Advanced Auto Services

These are the most reputable and honest mechanics I have ever met in San Clemente. I have followed Sergio for years from Franks, to his own shop, and now to Advanced Auto. I trust them with all of my cars and recommend them to everyone I meet. As a knowledgeable mechanic myself, I do not recommend a place lightly. There are definitely some unscrupulous shops in San Clemente and this is not one of them. I do not give 5 stars either unless they are deserved. Top notch work and excellent communication and customer service. This shop understands that if they treat you correctly, you will return for more work, as well as bring them more customers = Brand longevity and long term profitability. Thank you Sergio, Jeff, and Scott, keep up the good work and I’ll keep sending you all of mine.
D. Ryan
ASQ Certified Quality Manager

I’m certain I was just like anyone else and anyone coming up.
I found out Sergios location of Advanced relocated to the South end of San Clemente. (Sergio has been servicing my cars for YEARS! I drive from N. San Diego county just to have my car services done and anything else that needs to be done by Sergio) Knowing a little bit about ownership and change of hands I was hesitant. BUT… giving them the benefit of the doubt, I pulled into the new location this morning (directly across from Pedros Tacos) to have my Mercedes serviced, I’ll keep this part short & sweet…
There was Scott, as welcoming as he has alway has been, there were all the other guys saying «Hello» as I passed, Sergio happened to be off today and the new owner Jeff was as pleasant and assuring as could be.
I had my car serviced, tires rotated and new headlight bulb installed and left with the same confidence I always have had knowing Sergio like I do.
Don’t hesitate at all, it’s the New & Improved Advanced Auto Care. Great Transition everyone and I wish you great success in your new location. — Frank

I had my 91 ls400 serviced by Mitch for a while and when I heard the ownership had changed I was a little worried but Scott and all the people there were very knowledgable and helpful. I had a question about the coolant level on my car after it was worked on by Mitch and Scott helped me figure it out for free even though he didn’t have too. Definitely worth your time. I fix computers for a living and I know how important it is to find somebody trustworthy and knowledgeable when it comes to something like computers or cars. I feel just as lost as the customers I assist with their tech problems when I go to a mechanic and it’s nice to have somebody I can trust to answer my dumb questions about cars.

I’m so happy I came to this place. After a couple phone calls to unhelpful shops, I called Advanced Auto Services and was greeted by a very friendly man (Eddie) who told me to come right in and he’d take a look at my tail light. I went up to the shop and he immediately took a look at my car. Most importantly, he didn’t try to tell me there was a million things wrong with my car, but simply replaced the bulb within 5 minutes with a smile on his face. Super honest and friendly shop, unlike some of the others in the area. Thanks so much guys! :)

We’ve been coming to San O Mechanic for probably 6 or 7 years and take all our cars — Toyota, Honda and VW. Mitch and his mechanics have always been great. They do great work and above all I know they are being honest with me. They will tell you what your car needs and doesn’t need. Very fair price and they get me in and out quickly. If it’s a specialized repair they don’t do, they will refer you to someone who can handle that work. But, they do most everything I’ve needed them to do. I highly recommend San O!

Sergio is a very honest and trust worthy man. His prices are more than fair. He never makes you fix things to pump up the bill. We are very lucky to have his shop in our community. I highly recommend him to anyone that needs a mechanic.

If you want a mechanic who is highly knowledgeable of current automotive engineering and uses factory parts to maintain your vehicle at factory specs (or better), go here. I am a «car-​guy» and I am picky about my vehicles. I was looking for 100K service on my hybrid Lexus CT200h, but didn’t want to pay the excessive dealer costs. Mitch knew the needs of my car and everything he told me was consistent with what my research on the subject told me. I have total confidence with this business. Service provided was appropriate, very reasonably priced, and to my standards. It is refreshing to find someone who knows what they’re doing.

Sergio saved my day! And my Mercedes!!! I called and got a friendly voice on the phone that told me I could come right in! I’m in Real Estate and Mortgage Biz and use my car all the time to drive all over OC so when I heard a weird noise I was worried. I drove in and was able to talk to Sergio and he took it for a spin. He knew right away what needed to be done and reassured me he would take care of it and it wouldn’t cost me a fortune, and that’s what he did! I’ve been to other places in town and have been treated rudely and over charged, not to mention I need to bring my car back in. Sergio did what he said he’d do, my car was fixed and I had a great experience. Fast Friendly Good Thorough Service! I will use and recommend Sergio again and again because I can trust him and he gets the job done!!! Thanks Sergio!!!

