I've been going to Louie at Campus Automotive for close to 20 years now, and a couple moments really stick with me. When I was younger, I brought in a car thinking I had a serious engine issue. Instead of taking the job, Louie immediately told me it was something the dealer should handle and not to spend my money on repairs there. He could've easily taken advantage of the situation, but he didn't and he was right. Fast forward almost 20 years, I had some major work done on another vehicle. I was quoted one price, but when it came time to pay, it was significantly less. When I asked why, they explained the parts they ordered already included some of the components, so the cost dropped. Again, something they could've easily kept to themselves. That's the kind of place this is. Honest, straightforward, no games. On top of that, the cars always come back running like new after repairs. Even something as minor as changing a turn signal bulb, they've taken care of without charging me. Over the years, Louie has always been professional, fair, and takes care of his customers the right way. On top of that, him and his team give back to the community and support local efforts, which says a lot about who they are. If you're looking for a mechanic you can trust, someone who's going to treat you right and not take advantage, I highly recommend Campus Automotive. -Matt Escobar read more

Not only did Campus Automotive give a very competitive estimate they completed the repair under the estimated price. Plus they did some additional repairs that I asked for still coming in under the estimate. Repairs come with a 12 month 12,000 mile nationwide warranty. Very professional shop. read more

$70 to $80 dollars for a synthetic oil change. Any dealership would charge that. No benefit going to Campus Automotive in Merced. They charge according to VIN number. Any shop only need make and model. 'We do not install any customer parts' -- Campus Automotive April 1st, 2024. read more

I came here with my car steering wheel broken. Their staffs were really nice to me. They also gave me a drive home since I left my car there to repair. I even got student discount at the end! After all, I know that I chose the right place. read more

i have had some work done all in all good place their prices seem to be fair and they have warranties

Campus is friendly, on time and has a transportation van. They are my go to for oil change and car repair/maintenance.

I took my ol' F150 here a couple months ago. I've had no problems with the repair. The fix was more than I could handle myself, so I knew it was going to cost quite a bit. They were able to make the repair for a little less than I was expecting. The repair took a few days, but they called me at the end of each day to keep me informed with the progress. I took another car here about 9 years ago and that went smoothly as well. They were able to get the car in that day and fixed it. I try to avoid repair shops as much as I can, but when I have to take a car someplace, I take it here. read more

Honest with excellent work and professional service. They use quality parts and tell you if you need it or not. So glad I found this place when I retired to the area a few years back. Better shop than the one I went to in San Jose for years. I had rear brakes , alternator and a radiator installed all new belts and hoses. Love these guys. Thank You ! read more

I live down in Los Angeles County. These guys helped me take care of my daughter's Camry. My daughter is away at UC Merced and doesn't know much about cars, so they helped her out and diagnosed the car. They gave me a fair price and we will definitely go back if we need any work done. Very considerate and understanding phone calls to update me on what was going on. read more

Excellent service, civility & common sense pricing. They never disappoint. I can recommend Campus without any reservations.. LJ

The guys at Campus Automotive are great. They may not always be available same day, but they're very honest and they do good work. I recently took my car in because there were white spots in the engine compartment, and they figured out that it was just wax from having my headlights polished. They didn't charge me anything. Like I said, they're very honest, and the guys that run the front desk are also very good at what they do. read more

Campus Automotive totally saved me! My family and I were on our way to Sacramento when our car started making a horrible sound; turns out, a panel had partially fallen out of the bottom of my car, hundreds of miles from home. The folks at Campus immediately inspected the car, removed the panel that had been dragging, and got us back on the road in 30 minutes. They even did some research so we could make an informed decision about future replacement for the damaged part. I can't say enough good things about this place!! read more

Had a very bad experience with my old mechanic. Decided to try out a new place. Campus has a great friendly and professional environment. They checked out my car and fixed the damage done from my old mechanic. My car is happy and healthy now. I highly recommend this business. read more

