Elite Automotive Services

I will absolutely go here again! The employees here are friendly, professional, and HONEST! I asked about some work that I thought needed to be done on my car and they said it wasn’t needed. My car was ready before the promised time, and when I was going to be delayed picking it up, they put it in a covered area until I could arrive.

I’ve always found Elite/​Joel to be honest and fair to me and my wife (they treat her with respect too). We bring our Honda Odyssey and GMC Yukon there. They are not the cheapest, but I don’t want to breakdown on the 91 to save $$. But I also don’t need to pay the «dealer» premium.
At another auto service co that provided free oil change coupons, we were told we needed some work that would cost $ 500+. We brought it to Joel and told him what needed to be done: he indicated it was not necessary.
They are AAA certified and I’m a member. They have a lot to lose if they don’t meet those requirements.

Went here seen good Unilocal reviews. Rare break was making noise so went there. But at end they fixed rare break but broke front one. After noticing the issue went there back but they returned car without satisfactory explanation.
I am still wondering why they even touched front break if seemed no issue at all!

37 days from when our car was left at Elite Automotive until they called and said the car was finally fixed… We made the mistake of having our 2007 Lincoln MKZ towed to Elite Automotive on 9÷2÷2015 after it stalled on El Toro Road. Was not until late today, 10/​09/​2015 before we were advised that they think it is fixed. Unless you very much enjoy WALKING EVERYWHERE YOU GO, you need to avoid this place like the plague!
On 9÷3÷2015 we were told of at least one bad ignition coil, and one marginally bad coil, and were quoted $ 1,125 to replace all 3 coils nearest the firewall. The next day, they called and reported that in addition to the replacement of the three coils, that the PCM (power control module) was also bad, and that it would cost an additional $ 900 on top of what I was already going to pay on the previous work. Had they spent 45 seconds on Google before providing the original estimate, they would have known that often times when more than one coil is bad, the PCM is the source of the problem. Instead, they wait until I am over $ 1,000 into the repair before they spring the full $ 2,000+ estimate on me.
Elite then replaced the PCM and still couldn’t get it to work, claiming problems with the vehicles anti-​theft software and saying they didn’t know how to program it properly without assistance from Ford, and that I needed to have another key made ($ 150) in order for them to eventually program it properly once Ford contacted them. This same scenario was then repeated countless times over the next 4 weeks, as they claimed problems with the throttle body, then problems with the compression in one of the cylinders, before claiming the PCM they replaced was new-​defective.
The second PCM finally arrived on 9÷23÷2015. After installing the second PCM the next day, they claimed the new-​defective PCM must have blown the 3 other coils on the other side of the engine, and that in spite of replacing the PCM a second time, the car still won’t run. On 9÷25÷2015, Elite claimed the three front coils were replaced but the engine still won’t run, they advised me that they were now in contact with Ford again, and would likely be having the car towed to the Lincoln dealership to have the work completed since they were essentially ready to give-​up. On 10/​29/​2015 Elite advised us that no decision has been made yet about taking the car to the dealership, instead they were going to try and identify why they keep getting bad PCMs from Ford.
I requested Elite Automotive to provide us with alternate transportation on 9÷29÷2015 since it had been 27 days with the car in their shop without a fix. They refused to provide a loaner or rental car claiming it would cost too much, and essentially telling us that the whole situation was our problem not theirs.
We finally went out an purchased a new car, –a purchase made without the benefit of a trade-​in because of Elite Automotive’s inability to repair our vehicle. With a child who has serious health issues we felt we could not wait any longer for Elite to climb the learning curve, as it was abundantly clear that they were no closer to fixing the car than the day they first started working on it. We contacted the BBB and filed a complaint, they essentially did nothing; not even a mention of our problems in their review of the business. They simply closed the complaint at the request of Elite Automotive as if it never happened once the car was returned to us after 41 days.
BEWARE, Elite Automotive will give you endless excuses about why they can’t fix your vehicle, and will go to any lengths to blame their suppliers without EVER taking ownership of the problem. And if you get upset with them, you can expect to be accused of being unreasonable, followed by being treated as if you are a child.
I have owned nearly a dozen vehicles over the past 40 years, and my experience with Elite Automotive has been the worst demonstration of automotive incompetence I have EVER encountered. If you intend to spare yourself a similar outcome, I would strongly advise you to seek service elsewhere.

