Reviews

I have been taking my Honda to Westlake Independent Honda for over 26 years. My mom also took her car there. We have never been disappointed. All of the crew are friendly and accurate. I love my Honda. The main reason I continue to buy a Honda is “I never have to worry about being taken advantage of with false quotes regarding work that doesn’t have to be done. Norm is amazing as are all the staff. Thank you for taking such great care of me and my Honda.

Awesome service handsome men there

I highly recommend Westlake Independent for servicing your vehicle. I've had my 07 Toyota Tacoma serviced twice and the level of service and care exceeded my expectations. Detailed inspection reports, detailed repair explanations, and constant communication are just a few of the amazing things one can expect when having their vehicle serviced. This shop is top of their game!

I've been here before for some electrical work, auto door lock problems and general maintenance work. Even though it took some time to order specialty items, they got the work done.

I've been taking my cars to W I A for many years. Always a good experience.

Aaron booked an appointment for my first visit and provided a great service advisor experience. The inspection was thorough and detailed in a multipage report that provided a comprehensive status of all key systems and fluids. I was very impressed with Westlake Independent Automotive and I’m sure others would be too.

My 2014 Honda Civic was long overdue for service, but I kept putting it off, not wanting to go back to the dealer. When my brakes started vibrating, I knew it was finally time to find a "new service home" for my car. I found Westlake Independent Automotive through Yelp, noticing their specialization with Honda repairs and their positive reviews. I wasn't disappointed. They did a complimentary inspection report on my brake pads, rotors, and tires, with detailed photos highlighting specific issues by each separate area (rear brake pads, front brake pads, etc). Each area had it's own pricing for repair, broken down by labor, parts, and hazmat fee, followed by the total with estimated tax, for that listing. The last page was the grand total if each listing was repaired. Seeing the work broken down like this, along with photo documentation, was incredibly helpful and created trust with the shop I was dealing with. They even offer a AAA discount, which was appreciated. As I waited in the lobby for completion of the inspection report, the vibe was friendly and fun. Long-time customers were treated as family. They have donation boxes filled with items for local charities. The employees laughed and shared bagels and coffee as they continued working. It was a pleasure being there! Many thanks to Bruce and Norm and the entire team! My car is running great now. Not only did I find a "new service home" for my 2014 Honda Civic, but I'm also supporting a business that has a positive, fun work environment and also gives back to the community. It's a win-win! :-)

Great experience overall. The team was friendly, communicative, and kept me updated throughout the process. I especially appreciated the detailed inspection report with photos, which made their recommendations feel transparent and trustworthy. They also offered a loaner while my car was being serviced. After the work was completed, the car drives like new again. Highly recommend.

I have chosen to use Westlake Independent as my primary source for all my various Hondas' automotive maintenance & repair needs for over 20 years now. As a former general auto mechanic, AAA tow truck driver, & having spent years working in the extended auto mechanical breakdown warranty inspection & claims businesses, I understand automotive issues well enough to appreciate the honest auto diagnostic assessments, service & repair recommendations given to me, & that I have heard provided to other customers while I have been at the Westlake Independent facility. In cases where multiple issues & repair needs are identified, a carefully prepared list of most critical to less critical items is provided to allow budgeting of repairs over more than one visit when needed & safe to allow doing so. Bruce (The facility owner) & Norm are deeply knowledgeable about all things automotive, so they make recommendations you can trust, & they supervise a smooth & efficient running shop staffed by skilled automotive technicians. When an initial vehicle inspection has been completed, a full inspection report, complete with digital photos of each area described, is provided by email with a text notification before any repairs are started, allowing you to call & discuss, if needed. Even when busy, reception upon arrival is always prompt & friendly. The service writer, Aaron, is quick to greet arriving customers, seems always in a cheery mood, & starts the service write-up after verifying vehicle mileage, purpose of the visit & any vehicle complaints. Rogina & Jimena are always ready with a smile, retrieve any prior vehicle history on file, assist with write-up details, & are there to handle final payment & issue receipts when work is completed. Auto Club discounts are included upon membership verification. As an added convenience for customers needing a ride after vehicle drop-off, a free shuttle service is also provided for those with destinations in the surrounding Conejo Valley areas. A 2-year/24,000-mile parts & labor warranty is included with all repairs, affording confidence & added peace of mind. A courtesy carwash is included with most services & repairs, also. I live 26 miles away from this shop, but I find it worthwhile to drive out here for every service. I typically stay at the shop while my service & repairs are being done for that reason, but I always look forward to coming in as the environment is always welcoming & I feel like family here after all these years. Westlake Independent is a Japanese vehicle specialty shop, but if you own a Japanese vehicle, you will find this among the very best, most honest, & friendly automotive shops available! Highly recommended!

