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Best Auto Repair Shops in Carlsbad, CA

Our Recommended Top 13

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Carlsbad Auto Repair Shops on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

36Reviewed

26Curated

13Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

1215-B N Melrose Dr., Vista, CA 92083
WebsiteLicense: 226178

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (266)
Yelp
4.9 (73)

Why choose this provider?

GM Exclusive is an auto repair business that provides services to clients in Carlsbad and the surrounding areas. It specializes in keeping vehicle performance in good condition by offering to repair damaged or faulty parts, including engine and transmission, electronics, brakes, and heating and cooling systems. It also conducts repair services for 4×4 vehicles with driveline, alignment, differential, and wheel bearings issues. In addition to cars, the company's team is available to handle trucks from domestic brands.

  • ASE Certified

6020 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, CA 92011
WebsiteLicense: 11525

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (2314)
Yelp
4.0 (909)
Facebook
4.2 (258)

Why choose this provider?

Toyota Carlsbad attends to the needs of its clients in the area. It provides repair, maintenance, and diagnostic services for cabin air filters, oil filters, engine air filters, wiper blades, brakes, and batteries. The company also handles tire-changing matters. It features a 48,000-square-foot facility that houses a collision center to cater to its clients' body shop needs. It also offers purchasing and selling assistance for new and pre-owned vehicles. Toyota Carlsbad has been in operation for more than 45 years.

  • State Inspection

6221 Yarrow Drive Suite E, Carlsbad, CA 92011
WebsiteLicense: 283470

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (115)
Google
4.7 (95)
Facebook
5.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Chuck's Tire Center is a veteran-owned business that caters to vehicle owners and drivers in Carlsbad. Its team helps clients improve and maintain their automobiles through a wide range of repair services. The shop fixes and replaces broken, damaged, or faulty brakes, steering and suspension systems, and shocks. It also performs wheel alignment and installation, tire rotation and repair, and brake rotor and front disc brake replacement. Chuck's Tire Center carries different major brands, such as Michelin, Bridgestone, and Firestone.

  • AAA Certified
  • ASE Certified
  • State Inspection

918 Postal Way, Vista, CA 92083
WebsiteLicense: 263292

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (210)
Yelp
4.5 (118)
Facebook
5.0 (41)

Why choose this provider?

B & C Auto Repair is a Vista-based shop that serves clients in Carlsbad. It uses factory service information to diagnose vehicles from a variety of manufacturers, including Cadillac, Ford, Jeep, Kia, Toyota, and Chevrolet. Among its services are control unit reprogramming, transmission replacement, brake pad adjustment, radiator maintenance, heating and cooling system diagnostics, and electrical repair. The family-owned company has been promoting community road safety by maintaining and repairing vehicles since its establishment in 1968.

  • Honda Service Center
  • Jeep Service Center
  • Chevrolet Service Center

1520 South Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054
WebsiteLicense: 250213

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (132)
Google
4.7 (130)
Facebook
4.5 (20)

Why choose this provider?

North County Auto Service has been serving clients in the Carlsbad metro since 1993. It provides vehicle owners with auto repair solutions and attends to both foreign and domestic vehicles. The company's ASE-certified technicians change oil and filters, flush the cooling system, inspect the air conditioner, and remove worn-out gear oil. In addition, it provides transmission services using specialized technology. The company is part of the Mobile Air Conditioning Society and a member of the Automotive Training Institute.

  • State Inspection
  • Smog Inspection

3596 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058
WebsiteLicense: 295064

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (319)
Facebook
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Mission Auto Care caters to vehicle owners throughout the Carlsbad community and the neighboring areas. It handles auto repair services to help clients resolve their clutch, belt and hose, battery, alternators, and air conditioning issues in their vehicles. It also conducts power steering services focusing on improving the longevity of clients' cars. Pre-purchase inspection services are also available. Mission Auto Care specializes in handling cars, trucks, and SUVs from BMW, Chevrolet, Mazda, Hyundai, and Mitsubishi brands.