My husband and I started bringing our vehicles to Mitch a few years ago. ALWAYS one step ahead of us when it comes to remembering the last service performed on our cars and trucks and what needs to be taken care of next. Extremely fair and honest. Excellent service and workmanship. Our families and friends all go to San O Mechanic too!

My car broke down on a trip from AZ to WA. Advanced is part of Quest Warranty that had warrantied a repair I had made in AZ. Advanced received the car via tow truck and fixed it while I left town in a rental car. They allowed me to keep it there until I could arrange to have it transported to my location. I had numerous calls with them over an $ 850 repair that was warrantied. They were responsive and helpful.

Sergio and he’s brother Eddie have been working on my MBz for years. They are very knolwogeble experienced and use quality parts. Very friendly courteous and professionals. They have recently babyset my dog pepper. when I was in a bit of a Jam. Who does that? This people are like family once you get to know them… Thanks Sergio and Eddie. You guy’s are awesome

I’ve had the fortunate experience of finding Mitch back in 2003 when I moved here. Coming from PA, everyone knew an honest mechanic you could trust growing up and Mitch exemplifies this role. I could tell you a bunch of stories of his quality workmanship and competitive prices but my most recent experience had to deal with his complete honesty and kept only my best interests in mind.
My Volvo had some issues (no AC, brake light sensor, alignment) but that’s to be expected for an 08′ S40 with 114k miles. I received a call hours later after he combed over the vehicle and his first words were «grab a pen and paper.» Mitch found about $ 3,000 of pretty serious things that needed fixing including an axle boot, brake calipers, AC condenser, ect, and he very politely told me it’s not worth doing the work b/​c the car value is only 4k, and to trade it in ASAP for a better vehicle.
Any business owner who’d rather turn away business and provide me with sound advice b/​c it’s the right thing to do is a good business owner. He changed my oil and put some lipstick on the pig so I could get top dollar when I traded it in the following day for a Lexus which will run forever.
The case of beer I bought him to show my gratitude isn’t enough but my constant referrals and reviews like this will hopefully keep his business thriving.

Tell Sergio Carly sent you from Unilocal.I went in there with a headlamp that was broke and to save me a cost on labor they had me walk right next-​door to an auto parts store just by the headlamp replacement lightbulb myself and then they just replaced it for me no charge. They have time and time again helped me with my car with little or no cost to me. I feel they do believe in an honest days work. I believe that they are truly moral with there business. I’m so happy I have a great mechanic to go to and my adorable little town.

If you are looking for good honest people who provide quality work and back it up… well, this is NOT your place.
I was referred by a friend who had taken her car here to Sergio, previously several times. I went in for brake pads and was told after 2 hours of waiting that I needed all 4 rotors as well, which of course is 4 times higher in price. When I asked if I could avoid all 4 and just do 2, I was told that they wouldn’t be able to guarantee the work of I did just the 2. Sergio explained that there would be likelihood of the car shimmying. So, I purchase all 4 brakes, rotors plus labor. It came out to be about $ 700…not a bad price.
I picked up my car that afternoon and on the drive home I noticed an obvious shimmy in the front end. I took the car back the next day, as it got worse at high speeds, and took sergio for a demo ride so he could feel it as well.
While on the drive he said it what I was feeling was normal and then he told me that this is actually a big joke in his industry for a «woman» to come in and describe a feeling on a car that isn’t actually there. And because I’m a woman I don’t understand that those are «normal» on a car of my make and model and mileage.
When I explained that I had owned that car for 8 years and had put every mile on it personally so I was very familiar with my car and it never shimmied like that ever, he laughed at me.
I have to say by that time iI was a little frustrated and asked him if there was something that could be done about it from an alignment standpoint and if he would be willing to split the cost with me. He told me to drive it for a few days and it would improve.
I did that and it got worse. I got the runaround on the phone for 2 days and when I returned to his shop, he was rude and condescending to me and raised his voice saying there was nothing he could do to fix this and it wasn’t his problem. This all took place on his lot while other customers watched. This man is rude, dishonest and very disrepecfctul to women. If you are a woman OR have a mother, sister, girlfriend or wife, steer clear of Advanced Automotive.

