Bender’s Automotive

I lived in the in the Conejo Valley for 13 years floating from one automotive repair shop to another. They each had their pluses and minuses. But, 15 years ago, I discovered Marlon and Chris at Bender’s in Newbury Park and have been bringing all 4 of my vehicles here ever since for all my automotive repair needs. I don’t know much about the inner workings of cars, so they always explain to me the purpose of a part, how it works, and why it is important to repair or replace it. Knowledge is power; it makes the bill more pallitable to handle.
I have found them to be honest; they do not fix things unnecessarily, nor do they overcharge you. They also will do most jobs in one day and can even do your oil change while you wait.
Benders has replaced for me: water pumps, steering pumps, motor mounts, starting motors, coils, plugs, belts, sensors, blower motor, a catalytic converter, and other parts too. And, of course, they do the «major service» on my cars when the mileage dictates at a reasonable price. It is always comforting to find a doctor you like, a dentist you like, and a MECHANIC you like and trust.

After calling more than a dozen shops from Northridge to Agoura Hills I finally got a lead on a shop that would work on my diesel truck. Every place I called did the same thing, once I told them I had a diesel truck they told me they couldn’t work on it and couldn’t recommend anyone but finally someone did, even though the repair really had nothing to do with it being a diesel. I called Bender’s and they were more than welcome to work on my truck. I called and they told me the price up front, told me to bring it in and even though I couldn’t get the truck picked up any faster, the job was done the next day. I can’t say enough about the work they did and glad that I finally found someone to work on my diesel truck.

Unfortunately there are not many auto shops where you can take in your car, say to the owner… please do what is needed, and be able to trust them. Bender’s Automotive is just such a place. They are a highly competent automotive repair facility with integrity. Thank you Chris Bender and staff for always taking such good care of our cars at a fair price!

In my 34 years of owning various vehicles that inevitably required service, I have received bad to decent service. I have my tire guy, but tend to do as many repairs for myself as I can.
But when you run into a problem that requires a professional repair, I have found no better place to trust than BENDER’S AUTOMOTIVE in Newbury Park.
I needed major suspension work and my transmission needed to be flushed and filled.
When the guys at Bender’s Auto were done, my Toyota Sienna was a new Van all together.
My niece and I had a pleasant and uneventful trip to Las Vegas, NV, and it can be accredited to the Excellent service I received!
I highly recommend BENDER’S AUTOMOTIVE for minor to major repairs and maintenance.
Don’t waste your time elsewhere!

My husband and I have been going to Benders for many years. Our most recent experience was so appalling that they have lost our business permanently.
Typically, I take my car in for routine service, wait for it to be done, and then my husband settles the bill via his business account. I have never received a written estimate prior to any work done. When I needed my A/​C repaired, Chris just called my husband and told him how much it was. It was basically just a routine service every time. We went on in such a fashion with no problem, for years.
I brought it in for an exhaust leak. Chris said I would need to leave it for 3 to 4 days, and it would cost at most $ 2,000. I also told Marlan that I would like a quote on how much it would cost to repair a sticking tailgate. I told him that we would have to do the repair next time, because we could not afford to do it now on top of everything else. Again, no written estimate, which I didn’t question because we’ve never gotten one. I rented a car, and started checking in every few days. I always got the same answer, that they were almost done with it, and it would be ready by the end of the day or at the latest tomorrow. On and on it went, until 14 DAYS had passed, always with «it’ll be ready by the end of the day or at the latest tomorrow.» By that time, the rental car had cost way more than we’d planned on, and my husband was now calling, too. Chris told my husband that the bill was almost $ 5,000, and since they kept telling us our car was «almost ready», we were led to believe the work had already been done. My husband requested a breakdown in writing, and that was when we were faxed our very first estimate ever. That cost included repairing the tailgate and the gas pumping issue, even though I expressly asked for a quote only. My husband was furious, and asked him why he would proceed when it would cost more than double what we were told, without getting our approval, first. After a couple of conversations, Chris said that not all the work had been done already, after all, and he took out a few of the items to bring the bill down to just over $ 3,000, which is still 50% higher than we’d been told. What gave me pause is that Chris said they had to do the timing belt, which was overdue by 30,000 miles. That means that we had brought it in for service 10 TIMES, without them mentioning that, hey, you know what? Your timing belt is due. What were they doing during all those service appointments, changing my oil and sending me on my way without actually checking anything?
I called the day before I was to pick it up, and they said my truck was just about ready. They just had to add some fluids and take it for a test drive. I called that morning, and was told my truck was just about ready. They just had to add some fluids and take it for a test drive. I live an hour and a half away. They swore it would be ready that morning, well before the 1:30 pick up time. I called them on the drive down, and I swear they told me my truck was just about ready. They just had to add some fluids and take it for a test drive. I called them when I arrived at Enterprise, and I kid you not, they told me my truck was just about ready. They just had to add some fluids and take it for a test drive. At this point, I thought they were messing with me just for the fun of it. Even the Enterprise rep said he heard what was going on. He was supposed to drop me off at Benders, but he said he wouldn’t leave until I actually had my keys in my hand. We get to Benders, and you know what they said? My truck was just about ready. They just had to add some fluids and take it for a test drive. Enterprise waited patiently with me for 20 min. (Please see my glowing review of Enterprise.)
My husband was so disgusted he said we probably wouldn’t use them again, and not to sign anything except the credit card receipt. He had doubts about the work since they had such trouble getting the truck ready. Chris gave me an invoice to sign, instead, which released getting the work done. I told him I was only supposed to sign the credit card receipt, and that he needed to have my husband go over the invoice. He told me that it WAS the credit card receipt. So I signed it. And then he smiled & gave me an actual credit card receipt to sign. Then they told me I had to bring it back in 500 miles at no cost because they didn’t finish the work. Tailgate was covered in WD40. I called him driving home because the check engine light was on (wasn’t before) and it was still making the same noise. He said it could take hundreds of miles to go away & might never. They didn’t connect the exhaust right. He told my husband he would fix it. Brought it back, and he didn’t remember what he was supposed to do. He charged me $ 160 for a fuel ratio filter that he never told us he was doing, and $ 50 for an oil change he said we didn’t pay for last time, even though I did.