  • State Inspection

5425 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008
WebsiteLicense: 241939

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (450)
Yelp
4.0 (293)
Facebook
4.5 (89)

Why choose this provider?

Audi Carlsbad offers auto repair and maintenance services to Audi owners in the local area. The family-owned and locally operated business employs factory-trained technicians who perform a variety of vehicle maintenance tasks, such as tire mounting and balancing, rotor, brake, and caliper inspection, and components repair with genuine Audi parts. The company also imports brand new and pre-loved Audi sedans and SUVs. The Hoehn family has been in the automobile business since 1928. Brothers Bill and Bob Hoehn currently lead the firm's 500-strong workforce.

  • Audi Service Center

5475 Car Country Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
WebsiteLicense: 241937

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (759)
Yelp
4.0 (303)
Facebook
4.7 (98)

Why choose this provider?

Mercedes-Benz of Carlsbad is an automobile dealership that provides local vehicle owners with comprehensive maintenance solutions. Its service center is open for parts replacements and tire rotations, as well as repairs for defective or damaged engines, brakes, and transmission systems. Its crew also uses a proprietary GPS-enabled roadside assistance mobile application to cater to those who seek emergency services involving flat tires, fuel refills, and jump-starts. The company represents at least 11 automotive franchises in the local region.

  • State Inspection

5365 Car Country Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
WebsiteLicense: 259201

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (1820)
Yelp
4.1 (342)
Facebook
4.9 (108)

Why choose this provider?

Bob Baker Mazda provides an array of maintenance solutions in Carlsbad. Its team helps vehicle owners and enthusiasts keep and improve their cars' condition through its repair and replacement services. The company addresses automotive issues, including broken air and cabin filters, transmission and coolant flushes, and electrical systems. It also performs vehicle checkups and inspections, headlight and wiper restoration, and tire rotation. In addition, the enterprise offers used and brand new Mazda CX-5, MX-5 MIATA, and Hatchback cars.

  • State Inspection

3181 Tyler Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008
WebsiteLicense: 117423

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (271)
Yelp
4.5 (216)
Facebook
4.9 (50)

Why choose this provider?

Carlsbad Auto Service caters to owners and drivers in and around the local metro. Its ASE-certified team helps customers keep and improve the condition of their automobiles through its selection of maintenance services. The NAPA AutoCare Center performs smog inspections, oil changes, computerized engine diagnostics, and tire installations. It also repairs and replaces shocks and struts, belts and hoses, and brakes and suspensions. Carlsbad Auto Service has been handling American, European, and Asian cars for over three decades.

  • ASE Certified
  • Ford Service Center
  • Chevrolet Service Center

1106 S Coast Hwy A, Oceanside, CA 92054
WebsiteLicense: 288723

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (138)
Google
4.7 (95)

Why choose this provider?

A Better Auto Repair has been in the industry for more than 36 years, providing Carlsbad car owners with a full line of auto care solutions. It maintains the safety of individuals on the road by conducting preventative maintenance and diagnostics, servicing power steering systems, and checking brakes. In addition, the company rebuilds engines, flushes coolant, and changes oil. Its team of ASE-certified mechanics fixes various auto parts, such as air conditioning, radiators, and clutches.

2042 Oceanside Blvd, Oceanside, CA 92054
WebsiteLicense: 254643

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (270)
Yelp
4.0 (87)
Facebook
4.7 (27)

Why choose this provider?

Lael's International Auto Service caters to car owners in Carlsbad whose automobiles need repairs. The team resolves engine issues and replaces defective components, such as belts and ignitions. It takes on periodic maintenance work like oil changes and tune-ups at 30,000-mile intervals. The company also remedies problems with antilock brakes and suspensions. It works on vehicles manufactured by known foreign and domestic brands, including American Motors, Alfa Romano, and Mazda. The shop is an ASE-partnered establishment.

  • BMW Service Center
  • Audi Service Center

5335 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008
WebsiteLicense: 297464

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (2120)
Yelp
4.0 (547)

Why choose this provider?

