1 Star - This Place is a Total Scam! About time I write this review months later. Broke down on the side of the road, and the tow truck driver "strongly recommended" I bring my car here, saying this was the best shop around. Now, I'm convinced they're working together to scam people. I left my car, and from there, it was a total nightmare. For weeks, I barely got any updates. I called, left message after message, but almost never got a call back. When I finally reached someone, it was always a new excuse--"waiting on parts" or "the mechanic is looking at it now." Meanwhile, my car was just sitting, totally ignored. Then, it gets worse: after 3 weeks, the mechanic calls and tells me the problem is water damage. I told him my car has NEVER been exposed to water, and he was quiet for a second. So I went down to see what was going on. When I got there, my car was sitting outside with the windows rolled down, and the inside was completely soaked and to add insult - there were dirty cat or dog footprints inside of my car - ON MY WHITE LEATHER!!! He left my windows down or doors open during a storm, and now my car had water damage--damage he caused! But here's the final straw: after telling me about this "water damage," he actually suggested I call my insurance and claim it as a total loss. Are you kidding me?! He damages my car and then tries to push me into committing insurance fraud to cover his own incompetence. I immediately took my car to another shop. They had it fixed in 48 hours--it was just a bad ground wire, no water damage necessary. This place is a scam. They're incompetent, negligent, and downright shady. TRUST YOUR GUT - If you care about your car (and your sanity), avoid this place at all costs! read more

Rude to customers i never saw a mechanic like this scamming customers charging them money but don't do their work good never go to this place read more

Don't ever take your car here, they will make you wait for months, they will gouge you and even sell the parts you bought, this place is a scammer read more

03/01/2025 I stayed stranded on the side of the road with my family in the cold an hour away from his shop when the tow truck got there he strongly recommended his friend shop I was skeptic because of the reviews but decided to take him for his word I waited outside the shop for 4 hours till open time. I was a wreck just overthinking and when he got there, he greeted me and tould me he opened in an hour.when he opened he checked my car and tould me it was the alternator ,gave me a reasonable price and had me and my family in and out in 2 hours.I couldn't thank him enough!keep in mind I was coming from AZ to TJ not knowing nobody in El Cajon. Highly recommend this shop. read more

This is the second shop I took my car to after I dropped it off at El Cajon Ford to fix an electrical issue, I have to say I was worried the first week they didn't touch it but they started on it and almost the same day they were done, the charge was way lower than ford had quoted me and I had my car in 10 days. You have to be patient, you don't watch the water boil, you just set it and forget it and it's boiling in no time read more

he's scamimg people he lies to customers he doesn't fix cars on time it's takes weeks to get your car fix don't go to this place

SD auto repair is a great repair shop. They are great at getting repairs done at very very reasonable prices. They don't try to over charge you or try to say you need additional repairs when you truly don't. They are honest hard working mechanics. My experience with them for the last few years I have taken my vehicles to them are great. Thank you read more

My break were BEYOND needing replacement. It didn't take me long at all to set up an apt. I got there a little early and they had the time so they started taking care of my Lexus right away! Thank you SD Auto Repair I will be back very soon for some body work! Thank you again! read more

SD Auto Repair - Auto Repair Near Me - El Cajon, California

I'm military and had to turn in my 4runner to the vehicle processing center in El Cajon. Found out last minute my parking brake didnt work and had to get fixed to turn it in. These guys fit me in right away understanding my urgency. Very skilled technicians, i was super impressed watching them trying to get the parts loose that had been frozen from years of rust and essentially refurbishing my parts on their workbench. Most places would have probably just had me buy $1000 worth of parts and replace everything, taking hours i didnt have to do so, but these guys had some serious skill and saved me $ and got my car ready for vpc turn in within a couple hours. Fair shop rates, i wouldnt hesitate to trust these guys with your car. Don't be put off by street appearance of shop, looks a little crowded in the front from all the cars there and this may put some customers off from that- but you have a gem of a shop hidden back there with very friendly staff and very professional. Good skill there, i cant say enough about those guys. read more

I had to give a start no way to give negative stars! My son brought his car in to get his exhaust delete and on his way home car dies! We had it tow back and all of the sudden they tell us an axel broken which makes no sense as to why the car died on the way home! I agree to have them fix it, we pay and as we are leaving the car dies again and the new axel is suddenly broken again! The owner won't even give paperwork, he then proceeded to tell me we broke it when we basically drove the car a few feet! I had it tow to another shop! Sam the owner is shady af, do not bring your car here unless you want it to die! Can't even provide paperwork of work done! I REPEAT DO NOT BRING YOUR CAR HERE! read more

Took my car to them to have my air conditioner repaired the guy said he would let me know what it would cost and get back to me in a few hours a few hours turn into days then he said he tried to overcharge me and I told him it was too much and then he told me a fair price I agreed he said it would be ready the next day another week goes by I show up he tells me that he can't get the parts and that he can move the vents for free and do a temporary fix which he did none of did not move the vents just covered my top vents so now I have less air circulation undid my heads up display on my window ripped the fabric on my dashboard underneath my steering wheel I would never recommend this place to anybody read more

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Fast, professional, no BS service. I'll be coming here for any auto needs moving forward!

