What could improve? Just stay away from this shady overpriced business. The Matt guy uses all kinds of excuses to not be blamed for the shoddy work he just did. This Matt guy tries to cover up his mistakes. If you you screwed up, which you did, just admit it. All of the suggestions Matt made that needed to change in my car did not affect its usage for many thousands of miles. To this day, none was changed and still runs great. He wants you to change all of the components to make more money. What a scam. Like I said, all of the components he suggested I have NOT changed and the car has over 278,000+ miles since it was improperly fixed. Which I corrected on my own. You're lucky you got 1 star. If I could give zero stars I would. read more

Great place! Very friendly owner and staff. They've been very good at getting me on the schedule when something's wrong. I don't know much about cars, but they explain things in very digestible terms. read more

Been going to Matt for several years to service all our cars (Honda CRV, Toyota Prius and RAV4). Very knowledgeable, fair prices, doesn't try to upsell you on unnecessary services. read more

I had a great experience from them and I would recommend anyone to come and try it. The quality of work was great and explained how everything will be and the cost of service. I value their service and the way they deliver the product on timely manner. read more

Love the service! Matt and his team were very receptive to my concerns. My old Honda needed lots of care. Now I'm driving with confidence after leaving his shop. Nice people work here. read more

Matt worked on two of my personal cars and I can only give him a five star rating!! Thank you Matt!!

My battery was about to fizzle out on my Lexus ! It was close to 5:00 pm on a Friday. Worst case senecio! I called everyone . But the only business that rescued me was this one. They said , come right over ! I arrived & they put in a new battery . I would have been stranded & had to call AAA & wait 3 to 4 hours . Super nice people & very professional. read more

After having my Catalytic Converter stolen. I wanted to get some anti-theft product to help protect or at least deter future thefts. At Alameda Import Automotive I was able to order a shield, have next day shipping and installation done. Matt had given me a quote a week prior on the costs and he was excellent with communication. This is an great shop and came highly recommended by friends of mine. read more

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They got the job done. They are communicative. They had me drop off the car the night before.

Found these guys on Yelp. Let me tell ya, they didn't disappoint. Called them around 12p, talked to Matt, about my Mini Cooper engine alert and asked what their schedule looked like and if I were to tow the car there, how long I would expect to have it looked at. Matt said he'd look at it right away and if it's a quick fix, he's do his best to get it back on the road. Car was finally towed to them and arrived to them about 1:30p. He said he'd have his team look at it and circle back. Next morning at 10am. Got the diagnosis and recommended repair. Vehicle was repaired and ready for pickup the next day. Highly recommend these guys! read more

I'm never taking my car anywhere else but to Matt, ever again. He's so friendly and honest that he takes the trauma out of having car problems. Im so grateful I found him! read more

Ok ok ok, this place definitely deserves the five starts and +230 reviews. I had just came home from my vacation, decided to take a drive to run some errands. Got into my car and it wouldn't start......at all. Confused, I wonder what had happened. I had a friend come give my car a jump. Great! It works! As I was driving to the store, my car suddenly died on me. I panicked and thankfully I wasn't driving on the freeway. I sat there in my car and wondered if it was my battery + alternator that was the issue. I frantically looked on Yelp for a mechanic around me. I came across Alameda Import Automotive. Not going to lie, I was a little 'sus' with the high rating reviews. Is this place truly worth the five stars and +200 reviews? I read through the reviews and a lot of people mentioned the same things: personable, reliable, transparent, and trustworthy. Before I towed my car to AIA, I messaged the owner Matt on Yelp regarding my situation. He suggested that I bring it into the shop to get a diagnosis and see from there. So I decided to shoot my shot and get my car towed here. Before I towed my car to the shop, I gave Matt a text informing I was going to bring my car to the shop to get a look at. By inspecting my car, he was able to point out a few minor things and luckily he let me know my alternator was still in good shape and it's probably just the battery that needs a really good recharge. Not going to lie, that was a relief to hear because I was expecting to pay a decent amount for it to be replaced. Matt let me know the things he was going to fix/replace and gave me receipt summary of how much everything was going to cost. He also let me know how long it would take to fix everything. A day later, he gave me call letting me know that there were a few bulbs and mounts that needed to be replaced (I knew this was a problem before hand but decided to ignore it, lol). Since my car was already at the mechanic, I said "why not?" and proceed to let him fix it. I really appreciate that he called me to let me know before doing something without my consent. After picking up my car, I truly thought I was going to pay a lot more than I was going to. This place deserves the five stars and I plan to be a forever customer when it comes to car problems. :-) read more

