This review is for Doyle. We found a screw in our back tire late in the afternoon on a Holiday. I called 1701 Auto Care an hour before closing and begged for them to take a look to just tell me if it is patchable. Doyle greeted me and helped me as soon as I got out of my car. He took care of everything and got straight to fixing my tire. This saved me so much time, it really made our week. Thank you for going above and beyond, Doyle. Your kindness and willingness to help makes me want to return to for future auto services. read more

Stopped here because its so close to where i live its ridiculous.... The first thing i asked the owner was do you work on VW? He said yes we have have a special promotion right now for $45 I responded sure lets do this..... Asked the owner another question You know my car requires Full synthetic oil right? He responded oh... well the promotion doesn't apply to full synthetic and ended up charging me $90.01 for full synthetic Oil. Really upset about the price I ended paying for it.... before I left he accused me of damaging a bolt...... with no prior leaks i knew he was full of shit.... Now my car is pissing oil all over the place. The bolt that they are referring to is actually an oil plug on my car needs to be changed out every time an oil change is done. It's a one time use!!!!! Anybody that ACTUALLY WORKS ON VW KNOWS THIS!!!!!!! ‍ Strongly advise everyone to STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE. They clearly do not know how to work on High end cars. 100% dissatisfied. Now I have to go to my mechanic and see how badly they damaged my car. Words cannot describe how pissed Iam. Message to the owner..... *DO NOT contact me*.... *Don't even Respond to this review*. *1 and Done.* *NO FORGIVNESS!!!!!!! read more

The brake pads on my Acura were almost failing and were making a terrible noise. These guys were honest, fast, friendly, and provided an excellent service overall. Definitely a keeper!! read more

Quick and clear communication and so friendly! Would definitely recommend to anyone needing a car service.

These guys are now my trusted mechanics as I go to the dealer less as my car ages and needs more than oil changes. 1701 diagnosed a suspension problem for me but recommended it's safe and not worth the cost to fix. They also did the work to change my v6 engine spark plugs at the required 100k mile service interval for less than half what the dealer was asking. I'll be back! Thank you! read more

Local repair shop. If you live in Alameda, this is where you go (or should go) for auto maintenance stuff.

I found 1701 Auto Care via Yelp. The reviews were spot on. I had noticed low tire pressure in one tire and went to fill it at a service station. That's when I saw the screw. I Yelped for tire repair and found 1701, who was able to squeeze me in. They repaired my tire while I was there! I really appreciate their quick and friendly service. read more

Sebastian provided great customer service. Prior to bringing my car in, Sebastian had great phone skills and answered my questions and was pleasant to interact with. He provided transparent pricing and ETA My check battery light was on and turns out I needed to change out my alternator as suspected. He fixed it same day ~5hr later. Definitely check them out because they provide quick, competitive pricing and good customer service! read more

Love this place! The guys are super helpful, friendly, and don't try to upsell me. They are very responsive and make time to talk to me when I show up without an appointment. Their prices are very fair and I've been impressed with their work. They also work quickly. Can't recommend them enough! read more

I needed a brake job so I looked up and called this place. Got my appointment set. Got there and the guy, Sebastian, immediately helped me. He got my Nissan inside and started working on it. He even showed me how the brake pads were worn out to the point that the pins were touching the rotors. He quoted me the price. I agreed to it as it was so straightforward with no hidden fee. I actually got to watch him worked on it. He changed both rear brake pads and rotors and I was out of there in less than an hour with brand new pads and rotors. Other places have quoted me more $$$ and told me I have to leave my car at the shop for a few hours. Needless to say, I am one happy customer and I highly recommend this place. He was honest and he didn't try to sell on some extra BS parts or repair that I don't need. I saved money and saved time. read more

Love this auto shop. The owner and guys who were here are so nice. I once got a nail in my tire and they were kind enough to help me pull it out. Since there was no need to patch or fix the tire they didn't charge me anything. A year later, I get a nail in the same damn tire. Was able to get an appointment the next morning to check it out. This time the tire has to be replaced. After being given a quote I said I would get back to them as I wanted to call around for multiple price points. The owner was super understanding. After calling my car dealership and Costco, not only did 1701 have a lower price but they were able to immediately order the new tire and fix it in less than 2 hours a day or two later. Great service, will always come here for my car needs outside of our dealer's warranty. read more

Very professional & reasonable pricing. I feel comfortable that they are honest and will not take Try to take advantage is you.

