I went to get my brakes replaced and was really happy with how everything turned out. I normally feel very weary about auto repair shops because of past experiences with upselling. Never once did they try to talk me into doing more than I needed, but instead explained everything to me and different alternatives that would work and outcomes for each. Super nice staff and even though the location was a little out of the way for me, I will go back again. read more

I brought my 1973 Ford F100 to get my transmission , carburetor and fuel issue looked at. From the start, Carl was very honest and straight forward. I was given really good advice and he took care of my truck's immediate needs. He found the transmission to be in better shape than I originally thought. The issues I knew that existed were easily explained away. He did give me a quote if for any reason I wanted to have it rebuilt. It's always good to have options. I bought fuel tank and related parts from a reputable classic car parts site. Carl installed it for me. Along the way, he found out why I had issues with the original fuel system and he took time to explain 1970's fuel system engineering and why they did things the way they did back then. His explanations helped me feel comfortable with my decision to replace it. The last issue was with my carburetor. I'm not a carburetor guy and don't like messing with them too much because I'm always afraid of messing them up. The carburetor issue was as follows, when the truck is in gear and my foot on the brake, the engine was vibrate real rough. I knew it was a tuning issue but I'd rather leave it to carburetor experts, like Carl. He tuned it to perfection. Now the engine performs like a champ. My hats off to Carl and his team at Drake Auto. I'll visit them again in the near future. read more

Drake Auto - Auto Repair Near Me - Sterling, Virginia

I took my VW Jetta for transmission drain and refill, which consisted of replacing approximately 3 quarts of oil and filter and gasket. When I called for estimate, I was shocked with the price I was given. Nevertheless, since my friend recommended these guys I took the plunge and negotiated the price down ($250), which was still more than a typical cost for this service. What bothered me most is the shop's recommendations for transmission replacement $4000 to $4500 quote, because they found metal shavings in the drip pan. A car with 126k miles that has never had transmission oil replaced, metal shavings in pan are expected. This was also confirmed with my transmission guy. My car already runs better with the drain and refill approach I chose to do. In short, if you are looking for higher than dealership price and unnecessary repairs then this is the place for you! Btw, after leaving this shop I noticed they had transmission flush special going on for $99 (A procedure which requires more time and oil, than drain and refill). Go figure, there was no mention of this special to me! read more

Been going to Drake Auto for a few years now and never been disappointed. Up front pricing and honest business. Deal with Kyle most every time I am there and he is always super friendly and great to deal with. Will honestly tell you what you do need and don't need done rather than dealerships that will gouge you left and right. Will continue to take my car here and would recommend to everyone I know. read more

There was a problem that did not exist whatsoever until immediately after I picked up my car that is the odometer light going on and off. Also brake light goes on and off and they worked on the emergency brake. Owner feels no responsibilities whatsoever even though the problem never occurred until they worked on it. I would never treat my customers like this. read more

I've taken my Ford Edge to Drake Auto twice now. In my life I have only found two shops that I implicitly trust. Drake Auto is one of them. Drake Auto is always straight-up and honest and never seems to ask for more than necessary. Once, they gladly took my own after-market parts when I fubbed up a brake job trying to do it on my own. On my most recent visit they could've suggested I needed new tires, or that there was something seriously wrong with the rims. Instead, Kyle started by suggesting the most cost effective option and move up from there. I always recommend Drake's Auto for this reason. Consistent, honest, and professional. read more

2008 Acura MDX ABS Wheel sensor replacement dealers price with OEM parts $350 (which includes labor for drilling). First he told me it will be Drake Auto price $450 for a cheap Chinese after market part worth $30 they charged me $96.They are basically 30 ~40 percent more than the dealership, they will Rip you Off Beware. read more

I had my front brake pads changed out so that I could pass State Inspection. The price was as exactly as indicated. But even better, when I press on the brake pedal, the car brakes..flat, true and straight and even. read more

I bought a pair of high performance rims for my Audi C7 S6. I heard that Drake has one of the Hunter touch-less tire mounting machines. They also have a road force balancer machine. There was no charge to remove my good tires from the OEM rims. Carl installed the tires on my new rims with the fancy machine and did a road force balance on all wheels before mounting on my car. Carl and his staff are very professional and offer great service with integrity. Waiting area is very clean and comfortable with WIFi. It is a hidden gem given my navigation did not get me to the backside of the building. Highly recommend. read more

