When Shawn owned Capitol Tire it was the most honest car repair place in town. Shawn retired and sold Capitol Tire, now expect to be told you need service and parts you don't need. read more

No, Just no, do not go here. Outrageously overpriced. They recommend a ridiculous amount of repairs and service. It's really sad how the new owners have totally destroyed what Capital Tire used to be; a trustworthy repair shop with reasonable prices and integrity. I checked with another shop about the one repair that they listed that I probably do need and found it for half the price they were going to charge me. read more

If you want to be extremely overcharged, then this is the place for you. I went in expecting an estimate of 300-500$, but walked out with one of over 3000$. They said multiple things needed to be fixed that did not need to be fixed. I replaced my timing belt around ~7000 miles ago, but they said it was bad and needed to be replaced. They said my air filter needed to be replaced, which it didn't as I had checked not too long ago. Finally, the actual part I knew needed to be replaced was quoted at 600$. I unfortunately had to pay the 60$ inspection fee and promptly left, found a non-predatory mechanic and had the part replaced for $400. read more

Phenomenal business. Very straight to the point and will not try to sell you on any service you don't need. I was cautious about where to bring my car since I'm fairly new to Madison and wasn't sure where to find reputable auto shops. If you're in the same boat, look no further! I brought my car here after receiving an engine error code on my dash and was expecting to pay at least $150 for the part and more for labor. I explained the issue to Mike, and he quickly reassured me that it was likely caused by the extreme cold temperatures. I was still worried about my car and insisted he take a look. He agreed, did a check of the engine, and reassured me once more that my car was in good shape. I was beyond relieved! He did a wonderful job explaining what had happened and patiently answered all of my follow-up questions-- Mike really knows his stuff! I'm beyond happy to have found a car repair shop I can trust. I will absolutely be coming back here if I need work done to my car in the future, and will be referring all my friends. Overall great experience! read more

Excellent service...and fair pricing! I will be back to buy my tires here. I appreciate the friendly informative help with my tire problem.

My wife had more than a flat tire (looked like it had been slashed) on her old Subaru (2006) and rode on the rim for a few blocks. I called a tow truck to replace the tire with the spare - there was little air in the spare and his portable pump was dead. I figured I could get air at a gas station nearby and I rode on the rim!!! Dumb!. Anyway, we towed it to Capitol Tire. They put on a new tire and had suggested on the phone that a used tire and rim would be a good replacement for the spare. But they determined that the spare was okay, and saved me $100. I have used Capitol Tire since my old mechanic (Odana Tire) went out of business. They do professional work, and the guys at the front desk are great. read more

Capitol Tire And Service has been my "go to car service" place for years! As a single mother, I have been treated like I know NOTHING about vehicles in the past! This establishment has always treated me with respect and consideration! They consult with me before they do anything that will cost me $$$! They know my vehicle and I TRUST them! read more

Capitol Tire has been looking after my SmartForTwo electric for a while. I got the dreaded "HV System Error: Workshop" message, and had to have it towed to their shop. They duly fixed the error for me with their usual swift and courteous service. Thanks again guys! read more

I've been going to Capitol Tire for (gasp) 35 years now, through several makes and models of cars! They have never steered me wrong, are open and honest about repairs needed and those that can wait, prices are very good, and tires are awesome. Hopefully, I'll be able to go to them for another 35 years! read more

Best I've found for automotive services. Straight forward, honest, knowledgeable, and just nice people. Their prices are competitive, but I also have the peace of mind that they do the work right and thoroughly. They have integrity and live up to it every time. read more

I took 2 vehicles to Capitol Tire for service and was very pleased. They were clear, honest, and did quality work. The shop is well run and the front desk is attentive and efficient. I recommend them if you need auto repairs. read more

Good place to get your oil changed, but if your vehicle requires additional service I'd make sure to get estimates from other shops. I needed brake pads replaced on one axel and was quoted nearly $500. Took it to another mechanic and got them replaced for $220. Just make sure you shop around, because the prices here can be a bit steep. read more

