Independent Honda Repair

I recently got into a crash, and besides destroying my front bumper my car started to shake wildly while driving. I suspected it was a motor mount that had been damaged, however other repair shops that I brought my civic to could not find the problem, even with me directly prompting them to check for broken motor mounts. 'Independent Honda Repair"" found the problem in 40 minutes without me ever suggesting to them what the problem might be. They were kind and respectful with me, and gave a no BS damage report and quote. Surprisingly, they did not charge for the inspection! I was pleasantly surprised by this and it made me feel better about the repair process. Their repair quote was also lower than what the HONDA dealership would have demanded. Overall, I highly recommend this mechanic shop and would go back again. And don't be intimidated by it's location! Everything was legitimate and professional. more

After a horrible experience at Crestview Service, my day turned 180 degrees better here once I started talking to Karim, the owner. He was so nice, patient and professional. I don't know anything about cars, so I had a lot of questions for him. He was always willing to explain everything to me. I had to leave my car there overnight for them to diagnose the cause of a noise that only happens when starting the car in cool weather. Although they couldn't hear it the next morning, when I picked up my car, I thought I heard it again. When I signaled this to him, Karim dropped everything he was doing in his office and jumped in the car to do a test drive with me. But the noise was gone again. I apologized for wasting his time, but he said only the owners of cars know the best about their cars because they drive them every day. I have to go back in the winter to let them have a better chance to catch the noise, but I'm just glad that Karim will be there to listen. Pros: nice, patient and professional Cons: not found any yet more

Been to Santa Monica Motors twice now. I have a '05 civic hybrid. 1st time was a battery issue & 65k check up and the estimate was a little over and Kareem adjusted the actual price to match the intended quote! He was super great about explaining possible diagosis and showing me how much of my front brake pads were left. (i knew they were low, but he brought out the measuring tool.) I just returned there for my 2nd time today to get the brakes done. Competitive pricing. And a shuttle that dropped me off at home--super nice since I was the only home today. Very clean office and garage. Friendly. I just moved to Santa Monica after a great ride with a hollywood mechanic; so happy i found my new favorite mechanic! Pros: timely, honest, professional, shuttle! Cons: open only 1st sat. of the month more

Santa Monica Motors has continued to do a great job repairing my car and saving me money. I highly recommend them. Pros: Quality repair at honest prices more

I am very happy that I found Santa Monica Motors. I have been to garages all over the L.A. area, having owned a variety of European and Japanese cars. I was pleasantly surprised to find this excellent garage right in my neighborhood! They diagnosed and repaired my Mercedes efficiently and for a very fair price. The car drives even better than when I bought it. I recommend Santa Monica Motors very highly. Pros: Top quality service at a fair price more

Santa Monica Motors is the best in town. no doubt! i will be back.. and i recommend all who live near the area to go also.. fantasic service, they made sure EVERYTHING was taken care of before i got there.. :] Pros: everyone was SUPER nice!! Cons: ZERO! more

I used to use this place all the time. Sure it was a dump but the owner and his mechanics knew their stuff. I never felt over charged and often wondered if they were doing enough, but they service Hondas and Acuras so they did not need to do anymore and I never had trouble with my car. About 2 years ago the management changed, the sold half the lot off and created a clean office. I took my Acura in and they convinced me to do a big service. It cost more than 4 times any previous service I had done with SMM. A few weeks later one the belts started slipping and there was some kind of fluid leaking from my car. I took it back and they charged me 200 to repair it. The the same thing happened in another few weeks. I took it to the Acura dealer and the charged me 2000 and said that the belt had been over tighted and had cracked the mounting and that why the fluid was leaking. Needless to say I never returned to SMM. Pros: None I can think of Cons: New staff do not know their stuff more

Santa Monica Motors is fabulous: great mechanics, nice, kind, helpful, cheerful, HONEST! I have taken my cars there for years. more

I've been going to SMM for at least 8 years. They know Hondas and Acuras. A couple of years ago Karim bought the place and improved service. He diagnosed a problem (can't remember what it was) for me that saved me a whole bunch of money. He always tells me what I absolutely had to fix and what we could continue to watch. Karim is a good communicator and overall nice guy. I feel that I can trust Karim and for me that's super important in a mechanic. Pros: trustworthy owner Cons: I would make sure you deal with Karim, the owner. more

One visit to Santa Monica Motors convinced me I had found more than just a conscientious repair shop: I had found a ""physician"" for my car! My faithful 11-year old Honda Civic had seen better days, and I expected the worst when I consulted the mechanic for an assessment of its condition after I'd neglected the past couple of tune-ups. I was pleased and surprised when the owner drove my car himself to assess the condition of the engine. I was even more astonished as he told me my worst fears were unfounded--that the transmission was healthy and needed no expensive repair--and then he sat down with me to come up with an affordable ""1-2-3"" plan for me to get my car back up to speed, mechanically, without breaking the bank. I was well-treated, the car was repaired in a timely and expert fashion, and am now confident that I have found in Santa Monica Motors a business owner with a passion for what he does and a true interest in his customers' welfare. What a rarity! I highly recommend this personalized repair shop with an integrity all its own! Pros: Excellent communication, hands-on owner with integrity and high-level customer service Cons: I didn't find them sooner more

