We have had great experience with Carl's. If you call ahead, they can do your state safety and emissions tests. Their location is super convenient for us to drop off and pick up later. If they haven't been able to do the work we needed, they have given us another great local recommendation. read more

Excellent experience at Carl's. My battery was shot, so I bopped over to Carl's. They were super busy - booked for days. Mark said he'd take a look at it anyway. He did more than that. He diagnosed the issue, ordered and installed a new battery within an hour. He went over and above, something I'll remember as I use them for any future issues. read more

Very professional, good communication and excellent work. I was very pleased with their service.

Carl's is great. After we moved, we had to find a new mechanic. They're straighforward neighborhood mechanic. Pretty much have done everything to our old pick up truck. read more

I have taken my car up there eight or nine times for different repairs. First they ignore you for five or ten minutes. Then they say, nah, we can't do it. Every time. They have NEVER worked on my car. I think they really truly hate repairing cars. Or maybe it's just me. read more

I brought my car in here for an oil change and emissions test. Mark was super helpful, honest, friendly, and knowledgeable. Prices were reasonable and service was top notch. Done in a couple hours. Highly recommend! read more

Mark and the guys at Carl's have serviced mine my family's cars for years and years. I'm talking 50+ years. Never had any complaints or issues. They fix the problem and fix it right the first time. Never any hidden fees and are always upfront about their work. I highly recommend them. read more

Great service! I live in the neighborhood and came in for an oil & filter change. They were very courteous, respectful of COVID-19 cautions, and left my windows cracked so my car wouldn't be boiling once I got back into the car. Happy to have found this place, I'll be back. read more

My wife's car has had a handful of troubles. It's an old pre-owned CRV. Her AC went out last July but it was due to a slue of problems. We had to get everything fixed and cost just under 2k. Nothing you ever want to do...especially on a used car. Well, come to now. The AC is out again. They were very understanding and added freon and I think fixed a hole? But they did it for free. Now, they knew we put a boatload of cash into it at this point so they were doing us a solid. Overall, great customer service. Something that's really valuable in this industry. read more

Sitting at Jiffy Lube getting an oil change making me think of my car... Which makes me think of Carl's. The owner's name is Mike and him and I go way back. One of the few people I still like after giving them about $5k. This man will tell you like it is. What you can wait to fix, what you need to fix, and when it might be time to throw in the towel (he told me if I need another big repair I should part ways with my VW). He truly has done all the major repairs on my car. And he is a really nice guy. He once did a free oil change because I had just spent so much. Last time? I had him replace the wires, coils, and shock plugs in my car and it was raining outside. I live about a couple miles away and Mike offered me a ride. When I turned him down he gave me his own umbrella. Which is pretty fabulous service. Service you probably wouldn't get anywhere else. read more

Expect to pay a little more than your strip-mall Iffy Lube, but know this: your car will be taken care of by guys who know what they're doing. This is an old-fashioned, locally owned garage and places like this deserve your support. This may be the only garage I have ever been to that told me they were not going to do work I requested because they felt it was unnecessary. Saved me several hundred dollars - but they now have a loyal customer. read more

I went for an oil change just to check them out. The reviews on Nextdoor have been good. I believe they have been in the neighborhood for awhile. I went down the street for breakfast and coffee. He told me other things I need to get done, (which I knew). I've been looking for one place to service my Honda CRV. This may be it. read more

I have been a customer of Mike for over 10 years. He has always been helpful and attentive to my situation and needs. He's honest about what he sees and what he does. If it turns out to be a real simple fix, he doesn't try to beef up the problem and get more out of you. When he talks about what he's done or needs to do, he lays it out in easy to understand terms with no tech babble or flourish. He's also upfront about any other issue he finds. If I took my car in for repair, he would sometimes point out things that don't need to be fixed now but might need to be eventually, whether it was serious or not really a big deal (brakes, tires, etc), and about how long I could go before it became a real issue. In every case he was right, said item would get to be a problem later. Usually though there's nothing extra he points out that needs attention, so I know he's he's doing it because he understands cars and legitimately wants them to work best for you. After several moves I now live over 10 miles away, and I still will take my car to him every time, even for simple oil changes. He's the most honest mechanic I've ever come across and has always treated me right. I'll be seeing him in about an hour for a strange electrical problem in my car and I have every confidence the issue will be resolved when it leaves his lot. read more

My husband and I have been going to Carls 66 for a little over a year now (we live just down the street!) Mike, the main mechanic, is one of the friendliest, most honest people around. He'll give you the straight up story with your vehicle and nothing else - won't try to nickle and dime, coax, or confuse you into services you aren't sure about. Just this week, I had the fuel pump quit on my 2006 Cobalt (I'm slowly finding out why this model was discontinued..). Mike told me about a service recall bulletin for this exact problem and told me to take it to the dealer to get it fixed. Sure enough, the VIN# for my make and model qualified under the manufacturer's warranty and I got it fixed at the dealer for no charge. This fixjob could've cost around $700 he told me, but Mike's honesty is priceless. Would highly recommend! read more