5 star rating, 10 star service. It's amazing the gems you uncover just by doing a random internet search. I found these guys after first taking my vehicle to Sears and being met with an enormous wait time. I searched the internet. The one time ever, I didn't read a single review before taking a chance, I find a diamond in the midst of the internet rough and that diamond, Drake Auto Repair in Sterling, va. They did an awesomely fast alignment and within a weeks time, I returned to have them fix my muffler. The father and son duo of Carl and Kyle work like a fine tuned engine. I was wondering what kind of service I would get in the absence of the father half of this team but Kyle did such an amazing job with the muffler I had no doubt that no matter who you see when you arrive at Drake Auto, the job is going to be done right. I would recommend Drake Auto Repair to anyone because if I trust them with my car, from customer service to the work being done, you can trust then with yours. Get this, I don't live in Sterling va but the service they deliver, is worth the drive. I think I've said enough, you be the judge. read more

I needed alignment for my mini van. EXCEPTIONAL PRICE AND SERVICE!!! Carl was especially helpful and the rest of the staff were knowledgeable and courteous! Despite being their busiest time of the year, they were able to get me in and out in GREAT time as well, everyone was happy to help and friendly It's first come first served so go early! Excellent service, honest about what need done. Very good price. Can't ask more then that. read more

My car was in desperate need of breaks with inspection coming up. I had gotten several quotes from different places and then I walked into Drakes. They lady and gentlemen on the the front desk were very pleasent from the beginning. I was told they were busy but they would try to get me in. In a little over I was out the door (that included having the parts delivered). My price was well below all the quotes that from the other places! Drakes will be my goto automotive shop moving forward. Thanks! read more

These guys are the real deal. Fair prices and will even turn away business if you don't actually need it. I came in for a brake job and was wondering about my fluids after the Honda dealer told me I needed new fluids. (I brought my car in for an airbag safety recall) I thought Honda was trying to up sale me because I had my fluids done 8 months ago. I thought I would ask to be sure Drake's to be sure. Turns out I do. They even got out Ph testing strips to prove the engine coolant was expired. The last place I got my fluids flushed ripped me off. These guys are trustworthy and I will be coming back for any future work I need on my car. read more

A really honest and high quality auto shop around Sterling area. Employees are very friendly and helpful. Definitely will be back here next time. read more

My husband and I have been coming to this place for over 10 years. We first went to them to inquire about the brakes on my Honda Civic after the dealer quoted me some ridiculous price for resurfacing my rotors and replacing the pads. This place replaced everything for over half the price. We have continued going to them ever since for all sorts of work on our cars and have never had a problem. I trust them because there have been times the dealer will tell us something needs to be done and after getting a second opinion here we have found some things were not necessary. I have had oil changes, timing belt, tire changes, and brakes done here and my van is in top shape. Not to mention the owner is the nicest guy and I can tell he really cares about his profession and his customers. I highly recommend this place. read more

What can I say about my first experience with Drake's Auto? I have a 2006 Ford Taurus that had been having electrical issues of late. I don't want to trade it in because it runs well and had low mileage. Not wanting to take it to the dealer and not being here long enough to have met a good mechanic, I turned to the Internet to research my problem. After changing the battery and watching YouTube to change a switch in my steering column to no avail, I was faced with having to turn to a professional. Fate had it that Drake's Auto was first on the list if searches. I stopped in without an appointment and shared my tale of woe. Carl took the challenge and made me feel at ease with the trust he inspired. 45 min later my problem was solved and he even showed me what the problem was and was way less than I expected. Needless to say Drake's has a new dedicated customer! Thank you!! read more

Definitely my go to repair shop. Timely service. Great communication. We were hit by a snow storm and they made rescheduling a breeze. They actually called ME back about the inclement weather. They talk with you about your service and not AT you or down to you as if you should have already known what professionals know. A great customer service experience! read more

It is very pleasant to visit this place. honest and not pushy. The mechanic is very knowledgeable. I deffinitaly will come back again.