The first time I went (11 mo ago) I was satisfied but not impressed. This year, I went for an oil change … Dropped off my car this morning after making a convenient appt via online portal. I knew there were a few things needed to be done in addition to the oil change but I’m not a «car person» so I tend to deprioritize these car-​related maintenance tasks. From the moment I walked in, Kurt explained the process of the appointment and what to expect with my inclusive vehicle inspection. He has a very relatable and visually-​helpful approach to explaining everything. That being said, Kurt called me and itemized all pending (and necessary) maintenance tasks that extended beyond my oil change. I was never pressured or forced into additional services but I chose what I wanted to add and what I wanted to hold off with. I picked my car up a few hours later and he remembered me, took additional time to small talk as well as explain one last time the maintenance performed on my car. I left feeling educated, informed and equipped with a future maintenance plan. The remaining staff aren’t incredibly welcoming but Kurt definitely helped redeem the business. I will be a repeat customer.

I was referred by a friend and came here after BMW Irvine told me I need to replace one of my tires due to a «nail in my tire.» Bc I have run flat tires they were going to charge me $ 500 for ONE tire. Im glad I got a second opinion bc when these guys looked at it, it ended up being a small piece of charred metal that didn’t even penetrate enough to alert my BMW I had a problem. They took a look at it and removed the metal with no problems. Best part they did it all for FREE! If you want an honest business with honest prices come here!

Now at 26 801 Vista Terrace. (Vista and Lake Forest)
Have been taking daughters car here since she got it. They did a phenomenal job with first visit for oil change and free evaluation. Found a few items that needed servicing and they charged a very reasonable price. Also, car has a hard to reach bolt that has slow minor leak. They took me to the car and showed me and convinced me the best approach is to not do anything and check it every time I come back in.
When is the last time a car repair convinced you to not do something? Well, this latest time I sent my 17 yr old daughter there by herself. They took really good care of the car and special thanks to Ivan for helping my daughter.
In summary, the good:
They take the time to explain everything and give you options
They do excellent work
Very friendly service people
Very price conscious (remember everything is negotiable)
The only bad so far is they are very busy and the parking lot is very small.
Last piece of good news… when you wait for your car they have donuts.

Very disappointed
I called on Thursday and was told if I dropped my truck off they would be able to work on it on Friday. Friday I received a call at closing time and was told they didn’t get to it and wouldn’t be able to until Monday.
A huge waste of my time. If I would have been told that on Thursday, I would have taken it somewhere else. I will never return

After years of using Unilocal,I finally made an account, specifically so I can put this review.
I came here a couple times because it was a cheap oil change ($ 14.95 advertised), and it was right by my work. Here is my experience:
Visit 1: Got the «$ 14.95» oil change, which is actually $ 20, or 33% more than advertised after their hidden costs. I was in a rush, and I did not want them to give my car their 20 point inspection (or whatever it was) that comes with the oil change. However, the bigger guy at the front that deals with customers WOULD NOT let me opt out of it. He told me with a very sincere face that he is responsible for the car, and he does not want it to drive off if there is something wrong with it. After 5 minutes of arguing, I just let them do the inspection. After I get my car back, they told me that my breaks are bad, and they gave me a quote. I ended up taking it to another shop and getting my breaks done for a fraction of the price– but here is the kicker– «Elite» Auto service forgot to put my wheel lock back in my car, and they were not willing to drive it over to the other auto shop where i was getting my breaks done!!! I understand that they are human and mistakes happen, but when you are unwilling to rectify your mistake, this is truly a sign of a bad business.
Visit 2: Got the same «$ 14.95» oil change for $ 20, because it’s close to work and cheap. After I got my car back, I got a laundry list of what was wrong with it:
Alignment
Alternator belt
Steering Fluid needs replacement because it is dirty
Break fluid needs replacement because it is dirty
Breaks
And the prices were outrages for all of these, so I take it to another shop. Guess what– The alignment was fine. Front and rear breaks had 75%+ life in them. The mechanic showed me the alternator belt had no cracks in it, and told me it had plenty of life left (although it was a little dry). The steering fluid needed a top-​off, but completely clean, and I was told that it is really rare that you would actually need to flush it. Break fluid was completely fine. However, the new mechanic showed me that my transmission fluid was brown instead of red (which «Elite» did not catch). So, here is my assessment of this auto service:
1. They bait you in for a seemingly cheap oil change (price goes up by 33% thereafter).
2. They lie to you about what needs to be fixed
3. They do not catch what actually needs to be fixed.
If you need a semi-​cheap oil change, and this place is very very convenient for you, go right ahead. But please get a second opinion on anything they tell you after you get your car back with a laundry list of what is wrong with it!
Also, their address on Unilocal is wrong.

