08/05/2016

Let me start off by saying that I don't do reviews as often as I should, being that I come from a service industry.
The owners of Santa Monica Hybrid did not know this before hand, so here is my story. I really hope anyone considering using Santa Monica Hybrid to repair or service their vehicle, take the time and read this review. I mean it with the utmost sincerity!
First, I want everyone to know I am 180 Miles north of Santa Monica, so it was not logistically easy for me to travel back and forth to repair my vehicle. After reading reviews, and several phone calls to Camille & Martin, I made the decision to have them repair my vehicle. Best decision ever.
I bought my used 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid from a used car lot in Oct of 2015. With in 48 hours, the car stalled, died out, and gave me tons of problems. I am still battling with this used dealership, that's a whole different story. I need a car for work, so getting this vehicle fixed is my #1 priority. I took my vehicle into the local Cadillac Dealership in Santa Maria. They were recommended by the GM website & I used them before to service my other Cadillac Escalade which ended up with over 350k miles. This shop is great mind you, but not sure they were the ones to fix my issue. Their initial quote was $7,000 to replace the Hybrid Battery & Hybrid Transmission, plus some other "serviceable safety items" that would put this Cadillac to "used car" standards in their eyes. $7,000 in repairs 2 days after I purchased the vehicle, WOW. Who has that kind of money laying around? So, I had to battle through and risk driving this "unsafe" car, constantly call the used dealership who sold it to me, who has ceased all contact with me now, and attempt to get this repaired on my own.
Fast Forward to April/May 2016: I scrounged up the $7,000. Before I went back to the Cadillac Dealership, I did my diligence and research and found Santa Monica Hybrid. I am so glad that I did. From the very beginning, they were accommodating. Answering all of my questions and calls. Camille can come off "arrogant" and rightfully so - He knows his stuff and backs it up. I brought him my car (AAA Towed it to them) and within 3 days the car was fixed. Hybrid Battery replaced & new hybrid harness. No need for transmission or anything else the dealer-ship claimed I needed. This saved me $2,800.
Here's where it get's better. Due to my logistics and where I live, to get to Santa Monica from Pismo Beach where I reside is a challenge unless I take time off work. I was able to hitch a ride with a friend who lives in LA on a Saturday, and Camille met me at the shop, opened up, and got me back on the road. They even detailed my car so it looked brand new! Camille gave me his personal cell# and asked that I contact him once I got back to Pismo. I felt that again was above and beyond. Camille guaranteed I would have no issues or problems and if I did to call him right away.
So, a problem did occur. A few days later. The vehicle still stalled out! I called Camille right away, and he could not believe it. He asked if I was OK, able to drive or get the vehicle and myself home that day (which I was fine and able), and was ready to send a tow truck to get my Cadillac. I worked it out with Camille to where I would bring the Cadillac to him as I was going to be traveling for work to the East Coast for 9 days. It left me with a small issue, my return flight and getting home. Camille told me "Not a problem, I will pick you up from the airport after I fix your car". Again, I was super impressed with the customer service and knew again that this was the right guy to get my Cadillac fixed.
Upon my return, as promised, Camille picked me up in my Cadillac. It ran perfect as we went back to the shop at 8:00pm on a Saturday. When it came down to the repairs needed, Camille showed me in detail the issue: This all goes back to the used dealership who did not divulge the correct info to me. The engine mounts are worn and stressed which caused a "plate" on the transmission to literally grind on one of the Hybrid cables until eventually it cut through it. This plate would sometimes "short" out the hybrid trans when it came into contact by a lot of "stop & go" driving. Camille and his team had to literally tear the entire trans, hybrid setup, etc apart and start from scratch to figure this out. While this was never a part of the original quote & was a totally different and unforeseeable problem, I had no issues paying for the repair. Camille and his team were able to repair the cut cable, fix the damaged plate, and make it so there would be no more future issues like this. Something i feel may have been over looked by any standard mechanic.
I want to thank Camille for the amazing service, knowledge, confidence, and comfort he has given me. He has a customer for life and I will be recommending anyone with a hybrid to use Santa Monica Hybrid.

Bryan R.

Source: YELP

21/04/2016

Too bad I can't give 6 stars. So glad I came here instead of the dealership. Saved about $400 from what the dealer was going to charge for a simple 15K checkup on my Lexus CT 200H.
They were nice, honest about what I needed, and went above and beyond with the service and repair. Highly recommend.

Ben W.

Source: YELP

07/07/2016

Love this place! Because I bring my Prius here they will also work on my all gas car. Oil change was less than half what my previous mechanic would charge.
They are always very polite and get the work down fast. Highly recommend!

Brian S.

Source: YELP

24/07/2016

So far, so great!!! My 2005 Prius needed the hybrid battery re-conditioned. Not to make a long story out of it...... Kamil, Martin, Jeannie and the dogs are great. Superb customer service - all from a google search. Lucky me!!

Jacki G.

Source: YELP

28/05/2016

It is hard to find honesty in the auto repair world but that is exactly what you get with Santa Monica Hybrid. State of the art diagnostic equipment and knowledgeable mechanics. I highly recommend this place.

Brian K.

Source: YELP

21/01/2016

I found this shop looking around for a place to do routine preventative maintenance for my Prius. They charge a quarter of the price that the dealer charges for the same service. The shop and lobby are clean and modern and the Polish brothers who own the business are super friendly and straight forward.
What took this experience from a good one to a great one was what happened a week later.
When I got the car back I noticed a noise coming from the front passenger side wheel well when I turned sharp to the left. It was loud enough that I postponed a trip to northern california to visit a buddy in the hospital god forbid my tire blew from the friction.
I took it in and despite a completely packed garage they had it on the lift within 30 minutes. They told me that the bumper lining had come undone from the frame somehow, but they just reattached it for free and sent me on my way.
What mechanic, especially one that hasn't solidified a relationship with a customer yet, would do this?
I am so impressed with this place. I will get all of my work done here from now on.

Robert S.