I've been taking my car to this auto shop for about two years and I will continue to do so. I never feel cheated. I never get any shady vibes from Matt or from Ralph in the front. They come off very honest and genuine and always get my consent before performing any work on my car. I recently just took my Camry in for maintenance and for my rotors. They let me know my brake pads were still good and said I indeed needed to change my front rotors. Now my brakes don't vibrate violently anymore. It's as smooth as warm butter. I definitely recommend this place for your auto repairs. Just make sure you book ahead of time as they are always booked the week of. That's usually a sign of a good shop. Everyone and they mama trusts them! read more

The Owner of this business has a high regard for the quality of the service and repairs that are provided. Sometimes the diagnosis and repair recommendation is not what I want to hear (the reality of the situation ) but Matt is always upfront and honest and doesn't cut corners on the important things - and he always gives me options to choose from. Matt also takes the time to explain things in understandable terms. read more

I went here to take care of a small oil leak in an 8 yr. old VW Sportwagen, with parts & labor it turned to a $1400 fix. When I picked up the car I was told it also needed a whole list of things which culminated to a total of more than the car's value (wow a free inspection..hmm ). I was somewhat skeptical considering my vehicle had less than 75,000 miles on it and not used much but as a typical gal, I don't know much about mechanical stuff so I decided to listen to them and start with the struts/shocks off their list of things (their 1st priority need and most expensive). Another (nearly) $500. After their installation of the new struts/shocks my car became a noisy bouncy house on wheels! It's so bouncy and squeaks like crazy - it feels like I'm in a rollercoaster ride. Did it really need those new struts? it rode so smoothly and quietly prior to bringing it here. It's soooo horrible riding in it now and I'm sooo regretful for listening to their UNSOLICITED recommendations from that free EXPENSIVE inspection! Since then, 2 different mechanics have checked the squeaking and told me they did not lubricate it well, and another one said it was a poor install job and recommended I take it back to them so they can fix it. And I did, but but of course, they did not acknowledge that it was their work causing the squeaking and bouncing, instead I was told it's because it needs additional parts. B******T! Then why did the old struts not cause squeaking and bouncing? When I took the car back to them to get the squeaking checked out they charged me another $180 to inspect an issue they caused! Really, I'm not kidding I have receipts and all. As, a single parent of 2 ..it's not easy coming up with extra money and do my best to avoid unneeded costs, like this one. Easy to go broke by putting trust in the wrong hands. Sadly, I'm still bouncing and squeaking my way around town because I refuse to spend another cent on a place that takes advantage of situations like these and don't believe the issue is due to the need of additional parts. I should have listened to Dad's advice... if it ain't broke don't fix it! read more

Excellent service, super quick turnaround, and most importantly an honest staff that doesn't over charge you just because they can. I am very satisfied with the work they did on my car. read more

2005 Lexus LS 430 Timing Belt Service This place is great. Matt was easy to work with and shoots straight. The price was a bit less than other area shops quoted and the work was done well and timely. Matt did what he said and let me know what would need attention moving forward. The shop is tiddy and he runs a tight ship. You may end up petting a cat there... Not the worst thing. No nonsense shop. Highly recommend. read more

Alameda Import Automotive - 2005 Lexus LS 430 Timing Belt Service - Auto Repair Near Me - Oakland, California

