A need to read, your wallet will thank me! Day one. The thermostat housing was leaking badly. I…read morepurchased a new housing and three jugs of coolant. Drove to the closest auto repair shop. S & A Automotive LLC, 86129 US HWY 278, Altoona, AL 35952, (Altoona address but located in Snead). They agree to fix it, but I don't recall the price. After installing the new housing, the technician attaches a device to the radiator. I told him I had never seen that before. He explains it is to check for leaks, refill the coolant system, and remove bubbles. He said it applies a vacuum that will be used to replace the coolant, and he does so. I walk to the boss's desk, pay for the job, hand the boss a ten-dollar tip, then hand the mechanic a ten-dollar tip as he tells me the radiator is blown (at the top driver's side). The boss tells me the radiator costs over $400.00, but he can get it for around $140.00 (the same price I can get it for, but I do not tell him that). I agree to him fixing it the next morning, and I spend the night at a motel, hating myself for not noticing the apparent damage to the radiator. In the middle of the night, it occurs to me that the vacuuming he did could have done the damage, and if he did it once, he may do it again. Day two, last day. I quickly eat some food, rush to the auto repair shop in time to see the old radiator being removed, then the new radiator installed. Yes, then out comes the vacuum tool. I tell him we can do without that today. He tells me no, I need to check for leaks. This time, I am not casually looking on; I am riveted to the vacuum pressure gauge. When the needle gets to the end of the green zone, I tell him Good, let's check it now. He tells me that's not enough as the needle goes into the yellow zone. At the end of the yellow zone, I say OK now, " but he pays me no attention. When the needle hits the red zone (I highly think it is a scam), I lean toward him and loudly say, "You are scaring the crap out of me!" He finally stops it just inside the red zone. He goes over to his boss, who is now doing an oil change for a friend (the man had earlier told me he was a first customer and a good friend of the shop owner), and they talk for a moment, then he comes back to add coolant to the radiator. I ask if he wants me to start the car, and he tells me it is not necessary. (I know you must start the vehicle, pour in fluid until it gets hot enough to open the thermostat, fill the radiator, then slap on the cap) He fills the radiator cold with the thermostat closed, thus leaving a large amount of air in the block. That was when I knew it was factually a scam! He puts all the other parts on the engine and closes the hood. (sorry, not over yet) The boss comes over, telling me he has concerns about this engine and is going to take it for a test drive. After he backs away from the lifting rack, I open the door and tell him I am going too. He makes a right, then another right. He alternates between driving a little fast and then driving slowly. He points out that the temperature gauge is always a little high at slow speeds, then jumps very high when driving faster. I know why, but I do not tell him. I tell him I have seen enough and want to go back to the shop. He tells me he is concerned with the head gasket, then makes a wrong turn, then turns around (now driving fast). I see the shop and say Good, take it to the shop. He makes a right turn, and I say, "Where are we going?" He tells me he is still concerned about the head gasket. I tell him to stop. I tell him I cannot afford to stay in town any longer. I also cannot afford to go back and forth from Alabama and Kentucky. I will nurse it back to Kentucky and get a head gasket where I have shops nearby. He drives back to the shop. I tell him to park in the parking lot, not the shop. He takes the key with him. I follow. He eventually comes up with the price of $393.05. I hand him $400.00. His wife hands me change. I ask for the key. His wife tells me it is in the car. I said no, he took it with him. He finds it under a lot of paperwork on his disk and hands it to me. I ask if I can use a shop towel. He said yes. I get two jugs of coolant from the car, remove the cap, start the vehicle, correctly fill the radiator, and drive to Kentucky. I kept an eye on the temp gauge, Alabama to Tennessee to Kentucky, NO PROBLEM AT ALL! So. . . If you do go to S&A Automotive in Snead, Alabama, I offer two words of advice. 1 Do not let them use the vacuum tool. 2 Take a jar of Vaseline!

From the owner: We have low prices. We offer senior citizen, military, and…read moreservicemen discounts.

Absolutely delighted with your service! The job, from initial quote to completion, was handled in…read morean astonishing six hours. Your technician demonstrated incredible efficiency, working independently and leaving the site spotless. Zero mess, zero fuss. Truly impressed.

Jimmy was excellent and very clear in his explanation of the repair job he would do…read more Great experience, will definitely use them again.

Alex came to my residence and installed the rear sway bar on my vehicle on a Sunday afternoon, he…read moreworked around my schedule. He was friendly, professional, polite and he knew what he was doing. Alex does an excellent job, and what he charges is very fair. I plan on using him every time I'm in need of a mechanic. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to my friends and family, and I plan on doing just that. Thanks Alex!

From the owner: I am a 24/7 roadside mobile mechanic anywhere in the state of Alabama. It does not matter where…read moreyour car is located. Call me at any time of day or night.

I must say Brad Bearden Automotive Great people I will always take my vehicles to Brad Bearden…read moreAutomotive well trained techs and I'm very satisfied with my work done on my vehicles Ase Certified.Thanks for being a honest auto repair

This place will rip you off, point blank period. Im Nov 2025, I went to get my car examined to see…read morewhy it wasn't starting. He said I needed a new starter, great, over 600 dollars later, he installs the new starter. Literally hours later the car won't start signifying an electrical or battery issue. It finally starts and I head to oriley's for a new battery, and guess what, that's exactly what the car needed in the first place....A new battery. Long story short this "automotive mechanic" took advantage of me and charged me nearly 700 dollars for a new starter while all I needed was a new battery. I honestly cant believe a human being can sleep at night knowing they make a living straight up scamming people out of hundreds/thousands of dollars. This is not making an honest living, this is screwing people over making the world a worse place for profit. Do better. I'd leave 0 stars if I could.

Tony's Mobile Mechanic is an absolute lifesaver. When my brake lines failed, he came out to my…read moreplace multiple times so I did not have to pay for a tow truck. That alone was a huge help for my situation. He diagnosed the issue, got the parts, and completed the repairs right in my driveway. The convenience was incredible, and the quality of his work was excellent. Tony is a genuinely great guy. He is professional, knowledgeable, and very reliable. He responds quickly over text, communicates clearly, and made the entire process stress-free. Paying was simple and convenient since he accepted Venmo. As someone trying to keep costs low, I really appreciated how affordable he was and how much he worked with me to make the repair possible. If you need someone trustworthy who truly goes above and beyond, Tony's Mobile Mechanic is the person to call. I am extremely grateful for his help and will definitely reach out again in the future.

I made a request for my brake pads to be replaced. I was given a flat rate price for each axle and…read moreeven recommendations on where to shop for the parts. He offered to pick up the parts before arriving at my location, although I bought them myself for convenience. At the time of the review, I only had the front brake pads changed which took less than an hour from the time he arrived. Very quick and professional. He had all the right tools and experience.

Didn't finish the car and lost some of the parts have to buy again and pay someone else to finish…read moredidn't finish the transmission was not even hooked to the motor the transmission cooler was not hooked to transmission I was left with a car that would not drive or move be careful when you talk don't let them take advantage of you just trying to help somebody.that back fired on me

From the owner: "Shoot first, ask questions later...about your diagnostics."…read moreProfessional Advanced-level Diagnostics, along with repair and maintenance solutions for all commercial class 8 trucks , light, medium or heavy duty equipment, & automotive of all makes and models business owners please contact for a dedicated maintenance & plan for you fleet