When I needed an auto shop I turned to so many places on a heavy rainy day and nobody was able to help. I tried every shop in the area but couldn't get the help I needed, I had made a call to a towing company (my car was not drive able) they had recommended SD Auto Repair and gladly took it there. It's literally 5 minutes from where I live. I couldn't be more satisfied with the service that they did to my 4runner, they had replaced my alternator within a short period of time, they took care of my smog (passed). It has been running great ever since. Definitely glad that I found this place which is my official go to auto shop or if anybody needs work to get done on any car they will be more than happy to help you out. Satisfied customer and will be coming back for further services once needed. FYI They also do work on European cars. read more

SD Auto Repair - Auto Repair Near Me - El Cajon, California

Looks as though they have a scam going on with the tow truck company, and then they try and keep your car for as long as possible without working on it so they can collect storage fees. SMH. read more

SD Auto Repair - Auto Repair Near Me - El Cajon, California

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I brought my 2012 Audi Q7 to SD Auto Repair for some maintenance on the diesel def system and various sensors. They were very professional and did an amazing job at a great price! The car runs great and I will definitely be back for any more needed maintenance! read more

SD Auto Repair - Serviced Vehicle - Auto Repair Near Me - El Cajon, California

Rude owner and staff! And this place is a rip off and they do not care. I have an older car (well a 2008 Honda, so not too old) and they acted like I was bothering them by even bringing my business to them! I am so mad. If you are middle eastern, you will be treated with respect and friendliness, but any other ethnicity, they do not care about helping you or giving good customer service. read more

They installed subwoofers in my tundra and the day I drove away from the shop after taking much longer then expected dies in a drive thru. I call them and said what's wrong with my truck it won't start... and they said they don't know. And then about a week later, the speakers blow or just don't work. They won't answer the phone btw. read more

Do not go here. Its either a scam or they're just lazy people. Its going to take month for your car to get fixed. DO NOT GO HERE

Very reliable!! I got my car fixed for something w a fuel pump & also break fluid problem was fixed! My care was long driving to it's fullest potential before had but when I got my car back it was driving way smoother, I could feel the difference. read more

Honest and hardworking people at this shop! I'm looking to purchase a used vehicle and I came here to do a pre-purchase inspection. They helped me out and told me everything that the car needed. I'm so grateful! I would highly recommend. Props to them working on the car in the rain! Thanks Sam! read more

If your tow truck driver suggests this place, DO NOT DO IT. Chances are, the tow truck driver is being paid to bring cars into his buddy's shop. We had our car towed yesterday and had a place in mind but the tow truck driver tried to get us to take it to this place because he's a buddy of his, plus he was being extremely condescending because we were women and we "didn't personally know" the people at the shop we wanted to bring it to. Not to mention that is illegal. read more

Crashed my car and along came a tow truck telling me this place was great, lowest prices and trust worthy. We shall see so far all I could get from them was a verbal estamate. We asked for a written estamate listing what's needed with prices but all we could get was the verbal quote. We had to come up with a down payment or they were gonna be charging 105.00 per day storage fees. So we used a credit card to pay 850.00 and gave them 50.00 cash. We were charged 30.00 extra for using the credit card with them. Our receipt was just a plain receipt that looks like it could of come from anywhere and it only had the 850.00 paid on it. Nothing of the 50.00 cash or there fee of 30.00 taken extra from card. So far we haven't received any calls from them. Tomorrow we're going to check and see what is happening. After reading the past reviews I'm so scared there might be a lawsuit waiting because we have nothing in writing and the law is they can't go over 10% over their quote without a signature from us and so far nothing has been signed or anything you'd expect from a service business that repairs car. Will update my review when I find out more. read more

They overcharge for everything and somehow their prices get more expensive everyday. I'd recommend anywhere else to go for any car problems.