This shop is overpriced and the customer service I received was awful! Because I’m a woman, of course they thought they could weasel more money out of me (because I don’t know any better, right?). What happened was my belt popped off and my car overheated. I had it towed to the nearest shop (which is –I have no idea WHY– backed by AAA)… I was promised to receive a call «first thing in the morning,» after I dropped my car off near closing time, with an update on my car. I received no call. I finally called them around 2pm and was informed that I had a laundry list of things that «need» to be repaired, including a new radiator for $ 430, a tensioner pulley for $ 200 and a cooling system flush for $ 170.
I did NOT need a new radiator. I told them to go ahead and flush it and replace the supposedly «weak» tensioner pulley (for $ 375) because I specifically asked them plain and simply WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX MY CAR?! After doing the $ 375 «fix» my car was somehow still overheating, although it had NEVER had an overheating problem before I brought it there.
They tried to charge me an additional $ 370 just to take it apart and check my water pump and thermostat (which they should’ve done in the first place). I declined that service. Once I got to the shop to pick my very NOT FIXED car, when I was ready to just pay and get on, I was kept waiting for 15 minutes while David talked on the phone with someone instead of taking care of the paying customer in front of his fucking face (me). Once he got off the phone, THEN he explains to me that suddenly I have a crack in the head or a head gasket leak and if I want my car fixed so it won’t overheat, it’ll cost $ 1500!!! That is more than I bought the damn car for!
I DO NOT HAVE A CRACKED HEAD NOR DO I HAVE A HEAD GASKET LEAK… AND I DON’T NEED A NEW RADIOTOR AND I PROBABLY DIDN’T NEED THE TENSIONER PULLEY REPLACED. All they did was clog my thermostat when they did the flush and try to scare me into leaving my car with them and draining my sad bank account!!!
Needless to say, I will NOT ever be going back there. And I don’t recommend this place to anyone who can’t afford unnecessary «fixes» and being nickeled n dimed til you want to vomit.
To sum it up; They had my car basically held hostage at their shop for 3 days AND DID NOT FIX WHAT THE MADE ME BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WAS! Turns out, I could’ve taken my car to my dad in the first place and spent $ 6 on a new thermostat and been done with it! A $ 6 fix!!!

I’ve been having my oil changed here for a couple years & they always do a great job. Last time I pulled in for an oil change I told them my tire light came on. They said it probably just needed to be filled with air. While I was waiting for the oil change I got a call & they informed me that I ran over a nail & the tire needed to be patched & they would do it for FREE! I was very pleasantly surprised when I went to pay the bill I got the oil change, fluids topped, tires rotated and the tire patched for $ 18 & change! What a great & honest service center! ;)

Visit #1
$ 80 to replace the cabin air filter on my wife’s car? NO THANK YOU! I paid $ 20 for a new filter at Pep Boys and it took me 5 minutes to replace it.
Visit #2
They broke a stud during a tire rotation and than they expect me to pay to get it fixed. The guy in the office said the mechanic new it was going to break and he still went ahead trying to remove the lug nut. Shouldn’t they have called me first to let me know what was happening?

Eddie and his team always take care of me. They even give me a ride to my office when they are working on my car.

I called this morning at 8:00am right when they opened inquiring about them putting a new battery in my BMW 650. I was told that he wasn’t sure if they had the one I needed in stock and he would call me back. Well, it is now 6 hours later and no call. It’s not I called for fun, I need to use my car and I can’t because it needs a new battery. Apparently, a new battery is not profitable enough for them to be bothered with! Luckily there are other places that actually care about customer service.

Had my car detailed here after having my oil changed of course. AWESOME JOB! Everyone is so polite and friendly. Very large location, accommodating, and inexpensive. I’d also like to add, trustworthy!!! I’m glad I found this place. It’s not far from where I live so it’s convenient. I will be returning for future service on my car (s).

Did a tune up on my Jeep and replaced the differential fluid for a great cost, and had it ready when I needed it. I will be using them again.

I came here for a simple oil change. It looks like two others are waiting for the service to be finished. I was told, be right with you. That was 20 minutes ago. It looks like one person is at the service desk. Am I being punked?
I asked if I was in the right place and if there was anyone else. Yes someone will be right with you. He was interrupted by another customer and left me standing. The original guy was now available and took over. He was very nice, listened and explained the service.
Turns out the guy who came in late and left me standing and a little later I witnessed him sort of berating another customer is the service manager.
Three stars for the inexpensive cost and not pushy with the recommendations. Also for the service guy was not fast but very nice.
Yes I’ll go back knowing that I may need to wait.

Nice service, they weren’t pushy like other places I got oil changes at. Wait room could be better.

Took my truck in for service, Found out I had an oil leak. Mechanics checked the truck out added engine dye to confirm were the leak was. had me bring it back 3 days later to verify the leak. Most other shops would have just through parts at it instead of confirming the location of the leak. Great job Thanks guys.

Just got off the phone with Eddie, one of the owners of the shop, and he is one of the most honest guys in the auto industry. He found out about my not so great experience and reached out to me to find out what happened. He listened to everything and apologized. He has totally amended the situation. If I wasn’t moving up to Northern California I would continue to take my car here.
I really hope that these guys can keep up with their core values and that they continue to treat everyone with honesty and respect.
Thank you Eddie!