Hey Sean, I sent you a text letting you know how disappointing my last visits with you have been.it appears that you are on vacation more these days. It is apparent to me n other mechachs in the vicinity, that you are charging 4x the amount for what would be routine maintenance. Facts withhold in my estimates from other local garages. You are taxing the hell out of customers. First ,20o6 Toyota sienna,, electrical draw. I diagnosed the problem to a aftermarket starter, that I was unable to find. $685 disconnected plus replace a perfectly good battery n clean the terminals. Wtf. Class 2 elelectrcal diagnostic.. ?mm? Next . 2010 Impala. Steering pump problems. Your monkey (Brandon) estimated the job without ever looking at it, as $3200. Desk monkey. I asked if it could just be a power steehose. Nope . Likely it will be the rack n pinion control box that's leaking, plue62 hoses n a power steering pump, which now doubt, is ruined due to air I the lines. What a load of sheets. Scammmmm$$$ Paid Capital for diagnostic. Took to my local certified mechanic, dealing with covid n labor shortages. $832 .! No leaks In hoses no leaks in pump. I expect an apology from this business that we have been frequently giving $$% to for 30 years. Thanks Sean for asking my input. read more

My mom recommended this place and I'm glad she did (and not only because the location is convenient for me). The staff is always friendly and honest and Capitol offers reasonable prices. A few months ago, we brought our truck in for repairs and they helped us through the process of how to apply our warranty to our amount due to help ease the cost. Just today I dropped my car off right away for an oil change stating I did not need it back until 5 PM and they had it done within an hour. I was so impressed! Their hours say that they open at 8, but I have come 10 minutes prior to that and they have been open and ready to help me with a smile. It also doesn't hurt that there is the sweetest black lab that will greet you when you walk in. Seriously. If you were having a bad day, this has to make you smile (unless you're not a dog person). I just wish they were open on weekends, but hey, they deserve a break, too. read more

Brought my dead car here for an estimate Tom helped me get a tow truck , was prompt in looking at it and was honest with what was wrong with it. I am definitely a customer for life ! read more

I am a 21-year-old woman and the experience I had with Capitol Tire was unacceptable. The events described below span several weeks. I have a 2014 Chevy Cruze and it had been sitting for a few months while I was traveling. I had someone starting it every week or so, but when I got home in May and tried to drive it, it just wouldn't start-- completely dead. I jumped the car and it started right up, but almost immediately the electrical display and dashboard started flickering and turning off even while the car was in motion. I even noticed that when I used the turn signal, the light would flash but I couldn't here the ticking sound. Once I parked the car and turned it off, it again wouldn't start and this time the key was stuck in the ignition. I decided to take my car to Capitol Tire because they'd been recommended to me by a friend and I was able to jump the car again to drive it over to the shop. I told the mechanic (his name was Chad, it doesn't look like he works there anymore) the story, including that the car had been sitting for several months, that it wouldn't start without a jump, that the electrical display was flickering while I was driving, all of it. They said they'd look it over and get back to me in a few days. I heard back from them and they said the problem was the battery, that it had been sitting too long and was ready to be replaced. I made sure to ask if that would account for all of the symptoms I described, and they assured me it would. Trusting them, I paid the roughly $300 dollars for the repair and got the car picked up. Not a day later, a warning light came up on the dash about overheating, and I brought the car back in. They looked at it again and informed me that something completely unrelated to the last issue had occurred in the last 24 hours and I now had a leak in the coolant system which needed to be replaced. They charged me full price. Now, I was on a time crunch and needed to drive out of state in the next few days, so I didn't feel it was my place to question why they wouldn't have noticed this issue in their review of the car just a day earlier, or why they wouldn't at least reduce the price as a courtesy. Jump forward two months, on a four-hour drive to Chicago, the electrical display started flickering off and on and I knew the issue I had two months ago had NOT been fixed. I am not familiar with Chicago, but thankfully I was able to find an awesome mechanic in Adeel at ABM Auto on Montrose St who was able to look at the car and in a few hours describe to me exactly what had been going wrong and assign the issue to a bad alternator. He was very clear and answered all of my questions, describing how the issue was not connected to the battery, and even if my battery had been ready to be replaced two months ago, that would not have accounted for the electrical issues I had experienced while driving. And to top it all off, there was another leak in the coolant system that had to be replaced. Adeel was able to order the parts and replace what needed to be fixed within the afternoon so I could drive out of Chicago that evening. I felt scammed by Capitol Tire. When I went back to look at the receipt and report of the job they did on my car, I clearly saw that they had not included in their description of the original problem the issues I brought up about the electrical system flickering while the car was on, a clear indicator of the alternator being the problem. Maybe they just made a mistake, but that doesn't account for when we called them just a few days ago to air our grievances they didn't give any sign of caring about the time, stress and money I had to put into fixing a problem I thought they had taken care of weeks ago (plus how dangerous it had been to drive with a bad alternator for the last two months). Especially after reading some other reviews on this page about young women not being taken seriously by the mechanics here, I can't help but think that they didn't include the issues I described to them on their report because they just wrote me off as someone who didn't know what she was talking about and whose observations could be ignored. I'm not going back to Capitol Tire and I'm telling everyone I know not to go there either. read more