Sebastien and Malcolm run a great place. Have taken my vehicles here for regular oil changes/tire rotations for years. Prices and quotes are always fair and reasonable. When my wife came in to get services, prices and quotes stayed the same, which is not always the case at other auto shops. My cars have had their battery die, needed a serpentine belt and water pump replacement, new set of tires, the gamut. 1701 gets the job done quickly, professionally and in a friendly manner read more

Sebastian and his crew are great. They communicate very well and are extremely fair in pricing. Dealer wanted $900 for transmission oil change and I got his service for 1/3 the price! Highly recommend! read more

Honest mechanics!! Will recommend 100%!!! Sebastian, Malcom, and team are great to work with! We have been going to them since they opened.

Again... been to this place 3 or 4 times now and they are always ready to help me!!!!!! I offered to pay a little something for helping short notice and putting some air in my tire and he said I could repay him by having a great rest of my afternoon! These heavenly people.... So nice... so nice... read more

let me tell you bout my best friendssssss!!! These guys have been there for me and Rojaaaahh (my vehicle) through the ups and all the downs, I put a lot of miles on my vehicle as I use it for my business and 1701 auto is ALWAYS reliable and consistent in quality care. They are honest and really value their customers. Every time I pop in unexpected with another last minute vehicle crisis they stop and help and truly make me feel like it will all be ok. I am SO grateful for 1701 auto. Do yourself a favor and take your car to them and them ONLY! read more

The best auto care/mechanic shop I can think of. They are professional, ethical, and super friendly. I wouldn't want to use anyone else. They're the best!!! read more

Please see attached invoice for $663.00 to change 4 spark plugs and oil change. The actual cost should be less than $250.00 call around before you use this guy. He seen my 26 year old daughter coming and took advantage of her naiveness regarding a tune up. Don't send your family or friends there. Only your enemies. I called and explained to him the over charge. He said he feels good and will sleep good at night. Don't be swayed by his quick talk. I wouldn't use him if he was the last mechanic in the world. He still is terrible! read more

1701 Auto Care - Auto Repair Near Me - Alameda, California

Awesome staff the guy is an honest mechanic so hard to find these days . They always call me back if too busy at the moment and have always been upfront about any issues with my vehicles read more

I played the role of personal assistant for a friend last week and took her car in for an oil change. When I first called for an estimate, the call got dropped so I called back shortly after and spoke with a gentleman regarding cost and making an appointment. After that conversation, I received a call back from a different guy who had apparently seen my missed call the first time and was courteous enough to contact me. That earned him brownie points in my book. Price-wise, they were more affordable than the other local shops in Alameda. Upon arriving, I was greeted by Malcolm who was so friendly and hospitable. I decided to wait for them to complete the oil change and had brought my laptop to do some work. Malcolm immediately provided me with wifi (without me asking) and offered me beverages from the mini fridge. He was genuine and great to chat with, and I really enjoyed the type of atmosphere that was present. The mechanic that was on the job (Sebastian) brought it to my attention that the passenger front tire was in dire need of a replacement. Malcolm gave me an estimate and could replace it as early as the next morning. I appreciated the great service - they were efficient and helpful from start to finish. I'm strongly considering taking my own car in for an oil change even though I'm not a local resident. I would highly recommend them! read more

My car needed front and rear break, and charcoal canister replacements. They gave me a quote within a day on Yelp and was available for me to drop off my car the same week. The service was completed at the end of the day on the same day that I dropped my car off. The person I interacted with was nice. Overall, a good experience. I would recommend reaching out to this place if you need auto care! read more

