Customer Reviews for Lake Forest Auto Repair

“Ken is a fine mechanic and a fair business man when it comes to pricing. I would never hesitate to to take my cars to him. Even though I didn't ask he checked everything and showed his honesty by telling me everything is okay. No upsell stuff but good honesty. Thanks Ken your the best!!”

“My family have been going to LF Auto for 25+ years. Just love them, Steve, Len, Chuck, they are fantastic mechanics. They fix our cars for a fair price and are very honest. Always a great experience! A+”

“I am a first responder and Steve the owner came to the Home Depot parking lot where I was stranded. He first found the battery I needed, picked it, came to me, and replaced it!!! He charged me a reasonable price. He is a salt of the earth great stand up guy. He was my hero today. I would recommend him with the highest honors!!!”

“5 stars!”

“These guys are bad ass old school mechanics. No B.S. Just straight up good and fast service. You won't have to deal with automated phone systems or long wait times. I have taken three cars here now and they always do a great job, don't overcharge, or give you the run around.
Would highly recommend.”

“Been bringing my cars here since the early 1980's. Always fair and friendly and always provides excellent service. Have always had great experiences with them and the services they perform. They will treat you and your car right.”

“5 stars!”

“4 stars!”

“I took our cars to Goodyear for service for 10 years because it was convenient. I finally realized I was spending an average of $200 per oil change. I would consistently get a $400 list of preventative work and I felt I should get at least 1-2 of things done.
I finally decided to try Lake Forest Auto Repair because Steve was a neighbor before we moved to Foothill Ranch. That was 18 months ago and I have saved at least $100/month in car maintenance because Steve only fixes what is broken (and for a very reasonable price). I'm a big fan.
I pay $40 for an oil change instead of $30 at Goodyear, but if that is all that is needed, that is all I pay. It is a bit more effort because it is a 12 minute drive to drop the car off instead of 5. For $1800 in savings in the last year and a half, it is worth it. Two thumbs up!!”

“I have been coming here for the last 10 years and it's the best service I've ever experienced. They are always so honest and FAST! Recommend this place 100%!”

“If you want your car in good hands and to have piece of mind that everything is going to be taken care of then go see Steve. He did much needed maintenance on my Toyota 4Runner and I will definitely be going back to see him when it's time again. Thank you Steve !!!”

“I just left this place. I drove from San Diego and my car starting overheating. I called so many auto shops in the area and couldn't get anyone to help me. I called Lake Forest Auto and got helped by Steve. He told me to stop by and he would take a look at my car. I went and he helped me right away checked a few things, added some thing/oil/water to my engine, I don't know shit about cars obviously, and advised me to see a mechanic as soon as I get back home. He assured me that my car would get me home after he did what he did. He spent about 30 mins and said I didn't have to pay him anything. My car was able to get me home without the radiator light coming back on. I know without his help I wouldn't have been able to get home at all. Steve was kind,caring and honest. Thank you so much for your help and care. You made my day a lot better.”

“I stumbled on Steve's shop around 13 years ago as I had a intermittent issue with my last car, a Toyota Camry. I got tired of paying for new parts to be installed and the problem was not resolved. So, I gave Lake Forest Auto Repair a try and have gone there ever since.

What I have found are mechanics that install quality replacement parts and troubleshoot problems quickly.

They are honest, fair priced and very good at what they do. I highly recommend Lake Forest Auto Repair.”

“Best auto mechanic around. Seriously. Honest, fair priced and actually cares about you and your car. He is an expert on Toyota's and Lexus but will work on other cars as well. I could make this review more loquacious, but nope. I just wanted to get to the point. Bring your car here and it's in good hands.”

“Steve was AMAZING! Extremely helpful and took great care of what my car needed. He even went out of his way to educate me on what he was doing step by step & made sure I clearly understood what was going on in detail. He was also very honest with what needed fixing which is very much appreciated considering , that can be hard to come across now a days and may I just mention the entertainment I received while I had my service was super cool. Thanks so much Steve you're the best....Personality + Hospitality = STEVE”

“I always love going here to get my car fixed. After having to deal with the dealership for a while I got fed up and brought my car here. I have been bringing my car here for years and I have to say the service is amazing and they are super helpful. Would not take my car anywhere else.”

“Been coming here for 15 years. Steve and crew are the best and keep our cars running like tops. I will never take my Toyota anywhere else.”

“Steve is great I trust him with my trucks and cars. The mechanics there are professionals. I especially like that I can speak to the owner anytime. Steve is never too busy to help customers. I know that the prices are always fair and the company backs up their work. I am very happy with the customer service and mechanics. I like that I can bring a Dodge, Chevy or a foreign car and get it repaired. Steve never talked down to because I am a woman. Steve explained the issue and repaired my car. I highly recommend this shop for anyone who needs a honest mechanic.”

“Awesome, honest and fairly priced service! I had a check engine and other dash light on my car the other day and called LFAR to see if I could drive without damaging the engine. Steve (owner) said to bring the car by when it was convenient and he'd pull the error codes quickly to diagnose. I went straight there, he diagnosed and found the problem within the first few minutes and offered to complete the repair on the spot. Small waiting area if you have to wait, and a rental car office just next door if you need to get around. If your car is out of warranty, you wo't regret going to LFAR.”

“Steve and his crew are always accommodating. Prices are very very reasonable. My cars are in the road for years. I will never go anywhere else.”

“My entire family has been going to Steve since I was little! Now that I have my own car I only go to him!! Such a good mechanic!! So friendly and reasonable prices!! Thank you Steve!”

“All I can say is they are AWESOME mechanics. They worked on my Toyota Rav and fixed the knocking sound under the hood. I will continue to have them service my baby!”

