It seems that they don't care about keeping/earning your business. I've taken three different vehicles to them before coming to realize this. They were trying to charge me $77 ($10 discount off) for an oil change for my van that needs 7qt of synthetic oil. I called Toyota in Lombard and they said $56.95. I asked them to at least match the cost. They (Adam) wouldn't do it. I asked to speak with him, he came out of the office only to challenge me about how I only used them for oil changes, where do I get the rest of my maintenance done. Not the response I would expect from an owner/manager looking to earn business. He told me to go ahead and take my van to Toyota. That's what I did, saved money and not have to deal with a shop looking to overcharge their customers. Thanks for opening my eyes and showing me your true colors Adam! It reflects the company as a whole as he's the son of the owner. I will not return and make sure everyone knows how you treat your customers. read more

I went for an oil change on Saturday only because I had a coupon for 20$ and after they come out and tell me I need back breaks, rotors and a serpentine belt. Telling me my car is very dangerous to drive and if the belt breaks, since they said it was cracked already that my whole electrical system will shut down and then it will cost me 2700.00. Wanted to charge me 189.00 for belt and almost 600 for breaks and rotors. So I make some phone call right away and get prices on the parts, needless to say I purchased the parts for 160.00 and called a relative who is a reputable car mechanic and to find out that, I didn't need rotors at all and yes the back breaks pads were going. So he changed them. Now I get to get a 100.00 refund on the parts I did not need. Never again will I step foot in this scamming business. I also made sure that they put the oil in my car, because you never know with this business.... read more

All I wanted was an oil change. Didn't have a lot of time, expected the typical 20 minute in and out oil change you can get anywhere else. What I got was an hour + waiting room experience and a quote for suggested repairs. The technician was kind and could tell I was in a hurry. But the money man showing me the quote was rude, and told me that all oil changes include this safety check. If you want a quick oil change go anywhere else. Seriously, anywhere. They'll do it faster. If you want a full safety check and ways to spend money, Bartel's in your place. And the rear-view mirror hanger / key chain plastic coupon pushed it over the top. read more

RIP OFF CITY! I have to agree with Johnny A. I took my car in and initially was told it would be $129 buck to determine what the check engine light code meant. I said forget it, and got the code for FREE at a local AutoZone. After I found out the problem, I went back to Bartel's and was charged $149 bucks for some "smoke" test to determine exactly what the problem was. They told me I needed a new fuel pump. They wanted to charge me $560 for the fuel pump, and over $250 dollars in labor. They claimed that "they would have to move the gas tank which would take more time." I found out that I could buy the fuel pump at an auto place for only $250 bucks - less than HALF the price of what Bartels wanted to charge me for it! When I told Bartels "forget it" I then went to THREE other local auto clinics to see how much labor would be. Two were around $150 bucks, and the third was only $90. The labor and part charges at Bartels are TOTALLY insane. While they do give "free" estimates, they get pissed when you decide not to get the service done. Additionally, the woman at the front desk is annoying. I'm not interested in hearing about her life. Bottom line...their work is just so-so, and their parts and labor prices are totally high compared to other places. I HIGHLY suggest finding another place to get your car done. read more

I brought my car in on a oil change coupon. They told me I had nearly $400 worth of brake repair telling me that I only had 10% of my front breaks left. I thanked them and left. I brought my car into another guy on a family recommendation to have my bearings checked, I asked the other guy to quote me on the brakes while he was looking at the wheels. My new guy told me that I had 50% left on the brakes and didn't need any immediate work. Bartel's is UNTRUSTWORTHY!! Needs to be put out of business if that's how they are going to run things. read more

Steer clear of this place!! I brought my truck in with a high idle and engine light on. I had the codes for the engine light siting the potential problem. They insisted I get their engine diagnosis for $129(they originally wanted $179) to further diagnose the problem. Well, after their diagnosis they came up with $1400 worth of services that I needed, which upon taking my truck to another garage and getting a second opinion, found out that their 'diagnosis' was way off!! Btw, when I told them I wasn't going to use their service and get a second opinion they grabbed my money and rushed me out...I gave them 1 star because you can't go any lower read more