So, you'd best check with these guys before bringing your vehicle to them for service. I had my 1972 Dodge B200 towed to them late at night because it wouldn't start. When I arrived at 8:05am to pay them and inform them what was wrong with the van, the guy with the hipster beard cut me off, basically explaining that he had worked on a couple of them before and didn't want to "waste my time" or his by looking to see what was wrong with it. He gets 3 stars for recommending Alameda Auto Lab and Royal Automotive as alternatives, but loses one for asking me to move the van off his lot. If I could move it, it wouldn't be here in the first place. He loses another star for then telling me, "it would've been nice to have a little advance communication before "dumping my vehicle in his lot." I guess I should've called and left a message on their machine at 11pm. When I asked him if he was serious, he shrugged his shoulders and said, "a little advance communication would've been nice." I've added an extra star just because I'm glad he didn't "waste my time" working on the van (even if I did end up wasting 2 hours waiting for tow trucks to move the van to 1701 and then to its final workshop, Alameda Auto Lab.) So, long story short, check with these guys before bringing your car to them and don't even think about leaving your vehicle on their lot without prior approval. Their key drop is for prior appointments only! read more

Friendly, competent, thorough, and fair. Glad I found my new mechanic since my last guy doesn't like to work on older cars like mine.

I had a flat and a leak and 1701 fixed it quickly. They did their best to repair the tires and not just jump to replacement. They were able to save 1 tire and replaced the other. The team was communicative on cost and timeline. Quick and good service overall! read more

EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE! I will be coming back here for all of my automotive needs & highly recommend this shop to anyone looking for a honest, reliable, and trustworthy mechanic. read more

Started hearing a rattle sound on my left front tire area. Took my car here. They checked it out, took off the tires, checked the breaks and everything, told me everything looked great and they didn't see anything or hear anything wrong with it after test driving it a few times. They called me to let me know and offered me to take one of their workers with me in the car so they could try and hear the noise that I was hearing. Jose rode in the car with me and he figured out what it was. Jose was great, very friendly and knowledgeable!! Sebastian helped me out and gave me a quote and answered questions I had. I highly recommend 1701 Auto Care! A few years back I had a flat tire, I took my car here and they fixed it within just a couple of hours and were SUPER reasonable! These people are honest here and don't try and scam you like a lot of other car auto places!!!! read more

Great place to get your oil change! Friendly team & the price is reasonable. Plus there's a nice little park nearby that you can chill at while waiting for your car to get serviced. Thanks for the great service guys. read more

Quick response phone or in person. Estimates and service were quick as well. Had a broken tail light replaced. It was done within 2 hours at an affordable price. I rate them very satisfactory. read more

I work in an industry where fixing one thing can sometimes cause other stuff to start acting weird, so let me preface this with: I totally get it. I do not blame 1701 for an old car doing weird stuff. I've also taken my car to 1701 in the past and they did quality work, so I didn't hesitate to bring it back this time. I brought my car in for a general "check-up" since I was getting back on the road after SIP for client visits. There wasn't anything going wrong, I just wanted to be sure everything was safe since my car had basically been sitting unused for months. Turned out I needed some new tires and a couple of belts. Awesome. Paid for it, picked up the car, and on my way home a bunch of stuff was off. The car was pulling heavily, the steering wheel was no longer aligned straight, and when I drove at speed it shuddered. I brought the car back and asked them to fix it because it did not feel safe to drive. To get everything fully repaired and working properly/safely again it took three trips back to 1701 and each time it felt like they were just getting more and more annoyed with me. Call me crazy, but when you are going 65mph on 880 and your steering wheel is shaking so bad it makes your teeth chatter; or when you're driving down Grand and pulling your wheel hard to the left just to keep a straight line... I think it's a justified concern. This wasn't minor, inconsequential stuff I was nitpicking over. I understand that changing one thing leads to others and it's frustrating that it all needs to be corrected, but that isn't my fault. Here is the credit they absolutely deserve: they got the work done and ultimately made it right. They fit me in when I brought the car back. They didn't fabricate new expenses or excuses. I sincerely appreciate that and thank them for doing an honest job. From a customer perspective, here is what was frustrating: You can't blame your customers for expecting you to finish a job. The entire point of bringing a car to a mechanic is for it to come out better than you leave it, and in this instance, my car came back worse than I left it. I've been driving my car for over 11 years. I've had tires replaced many times, I've had belts replaced before. I know what it's supposed to feel like when it's normal. The things that were happening as a result of the work were not normal. Getting annoyed and rolling your eyes like I'm overreacting and brushing off legitimate safety concerns as "something that just happens" is patronizing, dismissive, and dangerous. Is it frustrating to have to keep redirecting attention back to work you've already done? Yes. I often have to do it in my own work. It's part of the job. Don't deflect that frustration onto your customer and behave as though I'm some massive inconvenience to you. I would have been perfectly pleased if you had done a more thorough job the first time and I didn't have to come back. These were obvious problems that could have been easily observed by simply driving the car. Giving me an attitude when I'm asking for you to correct these errors is unacceptable. I wasn't just coming back over and over because I thought it would be fun to bug you guys, I was justified in returning until it was fixed. read more

