A1 Auto Repair & Smog Check- Smog Pass or Free Retest

I came in unannounced… they could have turned me away… These guys took on the job that day and replaced my Mercedes Benz engine and transmission mounts for a very reasonable price… less than half what the dealer was asking. Super professional and straight forward. This service completely restored the quiet, luxurious, and well performing ride that is the W212. Thanks Sako and team.

Sako and his crew are the best! Fair, honest and incredibly kind. My husband and I have used their services many times, and we consider ourselves very lucky to have found them. Sako has even refused to charge us for small services, despite our protests. Their name is well-earned: they are A, number one in our book.

I had a deeply disappointing and frankly concerning experience at this shop with particularly Sako. I came in as a 27-year-old woman alone, trying to understand a trans fluid leak in my car (2019 Toyota CHR), and instead of being met with professionalism or transparency, I was immediately told (without proper verification) that my transmission had “absolutely no fluid” and would require full removal and extensive repair because it was "very bad and failing". This was said all on the basis of Sako simply looking underneath my car without proper inspection and seeing a small leak. No diagnostic procedure was shown to me. The transmission pan was not opened. No clear explanation or evidence was provided to support such a serious and expensive claim. When I asked reasonable follow-up questions (mentioned I have no service lights on in my car, car is running completely fine with no noticeable jerking or feel, my one and only symptom is a small transition fluid leak spots on my driveway), I was met with defensiveness and hostility and told that if I didn’t believe him, I could take my car elsewhere. He then aggressively told me to "come pick up my car, I am not working on this car it is so bad." (funny how this was said after he realized I knew what I was talking about huh?) That is not how a trustworthy or ethical shop operates. When I came to pick up my car, he told me anywhere I go this is going to be an expensive job and to just take the keys in go, which resulting in me trying not to cry in front of him based on how he was acting. Truly disgusting behavior in my opinion. I trusted my instincts, sought a second opinion, and went to another reputable shop (Highly recommend West Coast Auto and Tires btw). They properly diagnosed the issue as an external transmission gasket leak which is a routine repair totaling under $500. This is NORMAL for my 2019 Toyota. No transmission removal. No catastrophic failure. No “empty” system. This experience raises serious concerns about either: * a lack of proper diagnostic process * an attempt to upsell a major repair without justification * assuming young women dont know what they are talking about and can get away with unnecessary uncharged services. Predatory behavior. Notice how most of the "good reviews" here are coming from men. No shade to them, Im sure they did have a good experience since Sako profiled them as already knowing about cars. Little does he know I was raised in a mechanic family and grew up in the garage life. Not only that but my dad is a retired racer driver and motorcycle custom building. Nice try. Either way, it put me in a stressful and vulnerable position and could have cost me thousands of dollars unnecessarily if I had blindly listened to SAKO. I strongly encourage others—especially women or anyone without a mechanical background—to seek a second opinion if they are given extreme diagnoses without clear evidence. Sadly, my boss who happens to be a well known public figure in the area and his wife is who suggested I go to this business. That is now 3 clients who will never be returning. Needless to say we are all disappointed. Transparency, respect, and proper diagnostics should be the baseline. Unfortunately, that was not my experience here.

Quite literally the nicest mechanic ever! I called without an appointment and he told me it would be about an half an hour to an hour wait and it was really fast. The cost was honest as well! Thank you so much. 100% will be coming here again.

A1 Auto Repair & Smog Check is top line. Sako, Albrik, and the rest of their expert team of mechanics have kept all our rides — daily drivers and sports cars — in top condition. They are real professionals who do great work at reasonable prices. John L West Los Angeles