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Auto repair shop - Kennys Automotive Center - in Van Nuys

34 reviews

Location: 14852 Vanowen st., Van Nuys, CA 91405

Office phone

+1 (818) 780-3595

Shop online

Sunday Not working
Monday 09:00 - 18:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 18:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 18:00
Thursday 09:00 - 18:00
Friday 09:00 - 18:00
Saturday Not working

3.4

34 total

(11)

(1)

(1)

(2)

(17)

04/10/2013

This place is great. I'm new to Van Nuys and my Durango broke down again. They saved me $180.00 compared to my other shop in Anaheim. Thanks

Neby A.

Source: YPAGE

10/06/2011

The service is not that great....

The service is not that great. I took my vehicle and they couldn't fix what was wrong with it. On top of that I had to go to the dealer and get it fix. The service is not that great and they treat you like there doing you a favor. not going there ever again.

jedimind

Source: YPAGE

07/09/2011

$65.00 for a smog check and certificate.

Cyrah Hawkins

Source: FSQR

12/07/2016

Kenny's Automotive Center

Kenny's Complete Automotive Repair

Source: FSQR

19/03/2010

electrical

kennys automotive center has really bad service they dont tell the amount of hours they put in and beat around the bush and say they are still trying to find the problem:i left my car for 6 hours, missed work and they found nothing so i…

mario b

Source: INPAG

11/02/2011

More than happy with their service

I have had great experiences with Kenny! He fixed my driver's side window -- which was quoted elsewhere as a $300 repair -- for less than $50! If I had known that I wouldn't have waited so long. My car also sang after he gave it a tune…

Tamara F

Source: INPAG

18/02/2011

producer

he is great\r I feel as if i know him but i do have a question if kenny or anyone\r out there knows anyone who is selling a 1988 or 1991\r please call me at 310-430-0738 john\r \r thanks kenny

john coleman w

Source: INPAG

11/08/2005

The Man

I had a great experience with Kenny. Actually kenny is behind the scenes and a very nice guy who really knows his stuff about cars and stuff helps you.

W H

Source: INPAG

01/09/2010

Complete and thorough professional repair shop.

Doug is very easy to work with, accommodating, thorough, and detailed. He gives information when it is needed to help you make the right decision. He is completely professional. I have been going to Kenny's Automotive Center for about 5…

Jeff C

Source: CLOBB

29/01/2011

Dependable service, good quality work.

I first found Kenny's Automotive Center through a AAA referral. I work less than a mile from the shop, so I can drop off the car in the morning and either walk or get a ride to work. I don't have to worry about renting a car for that day…

Rachael D

Source: CLOBB

16/08/2010

Finding Kenny's Automotive has been a treasure.

These people are superb. I have been with Kenny's Automotive Center ever since Doug bought the place, and even before. It has been about 35 years. I have had nothing but good experiences with them. I see Doug interact with customers,…

Myron x

Source: CLOBB

23/12/2010

Honest, excellent work.

I started using Kenny's Automotive Center many years ago for a few different reasons: They were AAA-rated; my mother had gone there; and they had been in business for a very long time -- I think that longevity is a good sign. I have…

Joyce M

Source: CLOBB

09/02/2011

I would recommend them to anyone looking for a good mechanic.

Kenny is very thorough. He is detailed, and explains everything thoroughly, and I respect him for that. He is an honest guy, and does a good job. If I have any problems and need to take it back, he takes care of it. Aside from being a…

Ray C

Source: CLOBB

15/01/2013

GOOD BYE Hamer Toyota of Mission Hills (Oh wait, now it's Keyes of Mission Hills)!!! I will never go back after every year and every maintenance for ripping me a new one. Fast forward...
HELLO, Kenny's Automotive Center! Thanks to a little help from AAA for helping me find them too since they are also an approved AAA repair facility. I've been coming here since the end of last year and have had nothing but good comments to make.
Okay, for starters...so far the prices have been very reasonable and decent. My car still drives very well despite his age (12 years old). I'm not sure what all the other complaints have been about this place, but so far, nothing bad yet, and I believe I've sent my car here for several different repairs. I love that they catch stuff that I needed to get repaired too. They are very thorough. I needed the driver's chair welded because the bolt was loose and Hamer couldn't even do it. Seriously, it made no sense to me because it's their car. Toyota claimed it was body work. I thought a bolt would've been simple. So happy that Kenny's did it for me. :)
Doug seems pretty honest to me. LOL :) Sheesh, most of the patrons are old people. At least they know who they can trust and they probably can't go on the computer and write this review. LOL My only complaint is sometimes you have to call Doug to check-up on your car, but it's a minor thing. C'mon...I believe these places can get busy too. :) And when they are busy, be prepared to have your car over night it over there.
Oh, and too my AAA members...don't forget to ask for your discount. Seriously, I ALWAYS get it. Woot! See ya, Kenny, in April for my next oil change! :)

Nancy M.