I have taken several of my personal vehicles there several times and Campus Automotive did a awesome job. MR. Louie MARTINEZ, And Mr. Andrew Curiel both owners are always respectful they listen to your issues. They will call you personally by phone give you an update after running your car in their diagnostics on their computer system to narrow down your problem also give you the quote of fixing it. They will give you a ride home if needed or even pick you up to receive your car. 100 percent I will be back. Thank you Mr. ANDREW AND MR LOUIE MARTINEZ AND STAFF. See you again. Chris read more

Edit 11/1/16 I found that down the road my master cylinder needed to be replaced which may account for the dark fluid that I drained out of the line. The seals of the master cylinder piston had deteriorated which may have caused the darkening. Edit: After a couple hundred miles of driving, I noticed the clutch just didn't seem to engage smoothly. The clutch began sticking to the floor and becoming "mushy" after a while and In fear that the mechanic did not fully flush the clutch line/master cylinder reservoir as discussed and agreed upon (something that is standard practice when replacing a slave cylinder I even provided them new fluid) I drained the fluid and sure enough, the fluid came out black. I can only expect that there was air in the line that was also not bled out. Attached are pictures of the bad fluid that came out. I ended up having to flush the line myself, adding new fluid, and bled the line properly. Their customer service is good but the work that was done is questionable. New to the area, was looking for a shop to go to after my car's clutch went out. I'm always skeptical about going to new shops for serious work but after a recommendation I figure I'd give Campus a call. Got a great quote that they stood by after the work was done. Had my car towed there to be worked on first thing in the morning and they had it done mid afternoon which is great for what work had to be done. I really appreciated the pictures that were taken and sent to me while they were working on the car. They showed me pictures of the location where the work was being done and the part that had failed before we moved forward with replacing it. Excellent communication, will definitely be brining my car back if it ever needs a repair that I can't handle in the garage. Thanks again! read more

great service in a pinch! My 2001 VW passat unexpectedly stopped working in town. I'm not from Merced and had no idea where to go. Towing guy and Sears Auto Center recommended Campus Automotive. Professional service, quick diagnostic, and they resolved problems professionally and for what I felt was a fair price. They provided quotes on a couple other recommendations necessary to pass CA smog if I keep the car, but were able to get my car up and running again to let me continue my vacation. Very good service! read more

Excellent, excellent, excellent! Honest, polite, extremely competent, reasonably priced, time efficient. I have my dad's 1987 Chevy S10 pickup because it reminds me of him. But it needed sooo much work. I took it on as my project (being a mechanic's daughter) but finally conceded that not only were my skills too limited, but I lacked the proper equipment. Our neighbor works at Campus Automotive so I made an appointment with Louie to discuss my options. I already knew the work was going to be extensive. Owners Louie and Andrew were awesome! From the onset, they talked with me - not down to me. All staff members have excellent customer service skills and are very skilled in their specialities. We agreed on what I already knew I needed - a "new" rebuilt engine. Louie & Andrew thoroughly explained the game plan, the cost of parts & labor, and worst-case-scenario. Throughout the entire process, they kept me well updated. But the most impressive part was all of the extras that they did while they were in there, without adding to the cost of labor. They made me feel like working on my Dad's truck was a labor of love for all of us. The final cost actually came in a little less than I expected - which is not your typical scenario dealing with automotive repair. The day I got to pick it up was awesome; it seemed like the entire staff was excited for me. I drove off the lot feeling like my Dad was in the passenger seat telling me, "Those are some great guys." Thank you, Louie, Andrew, and Shorty, for making this truck not only road worthy but trust worthy. I LOVE driving my little truck. read more

First, I must say that Louie is his staff members are the absolute BEST!!! They will provide you with phenomenal professional service, customer service, and an incredible atmosphere every time you need their assistance! I've been with the Campus Automotive family for many, many years now and they have always resolved my vehicle problems correctly (I don't ever have to go back because something else may/has gone wrong after my vehicle has been serviced like with other mechanic shops) and they get you taken care of in a timely manner so you can stay moving forward with your life's plans. Hands up, the best mechanic shop/team/family EVER, and I will continue to recommend any and everyone with vehicle troubles to them! Thanks, Campus Automotive YOU ALL ROCK! read more

