Mark, the mechanic is a FRAUD. In 2022 he replaced my AC compressor on my 2009 Nissan Frontier, he obviously did not flush the system out properly, stray particles got into the new compressor and it was screaming from the start when I picked it up. Mark charged me like ~$500 labor, he had me buy the parts myself (strange). I bought a NEW compressor kit from rock auto. Than, I decided to try a 2nd time, called him in late May 2023, he said real busy, call back in a week, I started calling on that Thursday, 3 calls later could not get him to answer. Finally I called the A-1 alternator front office, he said: " he's back there !" I called again, got Mark on the phone, he said:" I am REAL busy, if you need it fast I cannot help you. " I said it's not that I need it fast, I just need to schedule it with you - - - but it was obvious from his sour attitude he was not wanting the job back at all. He should have given my money back for the shitty job he did before. I will never use them again. read more

My car randomly started having issues and every place I had called to do a diagnostic said that I would have to schedule an appointment for the following week. I called this place and they checked it out for me right on the spot, let me know what to order and said that he will install it for me. I believe Mark was the one helping me out. I got the needed parts in the mail, dropped my car off & picked it back up in the same day. Super reliable, if I ever have any other issues I will be going back here for sure. Thank you! read more

James and Mark have been doing this for a really long time and know what their doing! They work on all types as well. They do not charge an arm & leg to help get it fixed. They are honest and hard working guys. I would recommend them to anyone. read more

I am so grateful for the people at this place!!! I got a fix-it ticket from state police cause my taillights were out. My headlight cover had come off and was hanging by the wires. Dashboard lights out too. I had no idea where to get this fixed until an employee at WalMart recommended I go to this place. They were busy but said to come back in an hour. Not only did they fix the problem on the spot, the mechanic also attached the headlight so it wouldn't happen again! Love this place and the people too!!! Highly recommend! read more

Well time for an update. I have an older classic muscle car that requires special care. Since my last review, they have done a lot of work on my car. There were some miscommunications and some mishaps throughout the process, The biggest was my dash getting cracked and damaged. Giving the benefit of the doubt, it was a 50yr old dash and pretty dry and fragile I imagine. Bottom line, SH*& happens. Now how a shop handles this type of situation is key. Most shops would try to weasel their way out of this and not step up to their responsibilities to the customer. Mark the mechanic showed sincere concern and refused to put blame on anyone. James was calm and collected as usual and promised to take care of it. He sent my dash to the best place in the business. Just-Dash in California. I know it must have costed him over $1,500 out of pocket. I felt bad about him taking a huge loss by working on my car. He felt bad about what happened. It was kind of a no win for anyone with this mishap. Note: He did not charge me for this replacement which I know was a lot of money and mechanic hours to remove and replace the dash. Then he still gave me a fair price on replacing my fuel sending unit which again took a while due to some issues, A1 took a hit with man hours and other expenses with my car. Because of the integrity of the staff, even with some mishaps, I have to continue to give 5 stars. Integrity is the most important thing you can have going for you in life. A1 is A1 in that area. read more

I had been having electrical problems with my car and had already spent over $800 and been through several alternators. It still was doing the same thing - battery draining. I brought my car here (from Austin) on the advice of a friend. From the first I was very impressed. This is the tidiest automotive shop I have ever seen. I trust people who take care of their own possessions and they do. They tested my alternator and it was bad. They replaced the alternator that was under warranty. Cost: $65. I went home and the next day the battery started draining again. They said bring it back. In the meantime I had to get my car inspected it failed. It had something wrong with emission. I went back to A1 and they checked the emission and the alternator. They said I needed to bring my car and leave it for the day. They helpfully informed me that Enterprise would give me a deal on a car rental. They spent about an hour on my car. Cost: $0 I brought the car and left it. Enterprise picked me up and rented me a decent car at a very reasonable rate. That afternoon A1 called me around the time they said they would. My car was ready and fixed. The problem all along had been a bulb that didn't turn off in the trunk. It was draining the battery. The alternator couldn't keep up and kept going bad. They also fixed a vacuum leak. Cost: $102. Although I did have to go back twice I am very pleased with A1 for a couple of reasons. The first is they were very honest and did not trump up some complicated bullshit wrong with my car. The second is they were incredibly cheap - they spent more time on my car then the other 3 places combined and charged me a total of less than $200. I would also like to say that 2 of the places I took my car to in Austin - when I walked in I could tell they were sleazy. The guys at A1 are just obviously good guys and no sleaze at all. I completely trust them which is hard for me to say about a mechanic. My only beef is that they are not in Austin. How about a second location guys? read more

