Marina del Rey Auto Repair

This is a review for the Auto Repair and STAR Smog Check services. These guys are unethical and a total ripoff, and I'll never go there again. I needed to get a smog check to renew my car's registration and I figured I'd give this station a shot. I live less than a mile away and fill up here regularly, and wanted to continue to support a local business. I called first thing in the morning, and when they told me they had a spot available I drove right over. An hour later, they called me back to tell me that my car had failed the smog test, charged me $60 for the test, and offered to run diagnostic tests for $250 to determine why the car didn't pass. $250 to do a diagnostic test??!? You've got to be kidding me. I said no thanks and went on my way, shaking my head because I couldn't believe my car failed. I keep the car meticulously maintained, it's never failed a smog check before, and it just didn't make sense that it didn't pass the test. Until.....I looked down at the car's temperature gauge and saw that the car was still cold - it wasn't even at operating temperature. There is not a single car on the road today, used or brand new off the lot, that will pass a smog check until it's at operating temperature. The catalytic converter is a car's primary emissions control system, and it doesn't work to reduce emissions until it is HOT, i.e. at normal operating temperature. Anyhow, I drove 15 mins to the smog station I'd used previously, had them test the car, and lo and behold it passed!!! All because the car had warmed up with use and was at normal operating temperature. And 76 wanted to charge me $250 to "diagnose" why the car failed smog, on top of the $60 they charged me for administering the test. I gave them the benefit of the doubt - after all, it was first thing on a Monday morning, and maybe an inexperienced tech was given the job. It's possible it was an honest mistake. I went back yesterday to speak to the service manager, explain the situation, and see if he'd be willing to rectify the situation. Aaaaaaaaaaaaand no. He actually defended their practice, denying any responsibility for ensuring that the car is being tested under the proper conditions. Shady shady shady. It's mechanics and service stations like this one that give all mechanics a bad name. I'd stay far away from this one if I were you.

Great service & very honest , truck & car run great after they worked on it & reasonable prices

Via Marina 76 is one of the few gas stations left in LA that offer a full service option. Once in a while I treat myself, and I am never disappointed. Hector, Adam, Alfonso and the rest are so nice and accommodating. It's a pleasure to go there just for them. They look under the hood, check the tires, wash all the windows... I love this place. May they never leave, may they never stop.

This place is great! Pulled up to get my gas and they pumped for me, checked the air in my tires, my oil and washed my windows! VERY LUCKY GIRL

Very friendly staff and great full service pump option.I would never normally think to rate a gas station on Yelp but I genuinely enjoy coming here and supporting their business.

On a recent trip to Paso Robles, my Passat broke down in San Luis Obispo so I had it towed to a Paso AAA authorized mechanic. 2 days later and a $500 bill, I headed back to Marina Del Rey. Unfortunately, the car overheated again, so I took it back to the mechanic in Paso. When he told me I needed a new water pump and timing belt, I called Kevin at Villa Marina. Kevin spoke to the Paso mechanic to confirm his diagnosis. After their conversation, I decided to have my car towed back to Villa Marina 76 (210 miles) to have the repairs done. Kevin, Mario, Fernando, and all the guys at the station are the "bomb"! They are extremely efficient, fair, responsive, and totally trustworthy so don't hesitate to find out why they have loyal customers.

OK!, you guys rock on fixing the problem honestly and quickly. Kevin is the nicest guy and Fernandez the mechanic is incrediable. He can figure out any problem with a car. I own a 2006 scion XB its in mint condition with all manufactured parts. I love my litle box and take excellent care of my treasure box. I cant seem to find anyone else other then these guys to to get the job done and with perfection. If you need a honest,fair and clean mechanic go to these guys talk to Kevin the head cheese and have Ferandez work on your car on anything to be needed. He is the best guy in town. Thanks guys for making me have a safe and smooth running scion. you are the coolest guys in town. A happy driver in a treasure box. zoom zoom....

This is my first Yelp review and I basically have the same story as Lois S had on 6/26/15. They call me Friday 2-3 times increasing the estimate each time and last thing he says is I can pick the car up that day but I didn't get off early enough so I said Saturday was fine. Show up Saturday and MARIO says to go ahead and see KEVIN to pay. Go to Kevin to pay 600$ and he says the car isn't ready him and Mario must not communicate very well. They tell me that the car has something else wrong with it on top of the 600$. The car is only worth 2000$ at the most I was not about to spend a 1000$ on it walked down the street and bought a Vespa for about the same price as the car. PS the car not only still doesn't run but they killed the battery and left my window stuck down.

Just wanted to send a shout out to Mario at Villa Marina. After several flight delays and a very, very long day, I went to pick up my truck only to find it would not start. Not being from the area, I called AAA. They referred me to Villa Marina, a AAA rated mechanic shop. Needless to say, I was a bit concerned leaving my truck with a company I knew nothing about. I was very please with the quality of service, the price and the great customer service I received from Mario. It was difficult for me to work out timing to pick up my truck, but Mario offered to stay late so I could pick it up the next day. Customer service like that is hard to find these days. Thank you so much Mario - you're the best!!

I loved this place, close to work, very reasonably priced and got my car back to me quickly!! This is the only place I'll bring my car from now on!!