Experts Reviews · 2026 Ratings

The Best Car Detailing Services in Santa Monica, CA

We graded 9 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.

—typical jobMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range).
97%say the price was fairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”.
4.90★average ratingPlain average of every Google star rating we collected for these companies.
1.4%bad jobs (1–2★, 2 yrs)Share of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.

From 77,315 Google reviews of 170 top-rated car detailing services nationwide; 9 of them in Santa Monica, CA. Updated November 12, 2026.

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Best car detailing services in Santa Monica for general repairs & maintenance

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1Santa Monica Autoworks logoSanta Monica Autoworks★ 5.00 on this job33 jobs reviewedHow Job match is calculatedBuilt only from reviews Google tagged “General repairs & maintenance”:Stars on this job 55%5.00★Number of such jobs 25%33Overall Experts Score 20%98Job match= 98Stars are pulled toward the category average (4.90★) when a company has few tagged jobs, so 3 perfect reviews don’t beat 80 great ones. 4.3★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores full. Volume is compared with the busiest company for this job.98

Job match = this company’s ★ on reviews Google tagged “General repairs & maintenance” (shrunk toward the category average when there are few), how many such jobs it has done, and its overall Experts Score.

What customers said about general repairs & maintenance

Andrea2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · Edited a week ago★★★★★
Santa Monica Autoworks logoSanta Monica Autoworks

Brian and his excellent team - Brett, Ozzie, Jamie and more - at Santa Monica Autoworks are fantastic! They are knowledgeable, dedicated, super helpful and friendly and have been taking care of my car for more than 11 years. Beside the normal work related tasks they go out of their way to come up with suggestions,…

General repairs & maintenanceAuto engine diagnosticAuto engine tuning
Ramin10 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★★★★★
Santa Monica Autoworks logoSanta Monica Autoworks

First time here . I have 2 Touareg TDI , 2016 and LOVE them. One of them started leaking oil. Took to mechanic shop in Santa Monica, I took it 3 times after repair and they gave my $ back cause they couldn’t find the issue. I took my car here and it’s like checking in a hotel !! Everyone greeted me and offered water…

Reasonable priceGeneral repairs & maintenance
Mark6 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · Edited 2 weeks ago★★★★★
Santa Monica Autoworks logoSanta Monica Autoworks

Santa Monica Autoworks contunues to amaze us. They are able to fix any problem, completely stand behind their work, and make every effort to meet our availability needs. You can't go wrong with them!

TransmissionGeneral repairs & maintenance
Digby1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
Santa Monica Autoworks logoSanta Monica Autoworks

I took my daughter's VW Tiguan to Santa Monica Autoworks and received great service and personal attention from them. The feedback they provided both online and in person was very thorough. They did the work on schedule and in line with their estimate. What is often at best a stressful experience was just the opposite and I highly recommend them.

Reasonable priceGeneral repairs & maintenanceVehicle InspectionOil change
JC1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
Santa Monica Autoworks logoSanta Monica Autoworks

We had a great experience at Santa Monica Autoworks! This was our first visit, and everyone was incredibly friendly, professional, and helpful. They were able to take our car in and repair a rear tail light issue within just a few hours (same day service). Excellent service and a great experience overall! Highly…

Great priceGeneral repairs & maintenance
Jeanne6 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★
Santa Monica Autoworks logoSanta Monica Autoworks

MB general maintenance service. They do a great job and prices are fair. I would recommend for all German made cars.

General repairs & maintenance

Overall ratings

Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of car detailing services).

#CompanyScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown.FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20.★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps.Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews).
1Daji Mobile Car Detailing logoDaji Mobile Car DetailingSanta Monica, CAA 100How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%100+69.2Reliability 31%99+30.5Experts Score= 100Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AA––A–5.00—
2KeepItMovin Mobile Detailing logoKeepItMovin Mobile DetailingSanta Monica, CAA 100How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%100+69.2Reliability 31%99+30.5Experts Score= 100Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AA––A–5.00—
3Westside Wash Co. logoWestside Wash Co.Santa Monica, CAA 100How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%100+69.2Reliability 31%99+30.5Experts Score= 100Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AA––A–5.00—
4VI's mobile detailing logoVI's mobile detailingSanta Monica, CAA 99How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%100+58.7Reliability 26%99+25.8Value 15%95+14.5Experts Score= 99Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AAAAA–5.00—
5Santa Monica Autoworks logoSanta Monica AutoworksSanta Monica, CAA 98How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%98+57.5Reliability 26%97+25.3Value 15%100+15.2Experts Score= 98Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AA–AA–4.96—
6Fahrio Mobile Detailing logoFahrio Mobile DetailingSanta Monica, CAA 96How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%97+67.2Reliability 31%94+28.9Experts Score= 96Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AA––A–4.97—
7Bob's Auto Gleam Car Detailing – Ceramic Coating, PPF, Paint Protection Film, Window Tint & Paint Correction logoBob's Auto Gleam Car Detailing – Ceramic Coating, PPF, Paint Protection Film, Window Tint & Paint CorrectionSanta Monica, CAA 96How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%96+61Reliability 28%94+26.5Replies to reviews 8%100+8.2Experts Score= 96Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AA––AA4.97—
8Wash On Wheels Mobile Detailing logoWash On Wheels Mobile DetailingSanta Monica, CAA 94How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%95+60.4Reliability 28%96+27.1Replies to reviews 8%75+6.2Experts Score= 94Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AA––AB4.96—
9Sam's Steam Auto Detail logoSam's Steam Auto DetailSanta Monica, CAA 91How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%91+49.6Reliability 24%88+21.3Value 14%97+13.7Replies to reviews 7%91+6.4Experts Score= 91Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AAAAAA4.94—

What jobs cost

What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.

JobLow25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this.TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range).High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this.FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”.

Car Detailing Services in Santa Monica, CA at a glance

How the 9 car detailing services we rated in Santa Monica, CA compare, and what customers praise most.

Experts Score grades

A = score 80+, F = below 20.

  • Grade A9100%
  • Grade B00%
  • Grade C00%
  • Grade D00%
  • Grade F00%

Google ratings

Average stars per company.

  • 4.90★ and up9100%
  • 4.80–4.89★00%
  • 4.60–4.79★00%
  • Below 4.60★00%

What customers praise

Share of Google review highlights.

  • Quality2,66728%
  • Professionalism2,73229%
  • Responsiveness290%
  • Punctuality1,96221%
  • Value2,08022%

Was the price fair?

All price verdicts left with reviews.

  • Great price1,93953%
  • Reasonable1,55643%
  • Overpriced953%
  • Not sure642%

Price verdicts by year

Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.

2025
2026

How we grade

Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.

Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.

Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.

Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.

Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.

Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.