It's hard to find a trustworthy auto shop, and extra hard to find one that works on SmartCars! Alameda Import Automotive satisfies both, and has a bonus of excellent customer service. My first time visiting was due to an issue with the latch on my hatchback. Matt took a quick look and showed me how to fix it on my own, no charge. He was patient and helped me understand what was wrong and what could be done if the problem persisted in the future. When it was time to prepare for a road trip, I knew where to go. I took my car in for general maintenance, an oil change and a nagging light on my dashboard. The team was in communication frequently to help me understand the cost, options, what NEEDED to be fixed and what could wait. They educated me about a leak that needed attention and showed me how to check the wear on my tires for the future. I picked up my car a day later and could tell right away it was in better working order. I'm here for a third time having a new radio/receiver headpiece installed. The cost of having someone who knows exactly what they're doing, and beyond that someone I trust, is completely worth it and probably less than other shops (though I don't honestly know considering I wouldn't even think of needing to take my business elsewhere). I highly recommend Alameda Import Automotive and will definitely return for future maintenance! read more

Great guys! Great service!. These guys were great and very patient with me in my understanding some of the more technical details of my SUV. read more

Alameda Import Automotive - suv - Auto Repair Near Me - Oakland, California

Matt is the best. He's going to give you his honest opinion and tell you everything you need to know about your vehicle or a potential vehicle you're going to buy. He knows his stuff and is one of the direct humans I've ever had the pleasure of dealing with. He's also wearing a lot of hats at the same time and that takes a certain type of skill not everyone can pull off well and he does. I look forward to having him service our vehicles in the future. read more

Matt is the nicest person I have ever dealt with in the automotive industry. He took the time to help me understand a couple of items I didn't understand and I am very grateful for his time and efforts. Also the CHEAPEST place for a catalytic converter shield! Thanks Matt and team! read more

Top notch techs! They don't upsell, they do what you need and let you decide what to do next.... Matt is honest and upfront.

If you're looking for an honest mechanic that does great work, Alameda Import Automotive (AIA) is definitely one of those Bay Area gems that people in-the-know frequent. I just tried them out for the first time and after this experience I won't take my 2005 GX470 anywhere else. I picked up my baby from them after getting my timing belt, water pump, fan belt, etc replaced and Matt and his team did excellent work. My 16 year old work horse is purring like a kitten. But that wasn't the most amazing part of working with Matt. I had about ~$100 is cash with me when I picked up my car and it fell out of my pocket as I got in my car to drive home. I realized it was gone when I stopped at the grocery store to pick up dinner. I looked all over my car for the cash with no luck and assumed that the cash was gone if it had fallen out at the shop or somewhere else. An hour or so later I got a call from Matt at AIA, he asked "did you drop some cash? We found it where your car was parked". I MEAN, what a breath of fresh air! He is without a doubt one of the most honest mechanics I have ever known. He deserves, and will get, ALL of my future business! Again, if you're looking for a fantastic, honest mechanic just call AIA. You won't be disappointed! Thanks again, Matt!! read more

Brought my 4runner in because it was making a weird sound. They diagnosed the issue and gave me different options on how I wanted to proceed with the repairs. The front desk guy and mechanic was great and super professional. You can tell the workers there are passionate about their work. Would recommend. read more

I had an emergency and they took me in right away same day and then a few weeks later I needed maintenance, they were able to schedule me in as soon as they could ... recommend for sure read more

I have been taking my cars to Alameda Import for a few years. Their estimates are always clear and reliable. All work is explained. Recently the alternator on my car went out. They got it replaced in one day. The area around the shop is on the rough side, but their yard is secure and having a mechanic I can rely on gives me peace of mind. read more

Matt and his crew are awesome. I've gone to them for multiple maintenance and repair jobs. Small jobs, like replacing my tail light or fixing my splash shield, they'll do without charging for labor. I just paid for the materials. All maintenance jobs like spark plug changes or brake replacement, I go to them. They are HONEST, don't try to up-sell you and charge reasonable rates. I once went to them after the dealer told me to replace my rear brakes. Matt and his technician took a look and said that I still have 7k miles to go before I need to replace it. No charge for the time, diagnosis, and consultation. I appreciate that! I highly recommend them and will return for all of my car services! read more