Source: YELP

13/07/2016

My Mercury Mariner has had an unsolvable starter issue for over a year. I'd taken it to multiple mechanics as well as the dealership, but none of them could figure it out. I was told to trade my otherwise pristine car in and take a loss. In desperation, I had it towed to Santa Monica Hybrid, and within 4 hours they'd diagnosed and fixed the problem...after a year of mystery and no fix, this is nothing short of AMAZING. Impeccable customer service, as well as a gratis wash for the car - I'm a customer for life, can't recommend highly enough.

Kim M.

Source: YELP

05/02/2016

I was recommended to this shop by a fellow Prius owner. I've been in twice for basic services and have nothing but great things to say about my experience. On my first visit, Martin ran a full diagnostic on my 2007 hybrid, but only charged me for the oil change ($39). They even threw in a car wash.
My second visit, they were a bit busier. I was quoted an hour and decided to wait on their VERY comfortable sofa. Just when I was about to walk to Bay Cities for a sandwich, my car was ready. 35 minutes. When Martin handed me my keys back, he had changed out the remote, again free of charge. The rubber had peeled back on my keys, exposing the buttons. Now I have a brand new fob. Yay!
Thanks, SM Hybrid for your speedy, friendly, and thoughtful service. You've gained a regular customer in me.

Jamie C.

Source: YELP

02/04/2016

These guys saved me $2K on a hybrid battery replacement for my Toyota Highlander. That's $2,000. And they did it professionally, we're friendly, and delivered exactly as promised. Don't go to your dealer. Go to Santa Monica Hybrid.

Chris K.

Source: YELP

08/01/2016

I took my Toyota Prius to get the Electrical Power Steering replaced and Kamel and Santa Monica Hybrid went far and beyond!! My car runs like a champ now and Kamel was so KIND to throw in a new electrical key for me! Love taking my car here, especially since they are super honest and kind!!
Thank you, Santa Monica Hybrid!!!

Celia M.

Source: YELP

08/06/2016

Martin, Camille and their crew are the tops. I take my 20000 Honda Insight 65 miles up to these guys from deep in Orange County whenever I need service, bypassing endless numbers of Honda dealers because the Santa Monica Hybrid team knows more, they do great work, and their pricing is more than reasonable. It is not an exaggeration to say that over the years they have saved me $1,000s by applying their (possibly unique) deep knowledge, rather than just telling me I need to replace XX like several Honda dealers have done. Need more stars for the rating!!!

Alan K.

Source: YELP

01/08/2015

NOW OPEN ON SATURDAYS!! Just wanted to make that clear since that's what got me there. I work downtown and it's inconvenient for me to try to take care of things close to home during business hours (M-F). My little half-assed hybrid told me that it needed an oil change, and I'd been thinking that I needed to find a shop closer to home for car matters, and perhaps one that knows hybrids should my car begin having hybrid-specific issues. I'd driven by Santa Monica Hybrid many times before, and finally reached out to them once my car gave me a heads up it would need an oil change.
I initially contacted them via the web chat option on the web site to inquire about oil change pricing and scheduling. The person with whom I chatted (Sebastian?) was very responsive and helpful in answering my questions. I was disappointed to learn that at the time they did not offer Saturday hours, but was advised that thy would start offering them in August. He requested that I check back in a week/closer to August to schedule a Saturday appointment. Despite putting a reminder on my calendar I completely forgot about it until yesterday afternoon, when I called to make an appointment for this morning (their first Saturday!)
I arrived at my 10:30am appointment time - Martin greeted me & had me check in via the iPad data entry setup. The reception area was clean and modernly decorated, and the windows are tinted which helps because the seating area for waiting is kind of in the sun in the morning. They were ready for me and were able to get started right away. I just read from my Kindle but they do offer wifi if you need it. I found the mixes of some of the songs playing a little hyper for my taste, but that's a personal preference.
I was out of there a half an hour later, and they also provided me the requested estimate for a little body work (apparently there is a body shop component as well). I have to get one more quote for that, but will update my review should I decide to go with them for that as well. Their web site currently has a Prius oil change promotion - they also honored this for my 4-cylinder hybrid.
My oil change experience here was great and assuming they keep the Saturday hours, I'll likely return for future work. Based on this experience, I'm glad that I gave them a shot despite being weary of the 405 Auto affiliation. They seem to be trying. I've already recommended the shop to my brother who is considering them for his 30K mile service next month.

Krissy T.

Source: YELP

19/05/2016

My wife and I were in need of our registration for our 03 Honda civic bad. We took it to Honda and they tries to charge us four grand. When I told these gentlemen this they were out raged and garunted me not a penny more then 2400$. They kept their promise and fixed the hybrid battery and upgraded the cooling system so the battery would not explode again. They also performed several services on our car out of the kindness of their hearts. They are true professionals and experts at hybrids. If you need help they are the men for the job.

Chris F.

