Auto repair shop · Santa Maria, CA · reviewed since 2012
iHow 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%82+44.7Reliability 24%79+19.2Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%69+4.9Craft & service penalty84−1.6Experts Score= 81Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.81SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#242 of 348 auto repair shopsiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 31%
4.8★★★★★871 Google reviews · 24 photos
88%five-star reviews
4.90★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
2.4%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Reviewers highlight professional staff, punctuality, and fair pricing for services like oil changes, brake repairs, and diagnostics. Positive feedback notes thorough inspections and helpful communication, while recurring criticisms involve high diagnostic fees, incomplete work requiring returns, and instances where repairs did not resolve initial issues or appeared overpriced compared to external estimates.
Google rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 871 reviews (88% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 871 Google reviews (599 with written comments, 14 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 63% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 30, 2026.
Service: Auto Repair Shop serving Santa Maria, California.
Data from Google, last updated November 2, 2026.
Score profile vs other auto repair shops
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: value and momentum; weakest: replies to reviews.
Meineke Car Care CenterAuto Repair Shops median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-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.Meineke Car Care Center: 82/100 on this factor. Category median: 89.A
82
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow 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.Meineke Car Care Center: 79/100 on this factor. Category median: 86.B
79
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle 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.Meineke Car Care Center: 84/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
84
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Meineke Car Care Center: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises 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.Meineke Car Care Center: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow 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.Meineke Car Care Center: 69/100 on this factor. Category median: 60.B
69
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
871 Google reviews we collected
4.8of 5
5 stars76788%
4 stars536%
3 stars142%
2 stars121%
1 star253%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 599 written reviews
96%praise
Praise87496%
Complaints354%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
99%fair
Great price3834%
Reasonable6962%
Overpriced11%
Not sure44%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude25028%
Quality & results16518%
Speed & response14116%
Honesty & trust11913%
Price & value11312%
Would recommend687%
Communication536%
What customers talk about
We read 599 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“I would recommend them at anytime, they are professional, and provide good service with fair pricing.”
“They had great service and found a noise problem that the dealer could not fix.”
“They inspected the brakes and told me the emergency braking hardware had been damaged.”
“They had my truck repaired and I was out the door in no time.”
“Due to that interaction I decided not to return to Meineke and instead drive it slowly to my buddys shop in AG.”
“I had a Nice area to wait in till my car was finished, they are courteous, honest informative.”
“After taking it apart, I realized the person was lying because my gasket was completely fine (was changed 3 months before).”
“great customer service in every aspect, trustworthy mechanics, fair pricing, i would send my elderly parents to them , i highly recommend them.”
“…hey replaced idler control sensor due to it being faulty with a more pricey one So again I picked it up NO Charge.…”
“I highly recommend Meineke Car Care Center in Santa Maria to everyone who is looking for reliable and outstanding car service.”
“Avoid this place.”
“They took the time to explain what was needed to be fixed on my car and how much it would cost.”
“I was ignored for the first 15 minutes I was there.”
People customers mention
Chuck20 reviews
Weber14 reviews
Jason10 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Meineke Car Care Center for 8 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
RRachel4 reviewsiTotal 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 days ago★★★★★
Another excellent experience! Everyone their is very professional.They check a lot of extra items to be sure I'm safe on the road.
Thank you, Meineke!
Reasonable priceWheel alignmentOil change
LLinda2 reviewsiTotal 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 3 days ago★★★★★
Meineke Santa Maria is absolutely my go-to place. They are professional, punctual, and kind. I trust them.
Reasonable price
RRogerLocal Guide · 281 reviewsiTotal 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★★★★★
Second time there and I was equally Impressed. They had great service and found a noise problem that the dealer could not fix. This is a quality group that knows what they are doing and the leadership is top notch. They will get it fixed.
Great priceSteering & suspension repair
NNorman5 reviewsiTotal 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 weeks ago★★★★★
The staff continues to give exceptional support when we need them the most. I brought my truck in, late on a Saturday afternoon with an engine light on, just barely rolling in. They had my truck repaired and I was out the door in no time. I would recommend them at anytime, they are professional, and provide good service with fair pricing..
Great priceAuto engine tuning
AAlberto3 reviewsiTotal 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★★★★★
Always Promot and Professional. Willing to work with you to go above and beyond.
Great price
DDonna2 reviewsiTotal 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★★★★★
I had a wonderful visit the people that work there are amazing! I would recommend highly this business Meineke!
( I had an oil change, that included so much more)
Sincerely,
Donna L.
Another excellent experience! Everyone their is very professional.They check a lot of extra items to be sure I'm safe on the road.
Thank you, Meineke!
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Wheel alignment, Oil change
Response from the owner · a year ago
Hi, Rachel! Thanks for the wonderful review! We're glad to hear you had a great experience with us. If you ever need our services again, we'll be happy to welcome you back into our shop!
S
Shannon Morrison4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Shannon has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Meineke Santa Maria is absolutely my go-to place. They are professional, punctual, and kind. I trust them.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Response from the owner · a year ago
Hi, Linda! Thanks for the wonderful review! We're glad to hear you had a great experience with us. If you ever need our services again, we'll be happy to welcome you back into our shop!
J
Joe Forrest1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Joe has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Hi Joe, thank you for your feedback. We appreciate your 4-star rating and are glad to hear that you had a good experience overall at our Meineke Car Care Center in Santa Maria . We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the longer wait time than expected. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we will strive to improve our service efficiency in the future. Thank you for choosing us for your auto repair needs.
R
Roger DechanceLocal Guide · 281 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Roger has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Second time there and I was equally Impressed. They had great service and found a noise problem that the dealer could not fix. This is a quality group that knows what they are doing and the leadership is top notch. They will get it fixed.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Steering & suspension repair
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Hi Roger, we're so glad you were impressed with your first visit! It's great to hear that our team explained everything clearly and provided you with kind, friendly service. We look forward to taking care of all your cars from now on.
N
Norman Fleming5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Norman has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
The staff continues to give exceptional support when we need them the most. I brought my truck in, late on a Saturday afternoon with an engine light on, just barely rolling in. They had my truck repaired and I was out the door in no time. I would recommend them at anytime, they are professional, and provide good service with fair pricing..
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Auto engine tuning
Response from the owner · a week ago
Thanks for the kind words, Norman! We're glad we could get your truck back on the road quickly, especially with that engine light popping up late on a Saturday. Our team takes a lot of pride in providing professional, fair service whenever you need us most. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to seeing you again whenever your vehicle needs a little extra care.
A
Alberto Hernandez3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Alberto has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I had a wonderful visit the people that work there are amazing! I would recommend highly this business Meineke!
( I had an oil change, that included so much more)
Sincerely,
Donna L.
Price assessment: Great price
Response from the owner · 4 weeks ago
Thanks for the wonderful review, Donna! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great experience during your oil change. Our team takes a lot of pride in being thorough, so we're glad you noticed the extra care we put into your service.