Fast service...great price. Saved me a good amount of money rebuilding my alternator instead of buying an already rebuilt one :)

This place is great!! Mark and buddy have saved me a ton of money! Trust this place to do a fantastic job!

A-1 Starter & Alternator is a blessing. Normally, as a woman, I am hesitant to visit any sort of auto repair shop because I feel that I am being taken advantage of, but A-1 is honest, dependable and charge great prices. I will continue taking my vehicle to A-1 for its' repairs and maintenance. read more

I have brought 4 different cars here for various work, from door handles, seat belts, a/c , catalytic converter, brakes & wiper arms , there system, work and customer service is the best I have ever experienced. T Vita read more

This place may change the way you look at auto repair places! I took my Jeep here to have the alternator rebuilt after having problems with my Jeep starting. These guys have a clean shop (nothing fancy up front), are organized, don't bs you, and the best price I have ever seen. I tell anyone in San Antonio and Austin to go there - it is worth the drive because they do good work, and are timely (something lost on many other shops). My dad ended up taking his truck there to be worked on as well. read more

Great service ! Answered all my questions when I called . Took alternator in the morning told me would test within the hour , called back in an hour with estimate and how long . Had it ready when told and at a reasonable price ! read more

I noticed a leak on our driveway about 30 mins. after my daughter left to go back to school at Tx.State. I couldn't tell what it was and don't know any mechanics in San Marcos. So, I reached out to a San Marcos policeman that I know and he suggested this place; so glad he did. I am 59 yrs old and have never had such a positive experience at a repair shop as I did here. They are honest and very fair, maybe even better than fair prices. They don't try to upsell you parts or service you don't need. I agree with all the other positive reviews regarding A1. I do not work for A1, nor am I related to anyone that does. If you are looking for a trustworthy shop, give these guys a try. David S. read more

We were in town for a classic car show with the Cadillac - LaSalle Club, and I needed work on the starter of my '67 Cadillac. This is the best, most knowledgeable, and most efficient starter repair place on the planet. I was in and out in under two hours, with a rebuilt starter and a new ground cable, and my starter problems fully resolved. What a great place you folks have in San Marcos. I look for guys of this quality all the time and only find them occasionally. Too bad I live in out of state or I would be a repeat customer. read more

This place is honest and very efficient. My Son needed a Starter I saw the good reviews this place has and they are well deserved. I called them they gave me a price so I had the car towed to their location and it was that price to the Penny. Also this was just before the Thanksgiving holiday and he needed to get home to Dallas. Car was towed to A-1 Monday eve and job completed by 3pm Tuesday. BTW I called around and no one can touch A-1 on price. These guys are good people and they do business the right way. read more

These guys don't know how to problem-solve electrical problems for newer cars. I have a 2011 Ford Explorer. The braking lights wouldn't work. They told me it was a brake light switch. I went and bought one at dealership, they put it in, and still no brake lights. If you like having your auto mechanic tell you to buy parts one by one to see if it fixes the problem, go see these guys. They mean well, but I want problem-solving, not costly parts elimination. I won't be back. read more

Great service here I would highly recommend. We had a bad experience with a dealer. They were going to charge us thousands. A1 figured out the problem and fixed it for a fair price. Very honest people to work with. They have been there for 20 plus years. We will definitely be visiting again! Thanks A1 ! read more

The worst place ever! First I called to make sure they could work on my car, they said sure bring it in. A day goes by, and I don't hear anything from them. Then a week goes by, and they say yours will be the next one we work on. Then three week go by, and when I ask what the hold up is, they say it's because the car doesn't run and its in the sun, and it's hard to work on it in the sun because it so hot. For real!!! These people wasted a lot of my time and money, and were not honest at all. read more