Source: YELP

16/11/2015

What would have been a good review for this business has turned out to be a NIGHTMARE for us.
I will keep this review as brief as possible.
Our 2005 Toyota Prius t was running fine but had several warning lights on which were:
Red Triangle, Break, ABS, VCS, (!)
We needed these lights to be off because we didn't feel safe and my wife uses the car for work.
After taking our car to other shops that told us they were unable to fix the problem, we decided on Santa Monica Hybrid.
We found Santa Monica Hybrid through a yelp search.
When we took it we were told they would tell us EXACTLY what was wrong with the car as to no not waste our money and time.
Keep in mind our car was running fine all we needed was for those lights to be off
According to Santa Monica Hybrid what the car needed in order to operate properly and for the lights to be off was:
-Break re-calibration
-Headlight sensor
They quoted us $1029.00 which included a detailing along with a new key made.
We picked our car up and were told they guarantee their service. We decided not to leave a review until we drove the car
for a month to make sure everything worked. It just seemed like the fair thing to do. Im glad we did.
Two weeks after the repair my wife was driving the car and it suddenly it broke down in the middle of a busy ave. The car shut down and all warning lights came back on including the lights that were on when we first took it in.
The car turned on and was able to drive a short distance home, but after that the car just refused to turn back on.
Martin, one of the owners, told us to take the car back to the shop and they would have a look at it to determine what was wrong. When we were finally able to get towed back to Santa Monica from Downtown LA area
We were greeted by their Technician Tim who almost instantly without even looking at the car said that what was wrong with the car was unrelated to what they fixed.
We were shocked! How can you say that without even looking at the car!?
He told us that he was busy and that he would rather be working on all the other cars that were at the shop instead of ours! He was so rude we honestly felt discriminated against and we don't know why.
After a few minutes of back and forth dialogue he agreed to have a look at the car.
The next day, we called and they told us that the car broke down for reasons unrelated to what they had done initially.
They told us it was the gas pump and it would cost $900 + to get it replaced including parts and labor.
How can that be when the same lights were on except that this time the care doesn't run? Even if that was the case, how can we be sure that something did not go wrong with the initial repair that caused a new problem in the car?
We were and are still very worried.
We asked to speak to the technician to get the error codes obtained from the report that determined the new issue.
Tim was once again rude and refused to give us the error codes claiming that he was the expert and if we didn't like it we can "GET OUR CAR AND TOW IT TO THE DEALER" After dealing with Tim's bad attitude which was condescending to say the least, We decided that was last straw for us.
We spoke to the owner again and told him we were taking our car out of his shop. He replied with "IT MAKES ME SAD TO HEAR THAT"
Was he expecting us to just give him more money after the unfair treatment we received?
WE WILL DEFINITELLY NOT BE COMING BACK TO A PLACE THAT TREATED US THE WAY THEY DID.

Cesar D.

Source: YELP

21/01/2016

I had my VW Jetta repaired there twice. Once for an exhaust sensor and the other for a leaking coolant valve. Martin and Kamal had me back in the road the same day both times. They advised the price of the parts and labor upfront and it was much better than dealing with the VW dealer where I've had the runaround on several occasions. Martin took the time to explain the repairs and also showed me around the battery shop where they repair hybrid and electric vehicles. Very impressive.

Tedd A.

Source: YELP

14/04/2015

These guys were great! Not only did they replace my battery that was under warranty fast and proficiently, they ran their 99$ diagnostic check and found out it was actually my main battery that was going to cost roughly 2,200$. I came in the next day to grab my car and they greeted me with. "We have good news for you" they ran my vin number and found out my car was still under factory warranty and a local Honda would take care of it.
These guys were honest and not too bad to look at either ;)

Cherish W.

Source: YELP

11/12/2015

I had a really good experience with these guys. They saved my car and they saved me the cost and incredible inconvenience of having to run out and buy a new one. Plus, they did all they promised and EXTRA, for much less than I expected, which I will explain below.
First of all, my biggest lesson from my recent car trouble, and I can't emphasize this enough: DON'T EVER, EVER TRUST SERVICE PEOPLE AT CAR DEALERSHIPS (or anyone at dealerships). You know that voice in the back of your mind telling you, this guy is some slick, low rent, huckster who is wasting my time and just trying to steer me towards buying a new car? It's your rational brain trying to overcome that fear of the worse case scenario you have when your car won't start, which is what these guys play off of. I'm not saying ALL dealership people are con artists, maybe just 99% of them. Just Yelp ANY car dealership in your area and you'll see what I mean.
But here's my condensed story: I have a 2006 Toyota Prius, had an very unusual accident in October 2015: my front left tire separated at high speed and my wheel cover was missing so the tire fragment whipped around, pulling out some wires from the very expensive and complicated engine wire harness. My dashboard was lit like an Xmas tree, and I started having problems with the battery. I assumed only a Toyota dealership would know how to fix the electronics in a Prius. I was wrong. They usually have con men hagglers for service managers, who often know little about hybrid technology, and cheap labor for mechanics, who usually only know how to replace parts, not repair them. Think about it, what do dealerships do? They sell cars, not fix them. They only do standard service and replace defective parts that the manufacturer recalls or whatever. They don't make money fixing your car, they make money giving you an inflated repair estimate with huge costs for "before" market parts so you cave and buy a new one. That being said, the estimate was: $3,300 for the new wire harness and $2,000 for labor, total: $5,300 (and it probably would've gone up if I actually went ahead with it). Blue book for my car is $5-6K, without the damage. They were, of course, eager to introduce me to the sales staff.
I spent time researching my options, and looking for a replacement part on my own. I found a scrapyard online that had the wire harness I needed for $400, reducing my costs greatly. So I began my search for anyone who could install it for less than the dealer's alleged base line of $2K. When I called Santa Monica Hybrid, they insisted they could repair the wire harness and it would be far cheaper than the labor cost to install a new one. The guy on the phone, Camille, was so confident and knowledgeable about Prius issues I scheduled a $99 estimate, just for peace of mind. After spending hours thoroughly inspecting the problem, they came back with an estimate: $870 for the repair, plus a couple hundred for a new wheel cover and labor (they insisted). With the diagnostic charge tacked on the grand total was $1,300 (less than 1/4 the dealer est.). Not only did they completely repair the wires in less than a day, they riveted together the damaged bumper and fender, FREE of charge, until I decide to replace them. Plus they threw in a new alarm key, I really needed one.
They warned me that the wire harness is a colossal beast, so I may have to do a few cold starts to see if any lights come back on. The engine light did come back, I brought it back on a Saturday, Martin and Tim quickly identified it as a blown fuse from the wire damage, fixed it, no extra charge. It's now been a month since the repair and I've had no lights, no problems and the mileage is as good as before the accident. I'm absolutely satisfied with the work they did and grateful they even took the time to improve the body damage.
If you have a hybrid car issue, particularly if it's a Prius, take it to these guys, don't take it to a dealership (unless it's still under some dealer warranty). The guys at this shop know what they are doing and they'll give you a reasonable price. I'm now a loyal customer and I've already referred two friends to them.

Alex B.