Campus Automotive - Thanks to Campus Automotive, I'm back on the road safely! - Auto Repair Near Me - Merced, California

Came here for years because they are super highly recommended and regarded in town. They are always super busy so don't expect to get an appt in less than a week. Understandable. My grudge is the honesty and thoroughness of their diagnostics... I had an oil leak in my car that started super small and one day I came outside and my car was sitting in an entire pool of oil!!!! When I took my car in, they diagnosed it as needing a new main oil seal In the front for sure, and probably one in the rear. He said the seals are where the engine meets the transmission and he would have to drop the engine to replace them and estimated $1500 for the front seal $2000+ if I had to replace both, the cost was all labor as the seals themselves were only $5. It's an older car so it sat for years as I debated if it was even worth saving. I ended up getting a second opinion and the mechanic said it was a crack in my oil pan that got worse over the years due to road vibrations! It was an $800 fix!!! Campus would have charged me 2 or 3x this amount and my problem still wouldn't have been fixed! I feel like because I am a girl and look young they weren't the most honest. Either that or they are so busy and overwhelmed that they overlooked the real problem... either way I will NEVER be back and I share my experience with anyone who recommends this place! We all make mistakes but this mistake would have robbed me blind read more

A big shout out to Campus Automotive for doing a great job fixing my car! This past week my starter ignition gave out on me and started looking for good mechanics in merced. The best mechanic shop in town is Campus Automotive because other mechanic shops were overpricing the part while Campus Automotive gave me a fair price. They even gave me a lifetime warranty and one year warranty of no labor costs nationwide. That is an offer that no mechanic shop can't beat. Their customer service was excellent! They will call me and let me know how the process is going and will give me a diagnostic report. They even had a shuttle for people that dropped off their car and don't have a ride back home. Overall, I had a great experience at Campus Automotive! I would definitely come back if any of my cars need service! read more

Had to give this rip-off shop one star cause you can't post no stars! Took my truck there for a clunking noise in the front end when I turned the steering wheel. They replaced the bushing causing the noise and charged me $1500! Found out that it should have been a quarter of that, but that's not all the bad news. They called me and said my breaks were worn out and must be replaced. This is odd since I had a complete break job done at Pep Boys just 6 months and 4 thousand miles prior. I took the truck back to Pep Boys where they showed me the new breaks were fine! STAY THE "F" away from these robbers! I filed a complaint with the State. read more

This place has been recommended by many acquaintances, so I finally showed up for an oil change. The staff immediately acknowledged my presence (unlike Sears, where they seem to want potential customers to leave), and were friendly and professional. I will definitely go there again. Only minor complaint? The religious music in the waiting room. I'd rather listen to country, jazz, rock, or silence. read more

When you come here ask for Louie. Friendly guy that don't look at you like your dumb. I do drive all the way here, just because of the service. I receive the most respect and I don't get those weird looks when I ask question. I don't know much about my car. But that is why I ask questions. They do alignments, oil changes, tune ups, and you can also get your tires here too. read more

I Just worked on your job your shop did.. let's say your "short" was an unplugged harness.. your shop is a joke.

I was new to Merced and needed to get my Volvo looked at. Back home I have a volvo mechanic, so I was a little nervous... but there was NO need for nerves. Louie took care of my car. i dropped it off before work, got a ride to work from their shuttle service and it was ready to go the next day. EXCELLENT SERVICE, GREAT PEOPLE, QUICK, and GET THE JOB DONE RIGHT for a reasonable price. If you are new to Merced come here they will take care of you. read more

After feeling cheated out of my money from the local dealerships work on my car, I decided to go with Campus when I needed to get my alternator replaced on my 2002 Ford Focus and I must say that it was one of the best experiences I have ever had with a mechanic. The guys at Campus did the work I asked for at a competitive price with other local mechanics and when something went wrong after they replaced the alternator, they looked at the car and sent me pictures to show me what was going on so that I didn't have to just take their word for it. They then shopped around for the best price for me and when they found someone else who could do the work for cheaper than they could, they recommended me to the other shop and got me their discount for the catalytic converter I ended up needing replaced. Finally, when things went wrong a THIRD time, they offered free diagnostics for me since I had just brought my car to them and it was working (though, poorly) before I gave it to them and they found the issue and even exchanged the broken part that I had just bought recently from the local AutoZone for me without any extra fees. I have never felt like such a valued customer and while I hope I don't have to go back to them any time soon, I definitely recommend them to anyone who needs their vehicle worked on in the Merced area. Thank you, Louie and everyone else at Campus Automotive--you guys are the best. read more

