Highlights from the Business
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Locally owned & operated
![FAMILY_OWNED_OPERATED](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/assets/public/40x40_family_owned_v2@3x.yji-80e81b3b2e8eadf2d9d5.png)
Family-owned & operated
![YEARS_IN_BUSINESS](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/assets/public/40x40_years_in_business_v2@3x.yji-a37bfcac9adc48b4a2c7.png)
20 years in business
Photos & videos
Services Offered
Verified by Business
Vehicle Inspections in 13 reviews
Brake Services in 4 reviews
Suspension Services
Vehicle Electrical Repair
Review Highlights
“. Nice, honest and I am looking forward to bringing my car into his shop for the rest of my time in Novato.” in 27 reviews
“I have taken my cars to Steve Lite for repairs for over 20 years and I wholeheartedly recommend him without reservation.” in 5 reviews
“I was having a wonderful time chatting with his wife Miriam - the time flew by.” in 4 reviews
About the Business
Business owner information
![Photo of Steve L.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/buphoto/N1jP9SyySGmpq3J5Zz10Fw/90s.jpg)
Steve L.
We pride ourselves on running an honest and reliable shop. We specialize in Japanese cars with an emphasis on Honda and Acura. We primarily do preventative maintenance and repair. Everything from maintenance at the 30k, 60k, 90k, 105k mileage marks to timing belts, brake jobs, and radiators.
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Overall rating
265 reviews
5 stars
4 stars
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1 star
- May 17, 2024
I started taking my car here in the past year. He has done a couple of regular maintenance services for me. I've got an older Civic with a lot of miles. I appreciate that Steve will make recommendations (whether or not to do a certain part of the service) based on the age of my car. He recommended that I skip the valve adjustment. I decided to go ahead with it since my daughter will be getting car and want the car to be in good shape.
Also, on this last service, he decided to not do the tire rotation. He said that I will need new tires soon and that I should leave the best tires where they were.
I found the right shop for my car.Helpful 0Thanks 1Love this 0Oh no 0 - V K.San Rafael, CA026Aug 10, 2024
I have been taking my car to Steve for a couple of years. He is always honest, tries to keep costs low (his prices are very low for a mechanic) and he takes good care of my car. It all started when, during the Pandemic, my son bought a car from far away (everything was closed during the Pandemic) and they sold him a bad car. Steve was consulted and he gave my son a full review of what was wrong with the car for free?!! He refused to take money. My son got his money back and got another car thanks to Steve's help. I then switched mechanics and have gone to him ever since. Couldn't be happier.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - niko a.CA, CA031Jul 10, 2024
Steve is the epitome of the honest mechanic. I have 2 hondas and have been bringing them to him for a few years now. Every time I interact with Steve I learn something new, get my problem solved, and pay less than anywhere else.
This is the kind of place you keep going back forever because you know you are getting the best service.
I don't think I would want to buy a non japanese car because i wouldn't be able to use Steve. He is that good!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Steve G.San Rafael, CA153915May 23, 2024
Honest and reliable. It's what all auto mechanic experiences should be, but few are. I trust Steve and his crew for my car and with my family's safety.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - Benjamin W.San Francisco, CA66547Jan 24, 2024
Honest and trustworthy is what you want from "your" shop. A place where you will get it straight good or bad. I took in my car for a big scheduled service. Hadn't done one mainly due to my car sitting more than being driven and VERY low miles for the year. Sadly my last home was in foggy Daly City and it ruined the engine with rust. I had no idea how bad that was living there.
Steve said if he opened the engine it could be pandoras box and no way to come back. My car ain't worth much, but to me its worth 15k. So He did what he could and didn't overcharge me or oversell me.
You can't ask for anything else from a mechanic. HIGHLY recommended. Special thanks to my dad for once again recommending a quality locally owned place.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Eric P.Belvedere Tiburon, CA03May 17, 2024
The last honest auto repair shop. Just amazed at the candor that Steve just spoke to me with.
I just purchased a new to me 2007 Lexus SC 430 with 29,000 miles.
I told Steve I wanted to do the $1800 timing belt and water pump service that Lexus says must be sone each decade. Steve said " don't waste your money"
I would not do it. Bring it in, we will look at it . Do it in a few years..
That simply does not happen in this day and age. This place is something special.Helpful 0Thanks 1Love this 0Oh no 0 - Apr 8, 2023
Steve at Steve's Auto Care seriously rocks!!
If you're looking for an honest and reliable mechanic for your vehicle this is the place. Plan on leaving your car for half the day, but Steve will call you as soon as it's complete. Very affordable mechanic and great work.Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - M A.Novato, CA1344215Jun 4, 2024
Steve's auto care is more than a car service shop and more than just a small business. This is a staple in the community that represents fair pricing and above and beyond service. I've been going to Steve's since I was 16 (now 34) and a common phrase in our family is "take it to Steve" whenever car troubles arise. I'd like to share a powerful memory that further lends to my prior statement. When I was 21 I took my 12 y/o Honda to a friend's family shop in San Mateo. I was quoted $1600 for new brakes and when I declined I was bullied by the mechanic. So much so that the mechanic originally threatened to have my car towed because "it would be negligible to allow me to drive". I ended up calling Steve and was guided through how to respond and told me to drive my car straight to him. Upon review Steve told me the brakes were needed but not nearly as bad as previous mechanic lead on. In addition the price was less than half the cost. Steve knew me and knew my old car and he located a good product at the best possible price. Whenever I tell people I went to Steve's, the common response is always positive and people love to share their experiences. In addition to honest feedback he creates relationships within his field, and on the extremely rare occasion he can't fix someone he'll always have a great recommendation. Can't thank him enough!
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Kay R.CA, CA23522Jul 14, 2023
I discovered Steve's Auto Care here on Yelp last year when looking for a mechanic with great reviews to get a second opinion on a $3k estimate from my then-mechanic. Steve explained why the $3k repair wasn't necessary, and that he's had lots of other people coming in with estimates from other shops for unneeded repairs and/or for overpriced legit repairs.
So, I started going to Steve, and he has surpassed his awesome reputation -- he's gone above & beyond by taking ample time to research parts for my 2008 Lexus RX 400h, to discuss the options with me, and give me the best prices. Each time I've gone to pick up my car from Steve's, my bill was below the quoted price! He & his guys really do "Care" about their customers and the integrity of their work... and they're just really nice people to deal with! I feel so fortunate to have found Steve's Auto Care!Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Christine P.Marin County, CA13742188Jan 13, 2024
Steve was very prompt, courteous and honest. He cut our brakes estimate from another mechanic significantly and was honest on what we really needed. He just inherited our business for the long term. We plan to go back to him with our Toyota.
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