Source: YELP

04/01/2016

I have been taking my cars here since I first started driving and my parents did before that. Doug is always honest and timely. He never tries to tell you there is something wrong,and if there is something that needs repair and it is under warranty then he always recommends getting the work done at the dealership instead of trying to get you to pay him for the work.

Patrice V.

Source: YELP

18/07/2014

Sorry, Doug. I have the same story that so many on here do...
I came to Kenny's today for a brake and light inspection, both of which had been repaired recently and worked fine. Doug said he couldn't pass me because of a crack in one of the tail lights. Then he tried pushing a same day repair on me... $800 for a new light, $500 used. Add labor and I'm out $1000. Riiiiiight.....
I knew instantly he was scamming me, so I got off the phone and checked online. The part was $75 used. A LITTLE more than the 100% markup mechanics usually charge for parts!
Then I took the car to another inspection shop right down the street. Guess what? They passed me with flying colors and said I didn't need any repairs! I would love to see the DMV's criteria for how mechanics grade these inspections. I'm sure mechanics lie about them to sell unneeded repairs all the time.
I should've read these Yelp reviews first, as there is a common theme of scamming customers here.
UPDATE (in response to Doug): You're a liar and a cheat. You tried ROBBING me of $1000. Period. Shame on you. Yelpers, just look at the other one-star reviews (and Doug's similar responses) and judge for yourself.

Phil L.

Source: YELP

14/07/2014

What a disappointment! The AAA recommended this shop to have my transmission fix for my 89 Nissan Sentra.
Doug, (I guess the owner) he was nice and courteous and gave me a written quote for $100.00 even though the problem was obvious. The transmission leak and shifter cable were not connected. He called me the next day and he quoted me $800+ to just plug the leak or around $2200.00 to rebuilt the tranny with warranty. (I thought he was talking to someone at his shop that owns a Porsche while he was on the phone with me) WoW! Is 89 Nissan Sentra considered as a CLASSIC car? Ha, ha, ha....
My wife decided to help others by donating the vehicle to our gardener.
Anyway, Doug has been calling my wife and says we owe him money for letting us know how much it cost to fix the 89 SENTRA. (I thought estimate is supposed to be free!) My gardener drove the car this afternoon today (7/14/2014) to our house and he said he got it fixed for $400.00 with rebuilt transmission and paid $350.00 to removed and re-installed, oh and with warranty for 12 months! They even fixed the broken shifter cable for free! ( Check this out, I towed the car to his house Friday 7/11/2014) !!!
"I LOST MY HIGH SCHOOL CAR cause someone was trying to be rich of me" :(
My opinion about this repair shop... I know you cannot please everyone but if you don't know anything about cars and have a lot of F U money to burn, this is the place to take your Honda or Nissan or Hyundai for repair. Thanks but no thanks!

Jay M.

Source: YELP

25/09/2014

TOTAL RIP OFF considering your telling doug you have a water leak, you can hear a hose hissing (sshhhhhh), Your temp meter was off the charts, The hood was smoking and he charges $400 for a changed water cap says theres no overheating problem here sends you off and the next day your car overheats on you again. And i wont even get into the smog check scam he tried to pull on me.

Evelyn B.

Source: YELP

30/05/2014

I was very disappointed by Kenny's Automotive. Recently, I had my car serviced there just recently and AAA towed my vehicle to him. I had been given a diagnostic slip from AAA telling me that I needed a battery and I even presented it to Doug. Doug did another diagnostic anyway. In my opinion it was unnecessary. He charged me for it. I can see if I didn't have AAA. It sounds like he does some inspections for free and others he charges for. I had been to Kenny's Automotive in the past and didn't have any issues. Bottom line... he charged me $229.71 for a car battery. He has lost a customer.