I looked around everywhere I could that would help me with my car without Getting the runaround or price gouged and no other place did it. Matt (owner) took his time to work with me. I finally got my car how I wanted , feeling good and very thankful to the team at Alameda Import Automotive. Thanks again Matt!! :) read more

Alameda Import Automotive - New clutch,new suspension, new tires and rims. - Auto Repair Near Me - Oakland, California

Brought my Honda in to get catalytic converter replaced , I saw the reviews online and decided to check them out and I can't say enough good things about my experience with this shop. Matt was incredibly helpful and took time to explain things. Totally professional and I didn't get the feeling I was being fleeced.or taken advantage of. I will be returning to these guys from now on. I have had lots of bad experiences with other spots , but this place locked it out the park for me. read more

Matt is the best!! Extremely knowledgeable, competent, and friendly. I've had several friends and family members come here and everyone always says they are immediately impressed with how honest and helpful they are here. You will never be ripped off or upsold anything, and can always feel confident that you are getting the best price possible! read more

One of the best car repair shops I've been too. Fair prices for my Mercedes and very trustworthy. The owner did not push repairs that were unnecessary and only recommended what he thinks. Also fair prices that were significantly cheaper than the dealership! read more

*update.. They had serviced my GTI for $1200 for the radiator.. and I was about to take it back to fix the water pump.. the owner Matt didn't seem too receptive over the phone when I stated that the parts installed may be defective as it began leaking coolant leaking coolant again. He then read off the file on my car stating that I needed windshield wipers and an oil change with was not even relevant to the issues?! *Ps.. somebody there even stole my temperature sensor parts I had in my cup holder which I actually noticed before I left but didn't say anything. Talk about sticky fingers in A sketchy area. **I will not be returning nor would I recommend this shop.. albeit they may be knowledgeable in fixing cars but their integrity and customer service leaves little to be desired. Prices are on the high side so get ready to bend over. read more

I bought a 10 year old used Highlander and the shop I took it too for inspection did not do a great inspection. I brought it in to Matt, Ralph, and his team and they did a thorough inspection, finding some major issues and taking the time to explain them to me in detail, indicating what was more urgent and what could wait. When I went to pick up the vehicle, they took the time to walk me through all the work they had done. I ended up spending more money than I thought going into it, but I trust Matt and his team and will be a lifelong customer moving forward. It's hard to find a great mechanic! I'm so glad I have. Thank you! read more

I've been going back to Matt because a good mechanic and is responsive, communicates well, decently priced, and reliable is hard to find. He's too busy doing a great job to worry about these yelp reviews but there's a reason why he gets good 5 star reviews. read more

Hands-down the best mechanics in the Bay Area. Matt and his crew zero in on the issues and present solid, thoughtful solutions.

I recently had my brake pads replaced here for a Lexus sedan. - responsive via Yelp - fair and accurate quote - did not make promises he couldn't keep - took a moment to show me the old replaced parts after the work was done I would certainly return if we needed future auto service, and i would recommend this business to friends. only downside is that they needed me to leave the car practically the entire work day, but they will give you a ride to bart or call a lyft/uber for you. read more

I been to these guys multiple times. Very professional, respectful and courteous. I recommend them to everyone I know. If I had to say something negative is their hours. Close at 18hrs and they don't work weekends. read more

The team at Alameda import Automotives are great squad they service number of our cars and they seem to be reliable. Prices can be a little steep but you get what you pay for. The team is always working hard to make sure our vehicles are running correctly. It's difficult to find an auto shop that's not trying to get over on you. This is one of those that truly want to help. read more

Matt was super knowledgeable and helpful in getting my car serviced per my request. He was very responsive as well. Will be back again!

Always a pleasure to deal with super trustworthy mechanics who are just some real pros. For recreational and maintenance reasons I only drive late model Japanese SUVs (Isuzu, Toyota, Lexus etc) and finding a great mechanic you can trust to repair these cars at a reasonable price, with total honestly, is actually surprisingly hard - even in the Bay Area. These guys are straight about everything - the price of service, whats needed and whats not, and when they will be done with the car. +++Strongly recommended to any auto owner in the greater Bay Area. read more