Don't let the name fool you--they do SO MUCH more than tires! I've been a customer for 4 years now, and will never take my car anywhere else. They've done routine oil changes, muffler troubles, and special jobs like polishing my headlights, but I can't even count how many times they've saved my ass in a pinch...like when my AC went out in the hottest week of the year so far. Sitting in traffic with hot air blowing on my face, I rang them up and they got me right in. (Thanks Brandon and Kari!) Or how about a few winters back when we got 16" of snow dumped on us. Remember that? Right before the flakes started flying, I realized I was driving on bald tires. Capitol Tire came to my rescue and I was able to take the beltline across town with confidence as the snow flew outside. When you walk through the doors, you'll see big potted plants, complimentary cookies, coffee, and a sweetheart black lab that's gentle as a lamb. Whether you know how your vehicle works or don't have a clue, they still treat you with the same respect. They also take the time to explain what's going on with your car, what your options are, and the estimates before any work is done. This explains why there are dozens of handwritten Thank-You notes from customers displayed on the wall. With customer service and turnaround time like theirs, you'd expect the prices would be astronomical, but they're incredibly reasonable. Add to that a free shuttle or loaner car service, and they really do take all the headache out of car repairs & maintenance. I honestly can't think of anything they need to improve. I would give them an extra star if I could. read more

I just had my daughter go there to get a valve fixed. Turned out to be the sensor. When she had the car returned to her, within a few hours there was a knocking noise coming from her wheel. I had her go back to have them look at it. There answer - "Something new is wrong with your car and it will cost $950 to fix it." I told her to leave and we will go elsewhere to have an honest guy look at it. The problem - not only did she leave with the lug nuts hand tight after they did the work the first time, but when she went back they left them loose and asked for $950. Bottom line, I have used them in the past, but after this, I'm done. No more business from me and I will spread the word about how you tried to take advantage of a 21 year girl, sent her out knowing you left her with loose lug nuts so her wheel could fall off and get into an accident. One word for this place - Dirtbags!!! read more

Last Friday afternoon, I heard a loud sound coming from one of my passenger side tires. I was able to get air in it and called Capitol Tire. I was informed it was likely a slow leak and that I should check the tire periodically. I requested an appointment, and Caleb was able to fit me in the following Monday. During the appointment the mechanics found a screw in the tire and a some other minor concerns. They were able to have it all fixed within a few hours. It was a very easy experience. I was grateful for their ability to respond to my potentially flat tire quickly. Thank you, for the excellent customer service! read more

I've been coming here for about 2.5 years now. I love cars but sadly do not have the ability or attention to detail to do my own work. Once my warranties expire, I have brought all my cars here. I was referred here by a friend who grew up in Madison who's family has been coming here for his entire lifetime. I am glad I found Capitol Tire. Sean and the crew are friendly and HONEST. They do a great job. They are able to work on all of our cars, which include a Honda, an Acura, a Mini, and I have even had them do work on our Porsche. I feel very comfortable with the crew here. Let me also put it this way. I think they are so fair and honest that I do not even use the coupons that are advertised in those mail coupon things. I want them to continue to have my business and I want them to do well. I want to treat them as fairly as they treat me! Thank you Capitol Tire! *Bonus* Its walking distance to Tai's Asian Bistro which is great Chinese Food for lunch while you wait. *Double Bonus* Their dog is adorable and they have popcorn and cookies. read more

We have bringing our cars here for more than 15 years. Sean and Tom are the best! Honest, friendly and knowledgeable. I recommend them highly to anyone looking for a reliable mechanic and a fair price. read more

The staff here were very helpful and friendly. They were able to take care of my lawn mower tire in short order. They also followed up with text messages making sure my tire was working well and that I had all my tire service needs met. Essentially they ROCK!! I highly suggest anyone that has tire service needs check them out. Great job guys! :-) read more

