Why Santa Barbara Drivers Choose Top Shop Automotive

You Need Your Car to Just Work

You shouldn't have to feel lost at the service counter or wonder if a repair is real. You want a shop that knows your name and tells you plainly what's going on. That's how we've run Top Shop since 1986.

You See the Problem Before You Pay for It

Every car gets an emailed inspection report with photos before we start work. We explain what needs attention now and what can wait. Nothing gets done without your okay.

An Import Specialist Who Knows Your Car

Our ASE-certified technicians focus on European and Asian imports and work on cars like yours every day. We explain what we find before any work, and repairs carry our standard 12-month / 12,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first.

A Family Shop Your Neighbors Pick

Willie owns the shop, and his son Adam works alongside him. We've been a Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite for 6 years, and we work on vintage air-cooled Volkswagens, a specialty no other local shop offers.

About 65% of Our Customers Are Women

We think that's because we explain things plainly and never talk down to anyone. You get photos of the actual part, a clear reason it matters, and time to decide.

A Thank-You Card and a Lollipop

Your finished car goes home with a thank-you card and a lollipop. It's a small thing we've always done.

When to Call Us

• Your check engine light is still on
• Rainy season or a road trip is coming up
• Your dealer warranty just ended
• You broke down near Santa Barbara

You might be wondering: Do independent shops cut corners?

Our technicians are ASE certified, we're a AAA Approved Auto Repair shop, and repairs carry our standard 12-month / 12,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first. You see photos of the problem before we touch it, so you can check our work from the start.

You might be wondering: Will I get upsold?

You decide what gets done. We email you photos and a written report, and we tell you plainly what needs attention now and what can wait. Nothing happens without your okay.

You might be wondering: Is the dealer safer for my European car?

European and Asian imports are what we work on every day, so your car goes to a specialist who sees cars like it all the time, at a family shop that knows your name. Before any work, we email you an inspection report with photos and a written estimate, and you decide what gets done.

You might be wondering: Why is your Google rating 4.4?

That's an honest average across 171 Google reviews. We're also rated 5.0 on CARFAX and have been a Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite for 6 years. Ask a neighbor about us.

You might be wondering: I don't have time to drop off my car.

You can drop your car off after hours, or early (before 7:30 AM). Need a car while yours is here? Enterprise on Hollister in Goleta gives a significant discount. Just tell them your car is at Top Shop. Call us and we'll plan the visit around your day.

What Waiting Can Cost You

Small problems tend to turn into big bills. Worn pads can damage rotors, and a small leak can take out a bigger part. We explain what we find before any work, and if it can wait, we'll tell you.