San Carlos Auto Repair

I dropped my 07 Mazdaspeed 3 off here to have the dreaded VVT Actuator replacement done. A few hours after I dropped the car off, Naeem called me back to tell me that they couldn't do the repair, as it had to be done by a Mazda dealer. Not only did Naeem call the Mazda dealer to set up an appointment for me (and offer to drop my car off), they didn't charge me a dime for the rental loaner or the diagnostics performed on the car. I'll definitely be taking my Mazda back for regular oil changes and maintenance - it's nice to find a mechanic that values relationships and custom service over straight revenue.

We were interested in a used MDX we found online and my wife brought it in to A+ for a pre-purchase inspection (we had a 10 day trial with the car). Naeem was our advisor and was extremely helpful. The car checked out nicely save a dirty air filter, which we had them replace. They emailed us a copy of the inspection report as well as pictures of the old filter. Since the inspection and the filter replacement occurred late in the day, Naeem offered to send an Uber for my wife first thing the next morning to take her to A+. Overall very satisfied with our experience here, most especially the customer service and staff.

Awesome! Was able to get my headlights fixed immediately, very fast and excellent service. Glad to have found a great place close by. Thank you! Many thanks and very much appreciated.

Just had a great experience taking my Subaru Outback in for service for the first time. Easy to make an appointment, Justin gave me an estimate which they kept for the service requested. Overview of the car showed other issues (not surprising as it has been a while since routine service). They performed the work promptly and gave me a rental car while I waited. Friendly and fast.

1 word. Legit. Justin is a super nice guy. Would use again. Got an oil change and transmission flush. Old car. Gotta make sure she's taken care of. They helped me out with a ride situation. I got the yelp deal but forgot to apply it so they give me the refund of difference. Legit, amiright?

Great friendly service with a convenient inclusive shuttle service (Uber) to and from the shop while you wait on your car.

So I am a researcher-I analyze data and like to get as much information as possible. I also drive my car like crazy-my Tennessee 2010 Toyota Camry has in 5 years gone from Louisville to Atlanta to San Francisco to LA to Redding. I driven it through (bad) dirt roads in the Sierras and through the snows of Kentucky. I short, I need to keep it up to shape, lest I find myself trapped in some forsaken landscape arguing with some heavily armed hillbilly (as had happened once btw...) Anyways I knew my car was starting to act up after not having it really checked out for something around 28000 miles. I found A+ after arbitrarily skimming the Yelp pages for a nearby auto repair shop and decided to drop in and check it out. A+ is located in San Carlos but is reasonably close to my work in Redwood City. The location is a semi-busy street filled with auto repair shops. Considering I simply walked in unannounced, the staff was friendly and accommodating. Rob went through a quick on the spot review of my car's condition, showing me issues with the ventilation and suspension and break fluid before telling me that basically problems from a previous car check were pointless and a waste of money and that I was basically good to go. He did however find my oil was low so I decided to get my car's general maintenance done. Rob quickly squeezed my car into the schedule and offered to get me an Uber ride (free service) when I elected to walk, he immediately offered some nice spots to visit/hang out. There is a small sandwich shop immediately next door and a few strip malls a few blocks away. Sure enough at almost exactly within the range of the schedule I received a call, message and email about the completion of the results. The email contained a detailed inspection report, complete with photos, running commentary, and a three way scale (I accidentally clicked "Approve Now" which evidently gives authorization to commit to the repairs). Returning to A+ I got into contact with Rob, who went through the inspection again (mentioned that I should not have approved the statement but that they wouldn't work on the car), and for $80 I was good to go. Slight issue in that when I got home I found that one of my hubcaps had dropped off, but I don't know if/how that was related to the service.I approve of the organization of A+. Rob was friendly, prompt and enthusiastic and prone to talking about driving. The inspections and reviews seemed thorough and perhaps most importantly they seem good at getting you updated. Prices are pretty good too, especially considering I am cheap. Would definitely go back.

Great customer service, Justin talked in a way that was easy to understand, constant updates on what was happening was great, they also provided me with transportation when leaving my car there and retrieving it. All-around amazing service thanks Justin