SCAM ARTIST — sales persons name was Ed
According to the paperwork.
At first they seemed very trust worthy and I was comfortable dealing with them. Actually told them I went there because I didn’t necessarily trust the last place I went to.
I went in for an oil change and asked them to please check my brakes as well. They told me my front break pads were almost gone and that I was basically running metal on metal and that my front rotors were down to 15% life left, back break pads had 15% life left and that I shouldn’t go more than a week before I get everything replaced. (Probably trying to get me back in before I could bring it anywhere else) He figured It would cost me roughly $ 640. And I am not rich by any means I make maybe 40k a year before taxes, plus students loans and what not, so 640 is a big number to me. Planned on just bringing it back within the next day or 2 but found a groupon for another place close to work who could do the job much cheaper and easier for me so I brought my car there.
As soon as they took my wheels off I got a call from them wondering why I wanted all this work done because my front brake pads still had 35% on them and the only thing wrong with the rotors was that they were slightly warped but not really an issue. Back pads were over 40%. Essentially he told me I could probably go another 7,000 miles on my brakes depending on how I drive and what not obviously and that if I wanted I could change the rotors but again not really an issue, could start to cause some issues in the long run but as of now my car is totally safe to drive and nothing really needed to be replaced.

I recommend this place to anyone needing auto services of any kind. The owner Sergio is highly skilled and knowledgable in what he does. I moved here from Oregon and have always had my father to work on my cars. With him over a thousand miles away, I didn’t know where to go. But a friend recommended me here and I’m so thankful to find a place that knows their stuff and has very reasonable prices. My cars on the road because of Sergio and Eddie! Thanks again! You guys are great!!!

Terrible service! Do not use this auto repair. I felt very uncomfortable the whole time and felt like they were trying to haggle as much money off of me as possible because im young and not to smart with cars yet. They charged me 90 dollars for a oil change and and to see what kind of shape my car was in. Soon as i left my car began shaking tremendously and my check engine light came on! (Weird coincidence because ive had my car about a year and a half and have yet to see that light come on until now). I turned right around and pulled back in the shop and they tried to sit me down and say its gonna be another 60 – 120 dollars just to look at it again. When i gave him a guilt trip about the situation he said he can do a quick look under the hood and see if he could fix it for free, but was very pushy and kind of demeanding about writing a great Unilocal review for him since hes helping me. He didnt fix it. Im 100 dollars down and my cars worse off than before. Do not use this auto shop!

They serviced my Yaris and fixed some additional things wrong with it that Toyota never mentioned. Was quoted a decent price. However, they never fixed the wheezing sound that I originally complained about. Didn’t want to return it and discuss it with them because I didn’t want to get into an argument with a mechanic since he sounded like a jerk with an attitude. Won’t be coming back, simply because I only want to work with friendly mechanics.

I just discovered this auto repair place today. They could not be nicer! From their first greeting to assisting with my car issues… fabulous! I will definitely be returning. Great service!

Looks like I found a new mechanic!
Sergio helped me out with my check engine light, explained the potential issues and fixed a small hose in my car is minutes. He and his team are honest and friendly.
Thank so much Sergio!

I love these guys! Sergio, owner of Advanced Auto Services, has worked at other shops in San Clemente for years. He had an opportunity to start his own shop and he took it.
It is a family run organization from Sergio (master mechanic), to his brother Eddie (customer service manager) to his daughter Dani (office manager). They go out of their way to make sure that the customer is pleased and satisfied.
I like the fact that I’m never «up-​sold». They advise me what will need attention and when, but no pressure. During an oil change some months ago Sergio predicted the life left on my brakes nearly down to the day. When the day came, Sergio did the work and at a cost far less than I expected to pay.
I love local, independent business owners like Sergio over «the big guys», national brands and franchises. I know that they have a lot invested in their business and my satisfaction. That why I do business with fellow locals and «the little guys».