They are amazing! The prices are great. They have a free shuttle. They also loan you a car for free, if they need your car overnight. Added bonus, they wash your car.

Love them! Take such good care of our car and dont try to gouge us for all our money!

Westlake Independent Auto provides exceptional repair service as well as advice. Norman has always been honest and fair.

Norman and the team were fantastic! They did a thorough vehicle inspection of my 2012 Civic, and I felt the work was high-quality and a great value for the money. I really appreciated the extra touches like the car wash and rental car availability - it made the whole experience seamless. I’ll definitely be coming back. As a local, I’m so glad to have found a trustworthy spot close to Oak Park.

I hadn’t been here for a while, but remembered how amazing this spot is. Just took my new Honda in and Aaron is the best service supervisor. Everything was taken care of in a timely manner, professional manner. Epic service and I can’t wait to go back for more!!!

The staff is very friendly and helpful! The rates are pretty standard for the area, I called around a few shops and they seem to be in line with everyone else, but they go above and beyond on their service

I used to take my car to the dealer for service but had a disappointing experience, so I started searching for a trustworthy auto shop in the Westlake Village area. I’ve now been coming to Westlake Independent Auto for about a year and a half for routine maintenance on both my Honda Civic and my wife’s HR-V, and I couldn’t be happier. From my very first visit, I felt confident I had found an honest shop that truly understands how to care for Hondas. Their process is extremely streamlined—you can book appointments online, and they send a detailed maintenance report after the inspection so you know exactly what’s in good shape and what needs attention. You can easily approve or decline recommended services right from your phone or computer, which makes the whole experience convenient and transparent. If you’re looking for a reliable, honest, and highly knowledgeable auto shop for your Honda, Acura, or Toyota in the Conejo Valley, look no further. These guys are the real deal. Highly recommend!

Nicest person on the phone

They are in fact knowledgeable about Honda Automobiles. However, I would only recommend them them to someone who wants to be charged "Book Rates" to perform Work, and "over pay" for the parts for the Repairs (some not necessary). The price for the parts on my Cost Estimate were 1.5 times the price of DEALER Parts which makes no sense, when quality aftermarket parts are available at reasonable prices. I know that Repair Shops need to make money, but to blatantly OVERCHARGE their customers, and look you in the eye with a straight face and say "this is what it costs" is unacceptable in my world. Customer beware!

Was anxious going in here, my car broke down off Kanan and AAA towed me to this almost hidden auto shop but the people were so understanding and very very nice and helpful they fixed my car so fast and everything comes with a warranty, and when it comes to cars as a 24 year old girl who’s new to this whole adult thing it’s honestly so nice to have that double assurance. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone. Aaron was amazing very friendly and works so fast, Sharla was the woman I spoke to over the phone she was literally so nice and helpful and very good at getting back to you quickly. Will 100% come back here if my car needs anything else in the future :)

I brought my 2007 Lexus in for routine maintenance. I had been going to the dealership but decided to try this well-reviewed shop to avoid dealer prices. Unfortunately, the door was damaged while the car was on the hoist. Accidents happen, and they did provide a rental car and had the damage repaired. I will probably give them another chance, but my hesitation comes from how they handled the situation. The response felt minimal, and what was supposed to take two days ended up taking more than two weeks. There was no plan to cover my rental costs, and if I hadn't asked about reimbursement when picking up my car, it would not have been addressed. On the positive side, I appreciated the photos they provided of the issues they identified. The car is running well, was returned clean, and they even cleaned the carpeted mats. Those details matter and reflect well on the quality of their actual work. They added a couple of small discounts on the final bill, although it was not clear whether those were related to the incident or just routine. A more meaningful gesture such as a discount toward future service would have gone a long way.