Ironic that their website promoted "no bait and switch" pricing on brakes. Called on Wednesday to setup Sat appt. Tech took my info and said that my explorer is standard and they'll be able to take care of me. I get here Sat morning and when they look over my ford, they tell me I need a "special" brake that'll cost $400 so total would be over $1000. They said they could do just the pad but it wouldn't be under warranty. Full Bait and switch in effect. Buyer beware and Drake, you may want to remove the false advertising. BTW- Hogan and Sons gave me an estimate at half that cost. They didn't mention anything about "special brakes" and no, I'm not calling you back to "work something out" Regarding below: Why should I have to haggle with an "honest" business person? Be right the first time, not when you lie and then try to place blame elsewhere. I do not have a trailer hitch or tow package as you stated and your competitor basically said you were lying. Fix your website to be more truthful. I'm not hiding behind the internet. I'm telling anyone who is doing their due diligence about my experience so they don't try to get suckered by your technicians. Don't have time for your honest business techniques. read more

I needed an alignment for my dads car and found about about the special at Drake Auto. I called in immediately and they were able to fit me in with just a few hours notice. The alignment machine they used was really nice and they even test drove the vehicle after to ensure the alignment was perfect! The staff and owner were extremely friendly and knowledgeable. They showed me something else that needed to be addressed on my vehicle and were able to fix that on the spot as well. They also had very reasonable prices! I'm very glad I found this shop! read more

Horrible customer service with bad attitudes. First thing I hear when walking through the door is, "Next time call first, appointments only". Wow, sorry. Then I go explaining I just had my vehicle aligned here a couple of months ago and doesn't feel right and wanted to get it checked. Receptionist girl says, "ok so you want a alignment check, have you been here before?" In one ear, out the other. Had my vehicle aligned a couple of months ago and it was done in 15 minutes. To me, it was rushed because it was almost closing time but whatever. It didn't feel right from that day but I figured it could just be my tires that were feathered. Flash forward, got new tires installed and wanted to check the alignment because it still didnt feel right. It failed on the alignment check which was just done not that long ago, no warranty had to pay again. Here we are a few days later and alignment still not right. Even on the sheet with the specs that they did, my camber is worse than it first came in. I can visually see positive camber. My caster is way forward. The toe is on the higher side. I don't even want to go back to get it fixed, they are short with customers and just want to push them out. Both times I've been there they make me feel rushed to leave. We run a shop and would never treat customers like that. Not happy at all read more

This is my favorite place to take my car to get work on. Great people, friendly, honest and fast. I take all my family cars to Drake Auto and get good quality work. Great family business. Thank you!! read more

Short version: My biggest issues: - Charging more than promised - Trying to have me pay (+ their profit!) for a part THEY broke, and trying to displace responsibility! Not admitting mistake - Saying car felt "perfect" twice, but within one min driving 100% obvious something was wrong - False promises for completion time and multiple delays. Even if part didn't break, 4+ days! vs ~1 quoted - No sense of urgency - No feeling they did anything wrong, ever. No apologies. Just indignation Long version: Got a quote from Carl in July for $800 clutch job. Wed night 8/3 drop the car, he says should be done Fri latest. Thurs he says "I am sure we will start on it today." Fri I call and he tells me the car is on the lift but they didn't start work yet because they are down a tech. But since it's taking up a lift, it should be worked on quickly. Saturday morning I get a call from Carl at 10am telling me that my clutch disc that I picked can fit two ways, so they don't want to mess it up and put it the wrong way. He's pretty sure it's one way, but he wants to be sure - I contact mfgr and connect him with Carl. Heard nothing for the rest of the day. Monday at 3:45 I get a call from Carl. "Somehow" a part on my car was broken and he needed a replacement to finish the install. He told me the part is $90 and would take 2 days to arrive. Part is NOT fragile or easy to break (pictures will follow). Seems like he expected me to pay for the part. When I asked for clarification of how it broke, I was given the runaround and even heard "Well I don't know if it was broken before" but car would not be driveable if the part was broken. The part is the side to side shift lever for the manual transmission. Without it, you can't put the car in gear. I had a short shifter on order which replaced the part in question so I asked him to put that in instead. Paid extra for expediting. I dropped the part off Wednesday, 8/10. 8/11 at about 11:45 Carl says they'll pull the car in within 30 min. I ask if it's possible to get the car by 2, as I have a meeting later that afternoon and he says no because his tech is at lunch. I tell him that I need to get the car back that day, because they had it for 7 days longer than expected. There never seemed to be any sense of urgency from Carl, though. I called and discussed and asked him to text as soon as the car was done. Text at 3:46 "Car is done all is perfect." I arrive to pick up the car. Carl comes out, friendly as ever. He tells me he just test drove the car and everything is absolutely perfect and smooth- Great! I'm excited to get my car back, finally. I get the bill, and now somehow the charge is $920, not $800.....How is that? He said because of the extra work they had to do due to the broken part...."but you broke it?" He says "well it was broken." I say "Well the car wouldn't be driveable if it was broken before you got it, right?" He says "It broke under my watch, yes." I start to get upset now - he asks what I want him to do, I say the very least is to take off the price of the part they broke. He said he has to look up his price (again indicating that he originally wanted me to pay the $90, and profit off breaking a part!) I said I can get it for $60 so take that off, and he did, so $860 instead of $800. I go to drive off and it doesn't feel right. But brand new heavier clutch + short shifter, I thought maybe just needs to break in. But a mile down the road I realize I can barely get it into 1st gear. I have to push VERY hard on the shifter to do it, and instead of 1st it often ends up in 3rd! I'm really upset at this point, and then I get a low oil pressure warning on the car. Drake auto closed at 5 already so I drove the few miles home. I checked, and dipstick was dry - I freaked out at this point so I emailed Carl about it and asked for "honesty" about how the part broke and how the install went bc I was worried if something was dented or cracked underneath the car that caused an oil leak, + shifter was terrible (which could have been clutch). He was totally indignant, asking me to not be "silly" or make "ridiculous" arguments, and then reiterating his experience with VW/Audi. Thankfully oil pressure issue was coincidence (unrelated), but the shifter was caused by a poor adjustment during install. 3 times before install I emphasized the adjustment was the most important part. I sent over a detailed pdf and a video which also outlined the adjustment. But it was done incorrectly - I fixed it myself in about 10 min. Carl was helpful after everything, and answered many emails from me as I tried to figure out any possible issues. Thankfully clutch is good. But my experience was NOT a positive one, and I could not imagine trusting Drake with my car again. edit: see his reply-Didn't address my " issues", instead says I'm a bad customer and somehow at fault. I didn't complain about him asking about clutch! And I'm a lawyer, so what? Tells you all you need to know read more

