Express Auto & Smog

Abel does not only provide bad customer by being a jerk and arrogant but he’s a crook. Just because someone doesn’t know about cars doesn’t mean he should try to rob them blind by telling them there is something wrong w your car that is not. My car was smoking and without any explanation on what he did to diagnose it, he told me my car needed an engine rebuilt. Really? I asked what he did or what made him drop to that conclusion and he had no explanation for me. My instinct told me to get a second opinion and sure enough, my car doesn’t need an engine rebuilt. I just needed regular oil instead of synthetic. Be careful guys, GET A SECOND OPINION!!! If you feel like he diagnosed it w something that just doesn’t sound right and your gut is telling you that something is not right, listen to it!

My girlfriend and I have been taking our vehicles to Able for years. He has worked on our imports, domestics, trucks, even a classic mustang for the girlfriend.
Able runs his shop with honesty, always suggesting what is practical and makes sense, even if it might mean he makes less money. We only go somewhere else if its work Able doesn’t do.

I found Express Auto a few years ago after being turned down by other area smog shops late in an afternoon. But Able said «sure, pull it in». During that visit I noticed he took an interest in my truck’s illuminated ABS brake light and quickly plugged a diagnostic tool into it and cleared the code for me without charge after the smog check. He said it might well come back on but making sure it wasn’t a spurious event was a first step. It did, so I decided if and when I was ready to try to have it fixed I’d try him since a) it seems to me it is hard to find an independent mechanic that takes much interest in such intricate diagnostic work, and b) I had noticed a slew of automotive diagnostic certifications having to do with modern electronic automotive features on the wall of the waiting room. I gathered from this that he might be a real pro at some skills that are hard to come by. So a few months later when I was ready to get my truck’s bugs worked out I took it to him. He located a failing ABS sensor in the master cylinder and said it could be sent out and rebuilt, if I could spare the truck for a few days, to get it fixed for a significant savings over a new one. Since it was my 2^nd vehicle I was happy to do that and five years later it still works flawlessly. Other times since then with other issues he has recommended against rebuilt parts if he doesn’t think will last as long as new parts. That’s just the sort of experience and advice that I appreciate.
I have had other experiences of Able’s diagnostic abilities with a vehicle that seems to have had questionable modifications done by a previous owner. In this case he fixed these weird electrical issues (ignition ‘accessory’ mode for radio use with vehicle off didn’t work and a few other annoying issues) by reprogramming one of the computer modules in the vehicle. Everything worked after that flawlessly and still. So in the last four or five years since I stumbled into Express Auto for the smog check I’ve had him do repairs on my vehicles that involved major electrical, fuel, air-​conditioning, and engine mechanical issues (stopping oil leaks), and he’s never failed to find the problem and fix it right the first time. After diagnosing the vehicle, he calls and explains what is going on with the problem, and the options you have for fixing it and guidance on which option he thinks is best, along with the costs involved naturally. Needless to say, because I find him über-​competent, trustworthy, and reasonably priced, he’s now my go to guy for auto service.

Abel is a pretty good mechanic. A buddy of mine recommended him. There was a noise coming from my tacoma. With just one look under the hood this guy saw it. He told me how long I had till the worn out belt that was causing it would break. The guy totally called it to the T. Of course I was a dumb a** and since I didn’t know him that well didn’t do it and then it happened. I took it back to him to get the damaged fixed and he gave me pretty fair price, I had already checked around and his was fair. I did the work and haven’t had a problem since. I didn’t give him 5 stars because since he is a good mechanic he is always busy. So it’s hard to get in here but that’s the only reason.

Able is a jerk and overcharges

This is the only place to take your car for service in La Habra. Able does all the work himself and takes great care to give you great honest service. His shop is immaculate, he is also open on Saturdays. He has worked on all my family cars through the years: Lexus, Honda, Toyota, Ford. he can do it all!