Brake Masters

My 65 Skylark is a dream after having Javier and his guys work on it. Everything people say her about Javier being friendly and helpful is absolutely true. I was referred by a friend and couldn’t have been happier with the price, service and work done. Highly recommend.

I had a great experience with these guys. They fixed up my car for less than half of what the dealership was asking. When I had a follow-​up complaint, they did additional work for free. Javier is a really friendly and helpful guy, and this garage turns things around pretty quickly. I’ll be back next time I have car problems for sure.

I highly recommend. The outside looks dubious, parking is tight, and the music from the work area may be off putting, but Javier is terrific. Very fast, personable and gave me a discount when I said I found them on Unilocal.I got a wheel alignment and would definitely go there again. I can see why they have great reviews on Unilocal

Husband ended up here during a road trip emergency. Called the shop 5 mins before closing on a Saturday to ask if there was ANY WAY they could take a look… they welcomed him into the shop and the whole team worked to get him back on the road as quickly as possible. Once it was determined that the parts were REALLY not available anywhere, they offered to give him a ride to a hotel if he could find one. When he returned to take them up on their offer for the ride, Javier offered this complete stranger his personal vehicle for the next 36 hours, as well as offering to come in on Sunday to do the repairs if he was able to find the part the next morning. Patronize this shop. These are good guys who went above and beyond to help.

Great service and professional. Had a nut missing on my tire and they fixed it. While there, I was so impressed that I had them change my oil too!

I’ve been coming here since my college days. 3 cars later I’m still bringing my car here for brakes. Javier is super nice and is not out to cheat you. He has helped me out several times including when I couldn’t get my originally factory installed oil filter off my brand new Subaru when I was doing an oil change at home. When my brakes have been noisy I’ve brought in my car assuming I needed new brakes only to have Javier tell me they are still good. These guys do good work and have earned my trust. Also they are great for wheel alignments too.

Great customer service and great work on my alignment. I went to Brake Masters in Van Nuys and they made my alignment worse than before I brought it to them. I did not want to take it back to them for many reasons. The Altadena Brake Masters fixed the issue with no hassle or problem and with every intent on making me happy even though they didn’t complete the original repair. I’ve been driving my car for a month now and no issues. They do good work and have great customer service. I will definitely be back!

Was visiting my brother in Altadena, CA and he suggested i take my car to Brake Masters for an oil change and brake inspection. The folks there are very nice and they took care of the job promptly. Fast and friendly service.

I came here about a year and a half ago to get work done on my front breaks. The job was a little pricey but so is gas and, as my lady puts it, «you do what you have to do.» If you want a decent job done, you’re going to have to pay for it and the front breaks have held up so far. Now it’s the rears’ turn.
With the amount of cars Javier had to move I expected the wait to be longer than it was. I’m glad that this relatively minor job was given some priority. One thing I really hate is to go someplace and have too much time tied up with a relatively trivial matter… you ever go to a fast food joint and leave without ketchup of a straw, go back inside and wait in the same line you stood in to place your order? I hope not, but there are businesses that will address each customer in the order they came in regardless of how much time and energy is required to provide a service.

Short Version: They take a really long time on oil change. seems trust worthy, but definitely not, I mean, what mechanic is? They will treat you like an orange and squeeze everything they can out of you when all you ask for something minor.
Long Version: I’ve gone here multiple times mainly for an oil change, and a very SLOW one at that… But it’s extremely close to the house, so I suck it up and go… my latest visit with them last week was my LAST.
Tip to girls bringing in your cars: SAY AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. Because everything you say can and will be used against you.
2 days before I had an overheating problem, of course I was told by a family member over the phone that it could «possibly» be my radiator, and to put water in it. I did what I was told and VOILA! I made it safely on my HOUR DRIVE HOME!!!
I bring it in to Brake Masters, told the mechanic the situation, but was able to drive it for an hour without any issues, but mostly I needed an oil change.
Javier calls me back saying that it was DEFINITELY my radiator, it was cracked and there are major leakage, and to NOT DRIVE IT AT ALL OR IT WILL OVERHEAT!!! Frightened and alone, I ask for a quote to get everything fixed and he quoted me about $ 600+ to fix radiator, thermostat, oil change, hose, and some other things. Shocked that it was so expensive, I get into my car from Brake Masters, attempt to drive it 2 miles to my brother’s house for him to take a look… and LOW AND BEHOLD… IT OVER-​EFFIN-​HEATS after 2 miles of leaving Brake Masters??? Like what the actual F*ck? I was able to drive it home the day before from AN HOUR away. and I can’t even drive it 2 miles down the street straight after I leave Brake Masters for an oil change? Oh HeeeLL NAH.
In conclusion, brother was able to look at it. Radiator was NOT cracked… at all. Not a single leak… All it needed was a part purchased from Nissan and coolant which added up to. hmmm $ 110…WOW. He also said they left parts unhooked, uncapped, open etc… (Hey, I am a girl) .to ensure overheating which then makes a guarantee that you HAVE to bring it back to them… Multiple mechanics. even the owner kept saying.“YOU’RE GOING TO OVERHEAT. DON’T DRIVE IT MORE THAN A MILE… PUT WATER IN RADIATOR IF YOU HAVE TO BUT YOU WILL OVERHEAT!!!“
Thanks Cheesedicks for making sure I do!!!
SO! In conclusion… use your own discretion. If you tell them what you «think» you need, they will definitely make sure that is what you will need and pay them for. They will definitely tweak parts in your car to make this happen. They seem nice… honest…and trust worthy. Sigh. Had hopes for this one. BEWARE!!!