Went for an emissions inspection. Fast and friendly. Very personable staff who seemed educated in what they do. Small office, but very accommodating. Great service. read more

I'll preface this by saying I didnt have any work done here, but appreciate a good business and think this deserves mentioning. I was in a strange predicament that I'm road tripping old route 66 across country when the AC went out... In mid august... We found out in New Mexico what part we needed but no one had it, so we began calling around in cities we would be passing through. Mike helped us out looking for the part and was very honest and helpful when letting us know he wouldn't have the part by the time we would be coming through STL. He gave great advice and explanation. We have spoken to some sketchy places so far that gave some shady advice and said they could fix it for tons of money without ever seeing it and promising they could get the part without checking. It was nice to speak to a good honest shop! read more

I've always been pleased with the work done by these guys, especially considering the fact that they've been incredibly patient with my old car (1965 Plymouth). Mike, the owner, is very friendly and will tell you straight-out what's going on with your car. They're also fast and affordable. Great neighborhood repair shop that I'd recommend to anyone, especially to those living in Tower Grove South. read more

Great south city neighbor hood garage. These guys are honest and give it to you straight. I have been to other places that have tried to take advantage, because I appear to be a clueless girl when it comes to cars. Mike, Gary and Skip never once tried to dumb it down for me. They've got my business. read more

I always appreciate the service I get from this place. I've been here twice and Mike is a genuine, all around great person. Okay ..being a female needing repairs can be tricky. I know how that sounded but I'm talking about my car. You've got so many mechanics waiting for a sucker to come along so they can take advantage. Both visits here Mike was able to work me in and repair my car. He keeps it real and he's very knowledgeable. One yelper mentioned he was a bit pricey. I don't mind paying a few extra bucks for quality service. read more

Absolutely great! I am going to them from now on. I live just down the street and went to them for the first time last week. My windshield wiper was not working so I took it in. They called me back an hour and a half of dropping it off, and when I went to go pick it up, they told me they wouldnt charge me anything because it was just a loose bolt. I was shocked! If I would have taken it to any other place, they would have charged me for SOMETHING. Really nice guys and are honest; genuine people. Everyone should go there, seriously. read more

They have completed various work on two of my cars. The prices aren't the cheapest, but they are not that much more if you compare to other shops. Either way, it's worth it to me. I get good work for a fair price. They are also very honest about what needs to be done and what doesn't. Something rare these days in the world of automotive repair. They also talk to you like a human being and not some schmo. read more

Carl's is the kind of mechanic you never expect to find but feel lucky to when you do. They're quick, fairly priced, and above all, honest. They've always given us several options, from what really needs to be fixed right now to what we're going to need to look at down the road, and they've never pressured us into anything. I strongly suggest taking your car there at least once just to give them a chance. read more

I went in there to get my oil changed, and they decided to do a full service check up instead, giving me new filters that I didn't ask for, and running up the bill to be over $75. read more

Loved them a lot 'til Mike charged me $400 for a wiper motor and $18 for an antifreeze refill. And Mike was rude to my husband. And the mechanic smoked in my car while he was fixing it and stank it all up. Something's not right. read more

Though they were quite busy today they were very accommodating and squeezed in an emissions inspection for my car on the last day of the month. Mike was very friendly to me on the phone and when picking up the car...definitely recommend this independent neighborhood shop to anyone! read more

Took a vehicle here to have an O2 sensor replaced. Brought in the new sensor brand new in the box. Also brought in the new wire harness clip that needed to be put on the car so as to clip the new O2 sensor in. Someone had cut it off the car... The old sensor was already removed. The FOUR wires that needed to be attached to the new connector clip were cleaned, stripped, and ready to go on both the part and the car. The ONLY reason I did not attach them myself is because they were different colors and i didn't know what two wires went together. I even drew an detailed schematic showing exactly what needed to be done. All he had to do was look at his manual (that i do not have) and heat shrink four wires together. The wires are very easy to get to and clearly visible. They are right in front of your face when you open the hood. Seriously, probably the easiest wiring job on a car you could have... I just didn't know the colors... I could have done this job in 15 min, INCLUDING climbing under the car to thread the sensor into the exhaust, had i known the wire colors. As I am not a mechanic... should have done it in ten. He charged $160.00 for this. He just kept saying "that's a fair shake" sure it is... if your shaking a baby... Remember... I did ALL THE WORK already. he just had to stick four, simple, color coded wires together and stick the sensor in a hole in the exhaust! This guy is either the worst mechanic i have run across in a long time or a full blown shyster. If he had said "well, this didn't take long but we have a minimum one hour charge..." That would be fine. I get it, you need to make money and I don't mind paying that. small business and all that.. great. no problem. 80 bucks, 100, fine. whatever. That's not what happened... In my opinion, this guy is a con artist. One last thing... most of the good reviews you read are from people with run of the mill problems and most importantly... they don't actually know anything about cars. Certainly not enough to judge weather they are being ripped off. I'm not a mechanic but I do know about cars... A good shyster can take your money and leave you happy enough to leave a decent review... Don't buy it. There are a ton of small businesses out there that want your business so you don't have to support unethical con-men. Go someplace else! read more