“These mechanics are fantastic; they are honest, reliable, and affordable. We'll use this auto shop for all of our auto needs moving forward.”

“Well.. I haven't been yelping that long but I have been going to LFA Since 2003!!... Until today it never dawned on me to write a review for them. We my wife and I and two sons all have Toyotas..Steve and his men have always been there for us. From basic tune-ups to a couple mufflers that were stolen off my sons truck when he lived in Los Angeles. And One major repair. They always have been honest and fair. If you read their very first review that person pretty much sums up their business and it hasn't changed any since 2003 good service fair price ,etc. Not sure I should be writing this review, because now more people are just going to find out about them.Oh well. Rock on LFA!”

“Finally found an honest auto repair service! These guys are great! Highly recommend them!”

“I have a 2010 Lexus RX350. I had a phone stuck in the center cup holder and so I couldn't open the cup holder lid. It sounds simple but it is much more complicated than that. I took it to Lake Forest Auto Repair and the gentlemen was very professional and kind and polite!!

He could easily say that he needs to take the whole center console off and then charge me for the labor but he didn't. He got it out after 40 mins and didn't charge me a cent. He also clean the interior afterwards.

Very impressed with his integrity and professionalism. Will definitely take my car there from now on. Completely trustworthy and that is the best that you can ask for for a mechanic for your car! Absolutely blown away by then right now.”

“I have been taking my Toyotas to Lake Forest Auto Repair for 30 years now. I have never been disappointed in their service, honesty, prices and reliability. You can trust Steve and Chuck and everyone to provide you with superior expertise and customer service. The quality of service I received in 1983 is the same service and care I get now in 2014. An exceptional business. I am so grateful for them!!”

“This place is always here for me. The staff is friendly and Francisco always goes the extra mile for me. He also fully explains to me the problem, the solution, and even alternatives. The work is good, fast, and fairly priced. I hate leaving my car somewhere else but I feel comfortable leaving it here. I've recommended this place to friends and recommend it to you.

Este taller Mechanico es muy bueno con buena gente y precios muy bajos. Francisco es una persona muy amable y te explica todo lo que tienes que saber de tu auto.”

“I've used Lake Forest Auto Repair for the past eight years. Unlike the dealerships they don't appear to have a quota they need to make off of every customer. You get honest and non-condescending feedback on the problems, the potential solutions and cost. You also get to deal directly with the mechanics, not with some middle management layer whose principal job is to run offense and convince you that they know better than you do.

Finally, when they fix something it stays that way.”

“I took my car for 10 years to Goodyear and finally realized I was paying an average of $200 every time I got my oil changed (on each car) because they always proposed aggressive, preventive maintenance. My wife guilted me into finding another solution for car maintenance.

Steve, the owner, is a former neighbor so I decided to try Lake Forest Auto Repair even though he wasn't within walking distance of my house (like Goodyear). That has been 18 months and I have saved at least $100/month because Steve takes care of what needs servicing, not what "might" need it.

His work is good and his prices fair. You have to call to make an appointment for an oil change and they are closed on weekends. That is not a hardship in light of saving at least $1000/year.”

“Honest, highly trained, will not suggest work that doesn;t need to be done just to pad the bill.”

“Honest, capable, skilled and efficient. We are big fans at my house!”

“Fair and honest, what else can you ask for? Steve, Lon, and Chuck are the repairmen and always give you a fair deal. I deal w/ Lon and he gives you a breakdown for every repair. Gotta fix this, that can wait, and ahh, don't worry about it you'll only be waiting your money. I trust these guys!”

“The Owner Steve has been repairing and servicing all makes, years and model vehicles for over 30 years in South County OC, and at the Same location for about 25 years. Which means he's going to be there next time...'HE', Steve, is going to there next time. Steve, the Owner actually does the work on the vehicles that come into the shop. This is auto repair and maintenance business, not a minute lube location, you'll need an appointment here. You can get anything done from a LOF to a complete engine or transmission replacement or over hall. Steve will take care of ALL your needs. Steve and the gentlemen that work for him do it professionally, follow the all manufacturers specifications, (protecting your warrenty), and complete it competently the first time. You are not 'sold up', you are not told that you need things done to your vehicle that you don't and Steve does the work for a very fair price. This is not Pep Boys or Walmart Auto, this is not a Jiffy Lube or a Discount Tire and Brake type of establishment. If you want your vehicle(s), cared for and repaired properly and competently by actual trained professional Auto Mechanics, (not your neighbors' kid that failed the auto tech class at OCC and is trying to pass his GED for fifth consecutive time or his parents will kick him out of their house, but working at Pepe's Auto in Santa Ana), well Steve and his Auto Techs and Mechanics will do it for you, you have found home. NO it's not cheap, it's a fair price for services and work rendered. They do the work you requested or what is actually needed and approved for, by you, FIRST. You will not show up to pick up your vehicle and be told, by the afternoon guy, 'Oh!, the guy you spoke to leaves at noon'...and 'Oh by the way we found X & X & X and we HAD to fix it because it's 'illegal' if we don't.,sorry, so the new cost is now...' This does not and will not happen here. These guys are HONEST and stand behind their work. Steve would prefer to charge a fair price for good service completed by TRAINED Auto Mechanics over the period you own your vehicle(s), than screw you one time and you never return... oh and tell everyone what horrible service you had and how you got screwed. You'll need an appointment here, this is not a drop in, drop off, done in 10 minutes kind of place. You'll drop off your vehicle, get a written estimate that you agree to and sign for, your vehicle will be correctly repaired, the first time, and you will pay a fair price for it, (which you knew up front, prior to work commencing), and than you'll become a loyal customer like me. The DEAL here is excellent honest service at a fair price and workmanship that is backed by years of experienced auto mechanics at the same location, under the same ownership that has been there for decades!”