Source: YELP

03/04/2015

I would not be able to recommend this place enough. I had a near panic attack the other day when all the warning lights went off on my 07 Prius. I had known my battery pack was going bad; but, was trying to put off. It finally died and boom sure enough I took into Downtown LA Toyota got the call and was told it would be a minimum of $3,900 to fix.
Stricken with grief since I love this car and didn't want to get a new car with a payment a friend said, why don't you use a refurbished battery. After spending the night googling companies on the LA area, I came across Santa Monica Hyrbrid. I called around 9 that night and sure enough got a call back at 7:45 that morning. I would have been able to probably have my car back by 10 if it was for work.
I drove down dropped it off and was given a FREE loaner car, yes FREE, so you have to factor that into your cost to while I waited to pick it up the next day. I got my car and it works like brand new for how much. 2,200 AND the free rental which was another $40 a day that Toyota would have cost me.
My car looks amazing and it drives like brand new. Not to mention they have a 3 year warranty NOT the 1 year that the dealership gives which is HUGE when your car already has 200+k miles on it.
I would easily recommend this place again without question. Great service super friendly and honestly one of the best car repair experiences I have ever had even considering this was the worst in terms of repairs but I have never felt better about my car. I strongly recommend.

Kenneth B.

Source: YELP

01/10/2015

I can't recommend them enough. I bought my Prius at SM Toyota and took it in to SM Toyota when all the dashboard lights went off and the AC broke. After almost a week of them telling it was fixed when it would keep breaking, they finally told me I needed a new compressor for $1500.00!
That's when I decided to get a 2nd opinion. Tim at SM Hybrid had it fixed within hours and told me I didn't need a new compressor just a proper amount of freon. A fraction of the cost.
Honest. Fast. Friendly. I have a new mechanic.

Nicholas G.

Source: YELP

12/03/2014

You are probably reading this review because the hybrid battery (the big and expensive one) in your Toyota Prius is having issues :-( I feel your pain.
But, don't waste time reading this review if you live in California, and your Prius battery died before 150,000 miles/10 years. It is still under Toyota's warranty. The Toyota dealership should be able to replace your battery for free.
The 4 star is based on the experience and the excellent detailing this business offered w/ my battery service. Though, right now, it is too early to tell if the technology is as excellent as the inventor claims...
My 2005 Toyota Prius hybrid battery died at 178,000 miles. Lexology quoted me $3100 to replace with a brand new hybrid battery (this is actually a fair price). My car is only worth $4000 on Blue Book, so I am trying to save money by finding an alternative way to fix the battery.
I googled and found this shop that claims they 'repair and recondition' hybrid vehicle pack batteries.
I receive a diagnostic report of the health of the battery and photos of the battery. Besides the old age of the car/battery, I learned from the photos some dog hair got sucked into the backseat vent that prevented proper cooling of the hybrid battery.
Long story short, the quote is 2295 to replace the broken modules in my battery (I was told 14 had to be replaced. (fyi, you can purchase battery modules on ebay for about 40 dollars each plus labor...) If no modules are broken, they 'recondition' the battery through a patented charger (invented by Mark Quarto/ Automotive Research and Design) to '95%' of battery's original condition, that cost is $1495, not cheap.
This is a new technology so there is no empirical evidence of how it will work out, but I was totally desperate, so I agreed to the repair, and after a hard negotiation, Sebastian/Martin (same person) gave me a discount for the bad module replacement, battery reconditioning, and complementary detailing, and headlight restoration and 1yr/12K warranty on the job. If you want 2 yrs/24k warranty, it is another $300
Just to show you the alternatives:
1) new battery 3100 (the only option with peace of mind)
2) salvage 2012 Toyota Prius battery w installation 1700 (but not knowing the health of the battery)
3) Recondition and repair 2300 w/ Santa Monica Hybrid (or 2000 if you bargain)
4) buy a reconditioned battery (on Ebay and Craigslist) for about 800 bucks plus labor.
this battery conditioning could be a good deal if the hybrid battery is good for another 5-7 yrs as the inventor claims. so, I will need to check back in and give you an update on this review..
PROS:
** Free diagnostic
** website allows you to see what your battery looks like
** graph report of battery's health
** Sebastian/Martin will work with you on price. The live chat option online is convenient, and you can email the communication to yourself for backup.
** the headlight restoration and the auto detail work were both EXCELLENT.
** this service seems somewhat independent of 405 Auto even though it's own and operated by the same people. this shop seems to be a licensee/Franchisee of The Hybrid Shop and The Hybrid Shop seems to be trying to build their reputation and credibility.
CONs:
**This shop is owned and run by the staff of 405 Auto. Read their Yelp reviews...
**Price: $1495 for battery reconditioning, $2295 if you have broken battery modules. Kind of $$$ for a new technology that May or may not be reliable.
(yes, a new battery is $3100 at Lexology,
but you get a peace of mind)
** Horrendous traffic to get there -- esp during rush hr unless you live in Santa Monica.

Collette C.

Source: YELP

11/11/2015

I recently moved to the west side and needed a mechanic to work on my Prius, found this company via yelp. It's a bit far from me for a mechanic but decided to give it a shot since they are hybrid specialists.
Unfortunately i didn't have the great experience of other yelpers, both when it comes to the work performed and the customer service. When i first brought my car in, they looked at my car pretty quickly and I was able to pick it up the next day, received friendly quick service-- about $417 for spark plugs and ECU relay to be repaired, which included the $99 diagnostic fee. I thought i had found a good new car place at this point. But, 2 days after I picked it up, my car was experiencing the same symptoms, so i brought it back to them. I was quoted another $475 to replace the coolant pump-- i asked for a break down of the cost, and was told this included another $99 diagnostic fee. I explained that I didn't think it was fair for me to pay another $99 fee when i had just had the car in the shop a few days earlier and the problem was not resolved. My service person, Tim, said they always charge this fee, that the car is very complicated and it might just be the same lights coming on for a different issue, bla bla -- i get all that, but honestly, if someone has their car in 2 days later for the same symptoms, doesn't seem like great business sense to charge another diagnostic fee when it might be that you missed the source of the problem. Maybe i've just been blessed with too many great mechanics who don't charge diagnostic fees in the first place.
They ended up waiving the fee, which i appreciate, and was told that my car would be ready at noon the next day, so i told them i would be there then unless i heard otherwise from them. My husband took Uber to get the car, only to be told upon arrival (pretty unapologetically) that it wouldn't be ready until 5:30 pm. I called and asked why we weren't informed of the delay, and was told by our service guy, again unapologetically, that "sometimes that's just how long it takes to fix cars." I don't have a problem with taking longer for the repair-- i've had my share of car issues over the years and never want to rush the repair-- but if you tell a customer to show up at a certain time (especially someone who doesn't live close by), you should let them know it's not actually ready for pick up-- or at least don't be a dick about it when you forget to do that. Luckily the woman at the front desk was very apologetic about it and said she would look into getting us a labor discount for the headache. Unfortunately, when I went to get the car the next day, I explained the problem again and was met with rudeness and hostility and told they "don't offer discounts for their mistakes, they are only human." Lol. Isn't that the point of customer service? It wasn't until i explained that they cost us 2 extra uber rides by not calling that i finally got a discount, but by this point i was pretty tired and annoyed with the whole experience as a first time customer.
On top of all that, another 2 days later, car started having the exact same symptoms again-- so now i'm out $800, have had my car in and out of the shop for 2 weeks, and still need to find another mechanic to figure out what the problem is. I won't be taking my car back to this place.
On a side note, if you are in the burbank area, Sam at Xpert auto is the best mechanic i've ever had-- guess i'm still looking for his replacement!