Came here based on Unilocal reviews as my regular mechanic was closed due to the holiday. The folks at Brake Masters were friendly, honest, fast, and close to home. Finished within time frame they gave me. Got an oil change. Would definitely come back!

Great service, I’ve had to replace a number of parts throughout the years. I trust them with my old 80’s van which is used on sets. Javier is easy to work with and I ditto all the positive remarks.

This review is primarily for service because I don’t know much about mechanics. Due to poor alignment I developed bad tire issues and had to get 4 wheels replaced through American tire. The guy there strongly recommended brakemaster, told me he brought all his cars there, dodge, subaru, pontiac, hondas. I called them 15 mins before closing and they squeezed me in. Fast efficient work. Small shop but pleasant to deal with. I would go back.

Great service everytime I come here. I’ve been coming here since 2005. And Javier has always been honest, friendly, and always great service.

I’ve been going to Brake Masters, Altadena, for many years. I generally have very good experiences when I take my vehicles there. On occasion, friends or family have had mishaps with their vehicle’s issue.
I personally find Javier to be very honest about what might be needed to make my vehicle safe (I travel many miles each day), and safety is the first and foremost priority on my list.

Interesting. That sums it up. I was told to come here from America’s Tire Co. to fix my lug nuts, only time I’ll come here. The waiting area is small but it’s a waiting area. TV is way up in the ceiling, kind of hard to watch, place feels old and dirty. Hardly any parking besides street parking. The manager is nice. Workers seem rude, they like to mess around a lot in the work area, and they cuss a lot (not really kid friendly if you have kids and plan to bring them here). After my car was finished, I wasn’t even told it was finished, I just looked out and saw my car sitting there. It’s a hit or miss with this place, never coming back to this place. Personally I’d rather pay an extra $ 20 and get it done professionally somewhere else and may I also add faster?

Excellent experience! Came in for brake pads for our Ford Mustang, no appointment needed. They were busy but we were in and out in an hour! Courteous, friendly staff! Prices are fair and the lead mechanic is very knowledgable.

The owner seemed knowledgable and honest. Frankly, he could have told me anything about the situation. Couldn’t find the problem, so no charge.

Deserves one star if not for the average quality of service. Had purchased breaks from here a while ago (spent more than $ 140) and within 2 months of purchase, my breaks started squealing. I took it to a shop that I frequent in koreantown Los Angeles, and they told me that the break quality was extremely horrible — — to the point where I would need a disc replacement as well since the break pads were hard as steel. Needless to say, I needed to replace the break pads — which cost me another $ 100 or so.
It angered me so that I wanted to take the break pads back (since I still have it in the trunk) to Brake Masters so they can tell me why I was given a subpar pad and ask for refund. Yet in this day and age, time is a luxury that I cannot afford. So, Brake Masters management, if you’re out there, I would sincerely appreciate it if you can give me an explanation of why the break pad you used was of such quality.
This also serves as a word of caution to consumers — beware of the breaks you’re using! if it’s squealing right after you’ve changed the breaks, it’s likely that it’s not you, but the breaks you’re using.

The people seem nice. The workers appeared to do a consciencious job. although they take a long time. There are thank you cards on their wall which is unusual for a brake place.
I just wish they would clean the place up. If you are going to have to sit there for 2 hours or more, they should give you a nicer cleaner place to wait. Or provide one of those buzzer thingies so you can take off down the street for coffee or to get your nails done and come back when your car is done. Not a boxing fan… and I heard a lot of talk about boxing while I was waiting.
It was weird that when I first arrived, someone was in the back spray painting a car. I think it was on the level as a favor to the owner’s daughter’s boyfriend, but my first thought was I was taking my car to a chop shop.
The chains don’t share a computer system where you can check the lifetime warranty purchases you have made already. They made me call the one in Tarzana who said they didn’t have my records anyway because their computers went down in 2010. I have to find my receipt and come back for a credit on the parts. Total was about $ 225 and two hours for rear brakes, rotors, and a few other things.