1. Britton’s automobile

17242 Gothard Street, Suite C, Huntington Beach; 714-841-5701; brittonsautomotive.com

Bruce Britton learned to build and work on cars, thanks to his older brother, even before going to high school. What started as a childhood hobby turned into a successful career with the founding of his own auto repair shop, Britton’s Automotive, in 1985.

Britton is still the lifeblood of the company he founded in Huntington Beach 36 years ago. When asked why he started his business, he replied, “I just like working on cars, I’ve always liked it. “

Britton has built a loyal following for his local business over the 36 years of his store, with most of the business done by word of mouth.

“We’re very honest and getting it right the first time,” said Britton, who also enjoys sharing his knowledge with the driving audience on the workshop’s Facebook page posting helpful tips for vehicle maintenance.

Britton’s Automotive handles virtually all standard vehicle repairs, from engine and air conditioning repairs to hose and belt replacement, brake maintenance and electrical work. This family business works on all makes and models of vehicles, foreign and domestic, including vans, trucks, SUVs and luxury cars – even Hummers. Britton’s offers customers a diagnostic check while they wait so customers immediately know what’s going on with their vehicle. And if a customer no longer wants their vehicle, Britton will also consider purchasing the used car.

2. Hiro’s auto repair

3042 Enterprise Street, Unit D, Costa Mesa; 714-545-5090; hiros-auto.com

Dai Kajiwara has become an expert in repairing Japanese vehicles, especially Toyota’s and the automaker’s Lexus brand, with old-fashioned on-the-job training from experienced auto technicians trained by Toyota in Japan. Kajiwara started working as an auto mechanic at Hiro’s Auto Repair in 2000, and when the previous owner decided to retire four years ago, Kajiwara bought the business.

Hiro’s Auto Repair was founded in 1983 and Kajiwara is the second owner. “I started my career here,” said Kajiwara, who lives in Santa Ana.

The mechanics at Hiro are experts in repairing Japanese cars of all brands and have many loyal customers. “We’re a local, word-of-mouth business,” said Kajiwara, who currently employs two other mechanics and said he has enough business these days to hire a third mechanic, which he does. considering.

Hiro’s enjoys many positive reviews on Yelp. Client Peter C. d’Irvine summed them up, writing, “I rarely post reviews, but Hiro’s Auto Repair is probably the best auto store I’ve been to.

3. ExperTec Automobile

Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa; 714-848-9222, 949-645-7722; Expertecautomotive.com

Best of OC Finisher in the past five years, ExperTec Automotive owner Roy Daneshavske is grateful for the support from the public.

“Roy appreciates that the public recognizes that we are doing our best to make everyone happy. It’s an honor to be recognized by people, ”said Managing Director Gary Frahm. “Everyone here has always been instructed to treat the customer the way you would like to be treated when you walk in. “

ExperTec has been in Huntington Beach for 27 years and opened a second site in Costa Mesa four years ago. Technicians work on all models of cars, fleet vehicles, classic cars, hot rods and hybrids. ExperTec also supports local charities, groups, and sports teams, including the Newport Beach Police Department store with a cop program and the Southern California Special Olympics.

ExperTec recently began working with Huntington Beach Police to reduce the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles – a growing local concern – by engraving license plate numbers on catalytic converters in customer vehicles.