Norman, Norman, Norman, in a rush battery died, close to closing and such a generous kind man, said he’s replaced my battery quickly and be on my way. Thank you for taking such great and efficient care of my son and I.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I want to sincerely thank Westlake Independent Automotive for not just taking care of my car—but for truly caring about me and my family. Last week, my check engine light started flashing, a clear sign something serious was wrong. I instinctively had it towed to Swickard Honda, not realizing the mistake I was making. It was nearly impossible to get a hold of a service advisor, and the information I received was confusing at best and misleading at worst. I was told my car would be tied up for two weeks, repairs would cost over $7,300, parts were unavailable, and no loaner car was offered, even for that long of a wait. Thankfully, I trusted my gut and called AAA, who towed my car to Westlake Independent Automotive, a shop I’ve trusted with three different vehicles dating back to the late 90s. The difference was night and day. Westlake reviewed the bloated estimate from Swickard and immediately reassured me that things didn’t add up. They were right. Not only did they fix the issue in just three business days, but they also performed additional needed maintenance, and the total cost came in thousands less. They even provided me with a loaner vehicle, saving me hundreds on a rental and making my life a lot easier during the process. They communicated clearly and proactively throughout the entire repair. I never had to chase them for updates. Most importantly, they made it clear that they cared - not just about fixing a car, but about taking care of a person and a family that relies on that car. It’s rare to find that level of integrity, service, and personal care. Westlake Independent Automotive has earned my trust once again, and I can’t thank them enough.

We have been taking our cars there for years. They are always professional and helpful in addressing routine maintenance and larger car issues that come with owning older vehicles. I know my cars are well maintained, no short cuts. Norman has been amazing and patient when we come with questions about odd noises or other quirky issues. I highly recommend this shop for your family.

Westlake Independent Auto never fails to have absolutely exceptional service every time I have taken my car in for the past decade. They are the rare kind of shop that combines expert technical skill with genuine honesty and customer care. I feel so lucky to know I can trust Norm and the team with my car no matter what. I would never want to take my car anywhere else! Thank you, Westlake Independent Auto!

Westlake Independent Auto never fails to have absolutely exceptional service every time I have taken my car in for the past decade. They are the rare kind of shop that combines expert technical skill with genuine honesty and customer care. I feel so lucky to know I can trust Norm and the team with my car no matter what. I would never want to take my car anywhere else! Thank you, Westlake Independent Auto!

Bruce and his team treat clients very well, but it is their practice to recommend unwarranted, preventative and costly work. I recently posted a review an another review site explaining how I saved over $4,000 dollars replacing all the parts Bruce and Norman said were absolutely necessary. I had another certified mechanic help me select the after market parts online with a 3 year warranty. The cost for the compressor, condenser, and all the same hoses Bruce said I needed was about $500. The mechanic came to my home and replace everything for $400 plus a $50 tip. He recommended and AC specialist in Reseda, Reseda Automotive to recharge my system. Both mechanics agreed the Bruce’s “Black Death” theory was a load of BS. Bryan at Reseda AC said he would have done the entire job with a three year warranty for $2,600. His AC recharge was $250 and he did it while we waited. My total was out lay for parts, labor and recharge was $1,200. Westlake Independent quoted me $5,400 basically the value of the vehicle. My savings was $4,200. Don’t be fooled by dishonest and untrustworthy auto mechanics like Westlake Independent Honda that try and use the fear tactic to run up their profits by fleecing the pockets of their clients. This was one of many experiences I had with them over a decade of trusting them. Never again guys.

I came to these angels after one of my neighbors recommended them and Honda quoted me $5,500 for my 100,000 mile Honda fit service. they did everything Honda recommended plus new brake pads and rotors for only about $2,500. They even gave me a rental car so that I had a way to get back home as I did drive from quite far. These people are beyond trustworthy and they even did a complimentary car wash. Not even Honda does that. I am beyond impressed at their professionalism, kindness, service, and fair prices. I would say the only downside is you got to get there at 7:00 a.m. If you want an inspection honestly though, this is what service is supposed to be and they are fantastic people. Nothing but good things to say.