Campus is top notch! I have been taking my cars there for 10 years, Louie and Andrew always take good care of my cars. Whenever I have questions these guys take their time to explain the issues, I really appreciate that. Thank You guys for the years of great service. LT read more

The people are amazing and helpful . I drive about 40 minutes just to have them look at my vehicle . Definitely worth the drive

They are good and honest. I went to fix my wheel bearings and I told the wrong side of the wheel need to be fixed. They took time to check the other side to make sure which side did really need fixing. They even text me video. Nice and kind at the front desk. read more

Campus Automotive is a Professional, Honest and Friendly repair shop. I own a Cheve S-10 and Camry. The staff has treated my family and Friends so well that even my son and daughter who live out of town have driven to Merced to have their cars serviced by Campus Automotive. I rate their honesty at a 10. Merced is fortunate to have such a honest professional repair shop like Campus Automotive. read more

This place honestly deserves no stars. I took my car in for a diagnostic and they couldn't tell me what the problems were. They charge you for two diagnostics and can't tell you what's wrong with your car. read more

Efficient, friendly, honest, reasonably priced. Great shop! My truck's alternator crapped out at night on 99 as I was heading up to spend a weekend at our cabin in the Sierras, so I spent the night in Merced and looked for shops to fix it. This place had good Yelp reviews so I called and they said they could get it done that day. AAA towed us there and they scrambled to get my truck fixed right away so we could get back on the road, in just a bit under 2 hours. Their work even comes with a 12 month warranty. I don't want to break down ever again but if I do, I hope it's near Campus Automotive. read more

I was from SF Bay area when my car started making many noises. "Louie" set aside time for me and readily diagnosis the problem and fixed the problems with his computer evaluation and driving the van, himself. He was able to give a comparable price and I felt very assured that it would be safe to travel back to San Francisco. Thank you for an honest assessment and pricing. If I am in Merced again and need auto repair, I would go back! Louie has been in business for 16 years and has not advertise since 2002 as he relies on word of mouth customers. He stands by his integrity.l Joan L. read more

Louie rec I go to another Mechanics (John at Bob's Foreign Auto Repair) bcuz I drive a 1961 air cooled VW Bus. Louie said he can work on them but that John was the Vdub man in Merced -he was right, John rocks! So giving Louie the 5 stars bcuz you know he's legit if he's sending customers to another garage bcuz he respects your ride and knows what's best. Id def bring regular cars to Louie because of his honesty and integrity. Thanks man! read more

Excellent service, great experience. Dave was very helpful and had my car ready quickly. Would recommend to anyone

Great friendly customer service. Fair prices. I felt very comfortable that they were honest and explained things well. Highly refer Campus Auto to everyone. It's refreshing to see there are honest and trustworthy people who take pride in the business and it shows here. Thank you Campus, and may my dodge durango never see your service shop again. read more

Been going to Campus, since they opened. Louie, Andrew and the staff do a great job. Always inform you about your vehicles issue and what needs to be done to fix it. I had a minor emergency this morning, had my truck dropped off prior to the shop being opening. Called them at 800am, explained my issue, no problem, they said it would be taken care of. Four hours later, received a phone call, truck was ready for pick up. Great service! read more

These guys are amazing! Always friendly and always accommodating, especially during emergencies. We take our cars here all the time and they do a terrific job at everything. They also offer very reasonable prices! read more

Campus contacted me to look into the issue and see if there was anything they could do, so they get some extra points for customer service.

Took my sister's car in to get fixed. Really friendly staff, great price. I am bringing in my truck next. Strongly recommend.