Premier Chevrolet of Carlsbad is a car dealership that provides auto repair services to clients in Carlsbad and the nearby communities. The certified body shop professionals at its Collision Center perform a wide range of tasks like standard oil and filter changes, tire rotation, tread checks, air pressure tests, and fluid level refills. Only genuine Chevrolet parts are used for any replacement needed during repair, restoration, and upgrade. The shop employs staff that can communicate in Spanish.

  • Chevrolet Service Center

Compare our Top Auto Repair Shops

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
GM Exclusive
1215-B N Melrose Dr., Vista, CA 92083
Toyota Carlsbad
6020 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, CA 92011
Chuck's Tire Center
6221 Yarrow Drive Suite E, Carlsbad, CA 92011
B & C Auto Repair
918 Postal Way, Vista, CA 92083
North County Auto Service
1520 South Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054
Mission Auto Care
3596 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058
Audi Carlsbad
5425 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Mercedes-Benz of Carlsbad
5475 Car Country Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Bob Baker Mazda
5365 Car Country Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Carlsbad Auto Service
3181 Tyler Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008
A Better Auto Repair
1106 S Coast Hwy A, Oceanside, CA 92054
Lael's International Auto Service
2042 Oceanside Blvd, Oceanside, CA 92054
Premier Chevrolet of Carlsbad
5335 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008

FAQs

  • Introduction

    Automobiles have increasingly become a necessary convenience. They can also be extremely frustrating when not operating properly. Knowing the basics of car maintenance can help you make informed decisions as you move forward.

    One key point to understand is the difference between auto body and auto repair shops. Auto body shops focus only on the body, or the nonmoving parts of the vehicle. Auto body technicians repair dents in doors and fenders and replace broken windshields.

    Auto repair shops handle the components that contribute to powering the vehicle or making it stop. Auto mechanics maintain and repair components, such as electrical wiring, engines, transmissions, and brakes.
  • What maintenance does a car need annually?

    Some routine maintenance, such as an oil change, is recommended every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, and other services, such as belts, hoses, and fuel filters, should be addressed quarterly. Annual upkeep includes brake and suspension checks. Specific maintenance depends on the miles driven and the vehicle's age. Consult the car's service manual for more detailed guidelines.

  • What does it mean when your car says maintenance is required?

    The vehicle's maintenance required light comes on at specific mileage intervals. If the car's been driven more than 4,500 miles, it might illuminate to remind you that an oil change is necessary to maintain optimal performance. The maintenance required alert differs from the check engine light, which appears for specific operating issues that need to be addressed.

  • How much should I budget for car maintenance?

    While AAA recommends setting aside $1,200 a year ($50 a month to cover auto maintenance and another $50 for repairs), much depends on the make and condition of the specific vehicle. A basic oil change and filter is approximately $50. However, the same service for a Mercedes-Benz costs as much as $200, according to The Detroit Bureau.

    Keeping up with routine maintenance will help prevent some major repairs, but components such as timing belts and brakes ultimately need to be replaced, putting a $400 to $900 dent in your wallet.
  • What kind of maintenance do electric cars need?

    Monthly maintenance should comprise checking the tire pressure and windshield wiper fluid. At 7,500 miles, the battery, power inverter, cabin heater, and charger modules' coolant levels need to be checked. A visual inspection of the vehicle's other moving parts, such as the power steering and suspension, should also be included.

  • Can you negotiate car repairs at a dealership?

    Dealerships use a sales or service writer management team to estimate parts and labor repair costs. Their mechanics focus on repairing the vehicle. While it's possible to negotiate a more palatable rate with dealerships, their preset pricing systems are more structured than independent shops. It pays to be prepared with cost comparisons.

  • Is car repair insurance worth the cost?

    Car repair insurance typically covers the repair of mechanical breakdowns, such as air conditioning, electrical and fuel systems, engines, and transmissions. The caveat is that a standard car repair insurance policy only covers a vehicle up to 72,000 miles, according to Forbes. Few vehicles experience major mechanical problems under 100,000 miles, and if they do, they're usually covered under warranty.

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