How to save $4,000? Avoid going to auto repair shops that recommend more work than is necessary and only use their parts suppliers. I was quoted $5,400 for a complete rebuild of my 2016 Honda Pilot's AC system. After some research I found a well known after market supplier that offered the compressor for 90% less with a 3 year warranty. $300 installation, and $150 AC recharge and the whole job was way less than $1,000. On a great vehicle that's almost ten years old I finally learned my lesson after over spending on work that may not have been necessary by well intentioned mechanics I trusted, I learned a valuable lesson. I have always been treated very well by them but at what cost? You decide.

I trust Westlake Independent far more than any of the local dealerships I've taken my vehicles for service in the past. The detailed inspections (along with photos) give me great confidence that they will find any issues that need to be addressed, but also that they aren't trying to sell me on services my cars do not need. Pricing is also fair.

Trusted automotive repair is hard to find these days, but luckily we have Westlake Independent. They provide you with pictures from their detailed inspection, discuss the inspection results with you over the phone, and are even able to provide a loaner car for those repairs that end up taking a bit longer than expected. I am always impressed with their customer service and communication, and they have been incredibly accommodating in the past. Thank you Westlake Independent!

I feel the need to write a glowing review of Westlake Independent. They’ve taken care of my previous Honda Accord, which racked up over 396k in miles, and they are now taking care my 2018 Civic. Bruce runs a fair and honest business. His staff is incredible. Talk to Norm. He will take good care of you, I promise. I’ve been a loyal customer since 2007.

Fantastic service, and very polite staff. They are very transparent about work that may need to be done, providing photos and any additional details.

Westlake Independent Automotive saved me in a stressful situation! My brakes suddenly made a loud noise, I called them and they 💯 took care of me. I have an old Lexus which needed some TLC…I recommend these wonderful, capable and trustworthy people!

Went to Westlake Independent Honda looking for a replacement of my existing mechanic. They seem extremely thorough and appear to take fastidious care of the vehicles in their charge. That is one of the biggest complaints about my old mechanic. Over 30 years and 5 cars he inevitably put a dent or scratch in the body. I've spentt over $1500 dollars in fixing those dents. So I figured enough is enough. As soon as I need service WIH will be my go to for work. It's out of my way and the cost will be higher but I hopefully won't have any body damage. My Baby is a S2000 in excellent condition so good bye Tony and Hello Bruce. Will update when car goes in.

brought my car in for a pre-inspection before purchasing and they took their time and documented every single issue with photos and an easy to understand explanation. Really not something I’ve ever seen before and for me, it was above and beyond. They were also very kind and patient in explaining further what they found and how much it would cost to fix. Take your used car here before you buy!!!

This place was recommended to me by one of my neighbors years ago. They have always done a great job on my cars. I find this facility to be honest and knowledgeable.

After hearing about Westlake Independent Automotive’s good reputation from my neighbors, I decided to give them a try. I had been using dealership service centers but recently felt overcharged and dealt with unprofessional customer service. At Westlake, they carefully inspected my car and clearly explained what needed immediate attention and what could wait. Their honest and straightforward approach stood out. On my second visit, they were thorough and completed the repairs efficiently at a fair price. I’m very satisfied with their service and would confidently recommend Westlake Independent Automotive to others.

As a female with only very basic knowledge about cars and repairs, navigating the auto repair businesses can feel daunting. In my personal experience, finding a friendly, honest, quality auto repair shop with reasonable pricing is a joy and I have found those qualities at Westlake Independent Automotive. I made an appointment and let them know I had taken it to the dealer and wasn’t happy with their recommendations and I wanted to get a diagnostic analysis to determine what services were needed. I have had my car for many years and always get regular service checks so I expect repairs as the car ages, but nothing close to what the dealership was suggesting and it was priced so high, it would have been better to replace the car. Norman and Sharla were great. I felt welcome and appreciated. Norman called me promptly and let me know what repairs were needed and answered all my questions. Some of the items that I had asked the dealer to correct during the service, had not been addressed and some very expensive repairs were not needed. They started the repair work right away and kept me informed. I was able to pick up the car the following day. Sharla made the checkout process so easy. My car is 17 years old with almost 250,000 miles and when I drove it out of the lot, it was running like a brand-new car. I am so amazed and impressed, and I feel safe driving my vehicle anywhere. Thank you so much Norman and Sharla and the repair crew. You went above and beyond and not only provided honest, timely and amazing service repair that gave me piece of mind; you made me feel welcome. I would highly recommend this shop, and this is where I will be servicing my car from now on.

