole situation, but glad they didn’t touch my vehicle.

Chris Stankewich

★★★★★

8 years ago

My brakes have always been a problem. They had once again become really bad. I called VMB on Monday and got a Thursday appt. I spoke with Melody who was plessent on the phone. When I arrived on Thursday she greated me by name. Her husband Gary is the mechanic and she runs the office. The waiting room is spotless. I was prepared for another $400-$500 patch job. Gary looked up my drums and rotors and determined they were quality parts and could be resurfaced and did not need to be replaced. He explained it would be a while as he grinds them carefully. He also flushed the lines and rotated the tires (at no additional cost). I waited about an hour and a half then saw my truck go for a ride. Melody explained Gary always tests out his work. We had settled on the price and I was prepared to pay a lot less than the $400 the last brake job had cost me. When the truck came back Gary put it right back on the rack... Here is where the price doubles I thought. Melody explained that he is a perfectionist. After a bit Gary came in and said the rear drums were out of round and needed to be ground down, and he would do it at no additional cost! I was very happy with the professionalism, respect, and perfectionism of the brake job I got today!! My truck is stopping like it never has. They also said they will stand by their work and if anything should happen to bring it right back. They do other work as well... I finally found an awesome shop! I highly recommend them to family and friends!

dude bro

★★★★★

10 years ago

I called around to a bunch of different exhaust shops around ventura county and everyone quoted me 400 to 700 bucks for what I wanted. I called here and they quoted me about 300 bucks for a full system from my headman long tube headers, 2.25 pipe to thrush welded mufflers, over the rear axle exiting out the sides behind the rear wheels, by far the cheapest I have found in this area. so I made an appointment to get a full exhaust put on my 72 torino, I came in and was greeted immediately and experienced very friendly service. the mechanic (I forgot to get his name but he was awesome) did a walk around with me when my car was on the stand to figure out exactly what I wanted. while doing so he pointed out a few things on my car that I have never noticed that I should probably fix. he immediately got right to work. after wondering around town for 2 hours I came back, payed 315 after tax and left a very happy guy. my car sounds great!!!!! this is my first experience going to a shop for exhaust so I don't have any other experience to compare it to, but I will recommend this shop to anyone looking to get an exhaust done!!!!!

Terry Patterson

★★★★★

8 years ago

I've gone to Ventura Muffler & Brake Center for several years. Gary and Melody are a perfect combo of mechanic and front counter coordinator. He is to-the-point and pleasing to talk with about my car. Gary uses ONLY top-of-the-line parts and supplies and the best of garage equipment. Melody is a parts-man to die for. If you ain't in parts you might not know what that means lol. Sunny, roomy, current newspaper, current Surf Magazine, very clean almost studio-grade waiting area (you won't wait long for services to be completed).

George Hunt

★★★★★

5 years ago

I’m traveling to various CA locations in a small motorhome, having traveled from VA in late November. On this date, 1-13-2021, I began the day with tire pressure problems. My motorhome has dual tires on the back and my tire pressure monitor was telling me that the inner rear passenger side tire was slowly losing air. The early morning reading was 55 psi after having been at 78-80 for most of my trip. It had done this once before, in FL, but this time I was leaving Solvang in the dark early morning hours and heading to Ventura on Rt. 154, a two-lane mountainous road. As I passed the Chumash Indian Reservation, the monitor started beeping and showed 22 psi in that tire. I found a place to pull over and called Good Sam Roadside assistance about 6am and they had somebody out to help me at 10:15. The very nice service person who arrived took the tire off and tested it with water for leaks and declared it perfectly sound. He re-inflated it to 81 psi and re-installed the tire along with the stem monitor. By the time I arrived in Ventura, less than 40 miles away, the psi was 67. So I called my smart brother and he advised that I get a can of “Fix a Flat” and try to find somebody to help me put that stuff in my tire to address what appeared to be a slow leak. I found Gary and Melody at Ventura Muffler and Brake Center, just across the street from O’Reilly Auto Parts. Gary found that the tire pressure monitor stem was probably causing the leak because he heard air escaping when he moved it, but he went ahead and put in the Fix a Flat, re-inflated the tire to 80 psi, left off the monitor stem, and had me drive around a couple of miles and came back. Without the monitor stem, the tire maintained the 80psi. Gary also filled my windshield washer fluid and DEF while I was there even though I only asked to be allowed to park on their property for time to do that myself. Melody was a charmer and offered me refreshment and conversation. Gary was a top notch diagnostician and mechanic and a real gentleman. I highly recommend this business and this delightful couple. If not for Covid, I’d have hugged them both. I’m not George Hunt, but I am his widow and I was traveling alone with my little dog.

Gail deAnde

★★★★★

4 years ago

Drop off my 2007 Honda to replace stolen Catalytuc Converter. Melody was very professional and helpful working with my insurance company. She explained everything so I could understand. Time frame for repairs is very acceptable.

Mark Jordan

★★★★★

2 years ago

This place is great and makes things easy. They fixed a broken bracket on my exhaust and made it better than it was originally. And they do more than mufflers and brakes.

Aaron Koob

★★★★★

9 years ago

Came here on a budget looking for front and back rotors and pads. The low price I was offered up front is what loured me in. I gave Gary the keys and within 2 hours he called and the car was done. IDK if he has a team on minions do the work because he was the only one there. Gary is the man. I will be back.

Mike S

★★★★★

8 years ago

I bring my car here with confidence. Repairs and maintenance are done well at a fair price. I always get a warm, friendly greeting. The waiting area is spotless and comfortable.

Frank

★☆☆☆☆

5 years ago

Called and asked for quotes on catalytic converter replacement. The lady who answered the phone seemed very passive aggressive off the bat. Needs to lower her voice. Btw you dont sound intelligent more like an angry parrot. Tried to quote me over $600 parts and labor! After asking her another question she then said "sorry sir I cant talk to you i gotta go now!" & hanged up. Their loss lol. I got a much better deal for a new cat & flowmaster at Juan's Muffler in Oxnard.