Stephanie W.

Source: YELP

22/07/2015

I have now had service a total of three different occasions here for different issues. One of my older reviews is in the "currently not recommended" section. I'm not sure why. I still stand by it. Maybe because it's older or I haven't been active on yelp for awhile. In any case, I would repeat that Martin and Kamil know hybrid batteries and vehicles inside and out and will provide you with the best possible service available for your vehicle.

Barry B.

Source: YELP

28/09/2015

These guys really know what they are doing. They really understand the hi tech electronics as well as all the normal mechanical stuff. I trust these guys.

John O.

Source: YELP

22/04/2015

Please forward this message immediately to the owner of Santa Monica Hybrid.
I called your company this morning regarding a battery repair for my 2007 Prius and was informed that you do not do repair work any longer, haven't for a while, and ONLY do overhaul's ... for $2,200+ with a 3 year warranty. This is NOT what is represented on your website. Your website is NOT representing your business model and needs to be updated sooner than later.
Your website talks all about battery repair(s) to avoid 'replacement' yet anyone who researches a battery replacement on the internet (locally in Santa Monica) can find Prius Battery replacement for under $1,900. Your overhaul (not replacement) is waaaaaaay overpriced at $2,200 ... and you are lying to the public by trying to unethically get us to 'switch' to your overpriced 'overhaul' that you claim is a repair ... not a replacement of batteries.
This is clearly a bait-and-switch mindset (the action, generally illegal, of advertising goods/services that are an apparent bargain, with the intention of substituting more expensive goods & services). At best you are being unethical ... at worst you are breaking the law.
This is not a good feeling to be lied to by your company's website and to be 'guided' on the phone to what you feel is the 'better' offer. The time is now, to change your website marketing/branding before others complain to the better business bureau, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, etc.
What you are doing is not fair and is harmful to others.

Anthony D.

Source: YELP

19/08/2015

Excellent service from these guys. I always have confidence that they won't up sell me on things I don't really need. Today I couldn't get my Prius steering to unlock. The owner stayed on the phone with me to explain how to do it. I'll never go back to the Santa Monica Toyota dealer.

Imelda R.

Source: YELP

06/08/2015

Check Engine light came on in my 2004 Prius (original owner), and code reader showed P1121 diagnostic code: Coolant Flow Control Valve requires replacement. Called Culver City Toyota for an estimate: $560.00 (including parts, labor and coolant, according to Yesvin, the service writer). He claimed the part cost was $127.00 (part #16670-21010, MSRP of $76.07!). Called Santa Monica Hybrid and spoke to Martin. He quoted $317.00; I made an appointment for the next morning at 8:00am. I arrived early, supplied my info through their front counter iPad, and got an immediate ride in their shuttle vehicle back to my office. My Prius was ready that afternoon; their shuttle driver came back to my office and picked me up. I arrived at the shop, paid the bill ($309.80 total), got into my freshly washed Prius, and headed home. Truly superior service and an exceptional experience. As a small business owner for almost 40 years, this is the kind of attitude and customer service that generates repeat business and word-of-mouth referral. I highly recommend Santa Monica Hybrid.

Danny J.

Source: YELP

18/05/2015

These guys are AWESOME!!! I originally brought my 2007 Nissan Alitima Hybrid in to get checked when the engine lights indicated it was an HV Battery Issue- i'd heard horror stories of the dealers charging $5000 to replace it and i did some research and found that for half the price, with 3 year /100k mile warranty, these guys specialize in repairing/replacing these batteries... when i started noticing really bad mileage and other bad EV functioning, i decided i had to bight the bullet and get it done- couldn't be happier that i did! they offered partial 0% financing and also gave me a free loaner Prius for 4 days while they did the repairs- best thing was, they detected a crack on my catalytic converter that required some welding and real time to fix - would have cost $400+ - they did it for FREE since i was already investing so much in my car. Truly good people.. even better part was that my car was basically detailed when I got it back too- I didn't even recognize the interior!! thanks, Guys!!!

Chris M.

Source: YELP

29/01/2015

Had to find a place today after having a nail stuck in my tyre. Nice guys who had time to fix it straight away. Would recommend them any time!

Tim E.

Source: YELP

20/07/2014

I took my Toyota Prius in for routine maintenance a couple of weeks ago. I have only ever taken my car to the dealership for service, but as you probably know the quoted price difference between the dealership and mechanic shops is quite a large gap, so I decided to try Santa Monica Hybrid.
I had spoken to Sebastian previously and he was extremely helpful when I dropped off my car. They changed the oil and checked fluid levels for a reasonable price, and determined by the tread wear on my tires that they didn't need to be rotated, which made the final service price the lowest I have ever paid for maintenance. As far as I can tell my Prius is running perfectly, and I like that SMH specializes in repairing hybrids.
Additionally, I left my car overnight because I work late and wasn't able to get back to the shop before they closed. When I returned the next morning to pick up the car they had popped out the huge dent in my front bumper free of charge! It looks great; you can barely seen the outline of the dent. I thought it was a very nice touch and it made me appreciate the service.
My rating is 4 stars because I had a very positive experience, and I'll definitely be back!
PS. Their website says they open at 8AM but they actually open at 7 (at least according to the hours on their door).