I have been taking my car to Bender’s Automotive for years. Their prices are very reasonable, and they do not try to sell me things that I do not need. They have always stood behind their work. I have not even thought of taking my car elsewhere.

These guys are awesome. I started with them when I had problems with my Toyota. They also are able to service my Mini Cooper and always have parts on hand. When I have a problem they do not try to sell me more than I need. They are fast, friendly and reliable. I am even taking the family cars for service here from now on. Chris is the best go and see them for tune ups, oil changes, brake repairs and even when your cylinders are shot. These guys are great!!!

Got a quote from some other places for $ 240. Came here and they quoted me $ 80 for all the same work. At first they were worried that they didn’t have time to do the work (I’ll take the blame I arrives an hour before closing on a Saturday). When I told them my work schedule and my concern for driving on it another week they were awesome and agreed to take care of it right away for me. 40 minutes later and my car was ready. I hung out in their little waiting room with a good book and they came in about every 15 min to update me on progress. Nice work and greatly appreciate the flexibility!

Excellent work on my ford diesel truck. Stayed late to get work finished. Their diesel tech knows his stuff.

Absolutely horrible service. My car was in the shop for 48 hours for a 1 hour job. Everytime you call they say they are just starting to work on it. They never started until I went to the shop and asked what had happened an hour before the shop closed. Do not go here for any work! The employees are very rude as well

Apparently Robert E. had a bad experience with Benders; however my husband and I have nothing but nice things to say about Benders Automotive. We have been there three times: once for brakes and twice for oil changes. All three times we have been VERY satisfied with their service, workmanship and prices. As you know it’s difficult to find honest, hardworking mechanics; generally you have to take your chances and just hope they don’t charge you an arm and a leg and they do what you ask efficiently. Bender does all that and more… oil changes out the door for way less then EZ Lube/​Jiffy Lube and they did my husband’s brakes for a lot less than he was expecting! They work quickly and the car is done when they say it’s done. I would not hesitate to recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a good mechanic.

Ok I will make this short and simple. Been taking my car to this place for three years with no problems but when my window motor went out I was quoted 200. I took it there SEVEN times, each time they recieved the wrong part, ruined my other window and all they did for me when it was over was offer me a free oil change. And not to menton I ended up paying over 300 dollars. Thats cool, Im a forgiving fellow… it gets worse though. I take it back a month later for my free oil change and when i got my car back on the road i hear pieces flying off. Turns out they did not put the oil cap on and it was lost. I was told they would gladly replace it but when I returned they played dumb. My car it much worse off than it was ever before taking it to these scumbags. Never going back there again, and Im on a mission to see these suckers go out of business. STAY AWAY FROM THIS BUSINESS!!!