My '95 Accord had a pulsing in the brakes, and I took it to Bartel's in Carol Stream to have the front rotors turned. They have a machine which will turn the rotors on the car, which I thought would be the least expensive way to go, but Bartel's still wanted $200. John called me and told me the front pads were found to be badly worn, and needing replacement. I was surprised, and told John that they were replaced with name brand ceramic pads less than 5k miles ago. John asked me who replaced the pads, and was told that I did. I approved the replacement of pads, with the condition that John would show me the old pads. A couple of hours later, John called and said the work was done, and the pads didn't need replacement after all. Hmmmm. He also inspected the rear brakes, which I didn't ask for. I would have preferred they left the rears alone, because they were causing no trouble. An unscrupulous repair shop might have adjusted the rear brakes to wear more quickly. I would recommend watching Bartel's very closely, and I am wary to return anytime soon. I will say that they solved the pulsing issue. read more

Beware of the coupons at Bartels Auto Clinic. They are nothing more than a lure to get you in so they can empty your wallet. They ran a "special" - $19.99 for an air conditioning check. I brought my daughter's car in and was told that everything seemed fine and it just needed to be refilled with Freon - at the cost of $25.00 a pound - she needed 3 pounds , and $100.00 for labor. Guess it's hard to screw those hoses on. Less than a week later, all the Freon leaked out. I brought it back , and now they want $875.00 to fix the leak that they couldn't find before. I was told not to worry, they wouldn't charge me again to recharge the system - big of them! I brought the car to another mechanic and was told he could fix it for less than $250.00, and that includes the labor and the Freon. I can't stress enough - DO NOT TRUST THIS ESTABLISHMENT!! This not the first time they have attempted to rip me off - you think I would have learned. I brought my wife's car in for an oil change about a year and a half ago. I had to bring it back because they didn't replace the dipstick. I was also told that I needed a new battery ,and that one of the gaskets was ready to go soon. To this day, the battery is as strong as ever, and no fluid leaks anywhere. Like I said, you think I would have learned - I have now! read more

I took my 1996 Blazer (in very clean shape) for new oil and filter. An hour of waiting they informed me that the engine locked up while they were working on it.first I thought he was kidding he said that the car had over 100k miles on it and that could happen to anyone? Mr Bates the service manager estimated that to put in a used engine and labor would be at least $2800 .I had to leave it on their parking lot as the time was late and I needed to do some calling and make a plan. next morning I met with Pat Bartel..the business owner. Pat was not there the day before.He showed no remorse and was indifferent.. I called several other service garages but they said that they didn't want to get in the middle of a law suit and declined my business.I filed a complaint with the BBB.they said Bartels was NOT a member in good standing..They communicated with Bartel but without success..They suggested to take legal action ..Days later I was called by a Bartel's employee that wanted to buy the Blazer...???..at junk price.. this sounds like the old Arizona gas station scam. I think some of Bartels mechanics are day labor...my grade of Bartel's. FFF... read more

I love them. They took a completely crap-tastic situation and turned it around. I was having a stressful week--looking for a place to live with new roommates, just started a new job, when I got a flat tire 30 miles from home. Fixed it that night, and called Bartel's first thing the next morning to see if they could squeeze me in (since it was on my way to work). The girl that answered the phone said sure, she could get me an appointment in 15 minutes--perfect! I took it in to get the tire looked at, they said it should be 20 mintues and then I would be on with my day. Well, not so much. Apparently they guy who was working on my car was new, and forgot to move one of the arms on some apparatus out of the way when they lowered my car. The driver's side door was open, and so it got bent so much that it would no longer close. The owner and the general manager both came out to tell me the good news was that the tire was fixed and they wouldn't be charging me. The bad news was that I couldn't drive my car. BUT, they had already called Enterprise and were going to pay for my rental until my car came back from the body shop. Amazing customer service. I will definitely be going back there. Not only was the door fixed (as well as the tire), I never paid a penny AND when I got my car back they had washed the outside and even detailed the interior. Nicely done! read more