Celeste T.

Source: YELP

11/04/2014

Best hybrid shop around. Clean shop and knowledgeable staff. Saved me 40% on what other shops quoted and it runs great.

anthony R.

Source: YELP

27/06/2014

I came to Santa Monica Hybrid after getting a ridiculously high quote from Culver City Toyota for repairs that I didn't really believe I needed.
Santa Monica Hybrid was attentive, not pushy at all and offered me a complete inspection for free with no obligation to get any work done in their shop. They also boast certified technicians that are trained to work on hybrids.
I left my car there overnight to give some extra time, and by the morning I received an email with my entire inspection report with correlating photos to backing up all the problems they found. Out of the 6 things Toyota wanted me to repair, Santa Monica Hybrid only found 1 major problem. On top of that, they fixed it for 220 dollars less than the dealership.
They also repaired my headlights and changed my engine air filter for free.
To top it all off, they gave me my car back washed and detailed.
They also offer free drop offs and pickups to your house.
Santa Monica Hybrid was professional and fair and I never felt taken advantage of. Being a woman, I can't say that for many auto repair shops.
Give these guys a try, you won't regret it. I'll certainly be back!
My Prius is running like a dream ;-)

Alexis M.

Source: YELP

07/08/2014

I heard about these guys a while ago and also heard that they have way lower prices than the dealership which I couldn't believe. I was skeptical about going at first because it sounded too good to be true and I always feel weary about going to a third party for repairs. I called for an appointment and they quoted me $98 on the phone to do an oil change and replace my cabin filter on my 2008 toyota prius, which would have costed way more at the dealership. When I came in I was greeted by Martin, who was really nice and very helpful. To sum it up I was very happy with my service. They did everything within 45 minutes, at the dealership it would have taken way longer and they also fixed a dent in my front bumper free of charge! I will definitely keep coming back. Anyone who owns a hybrid should come here and not the dealership. Keep up the good work guys!

Rory R.

Source: YELP

18/12/2013

Never been there

Temper Byrns

Source: FBOOK

24/04/2014

Rigo Camacho

Source: FBOOK

30/01/2014

Leenda Bolden

Source: FBOOK

22/01/2014

Marine Zograbyan

Source: FBOOK

16/01/2014

Danny Tasko

Source: FBOOK

13/01/2014

Scott Sparks

Source: FBOOK

13/01/2014

David John Freeman

Source: FBOOK

12/01/2014

Mark Davenport

Source: FBOOK

08/01/2014

Anthony Galindo

Source: FBOOK

06/01/2014

Matt Heinke

Source: FBOOK

03/01/2014

Katrina Corinne Thomas

Source: FBOOK

02/01/2014

Mikhail Torich

Source: FBOOK

02/01/2014

Delgado Danny

Source: FBOOK

01/01/2014

El Botas Blancas

Source: FBOOK

30/12/2013

Micke Jansson

Source: FBOOK

29/12/2013

Joel Martinez

Source: FBOOK

27/12/2013

Omar Lozano

Source: FBOOK

23/12/2013

Fred Gilbert

Source: FBOOK

23/12/2013

Ely Villasenor

Source: FBOOK

23/12/2013

Eduardo Bonillas

Source: FBOOK

20/12/2013

Peter Fischer

Source: FBOOK

20/12/2013

Maktoom Al

Source: FBOOK

19/12/2013

Caitlin Truitt

Source: FBOOK

18/12/2013

Tray Holmes

Source: FBOOK

18/12/2013

Compa Chuy

Source: FBOOK

17/12/2013

Cesar Garcia

Source: FBOOK

17/12/2013

Justin Johnson

Source: FBOOK

17/12/2013

Mario Villarino

Source: FBOOK

17/12/2013

Edward Garcia

Source: FBOOK

12/11/2013

Paul LaRue

Source: FBOOK

02/09/2013

Danilo Pereira De Souza

Source: FBOOK

28/07/2016

We're here for surgery from CO, ran into a spot of trouble at a crucial time. They helped us right away and were so sweet, they even called later to inquire about my wife's recovery. We were flabbergasted. So sure we would be taken advantage of in that situation, instead we were treated like family! MUCH appreciated!

i Flow

Source: GPLAC

13/05/2016

Kamil was very friendly and understood that I had a tight schedule. He was very accommodating to my need and he diagnosed the problem of my car, addressed it, and fixed it and sent me home in less than 2 hours. I had a right rare wheel baring that was damaged and he quoted me for almost 1/3 less than what my car dealership had quoted. Thank you Kamil, I will come back for future services.

ichin lee

Source: GPLAC

18/04/2015

We both feel very fortunate to have found 405 Automotive. They have consistently exceeded our expectations (and unless we receive good service we will always move on). The manager owners, Martin and Kamil, are not only professional and fair; in our experience they have been the souls of generosity as well. We will enthusiastically recommend them and will always think of 405 Automotive first when a car-related problem occurs.

