Charlie’s Auto Service

He does everything by the book, awesome guy, very straight forward. This is one of the few mechanics believe it or not that I could trust with my car (s)

Pretty standard oil change. I took my Prius in for an oil change since the «Maintenance Required» sign came on. I dropped it off and came back two hours later and the car was ready. Charlie charged me $ 28. There wasn’t a clear pricing as with many auto shops, but it was less than $ 30, so I found the price fair.
The place is convenient for me living in Hacienda Heights. I wasn’t blown away by anything in terms of service, but no red flags as far as I could tell.
Summary: A-​OK. Shoot, I only got an oil change.

I’m quite surprised by the one star reviews here. I gave him a chance on a recommendation from my father and sister and he took care of my car well.
I do most of my auto maintenance and modding myself, so I’m very knowledgeable about cars. I don’t have a lift in my home garage unfortunately, so anything that requires one I have to take to a mechanic.
I’m VERY particular about my cars and am very careful about who touches them so I was initially wary of going here because of the one star reviews even though he was highly recommended by members of my family.
Charlie and his mechanic were friendly, knowledgeable, their prices were very reasonable, and they got me in and out the same day. My rims weren’t scratched, my interior wasn’t dirtied, the work was done properly, and they boxed up my original parts.
Trust a car guy’s opinion? Or that of someone who can’t change their own oil or who doesn’t understand why check engine lights come on? The choice is up to you. Charlie’s done well by me.

Beware of this Guy!!! DONT TAKE YOUR CAR TO THIS AUTO SHOP
Charlie is a total thief. My family had been going to him for years and we were all of the impression that he was an upstanding mechanic. However, I took my husband’s Chevy Trailblazer in because the check engine light was on. He ended up giving me so outragous explanation that I could hardly understand but because we did business with him for years I trusted him and agreed to the work. When I returned to pick up my car, we caught him taking off for the day in our car so we followed him. He went to the BofA next store where he went to go get cash out at the ATM. THIS GUY WAS ACTUALLY TAKING OUR CAR HOME FOR THE NIGHT AS IF IT WAS HIS OWN CAR. We confronted him in the parking lot and he had no explanation.
DONT TRUST CHARLIE!!! Please believe me. As the previous guy said in the review before, Charlie takes the cars he works on and does his own business and affairs after hours. We found cardboard in the back of our truck as though he was using our car to pick up parts or motors for other jobs.
This GUY is not honest and will rip you off.

So I take my Camry in for a simple oil change, leave the shop for about 20 to 25 minutes to grab a coffee from the Vons across the street. I come back, and the mechanic can’t find my car.
He literally has no idea where my car is. I’m standing there trying my best not to hurl every single curse word in my head his direction when he decides to call the owner, Charlie. The mechanic then says «Charlie will be back with your car in a minute.»
By that time, I’ve already waited about 5 to 10 minutes. This in itself wouldn’t be that big of a deal, except that MY CAR WAS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.
A few minutes later, I see Charlie pull into the parking lot in front of the garage with my Camry, and he steps out holding… a McDonald’s bag. Yes, the owner drove my car to McDonald’s to grab himself a midday snack. REALLY MAN?
Cursing out a man who’s your father’s age isn’t something I was taught to do as a child, but screw this guy. I brought my car in for an oil change, not to have the owner take it out for a munchie run when he has his own damn car.