When I moved to the Midwest from Florida I missed my mechanic more than I missed my family. A stranger, who would later become a friend, told me about Carl's Service. Since it was in the neighborhood, I stopped by to set up an appointment to have my car serviced. Mike was able to work me in a couple of days. When I went back to pick up my car Mike told me about a couple of items that needed replacing but that they could wait until my next service interval. That was 15 years ago. All of the mechanic's are top not professionals. When my car has needed more that routine servicing Mike outlined what the problem was, if there was any connection to other automotive systems, and approximate cost to repair. These guys really, really, know their professions. They are kind, respectful and courteous to a fault. When I had to make an emergency trip to Florida earlier this year Mike was able to service my car without a moment of hesitation. My partner purchased a 2012 Mazda3 and he simply will not let the dealer touch it. I allowed the dealer to service my car once and I have never been back. We will continue to give Mike our business until we are both to old to drive. And finally, Mike's mother, Mrs. Betty Osia, "Miss. Betty", is an absolute jewel. read more

Over a period of 4 years I went to this guy Mike for EVERYTHING I had done to my car. Every single time, the original quote was more than other places charge. Then, when it was time to pay, the amount would always be at least $50 over what even the original quote was. Everytime he is telling me "have it fixed right, we do a good job that's why we charge a little more". OK, he charges more, but then he charges even more than that. I would never have continued to give him business, except he is the only mechanic in my neighborhood, and I always figured it's the same as paying a tow to another place, so whatever. The final few straws: I payed $1200 to repair an intake manifold gasket(a $700 job anywhere else, at the absolute highest, and he quoted me $1000 and then charged $1200). A few weeks later, I have hoses that are burned through that need repairing. He quotes me $250 and charges $400. The only reason those hoses got burned is because the intake manifold got welded back on crooked. So he just took me for an extra $1000 minimum ON TOP of the high prices I had been paying him for years. You give a guy that much business and you expect him to do good work for you as a returning customer. This is not the case at Carl's 66. So, a few weeks after I pay for those hoses, my car completely dies; even though the intake manifold was fixed, the years of driving with one that is "faulty and going to eventually break" builds up fluids that ruin your entire engine. Of course I did my research prior to asking him to fix the intake manifold and asked him how often does this happen, and is it even worth getting fixed? He says it does happen sometimes but "he'll do a good job". So, after my car is completely dead a couple weeks after shelling over $1600 bucks to this guy, another mechanic looks at it and tells me what happened. I tell the guy, "man I read up on this beforehand and even asked the mechanic, I can't believe this happened to me." And this new mechanic says "yeah, I don't even fix intake manifolds because even after fixed they do this %80 of the time, and you shouldn't have payed over $700 no matter what." I even specifically asked Mike at Carl's 66 what is the percentage of it failing? He says it's 50/50, yet he has been fixing cars for over 20 more years than this other mechanic. In other words, he just fed me a line like he always does. So yea I guess I'm a sucker but I went to him because I expected good service from someone I have given so much money to already in the past and because he is in my neighborhood. On top of all this, he is rude pretty much all the time, like he is doing you a favor by looking at your car. Hah yea right, I did you a favor by helping you pay for your mortgage and food you grifting rip-off artist. Don't ever, ever, go this guy for anything. He relies on neighborhood clients, just pay for a tow to somewhere else and save yourself a lot of time, money, and peace of mind, not to mention other things breaking on your car(which he probably does on purpose to get you to pay him more). He is one of those real deal shady mechanics that will lie to you about anything just to make a buck, simply because he has the mechanic's manuals and tools to use and he knows that you do not. I'd give him negative stars if I could, a true p.o.s. if I've ever met one. I'm in debt now and without a car pretty much all due to the trust I placed in this guy, and it's affected my life pretty badly. Stay far, far away from this shop, if you can even call it that, it's basically just a thieves' den. It's just like another poster (William S.) said, this guy is a con-artist, plain and simple. read more