ken danziger

Source: GPLAC

05/09/2014

This may be a long review but I think well worth it. I was looking for a mechanic to take my car because the dealership wanted way to much for an oil change. I saw the reviews for this place and thought to myself, "I'd never go there". I called them and they told me how much for a oil change which was so much lower than the dealership so I then said to myself, "how much can really go wrong with an oil change" so I decided to give them a try. I hadn't serviced my car for over a year so I knew there were a lot of other things that needed to be done so the free diagnostic check they said they would do drew me in as well. From the moment I walked in they were professional. Martin greeted me, and the other person at the front desk was very nice as well. They have a big screen tv in the lobby area and complimentary water and snacks while you wait which I really appreciated. They told me they would need the day to do a free diagnostic test and that if i need a car they had a deal with Hertz for $20 a day so I did that. The very next day they emailed me with the diagnostic test. This report had every code that came up from the car, they took pictures of every part that was worn or needed replacement so that the price they were charging wasjustified not only with the repair codes from the car but the pictures of the wear and tear as well. I have never been to a repair shop that did that. They then called me to confirm I received the report and the estimate was attached to it. I knew my car needed a lot of work and was very happy they could break it down by cost and what needed to be done first, due to wear and tear. I asked them if they do this with every customer because i can't imagine the bad reviews if you are receiving this type of excellent service. Martin went over EVERY code and issue of the car, and told me what should be done sooner and what could be done later but left it up to me. I found the diagnostic report invaluable. Over the phone he told me it would be free but they also had a yelp check in that made it free as well. I picked my car up and it has been working fine and they recently called to check on me. I can only speak for myself, and I had a great experience. Maybe if you mention you found out about them on yelp you'll receive the same great service that I did. But I highly recommend them and I think the fact that they email a report with pictures to explain they problem and what needs to be done is amazing. And the pricing was definitely better than the dealership. Thank you 405 Auto you have a new customer in me.

Gregory White

Source: GPLAC

07/02/2015

I received excellent service and advice from the friendly, very experienced owners of this company. It is a pleasure to do business with them. My Porsche has never run or felt better driving than after being recently serviced by 405. I will never use any other company to keep my car in good shape.

William Farrell

Source: GPLAC

15/06/2011

Piece of Garbage

I?ve lost three years of my life and thousands of dollars to Martin and his incompetent laborers (which rotate frequently.) If you want to read further enjoy the sad hilarity, but for the purpose of a review you can stop after the next…

berg34593

Source: CSEAR

29/08/2011

Cleanest shop I've ever seen.

I've been looking for alternative to Audi dealership for some time. I tried a few shops in Santa Monica and one in West LA. I have to say that guys at 405 know everything about my Allroad. I had suspension problem and my car has air…

delirianv8

Source: CSEAR

30/08/2011

Best shop ever!

It is so important to find a mechanic you can trust. This is the one. Martin is so knowledgeable, calm, patient, honest and helpful. The owner is always around. He takes the time to explain what is going on and answered all my…

Barb1234

Source: CSEAR

30/08/2011

Great service!

I could not be happier with my experience at this shop. I'm using these guys for years and I'm always very satisfied with the great service that they provided for me. They are always on time, professional friendly and very honest people.…

Krystyna9999

Source: CSEAR

30/08/2011

405 Automotive,Inc

I am very very please with the service that I received from 405 Automotive, JoVon Henderson is very professional, and well knowledge on his business.\r He was very nice and patient and well dressed and very likable. He represented the 405…

felinefaye

Source: CSEAR

30/08/2011

Love this place!!!

I can't believe how great the service is at 405 automotive. Everyone is so helpful and help you understand what you need. My car was ready when said and I wouldn't hesitate coming back for any and all services my car may need in the…

Grissy96

Source: CSEAR

30/08/2011

BEST SHOP IN TOWN!

OUTSTANDING customer service, GREAT prices, PROFESSIONAL & HONEST people & prompt turn-a-round time for repairs made to my vehicle. They've earned my business! I recommend them 100%

tnik

Source: CSEAR

06/09/2011

Beware Crooks

I took in my car in for transmission repair, which they kept getting wrong for about eight months. Finally when I called the Bureau of Automotive Repair, they looked at my car I told me that they botched it and wasn't fixed at all. The…

Misty2008

Source: CSEAR

24/10/2011

Top notch automotive repair shop

So I was referred to 405 Automotive earlier this year by a very good friend who is a customer of the shop, (he drives a 3 series BMW). He recommended this shop to me, being that I was new in the area and needed a reliable, dependable…

Staceyrae11

Source: CSEAR

02/06/2012

Honest, fast, reasonable prices. Have been referred by a friend, get my car serviced there over 3 years now.

JULIAK

Source: DFORC

05/06/2012

Oustanding service, excellent customer relations and real quality guaranteed work. At last a real professional auto outfit in Santa Monica. I highly recommend 405 auto.

PAULH

Source: DFORC

14/07/2012

Unfortunately my check engine light is still on. I called at 8:30 when I landed r LAX and said I was coming right over. After being traveling for 24 hours, I was exhausted. My car was not ready and that was frustrating to have to wait til…

HEIDIH

Source: DFORC

02/10/2012

405 Automotive has gone above and beyond the standards of great customer service. All the employees are nice and friendly, always giving you the best care they possible can give. Not only have they continued to provide excellent service…

STACEYV

Source: DFORC

24/11/2012

I have been having horrible issues with my car - mysterious things. But always something. For the past 3 years! Finally I think it's fixed, thanks to martin's diligence and expertise. Thank you!

HEIDIH

Source: DFORC

13/12/2012

Mercedes C...Was very pleasant experience, crew is very professional, helpful and caring, all my calls and messages were answered, highly recommended

NATALIAK

Source: DFORC

18/12/2012

My experience at 405 Auto was fantastic. I have a 2005 Mini Cooper, which I love, but sadly to say it does have mechanical problems. Martin and his team put in a new transmission and fixed other normal wear and tear problems. My car now…

VALB

Source: DFORC

24/12/2012

Tremendous service, very knowledgeable staff, competitive prices, excellent over all experience.

ANTHONYH

Source: DFORC

29/12/2012

I absolutely recommend this place. Being unfamiliar about cars and unwilling about spending money on a barely used second-hand car, the owner was really honest about the work I needed and work I don't really need yet. They don't try to…

Barbara K.

Source: DFORC

29/12/2012

I lack so much knowledge about automotive business and I appreciate how much this business made sure I understood everything that needed to be done. This place is very honest and very professional. They don't try to sell you unneeded…

Barbara K.

Source: DFORC

04/01/2013

This place is fantastic, fast, and fair. I have never met a more honest, hardworking and skilled Auto Shop owner. He really cares about his customer's satisfaction. Simply the best shop! I'm proud to be a customer of this business. Highly…

Ana G.

Source: DFORC

04/01/2013

Honest, affordable, trustworthy, great customer service! I'm always impressed with their job. Truly recommend this place.

