K T Auto & Tires

Dishonest mechanic! Overcharges on cheap fixes! They will joyride your car for their errands and create other problems on your car so that he thinks you will bring it back to him! Should be investigated by Better Business Bureau! Stay away from this dishonest auto repair shop! The worst ever!

I won’t be going back here because I don’t find them completely trustworthy. It was my first time bringing my car in since its nearby and my tire pressure light has been coming off and on even after filling up the tires, so I figured it was a simple leak that needed filling. After having the car for three hours the owner called me to pick up and let me know that he just filled all the tires up because they were low on air and didn’t check if there were any leaks. I found this weird because I had just filled them all a week ago and didn’t think that all four were leaking. Anyway, the light has reappeared a week later so I know it must be a leak, not just my neglecting the air pressure in all four. Secondly, when I left, he said that he thought something was broken under the hood because of the noise he heard while driving it, which made me instantly suspicious because it sounded like he just wants more business/​money from me. I assured him my car has always just been noisey. The next day my check engine light goes on, which it hasn’t done in a year since I had the transmission and throttle body serviced. I don’t like to think mechanics tinker with your car to force you to come in again later, but these weird coincidences set me off. After reading the reviews again I saw that this place has been caught joy riding or using the cars for errands and realized he totally drove my car too when it was not necessary, as all I had asked was to check the tires pressures… but he admitted to driving it around and thinking the engine needed some servicing. Not going back.

I have been here 3 times to service a 2000 Mazda Protégé, and Mr. Kim has been very professional each time. He doesn’t say much, but has been straightforward an honest with me each time. (I’ve gotten fast service at a reasonable price each time, most recently a radiator replacement with coolant for around $ 280.) I was referred here and would refer this business to others who ask. I feel bad for others who say they’ve had bad experiences here.

I referred a friend to Kim’s shop as I felt he was a mechanic I could trust. My friend goes in to give a down payment on her repair and realizes her car is being used to run errands by one of the mechanics. She confronts Kim and he laughs in her face after realizing he’s been caught in a lie. I then get an angry call from my friend for referring her there. I was shocked to hear of the incident. I will never, refer anyone nor will I take my car back. It now explains the grease foot prints on the back of my vehicle. I guess they go for joy rides or something. Not cool AT ALL… As I said, I trusted Kim but no longer will and suggest you shouldn’t either.

I was referred by my friend to this shop so I thought I was in good hand, which didn’t turn out that way. I left my car there on Saturday. So I had Kim check my car and he said he’ll calling me back on Monday. Monday comes around and tells me it’s a big job and the repair will be $ 1,500. So I told him I’ll call him back. By the way I work full time an also part time college student so having free time is an issue. I finally make the decision to go down there today and give a deposit to start that job because I need my car. While I’m pulling up I see my car pulling out. Which I thought maybe they’re parking it on the street. While I’m talking to him about maybe giving me a discount or something that can help since money is tight. He says no. I asked him where’s my car? He said I parked it on the street. I told him can you bring in my car because I need some things from the back. He goes on the back killing time 10 mins pass and I see the guy pulling up with FOOD. So I asked the guy driving did you go get food in that car? He said yes. Now I’m pissing off because why are they using my car, my gas, and exposing it to damage something else. When IM NOT EVEN USING IT TO RUN MY ERRANDS BUT THEY ARE TO GET BREAKFAST IN MY CAR. The shop will not be responsible if something else gets damage in that car but I am and thats money out of my pocket that will go to their pocket. When I confronted Kim about the situation he knew he got caught in lie and laughs because he was nervous. That got me more upset. I wouldn’t trust them with my car. I took my car somewhere now. I’m just glad I was able to see that before paying them 1,500. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE UNTRUSTWORTHY OWNER THAT WILL LIE TO YOUR FACE !!!

Mr. Kim saved the day. He repaired my catalytic converter, not the cheapest, but the fastest for sure. In and out in 2 hours. Passed smog with flying colors. I had failed the smog test before but his fixes helped me so much!
Definteily would go there again for smog testing!

so far so good. just changed the alternator hopefully the 4 stars will remain. lol
the place is not fancy with coffee and air conditioning and chair with a massager just a neighborhood typical mechanic shop with lots of tires for décor and grease here and there; but prices are Aok and fast friendly service.
the mechanics seem honest and reliable. the owner wasn’t typical mechanic to see a women jack up the price and was honest.
way better than dealership and asked few places around this place was more reasonable.