Got referred to these guys frpm auto zone so glad i went very professional great service and good prices thanks for going abobe and beyond what was expected read more

very nice and friendly good customer service. Got my car in and out in a timely manner the price was very decent and reasonable. I haven't had any problems with my car drives great. Very happy with the job. read more

I had a rattle in my front end of my 1999 f-150 was not handling right was very loose I took it to S.D. auto repair they  had to replace the stabilizer bar had me back on the road in just a few hours feels like I have a brand new front end the difference is amazing. The mechanics are top notch the owner Sam is a great guy always goes out of his way to help his customers everyone there friendly and professional great customer service they always do great work and very reasonable prices  I highly recommend S.D. Auto repair! read more

new engine for xc90 fast, professional, reasonable, trustworthy I'm very pleased with my new engine in my xc90 with 275k miles Sam is the BEST I completely disagree with Adriana's review Her experience is not consistent with all of the reviews on this page read more

We had our 1993 Toyota pickup truck worked on here. What a fantastic shop . Most places can't work on our truck due to its age. These guys did a fantastic job at a great price. Thank you so very much!! We will definitely be back. Mark and Char Handy read more

I have a GLS450. Replaced my breaks there. There was an issue in the read breaks due to the part from place if purchase. Didn't find out until months later. He took care of it without any charge. I even offered but his reply "I an here for your service and do what is right for my customers" I guess this breed of business owners still exist . Thank you for amazing service on 11/28/20 read more

Don't play this is a REAL review!! I'm 21, broke, with no family out here. Most people would take advantage. NOPE! NOT TODAY! NOT THE STAFF HERE! They are so kind, compassionate, and are most definitely willing to work with you. You will not catch me cheating on them. I am now a SD Auto Repair client for life and you should be too! read more

TERRIBLE, WORST experience EVER!!!!! I dealt with a middle eastern man named Sam at this shop, I had my 2013 Mercedes Benz C class taken to the shop to check out my car. The car had problems with not turning on due to issues with Electronic Steering Lock (ESL). Long story short, after doing absolutely NOTHING with my car for almost 2 months, I had it towed to another mechanic who right away noticed that the Airbag and part of ESL were MISSING!!!!!!! Sam said he put all the parts in my car but they were not there! Sam blames the tow truck driver saying he probably took them, which makes no sense whatsoever!!! He had my car for 2 months, the parts were stolen obviously !! Sam or someone at this shop POINT BLANK STOLE these parts to resell them!! The time and money wasted to get my car fixed and to replace these very expensive parts is NOTHING compared to the stress and frustration I've felt over this whole ordeal!!!! I will NEVER EVER AGAIN deal with this shop nor recommend anyone to take their car there!! On top of everything they never ONCE called me for updates on my car, I called every single time!! Poor communication!! Would give them - negative 5 stars if I could!!!! read more

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I have never been to SD auto repair before and I called for a last minute break repair and they took care of my car for me. Sam was great. Very reasonable. Took care of my car. You're in the best hands if you go here read more

Heard a strange sound under the hood of my 1999 f-150 pickup turned out to be the serpentine belt and the idler they change both and wow what a difference have not felt that power from the engine since i first bought it thanks to Sam and his guys great job super happy with the work and the reasonable rates highly recommend SD Auto Repair ! read more

Great place great people i came here to get my 2010 ford f150 i called a few places like rose automotive and aaa smog center they both told me 40$ plus the cert fee and tax so 50$ out the door but i called Mikey at ad auto repair and he said $35 out the door mike even checked the car all around and found that i needed rear brake and oil change and he gave me a very great price diffantly recommended this place to everyone read more

. be careful from this place bad service . he charge me $300 after he kept my car 22 days he told me my car is ready when i drive it after i got it from him the car stooped in the freeway i toeing the car to him again then after 1 week he told me he cant fix it and He refused to give me back the money i toke my car to another Auto Repairer they told me all the wires is damage . i will take him to the court . . . . . read more

The guys were pretty good to me even though my car had a tough problem. Towed in on a Saturday and got it back Wednesday. Sam was good about explaining what was wrong with the car and I felt like I got a good deal. read more

Ive gotten a couple of things checked out by them, they took time out of what they were doing and checked my car out. They didnt even want to charge me, of course i had to compensate them for their time but I will always go here if I have any problems! Honest and legit business. read more

I was in a bind and Mikey came through! He does cheap ($25), VERY fast and easy smogs. He said he just wants to help people out and it's a great deal. Honest business dude who is making an honest living. I definitely recommend going to him! Mikey's #1! read more

My car broke down and had to be towed The Tow truck driver gave me three places and I told him I wanted the best so he brought me to SD Auto Repair! He wasn't kidding ..they were awesome! For sure coming back here for all car issues and normal maintenance! I don't live In This area but will drive here for service!! Thank you all for keeping me safe!! read more

Awesome service! Called to make an appointment for a smog check and they told me to just come by. Was in and out of there like a Formula 1 pit stop. Highly recommend these guys! read more