There are more personable and knowledgeable mechanics out there that charge less. Just go to Oakland. i have never been charged a storage fee before. Read the contract or be prepared to pick it up on their schedule as soon as they call you or you get $50 a day added. I have had to take my truck in multiple times. Stuff just doesn't get fixed. Prices are $$$. Reach out to me if you want to see my invoices. The storage fees are arbitrary and according to my attorney are recoverable in small claims. These guys are a buyout. Be careful. read more

These guys are the real deal! Hands down. After a not-so-good experience elsewhere, I contacted 1701 Auto Care for a second opinion. They examined my car, and instead of a "laundry list" of scary-sounding stuff, they helped me with a long-standing overheating problem and a sensor fault that kept going off. Each time, the mechanics at 1701 were professional, straightforward, down to earth, and transparent in every step of the repair process. Best of all, I knew what I was paying for, and was confident they knew their stuff. (My mind is on "Insomnia Time", so forgive me, the name of the guy who helped me is stuck!) The mechanic who helped me was awesome, and knowledgeable about the specific sensor issue on my car that kept setting off the "service engine" light - there was a known alert - and from the fix to now, I've had no more problems with that light. If you've just happend across this listing by chance, I feel confident about my 5-star review for 1701 Auto Care. These guys will treat you right! read more

My 1995 Toyota Corolla that I never drive anymore wouldn't start up, so I had it towed to 1701 Auto Care to get fixed up and prepped for sale. The staff was super friendly and very thorough in their diagnostics, and they even helped me decide what issues would be worth repairing for the price range I could expect to get for the vehicle. They also identified a power steering leak that another garage had missed which ended up solving one of my biggest concerns with selling the vehicle. If I wasn't selling the car I would definitely bring it back here for any future work! read more

I'll be going back. They confirmed the diagnosis I got while I was traveling this summer and made the repairs a little under the previous estimate I got from another shop. They had me in and out in a little over a day. I love keeping my money in Alameda! read more

Can't say enough about the excellent customer service and doing a great job! Highly recommend! read more

These guys fixed my AC at almost half the price the dealership was trying to charge me. I wanna give a special shout-out to Malcom for being so helpful and taking great care of me. Thank you guys! read more

Can't make this up. After I paid (with a tip) I get handed my invoice and I'm told, with a straight face, "oh...we can't get your key out of the ignition." My response was, "...what?" "Ya, my guys tried but we couldn't get it out". Baffled. Like I was shook. Just, what? Weird that I was told this after I'd paid. So anyway now my keys in my car just hanging out in the city with the key in the ignition while I go to work. Please don't steal it? read more

I found a nail in my tire. They were kind enough to remove it for me, carefully check to see if it had actually punctured my tire and even checked and added pressure to all the other tires... all for no charge! Incredibly nice, professional, would come back again in a heartbeat. read more

I've never understood what people were talking about when they talked about "their" mechanic and having a mechanic they trust for everything. Now I get it! Malcolm and Sebastian and their crew are personable, friendly, quick, communicative, and very fair in their pricing. I finally don't dread going to the mechanic. I will never go anywhere else. read more

I came here for an oil change and tire rotation back in May. From the moment I reached out for a quote to the time I picked up my car after the service was complete, this place provided the best customer service I have ever experienced with any oil change shop. Not only was my oil change super affordable, but they acted as an honest business and did not attempt to jerk me around to pay for extra services. My car is a 2017 model with only about 30K miles on it, but I asked them if they noticed anything else I may need for maintenance in the near future and they stated my car was in good shape. All other shops would have attempted to sell me services I don't really need. Overall, their friendly customer service and honest work stood out and I will definitely return for any other car maintenance needs in the future. read more