They are the best service company in town. I had big problem with my alternator and no appointment but they took me in and took care f it that day. They are just the best read more

This week Capitol Tire replaced my rear brakes. They got me an appointment the next day from when I contacted them, even though they were fairly busy. Sean at the counter was very polite, plain-spoken, and attentive. The lobby was clean. They diagnosed my problem (stuck caliper, as expected) and called me to quote a price before doing the work. The price was in the range of what I expect from mechanics. The work was complete that same day and I was charged the quoted amount. The inside of my car was not dirtied in any way that I noticed (no greasy smudges on the steering wheel, no stains on the seats, no oily smell). The repairs were apparently correct; my brakes now work as they should. This is the second or third time I have been back to Capitol Tire; I return because I have always felt fairly treated and well respected in there. They met my expectations in every way, I have no complaints, so they earned all five stars. read more

I had an issue with my car (Chevy Cruise) lurching and shaking. I am a young woman who feels extremely taken advantage of by this business. I called and asked them to take a look at it - not knowing that "taking a look at it" to them meant hooking the car to the computer and charging me $220 to do so. I could have gotten the same service free at O'Reilys. I took my car to a local mechanic in my hometown who charged me $70 for an inspection, and he looked at my whole car for that price. He was immediately able to see that the problem was the spark plugs and it was an easy fix. He charged me $650 for the whole thing - a new PVC intake, cleaned my engine for free, and replaced my spark plugs. This was opposed to the $2700 Capital Tire was going to charge me just for a new PVC pipe and an engine clean. My local mechanic said he had never seen such shoddy service and that I had been thoroughly scammed. I do not want this experience to happen to anyone else, especially a young woman like me who are often taken advantage of by such establishments. My friends and family are in awe at the price I paid for such an easy thing to do, that they didn't even do in depth. Save your money and go to a small town for your services. read more

The reason everybody gives Capitol Tire full stars is that they are honest, thorough, knowledgeable, careful, let me repeat honest, and professional. They have always been wonderful to us. When we first came, we were comparison shopping a non-urgent repair. We used Angie's List and Capitol's high ratings there got my attention. Right off the bat, their price was great. The fix was perfect. My beloved family mechanic from many years past talked to them and thought they were very good, and all around we've been very happy. Then this past week, as we've had car trouble far from home, they have gone far above and beyond and have proven to be not just great car guys but great guys generally. I can't recommend them highly enough if you are looking for the best in town. We've been going to them for two years with bigger and smaller repairs. read more

They are awesome when they can accommodate you. I went to them 4 times and twice and I was happy with their service. The other two times they didn't have time for me for many days in future when I perceived my problems were important- like a flat. So if your problem can wait for days in future then these guys are awesome. But if you need it more urgently, then forget about it and go somewhere else. read more

I've been taking my cars here for about 20 years for repairs, inspections, tires, etc. Always good work for a fair price. It can be tough to get an appointment on short notice, but that's because they're good, I think. read more

Honest and fast service. My engine was suddenly making loud, unhappy noises when we had family visiting and needed both of our SUVs available. Capitol was recommended by a few friends, though I had never heard of them. They squeezed me in with no notice, even though they were booked, and then they drove me back to my house after I dropped off my car. Called me back quickly and on time. Turns out to have to been a minor, inexpensive repair. I'm very pleased and glad to have found a trustworthy mechanic in Madison. (Extra pluses: They have a very professional, large facility that is extremely clean and a friendly dog at the front desk.) read more

I have been taking my vehicles to Capitol Tire after a bad experience with another shop. I have purchased tires, had oil changes, and other service and I have never been displeased. If something isn't right, they will fix it immediately. They even have a nice shuttle service so it's not a hassle to drop the car off for the day. Great service! I wouldn't take my car anywhere else! read more

I was getting serviced for a recall at Smart Toyota when they mentioned it was time for new breaks. Knowing the dealership was going to overcharge me, I was on the hunt for a shop that could see me on short notice. I was referred to Capital Tire by a family friend and could not have been happier with the result. They were able to squeeze me in the morning I called, provided a reasonable quote and great service. As part of my quote, they mentioned I qualified for a $50 NAPA rebate and even offered to complete the paperwork for me. I was soon contacted by NAPA, stating the brake pads didn't qualify due to a technicality. I called Capital Tire to follow up and they were already reaching out to their sales rep to get to the bottom of it. About a week later, I received a letter in the mail from Kari with a $50 visa gift card enclosed to compensate for the rebate I expected from NAPA. Now that's great customer service! Will definitely return and recommend them to friends and family. read more