My husband and I were extremely happy to find Santa Monica Motors after relocating to Southern California. Everyone we have worked with there has been so honest and helpful. They really want what's best for your vehicle, and have always taken the time to explain everything clearly. I highly recommend this place to everyone! Pros: Highly knowledgeable staff; trustworthy; fast service Cons: none! more

These guys seem to tell the truth every time. Even told me when it wasn't worth\r it to fix something. Really nice all the time and consistent with their estimates\r and timing. My extended family now say this is the only place to go on the westside -\r EVEN if you have an old car. more

I have been going to Santa Monica Motors since I moved to LA 5 years ago and have never been disappointed. My Honda has always been in top condition since Karim and Santa Monica Motors began servicing it--which is good because I use my car for my work. SMM understands this and always gets me out quickly and makes sure just the right amount of preventative maintenance is done. One time my car kept quitting on me at inopportune times, i.e. on freeway on-ramps, making left hand turns at busy intersections. Karim determined there were 3 different things that could be wrong with the car. Instead of changing them all and charging me for all three, he put a plan together to determine exactly what part was failing. After about a week of visits to SMM, and replacing parts, Karim found the problem and charged me just for that part that was failing and only that part. I like how he worked with me--we were both trying to solve the problem together. I have recommended many friends to SMM and will continue to do so. Santa Monica Motors gets my highest possible recommendation. Pros: I know they care about my car running its best. Cons: None--I'd drive from Rancho Cucamonga to have my car serviced here. more

I found this shop online and decided to give it a try based on the positive reviews. From the start, Karim has been friendly, accomodating and upfront about the costs. I came in with a list of concerns (and a tight budget) and he broke it down into the ""must do"" vs ""should do"" and even ""don't need to do""! Another time, after discovering that an expensive component was still under warranty, he actually arranged to drop off and pick up my car at the Honda dealership, at no cost! Trustworthy mechanics are hard to come by (if you're automotive-challenged, how do you really know if your car's warp speed ion defibrillator needs replacing??) so SM Motors has been a godsend. Pros: Great service, won't shake you down Cons: No formal waiting area; not open on the weekend more

I took my car in for an oil change and they told me I needed new brakes. I took my Honda to a brake specialist who told me that my brakes were fine and were only worn about 50%. Santa Monica Motors almost had me pay $500 on work I didn't need done. more

I thought I needed my tires rotated -- after taking a brief look at the car they told me the wear was likely due to underinflated tires and probably an alignment problem. At no cost they filled the tires and said that while they could rotate the tires (for $15, a great price), that it would be a waste because I needed new ones and an alignment check. They don't sell tires or do alignment, so there was no money in it for them. So I got a free evaluation, saved a few bucks, and have found a new place to get my car fixed in future.\r \r Honesty is rare an very important. You'll absolutely find it here. more

I moved to LA a year ago and knew I needed to find a mechanic in LA before something went wrong with my 7 year old Honda. I stopped in based on other citysearch reviews and found them to be true -- Karim was helpful, friendly, and honest. I brought my car in for the once over and it was free of charge -- Karim let me know I should keep an eye on my battery and fuel filter. I highly reccomend them. Pros: Friendly, helpful, honest. Cons: They are rebuilding their shop area right now. more

I've been taking my Honda to Santa Monica Motors for over 10 years and wouldn't take my car elsewhere. The shop has come under new management, and it's gotten even better under the direction of Karim who's very hands on. It's apparent that he strives to give the most courteous customer service along with good repair work at a very fair price. Pros: Honest, reliable and reasonably priced more

Jim of Santa Monica Motors was the absolute best. My mom and I went to him for 30 years combined and I actually bought the Honda I have now from him. When he sold the business I was afraid that I would be lost. Not so. The new owner is wonderful. He is polite and communicative and honest and clear in what he tells you he can and can not do. He immediately made me very happy that he took over and I feel safe that I will be using him for as long as I can. Pros: Clear and honest and understands and tries to fit his service to my cars needs. more

Although I didn't actually get any work done on my car, that was the best car shop experience i've ever had! i was worried about my brakes, so i called and brought my car in early on a Monday morning. They gave me a ride to work, and called me by noon to tell me that they checked on the brakes and they are still good. They also ran a diagnostic for my check-engine light and told me what I should go and get fixed at the dealership under my warrenty. They didn't charge me for anything, they were very helpful, and so NICE! thanks!\r \r i will definately bring my car there when/if i need to have my car looked at again. Pros: service, honesty, trustworthiness more