I came to Kim at KT Auto as a referral from Jim Matson Auto, my usual mechanic, because my 1985 Volvo DL failed a smog test. I live in downtown Los Angeles but trust Jim so I decided to go with his recommendation and I am so glad I did. Kim knew within 2 minutes I would need a new catalytic convertor and had my Volvo finished by noon the next day. I went to get the car re-​smogged today and the numbers were perfect! I am very happy. There is an Enterprise Car Rental across the street so it was very easy for me to drop my car off. I will definitely take my car back there next time I need a smog test since he does them. He did a pre-​test after the repair to ensure my car would pass when I went back to get the free re-​test where I previously failed.

My friend’s take their Toyota to Kim at K T Auto and have raved about his service. Being one that appreciates the power of a personal referral, I decided to go to Kim instead of the dealer for my Honda CRV for a pretty expensive repair. Kim saved me $ 200 over what a Honda dealership was going to charge me. Also very important here — Kim did not waver from his original quote and the car was ready when he said it would be.
Honesty and integrity in a mechanic can be a challenge to find, especially in a big city like L.A. where there are so many mechanics out there. I’ve found a couple of bad ones over the years. I would feel confident having Kim repair anything on my CRV.
While I’ve recently retired to Tucson, I am in the city at least a couple of times a year visiting family and friends and am happy to know there is an honest mechanic very near to me should I need his services again. I would recommend Kim to all my family and friends!

i had a screw in my tire and wanted to find a place nearby for removal/​plug. They were friendly on the phone, friendly when I got there and the whole thing was 15 minutes. It was cheap, easy and nice. Anything I can avoid the dealer for I will return to this place.

Needed a smog test on my new (used) car. I live 100 feet from the place so naturally I wanted to make an inquire. Kim said $ 50 which is a reasonable price, never the less I had just read about a Unilocal offer about 2 miles away for just $ 40. I told him about. The words had barely left my mouth before he answered a phone, turned around, left the office and went back to working on a car leaving me hanging and being completely ignored by him and his staff. I stood for another minute or two wondering if this was really happening while browsing through some of the other reviews for this place. Then turned around and left. Honestly I don’t have time for grumpy old mechanics who has no concept if common courtesy or respect and I see no insult in trying to bargain a bit. I have big doubts about how legit the other reviews describing Kim as «warm and heartfelt» are. I have no intentions of ever going there again. Oh, and my second question would have been if he would have had time to also do some repairs that was estimated at $ 1600
It does not pay to be rude!

We’ve gone to K T Auto & Tire twice, now and each and every time left feeling great about the quick, accommodating, thorough, reliable and amazingly priced service. Fabulous and trustworthy mechanic. Two thumbs up!

I’ve been coming to K T Auto for a decade now. Mr. Kim kept my old crappy Honda going for at least 2 years longer than I thought was possible. Every time I’d ask what was needed to fix it he’d say «you need a new car» yet kept it running for me until I could afford one. As others here have stated, he’s honest and reasonably priced — I never ever felt gouged. Once he even rotated my tires for free. The man has integrity and I’ll use this garage as long as I live in Los Angeles.

Awesome service. Super fast, cheap, and good! We all know how hard it is to find those three things in the same place. I was there for less than 15 minutes, $ 45 later, my smog test was transmitted to the DMV and I was finished. Top notch service, and I highly recommend!

I really trust this guy. I had 2 other estimates that were way more expensive. I’ve brought my car here about 3 times in the past few months and been happy. I highly recommend!

Easily the best mechanic in the greater Los Angeles area. Kim provides excellent service at a fair price. I have two Mini Coopers and Kim has maintained them expertly for the last six years. I once had to take my car in for a repair when it was still under warranty, and I took it to Kim instead of the dealer because the cost was worth not having to deal with the hassle. (And it was a $ 1,200 repair!) May sound foolish, but he’s that good!
Also the idea that someone would give him a bad review because of a tagged van on his lot, when they have never taken their car to him, is ridiculous. «Mom i.» is a rotten human being.

I’ve come here to smog my 1979 BMW 2002 and my 2003 Audi TT. And the owner always gets the job done. And he’s open till 12pm on Sat. $ 40. Not the cheapest or the most expensive, but a reliable place.
Before the BMW was free of smog requirements it needed a tune-​up to pass, but the owner was patient and got me the Pass I needed to stay on the road without costly repairs.

Best in town! Always fast, honest, friendly! Oil changes, whatever you need! Really really good place. Recommended.

Kim, the owner is a great guy. He’s very honest and forthright.
He stands behind what he repairs. I had a part he replaced go bad eight months later. When I took it back, he replaced it free of charge, no labor charge either. I didn’t even have to ask.
I’ve taken my car in for repairs that other mechanics tried to sell me. I took it to Kim for a second opinion, and he told me it was unnecessary. I really appreciate that kind of integrity.
I think his prices are reasonable too.
The parking is very limited, so just park wherever you can when you pull in. Somehow, it always works out.

Very affordable.
Takes a little long in doing service sometimes, but gives a fair, good price for the service.
Highly recommend!