It's obvious from the moment I walked in that this is a professional service shop. The facility is very clean and I've watched the staff treat their customers extremely courteously. I bought winter tires here and they've made swapping tires easy because they store my off-season tires on-site. I've also had oil changes and winter inspections for a couple of cars. Minor quibbles were addressed in a no-questions-asked, customer-is-always-right fashion. I trust Capitol Tire to always treat me with integrity and respect. Note: They are extremely busy so it pays to call ahead. read more

I was blown away today by the kindness, friendliness and honesty of the crew at Capitol Tire and repair. Was able to easily set an appointment over the phone and when I took the tires in, Sean was quick, helpful and completely up front about a inexpensive problem that could have been passed of as an expensive replacement. We'll definitely be back for all our auto needs in the future!!! read more

Good service at a decent price. I don't know much about cars and trust they lead me in the right direction. You can probably find a cheaper place to go in Madison, but they do quality work that I know will be done right. read more

After reading so many good reviews about Capitol Tire on Yelp and Google, I decided to join the masses and bring my car to a trusted mechanic. I was having issues with my brakes and figured it was a brake fluid problem, and arranged for an oil change since it was due as well. I figured there was going to be potential for a costly repair on the brakes, so I braced myself for that. I dropped off my car right away in the morning at 8am and by 3pm I hadn't heard anything. I ended up calling to find out if I needed another ride home or what. Turns out I had a leaky brake fluid line underneath my car where some fuel lines and brake lines run together, and the mechanic was hesitant to touch anything for fear of damaging rusty car parts. He explained the situation and it was more dire than I had expected. I felt like I swallowed a softball when he told me the cost to fix what he recommended, with most of the cost coming from dealer parts that he checked out. I have the advantage of having a friend in Milwaukee who fixes cars on the side and called him up to explain what the mechanic told me. He agreed that it sounded like a little bit of a hassle to fix, but scoffed at the price they quoted me. In the end, I had my friend fix my brake lines and a wheel bearing that were in question.... The only difference is that my friend saved me about a thousand dollars, compared to what Capitol Tire was going to charge. It was well worth the hour trip to take my car to my friends to get fixed. I have no doubt that Capitol Tire would have done a good job on my car, and I have to say the little I had to deal with them, I was appreciative of the good customer service. However, be warned: Like most mechanics, you will pay a lot for anything they feel is not an easy job. As for the oil change, you can go to a lot of places for a lot cheaper (I didn't find any coupons or deals for Capitol Tire). Oil Changes are just gateways for upselling other costly services they deem important. read more

I usually bring the car in -- not my husband, so I especially appreciate that they don't "condescend" or upsell. While they do indicate if something is due/worn out, I never feel pressured for additional products or services. And they explain cost-benefit of doing stuff vs. waiting. I've never had any problems scheduling service -- but I would not expect next-day service. Plan to wait a week or more as they have lots of faithful clients. There's a nice, comfortable, clean waiting room with snacks (popcorn or cookies), hot beverages, wifi and an adorable, big, black lab. (I just wish they didn't use styrofoam cups, but that's another story). Quick, reliable, honest professionals with good customer service at a locally-owned family business -- you could do far worse when it comes to car repairs. read more

Capitol Tire is extremely helpful with those of us who don't know much about cars, and put our trust in car mechanics. They gave me CHEAPER straight forward advice, for what was best for my car. Friendly staff with lots of knowledge. This is my new oil change place! read more

Awesome service and very honest workers! You will NOT get ripped off here

Amazing service. They were able to take our truck on super short notice to do a job no one wants to do because of the labor intensive-ness. They did a fantastic job, including checking and fixing other things that were of concerns to me without me having to ask in order to make the truck safe. In the end their price was more than reasonable, the service was superb. I would recommend fully and will bring my vehicle here any time. Can't say enough good things about Capitol Tire. read more

Capitol Tire makes me and my cars happy!!! Service is great, prices are even better. Never have a worry taking my vehicle there (I take them all there.) Work is always done well and on time. Thanks for everything! read more