Krystyna S.

Source: DFORC

21/11/2013

I must say that my newly-rebuilt transmission works perfectly. Good as new. It was a pleasure to work with them, and I saved about $3000 compared to the dealership's quote! If I have another repair, I'll go back.

RAPHAELM

Source: DFORC

21/11/2013

Excellent! As aways...

DAVIDD

Source: DFORC

23/11/2013

Great "bedside manner" from owners and all the staff. You'll know upfront what's going on and what you need … and what you'll need to afford. Deep knowledge base of technical information and experience. Good pricing. Felt comfortable…

ARNOLDF

Source: DFORC

25/11/2013

excellent

DANM

Source: DFORC

02/12/2013

Personable owners. Alert + friendly staff. Work area is remarkably clean. Good neighborhood and good places to eat if you want to wait til your car is serviced. Fair prices. You can walk away feeling you made a good choice.

Anonymous

Source: DFORC

13/12/2013

I could not be happier with the service and efficiency with 405 Auto. These guys are not only brilliant and attentive, they are personable too and really care about great service. Thumbs up! I am a happy customer. Thanks Martin and Kamil

DANELLER

Source: DFORC

23/12/2013

thank you for all your help and fixing mu car i love it thank you thank thanky ou

Anonymous

Source: DFORC

09/01/2014

Everyone was very professional, I was very happy with the end result, all the repairs were expertly done, great customer service, an all around excellent experience!

AMIRZ

Source: DFORC

17/01/2014

Very professional, clean, friendly & efficient.

LEONAT

Source: DFORC

28/09/2011

Came to 405 auto. These guys are very helpful. Took my car the same day and made sure that it was done right and I was happy. Will def go back to them in a second if I need to.

Anonymous

Source: DFORC

28/09/2011

As always with my visit to 405 Automotive in Santa Monica I am thoroughly pleased with the work that was done on my vehicle. The guys that work there are great and Martin, the owner, is an expert on most European makes. Thanks guys! -…

ANTHONYF

Source: DFORC

29/09/2011

It simply does not getter better than this. Everything was fixed for a reasonable price. Would highly recommend anyone needing service to consider 405 Auto. I use them on all of my five cars

STEPHENE

Source: DFORC

29/09/2011

It simply does not getter better than this. Everything was fixed for a reasonable price. Would highly recommend anyone needing service to consider 405 Auto. I use them on all of my five cars

STEPHENE

Source: DFORC

18/10/2011

Both my Mercedes SL600 and my Range Rover have been serviced at 405 Auto and I find everyone there to be professional in every way. I went there when every one else -- including the dealership -- was unable to diagnose the problem I was…

PETERW

Source: DFORC

24/10/2011

I have them service my Porsche and Aston Martin, for the past four years, when the warranty was over and have been very happy with their work, and the charges are reasonable, and they work fast. I can highly recommend them.

JOSEPHY

Source: DFORC

15/11/2011

Thank you for getting my Bentley back in form. The team at 405 is honest and does great work. I highly recommend 405 for your luxury car.

SCOTTC

Source: DFORC

22/11/2011

Your customer service is excellent and very much so in time with the vehicle, however after only 1 day the "Check Engine" light came back up and I am not sure why that is. Haven't had time to call and ask for an explanation, but that…

ORLENDAS

Source: DFORC

22/11/2011

For the auto hobbyist, car enthusiast and/or the person that needs to get more life out of a vehicle that many would discard, 405 is the place to go. All work is overseen by a certified master mechanic, who can repair most imports. Always…

LAMONTR

Source: DFORC

25/11/2011

A big thank you to Martin and his crew at 405 Automotive. They quickly diagnosed the problem with my car, professionally repaired it and got it back to me in the short time they initially estimated. I've been using 405 Automotive for over…

DanU

Source: DFORC

02/12/2011

if you have a car that need any service done 405 automotive is the place to be. From a Lamborghini to a toyota corolla they have the expertise to get the job done and give the best care for your ride. Why take your baby to the dealer when…

PESHAANW

Source: DFORC

04/12/2011

I just recently picked up my car from 405 Automotive in Santa Monica and as expected it came back to me in better condition (comsetically) than I had left it. I am always pleased with the service that I receive her. It is exceptional.…

ANTHONYF

Source: DFORC

22/12/2011

A few things here: - the tech who test drove my car shifted the car into 2nd so hard the gear shift came off. I know this b/c I have done it myself. No big deal, but he didn't even bother putting all the exposed wires back into the…

MARKR

Source: DFORC

27/01/2012

After years of being with my former mechanic, I needed major work to my car done and decided to check-out 405 to get a "second opinion." I called them right before closing and they said I could come right over. When I arrived, they…

PAULAT

Source: DFORC

27/01/2012

As always I received wonderful treatment from Martin and his friends at 405 Automotive. I was having trouble with my fuse box and brought my car in for diagnostics. They ended up fixing the problem and cutting down the labor cost to fit my…

ANTHONYF

Source: DFORC

31/01/2012

Martin - I just wanted to thank you, your staff and your well trained mechanics at 405 Automotive for the excellent experience. The customer service was second to none. Not only was my Range Rover repaired in a timely manner, the cost…

DanU

Source: DFORC

10/02/2012

Martin and his crew have been working on my Audi A8 for the past three years. I have always found them to be fair, honest, and reasonable priced. I highly recommend 405 Automotive.

Darrell L

Source: DFORC

22/03/2012

Took our "project" car for an initial inspection and review before purchasing and got a complete run down - explained in terms even I (as a novice to rebuilding cars) could understand. Was impressed with a mechanic at the shop who walked…

GARRETTL

Source: DFORC

15/04/2012

As usual the service I received at 405 Automotive was 2nd to none. They get the job done each and every time. It took me a long time to find such competent, professional and friendly guys, but once you try them you will be a customer for…

CATHERINEC

Source: DFORC

01/05/2012

This was the first repair issue I have had with my XK8. Also, my first experience with 405 Automotive. Very professional. Prioe quoted was the price I paid. Repair work completed and car ready ahead of scheduled time. Will be my…

LARRYW

Source: DFORC