As a female with only very basic knowledge about cars and repairs, navigating the auto repair businesses can feel daunting. In my personal experience, finding a friendly, honest, quality auto repair shop with reasonable pricing is a joy and I have found those qualities at Westlake Independent Automotive. I made an appointment and let them know I had taken it to the dealer and wasn't happy with their recommendations and I wanted to get a diagnostic analysis to determine what services were needed. I have had my car for many years and always get regular service checks so I expect repairs as the car ages, but nothing close to what the dealership was suggesting and it was priced so high, it would have been better to replace the car. Norman and Sharla were great. I felt welcome and appreciated. Norman called me promptly and let me know what repairs were needed and answered all my questions. Some of the items that I had asked the dealer to correct during the service, had not been addressed and some very expensive repairs were not needed. They started the repair work right away and kept me informed. I was able to pick up the car the following day. Sharla made the checkout process so easy. My car is 17 years old with almost 250,000 miles and when I drove it out of the lot, it was running like a brand-new car. I am so amazed and impressed, and I feel safe driving my vehicle anywhere. Thank you so much Norman and Sharla and the repair crew. You went above and beyond and not only provided honest, timely and amazing service repair that gave me piece of mind; you made me feel welcome. I would highly recommend this shop, and this is where I will be servicing my car from now on.

I've been bringing my cars here for years, and the service has always been outstanding. Norman and the team at Westlake Independent consistently go above and beyond to ensure everything is handled smoothly and efficiently. Thank you, Norman, for the years of excellent care!

We have been Westlake Independent Automotive customers for nearly 30 years. My husbands' business had us relocate for a while and boy! did we feel the pain of not having Bruce, Norman and their team of excellent mechanics and staff. We trust Westlake Independent Automotive for their honesty, great service and always great work. We joke about this, but returning to this area --- we rated getting Westlake Independent Automotive back just as highly as getting our doctors back. It's brought us peace of mind with regards to our Honda's. Thank you for keeping our cars in great shape, year after year.

Thank You Norman for your Outsanding Custome Service. Every single time you help me, no matter how much you have going on, you are kind, professional and on point. You Guys are Awesome! Thank you, Nadia

Have been coming here for several years. They are always on top of it. Very efficient even with how busy it gets, very communicative, and very knowledgeable! They even fixed my A/C for free! Aaron is always friendly and helpful.

I want to thank Bruce for helping my daughter fix her gas tank door spring for free. She's a college student and was unable to fix it on her own. She called Westlake Independent Automotive and they were so kind to her. It's very rare to get complimentary service.

Had mechanics out sick and bumped our appointment off of the schedule without saying anything. Showed up and showed confirmation of appointment and they still did not honor our appointment. Waste of time not a trustworthy business

Westlake Independent is the BEST and I highly recommended them. I have taken my cars there for years. Thanks to them, I have never had a major vehicle breakdown because they always check for something that could become an issue in the future. Because I keep up with my routine maintenance, I have gotten years of use out of Acura. My 2005 TL has 274,000 miles on it and still runs great. This is where you want to take your car for both routine maintenance and repairs.

Our neighbors recommended Westlake Independent Automotive Inc. as an alternative to the dealer. We have received service for our daughter’s 2017 Forester twice. Our service has been excellent and affordable. The service center keeps you informed and provides options as well as an AAA discount. Westlake Independent Automotive is a keeper.

I first started coming to Westlake Independent back in 1995. Bruce and the team always provided fair and thorough service. I left and recently came back and the service was just how I remembered it from years ago. The entire staff is so friendly! I know I’m in good hands with Westlake Independent Automotive. It feels good to be back! I highly recommend!

I have been going to Bruce since he opened, he is the only one that I trust with my car. His technicians are top of the line, know their mechanics, and do great work. His staff is really easy to work with, friendly, and still believes that customer service is important. Bruce and his staff are very easy to work with, communicate really well, explain everything in layman's terms for you, and can help you prioritize what work is most important and what can be put off until the next servicing. They have never been pushy about getting everything done right now, and that is one of the main reasons that I return to them. They will give you a great price for the work you need to have done, and I would highly recommend Bruce and his team.