University Auto Service

These folks take good care of you! They understand being on a tight budget and will work with you to make sure you get what you need and want without needless expense. After several years of great service, I definitely trust them more than anywhere else. When I can’t be without my car for long they are always able to get work done quickly. They always check in about the work. And they are really friendly too!
Years ago my car had an issue with its transmission that confused several mechanics I took it to, but these guys had the explanation.
This is a fantastic place to become a regular customer.

Got quotes from a couple places and University Auto gave the lowest. My alternator was brand new and had two years warranty. Their labor rate was $ 15 cheaper than the other place. Fixed the problem as quickly as possible and staff was very friendly. Really enjoyed your service, thank you!

No idea why the bad review on here! Super friendly, super fast.
My car wouldn’t start and I had to get a new starter. When I called on the phone, they offered to find me a tow company. When I brought my car in, even though I honestly don’t know much about cars at all and I was a girl on my own, they fixed only the starter, didn’t try to give me anything I didn’t need, and the price was pretty much what I expected, nothing unusual. They had it done the same day I told them to start working on it. Randy (the owner I think?) was the friendliest, nicest guy!

Being a woman and all, I’m often wary of taking my car to any auto repair shop, for fear of being ripped off as I absentmindedly bat my eyes and twirl my hair. This time was no different. Fortunately, I remembered taking my car to University Auto a little over a year ago for a water pump replacement. It was not a cheap job, and after calling upwards of 10 places in the area I found this one to be the most reasonably-​priced.
The great thing about UA is that it’s a small business, so you’re not wondering who you last talked to or having to book an appointment. Also, the owner is really friendly and took the time to explain the fact that I’d need my brake pad and rotor replaced, showed me what a rotor and brake pad WAS on my own car, and talked to my very skeptical dad on the phone about it for I don’t know how long. He also fixed my loose bumper and did an oil change for me. The only two things I’m still unsure of are: whether I truly needed my rotor replaced, or just rotated, which would’ve cost far less; and why he said it would be $ 289 (was that with or without tax? damn this undiagnosed ADD) but it ended up being $ 344. These are things I could’ve confirmed, had I not just wanted my car back ASAP… nevertheless, I was satisfied with the friendly and fast service, and will probably come back again.

I started bringing my 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee here because they had good reviews on Unilocal and because they were conveniently located for me. On the plus side, their service has always been prompt and friendly.
However, at least in my experience, they seem incapable of repairing something correctly the first time. I had the brake pads and rotors replaced a year or so ago, and I had to make several return visits because a metal heat shield was rubbing against one of the new rotors, making a loud grinding sound.
Then, soon after moving to California, it was discovered that one of the rotors they installed turned out to be defective, which was causing my car to shake violently and go into the dreaded «death wobble» when I applied the brakes… Always a fun experience on LA freeways, or when driving down a narrow, twisting mountain highway.
Soon after the brake job, I brought my car in to have the power steering pump looked at. They replaced the pump, but they didn’t bother checking the adjacent power steering fluid lines for leaks. After the new power steering pump was nearly ruined due to loss of fluid, they finally decided to check the lines for leaks and replace them.
Problem was, the power steering fluid had been leaking all over the serpentine belt, causing it to squeal loudly. They replaced the belt at the same time they put the new power steering lines in, but the squealing issue persisted. A mechanic here in LA replaced the belt again, along with the tensioner and idler. It worked for a while, but now the new belt is squealing just like the previous two. I decided to do some investigating on my own, and upon peeling back the plastic sleeve installed by University Auto Services, discovered that the brand-​new high-​pressure lines that carry the power steering fluid are covered in power steering fluid. Granted, I’m no mechanic, but I’m pretty sure the power steering fluid is supposed to remain inside the lines.
So, in addition to wasting hundreds of dollars on a new tensioner and idler that weren’t needed, I now have to spend a few hundred more dollars fixing something that should’ve been fixed correctly the first time by University Auto Services.
While friendly and courteous, their MO seems to be to do the least amount of work necessary to «fix» a problem, and send the customer on their way. Before hitting the road for California, I had some work done across the river at Rick Waldenmayer’s in Southgate, and I found them to be far more competent and professional.

This locally owned repair shop is located at the end of my street, but I hadn’t thought to give it a chance until my A/​C went out over the weekend.
I dropped my car off at 9 AM on Monday morning, received a quote by 10 AM, and had repairs finished by 3:30 PM. Even without an appointment, Tim quickly accommodated my work needs and had me up and running (literally) within a few hours.
The parts and labor are guaranteed for 12 months, and I received an itemized receipt for my records. While my repairs were expensive, I felt as though the cost was reasonable for the extensive repairs. I will absolutely continue to visit University Auto Service for major repairs and routine oil changes.