Me at every mechanic: You gonna rip me off or nah? Every other mechanic: Shut up and give us all your money. A+ Japanese Auto Repair: Nah. I love coming here. Well, I love coming here as much as anyone can 'love' realizing their car is slowly dying and they may have to get a side job as a live cam girl to pay for it (just kidding, Dad, if you're reading this) (half kidding everyone else, who probably isn't reading this). When I lived in the midwest, I was lucky in that I never really had any car troubles and also that my Dad can pretty much fix anything under the sun if I make a hopeless looking face, which lucky for me, is just my regular face. But then I moved 1500+ miles away from my family with what I'm realizing is getting to be a pretty old car and sh*t started going downhill real fast, as they tend to do with old cars. I've visited A+ Japanese Auto Repair over a dozen times in the past year for regular maintenance, when the heart and soul of my car died, when my something or other was leaking, when my headlight gave up, when my tire pressure light wouldn't quit, and more, and while I'm never thrilled to be dealing with another automotive catastrophe, I know these guys are legit and do a truly exceptional job for as minimal a charge as you'll find from any mechanic. I'd been working with Rob Lucas, one of their front of the house employees, since day 1. He remembers me every time I come in and I like when he tells me all about his daughters and how proud he is of them, about his beautiful purple-haired wife, their Halloween traditions, and their family of classic cars on all my visits. He's trustworthy, reliable, and you don't have to think about a thing with Rob. He's basically a stand in dad to every one of his customers. He lays it all out for you, step by step, with no hidden costs, and gives you the real deal scoop on what you really should do and what can probably wait a bit for on your car. I thought he was the only person on the planet who could make you smile when your car is being a real Grade-A bung hole until Rob moved out of the Bay Area (sad face + i miss you) and I was re-assigned Justin Mills as my A+ ambassador. Justin is somehow also this incredible unicorn of a human and mechanic service agent. Full transparency, so caring, and 100% genuine. He'll stay late to make sure you leave with a safer car than you rolled in with and just like Rob, he'll lay out all the costs with tax and service (no hidden or surprise anything ever) and let you know what's urgent and what can probably wait. He's great conversation and a truly interesting person that I'm luckily to call my car guy. They're wonderful with scheduling and returning your calls, as well as keeping you informed along the way. I like that I can drop my car off early in the morning and they'll shuttle me to work or get me an Uber on their dime (there's a mileage limit but this is a great option if you work nearby, ahem, all Oracle employees) until my car is ready later in the day, when they'll have someone scoop me to go back to get my fixed up hooptie. On one of my recent visits, my car needed some considerable work done throughout. They sent an in-writing email with photos attached of their findings, itemization of what it would take to fix everything, and estimates for all. The price... it wasn't pretty, but I called my Dad and sent him the email and he agreed with everything they found, said, and quoted and noted that the prices were more than fair with what it probably would have cost him for parts and a small addition for labor, so I know these guys are legit and not what you'd (sadly) expect from a lot of other slim shady mechanics looking to make a quick, ruthless buck. This review is long overdue and I'm hoping that by spreading the good word on A+ Japanese Auto Repair that the car gods will take pity on my poor vehicle and stop breaking ish so I can live like a normal human who just goes in for oil changes several hundred to thousand miles after they're actually due. If you're looking to get your car serviced from minor maintenance to major motor overhauls, A+ if THE only place to go. Also, they pretty much always have a check-in offer, Yelp Deal, special, etc, so check in on your app to see what kind of discount they may be offering. I think I've purchased 5 of their $25 for $50 yelp deals to date. ** Side note, there's also a thick brown pipe that comes out of the brick wall in front of the shop that looks just like a dick. It's hilarious and I take pics of it every time I'm in. Worth it just to go for that. #BrickDick

Me at every mechanic: You gonna rip me off or nah?Every other mechanic: Shut up and give us all your money.A+ Japanese Auto Repair: Nah. I love coming here. Well, I love coming here as much as anyone can 'love' realizing their car is slowly dying and they may have to get a side job as a live cam girl to pay for it (just kidding, Dad, if you're reading this) (half kidding everyone else, who probably isn't reading this). When I lived in the midwest, I was lucky in that I never really had any car troubles and also that my Dad can pretty much fix anything under the sun if I make a hopeless looking face, which lucky for me, is just my regular face. But then I moved 1500+ miles away from my family with what I'm realizing is getting to be a pretty old car and sh*t started going downhill real fast, as they tend to do with old cars. I've visited A+ Japanese Auto Repair over a dozen times in the past year for regular maintenance, when the heart and soul of my car died, when my something or other was leaking, when my headlight gave up, when my tire pressure light wouldn't quit, and more, and while I'm never thrilled to be dealing with another automotive catastrophe, I know these guys are legit and do a truly exceptional job for as minimal a charge as you'll find from any mechanic. I've been working with Rob Lucas, one of their front of the hours employees, since day 1. I've never not worked with him and he remembers me every time I come in and I like when he tells me all about his daughters and how proud he is of them, about his beautiful purple haired wife, their Halloween traditions, and their family of classic cars on all my visits. He's trustworthy, reliable, and you don't have to think about a thing with Rob. He's basically a stand in dad to every one of his customers. He lays it all out for you, step by step, with no hidden costs, and gives you the real deal scoop on what you really should do and what can probably wait a bit for on your car. He's got to be the only person on the planet who can make you smile when your car is being a real Grade-A bung hole. They're wonderful with scheduling and returning your calls, as well as keeping you informed along the way. I like that I can drop my car off early in the morning and they'll shuttle me to work or get me an Uber on their dime (there's a mileage limit but this is a great option if you work nearby, ahem, all Oracle employees) until my car is ready later in the day, when they'll have someone scoop me to go back to get my fixed up hooptie. On one of my recent visits, my car needed some considerable work done throughout. They sent an in-writing email with photos attached of their findings, itemization of what it would take to fix everything, and estimates for all. The price... it wasn't pretty, but I called my Dad and sent him the email and he agreed with everything they found, said, and quoted and noted that the prices were more than fair with what it probably would have cost him for parts and a small addition for labor, so I know these guys are legit and not what you'd sadly expect from a lot of other slim shady mechanics looking to make a quick buck. This review is long overdue and I'm hoping that by spreading the good word on A+ Japanese Auto Repair that the car gods will take pity on my poor vehicle and stop breaking ish so I can live like a normal human who just goes in for oil changes several hundred to thousand miles after they're actually due. If you're looking to get your car serviced from minor maintenance to major motor overhauls, A+ if THE only place to go. Also, they pretty much always have a check-in offer, Yelp Deal, special, etc, so check in on your app to see what kind of discount they may be offering. ** Side note, there's also a thick brown pipe that comes out of the brick wall in front of the shop that looks just like a dick. It's hilarious and I take pics of it every time I'm in. Worth it just to go for that.