Kara A.

Source: YELP

08/09/2014

Came here for my breaks 2 years ago and really liked the place and the main guy, Doug. Came here again today for an oil change. I really like this place, the professionalism, and the honesty. I always get a discount with AAA. I recommended my bf here when his horn went out as a last minute thing and he liked this place too. I only knocked off 1 star because smog tests are more expensive than everywhere in the area (wanted to get this done at the same time as my oil change but I'll go elsewhere for the smog) and if you wait for the car, the waiting area is kinda small and dingy. I just walked home instead of waiting there so I didn't have to deal with the waiting area TV that looks 20 years old. They should really make that area nicer and updated. Overall satisfied.

Amanda E.

Source: YELP

27/05/2012

DO NOT GO HERE!!!!
Doug the head mechanic is condescending, rude, and ignorant about cars.
every time I talked to him was like forcing someone to do their job. Made at least two mistakes I know about on my brake and light inspection. And would not return money, and would not recheck for a discount.

Morgan S.

Source: YELP

06/03/2012

Wow, what a joke! Had a smog issue and brought my car here, DOUG scammed me out of around $600 bucks before finally telling me that it would cost more than the worth of the car!
Quickly getting second opinion another mechanic mentioned I should take the car to a Gold Shield Station and the entire repair can be covered by the state's BAR program and would be repaired FREE to me!
Rather than keep a customer happy and refer me to a smog specialty place that can do the State BAR billing, he tried to screw me out of a few measly bucks.
STAY AWAY from this CON MAN

Ken W.

Source: YELP

03/03/2012

I've been using this shop for about two years and i couldn't be happier with the quality of the work and the service by the owner, Doug. He's courteous, helpful, honest, and professional. I can't recommend this place enough! It restores my faith in good service.

paul j.

Source: YELP

30/06/2012

I broke the lower ball-joint on the driver's side of my pick-up. Had it towed to Kenny's after they closed and left a note and key in the drop-box. Doug called in the morning, and got right on it. He ended up replacing all four ball-joints at my approval, and had the truck ready by the afternoon. Could not have been easier to deal with. I took the truck there because two friends told me I could trust this place. Now I'm telling you. I'm baffled by the negative reviews, and I suspect that they were written by one disgruntled person.

Dave M.

Source: YELP

22/04/2011

I went to this shop because I needed a light inspection to register my salvage car. I was not passed because I needed two bulbs in the third brake light and the front light s needed adjusted. I was charged for the inspection anyway. The brake inspection did not pass because of one of the rotors being slightly off. I would have had the work done here but they wanted nearly $400.00 for these small repairs. I had to pay $83 for two fails. Clearly this is not an honest business and I can't understand why anyone is saying that they are. I also observed the business practices and the women were definitely charged far more than the men. By the way I took the car to another shop and for $75.00 he replaced the bulbs adjusted the front lights and I passed both inspections. So you decide for yourself.

michelle b.

Source: YELP

23/04/2013

I found Kenny's because the DMV required I go to a Star designated smog place and I knew I wouldn't pass. He was the closest to me and so I chanced it. Am I glad I did. I already knew what the problem was with my car so there was no way I could be lied to. Doug is honest. Told me like it was and when I got my extension from the DMV, I brought the car in. they drove me home, picked me up, I passed and that was that. I had been taking my car to someone else in the neighborhood for at least 15 years, maybe more, and now Kenny's and Doug are my go to people.

Sheila S.

Source: YELP

24/03/2008

We have been taking our Saturn and Acura to Kenny's Automotive Center since 1998. Doug, the owner, is honest, professional, organized, knowledgeable and an all around nice man. He will tell you when things are starting to look "iffy", or need repairs in the future, or right now. His prices are very reasonable. The service is fast, and dependable. We have nothing but positive things to say about this place.
Highly recommended

marie laure d.