Absolutely horrible experience! Not honest and they could care less about customer satisfaction! I will never bring any car back to them! This is a long story so sit back and relax......here we go! Day 1......my son is having trouble with his car. I test drive it and it's bogging in between gears as if it's not getting enough gas. We also had a steering power issue which was no big deal as I knew it needed a new power steering pump. Bartels said they could look at the car right away....so I thought, hey that's great, I can get my car fixed right away! I bring it on a Saturday. Saturday afternoon john from bartels calls and confirms the car needs a power steering pump. He says the car is bogging because it needs new spark plugs and wires....ok, how much? John says $1013.00. Um ok let me digest this I will call you back. 15 minutes later I call, and tell them to go ahead at least this will fix the problem. He says ok I'll order the parts today(Saturday) and have them on Monday. Your car should be ready Monday by 2pm. Ok no big deal! At this point I thought they were great! Monday at noon I call john tells me the power steering pump arrived broke! But that he would order a new one and it would be there by noon on Tuesday. He continues to say I'll put the spark plugs in today(monday) and when the new power steering pump gets here (Tuesday) it will only take an hour to put in so your car should be ready by one. Ok still no big deal! Tuesday comes around and my sons dad went to pick up the car at 1:30. He says I'm sorry I didn't realize your spark plugs were modified and I ordered stock so I put the wrong spark plugs on your car. But it ok you can take the car and when the correct spark plugs come in Tommorrow ( Wednesday) you can stop in and it will take an hour for me to switch them out. Ok so now I'm thinking when he took the spark plugs off, did he not then realize, wait these are modified! Why? Why did it take him til Tuesday when the car was ready to realize this!!!!! But I let it go. I just wanted my son to have his car back. So my sons dad went on Wednesday they switched out the plugs and he was on his merry way about 3pm in the afternoon. My son was driving to baseball practice that same night ( now it's 6pm) and car dies in the middle of the road! (Mind you prior to bringing the car in never died so that was not an issue) making this story a little shorter.....I finally got the car back to bartels on Wednesday evening at around 8pm. Of course they were already closed! So I called first thing Thursday morning at 7:45. No one answered so I left a general voicemail saying the car is sitting in your parking lot and explained the whole situation! Said please call me when you figure out how you guys messed my car up. By 10:30am I hadn't recieved a phone call so I called again. They picked up and acted suprised as if they never got my voicemail....yeah right! Anyway they said they would take a look again and call me ASAP! 4pm rolls around and never got a call! So I called.....receptionist says.....oh I'm sorry john left at noon today! Ugh......really, well apparently he didn't feel like calling me before leaving for the day!!!! Would have been nice to at least follow up and say hey, I'm leaving at noon today but so and so will call you this afternoon.....ugh. What kind of customer service is that! So when I called at 4pm Adam bartel gets on the phone and says I'm sorry I thought john called you....we are just waiting on the injector#4 to arrive......ummmmm......ok I hope you are not charging me for this because one....nobody called me to tell me what's wrong with the car and two this was your screw up to begin with. Adam says no he didn't think I would get charged for it. Friday comes along and John finally calls to tell me the injector #4 was bad and he had ordered a new one but the closest place they could find stock was in California and it wouldn't be here until Monday. He says they would waive the labor charges but that I was responsible for the part.....ok how much? $214! Go ahead but this is it, it better fix the problem because we will have major problems if it doesn't! Monday comes along.....get a call at 3pm. Your car is ready to go! So excited to pick up the car assuming it was.completely fixed! My son calls me and says....mom it's not running right still....ok bring it home let me test drive it. One mile down the road I'm test driving it and once again the car is struggling to stay in and is fluttering when all of sudden a bunch of smoke comes out of my exhaust......and the car dies! It is now after hours once again to call bartel but at this point I was so damn frustrated I do t even want to deal with them anymore.....why so they can continue to play a guessing game on what's wrong with the car! They are no mechanics over there they just have a bunch of guys changing out parts one after another! Called Tuesday and no call back at all! DO NOT LET THEM TOUCH YOUR CAR! read more

Well, I paid $90 for no work done, I guess that entitles me to a purchased "review time slot". My wife freaked when our son's beater power window would not go up and ran it to Bartel's. Buy the time I had read up on this, they had called back with a $600+ repair estimate. I said "no thanks" and they went to go get the car and got charged with the "estimate charge". As I looked up on the internet, I found a you tube video on how to fix this and the price for parts. Parts cost were a little over $100 dollars. The guy in the video did the whole job apparently in under an hour. From what I saw, this looks like a common bit of a work across all the car makes. I can't see why they needed the car for the estimate except to collect the "estimate fee", if you don't like their prices. With a little luck I found a shop to do it for 1/3 of Bartel's price (seems to be right). That means my "estimate charge" was roughly 40% of the actual cost of the repair. If this doesn't scream "run to the hills, run for your life" away from this place I don't know what does. read more