Source: YELP

05/03/2012

I was new to LA area and didn't have a mechanic so I went off what a friend told me and tried Kenny's Automotive. I never felt so much violation of trust in my entire life then what I have experienced at this shop. I went into Kenny's for a grinding noise when I was shifting gears and he replaced my clutch but when I went to pick up my car my AC was not working... I brought it back to him immediately and he "fixed" the problem. Doug from Kenny's told me that they had to remove my AC compressor to get to my clutch and sometimes somethings get overlooked. (keep in mind I have never had anything but brakes oil changes done on my car, No major work ever) Fast forward to 6 months my AC stops working yet again. Doug then says that I need a new compressor completely and it will be about 700 just for the compressor!! Not including labor.... Thinking that this sounds a lil fishy I take it to ASE certified mechanic friend of mine. He takes a look at it and says the clutch is going out on my compressor and he wants to investigate it more. So the next day he calls me up and tells me and (physically shows me) whoever put my compressor back into my car kinked all my hoses to my compressor and all the O rings where smashed inside due to carelessness from a previous mechanic. And that is what lead to my compressor failing... He also found numerous brackets broken around where the compressor was. But what really got me was that he told me the compressor will only be 250 at the most for my car...
I also asked Doug from Kennys Auto if my rear brakes were going out cuz I heard grinding and he said no they are fine. I asked my ASE certified mechanic friend and he laughed and said I was grinding metal against metal and I needed brakes ASAP! He even showed me the brake pads and roters... They were severely worn!
If you value your car DO NOT TAKE IT HERE!

G C.

Source: YELP

24/06/2010

Great prices and very honest.
Doug will not charge you just to charge you. He will only do it when it is needed. I have taken my cars to him many times where he did a quick diagnostic and did not charge me a dime. This was even before I became a repeat customer.
Since that time he's done some incredible work for great prices. I had an older civic that needed to have the bearings replaced, he did it for around $450. That may sound like a lot, but given the work that needs to be done, it was very reasonable and not only that, he saved my car and it drives better than it has in a long time.
When you first talk to him, he doesn't sound very enthusiastic, but he will go the extra mile for you. He deals with other shops for certain things like transmissions or getting parts, but he'll help you. I had ordered a rim, but later decided I didn't want it and he was willing to take the time to call the other shop and return it for me.
I also, had some stalling issues with a car and when the problem resurfaced, he diagnosed and replaced some parts free of charge. Sometimes I wonder how he stays in business, but as long as he is, I'll be going there.
Thanks Doug!

Craig V.

Source: YELP

11/07/2016

This place is convenient because its right in front of the DMV but its AWFUL. I have a Chevy suburban that needed a brake and light inspection and I spoke to Kenneth and he noticed that the fog lights were out and need to be replaced. He was charging me 280 dollars to replace and adjust them my ass. I asked him twice if it was 280 dollars he said yes. I found the fog lights new on Amazon for 28 dollars and replaced them myself in 12 minutes. This place is a joke and your only going to get ripped off.

Victor Ocampo

Source: GPLAC

07/07/2016

Doug is the best! He is one of the few people who will work on my El Camino which is a pre-1990 automobile without a computer! Doug and his crew are real mechanics and can trouble shoot the problems with a vintage automobile the old fashioned way. They are the best and their services are reasonably priced!

Candice Moore-Dooley

Source: GPLAC

16/03/2016

Vary convenient to have them in front of the dmv. But from what I sow when I took my car in, he will charge. If your car is fine the your good if not he will say every thing needs repair.

Miguel Figueroa

Source: GPLAC

25/10/2015

This shop provides all needed dmv services in a timely and professional manner. Brake and Light inspection and smog check directly across the street from the DMV. Thanks again guys.

JBM JBM

Source: GPLAC

18/03/2014

great place i took my car over there and they treat me well , proffesionally and for good price im very happy ,,thanks

Melvin Lorch

Source: GPLAC

We work with these brands

Acura
Cadillac
Chrysler
Honda
Land Rover
MINI
Nissan

We perform these services

Body Work

  • Collision repair
  • Paintless dent repair
  • Auto body painting

Brake Services

  • Brake inspection and repair
  • Brake replacement (pads, rotors, etc.)
  • Brake fluid change

Engine Services

  • Engine repair and rebuilds
  • Cooling system service and repair
  • Exhaust system repair

HVAC Services

  • Air conditioning repair and recharge
  • Heating system repair
  • Cabin air filter replacement

Oil Changes

  • Standard and synthetic oil changes
  • Oil filter replacement
  • Fluid level checks and top-ups

Safety and Emissions

  • State safety inspections
  • Emissions testing and repair
  • Check Engine light service