Pricey, no integrity! They offered to tow our vehicle for $30 more than a local towing company. No thanks! When I asked for an email outlining the estimate details they only provided it after the work was done. Gave me the middle finger when I disputed the Sketchy fees that were randomly added-- just for fun, (reminds me of ATT bills) without my knowledge. I was also told we wouldn't be charged for things which somehow mysteriously appeared on my invoice. When I questioned the charge, owner Karl remembered his promise and agreed it shouldn't be on the invoice, yet the refund didn't happen yet. STAY AWAY FROM HERE! We went to Skyline for the rest of our work. A fraction of the price. No scalping or random, just for fun fees, all promises kept there. read more

This is a very good auto repair place. I took my Jeep here to get serviced Very friendly staff very informative mechanics super trustworthy and efficient will definitely do business again. Thanks! read more

These guys were outstanding! Very quick turn around in getting a speedometer Calibration done! These probably one of the only ones in Loudoun County! And they do more than that! Check them out! read more

Made an appointment and was a couple minutes early. We chatted about the details, got the estimate, and took my car right in. About an hour later my front brakes and rotors were replaced for a fair price. The service was exceptional, very friendly and genuine. If your nav system gets you lost...its because their facility is on the back side of the building. read more

I had been looking for a good mechanic for a little while and Drake Auto was recommended by a coworker. I called them and a few other places for a price quote and they were the cheapest by a few hundred dollars! Not only did they fix the problem for the amount they said but they were honest! They noticed my brakes were going bad and let me know but instead of trying to make money in that moment they let me know that I would still be alright for about another 6 months! I then had another problem with my car and they brought me in the same day even though it was the week of thanksgiving and realized it was just a matter of tightening a screw so they did not even charge me for it! I will be coming here from now on and would recommend them to everyone!! read more

Dont' go here if you are a woman alone. I went for a simple oil change and lo and behold few days later my car is out of oil and the filter wasn't put in right. What a way to rip off a lady I had my car many years and no problems until I come there. I will take my car back to NY where there are cons there too but not near as many. read more

Drake is the best. If there is an issue after the car has left his shop it is taken care of. They went over and above for my VW golf. It is finally getting smogged. I would highly recommend Drake's European for any car repair needs you may have. They have been GREAT to do business with. As a business owner myself (https://www.auburncasolarcontractors.com), that is huge! Thanks Again! read more

These guys are the real deal. Friendly, courteous, professional, well equipped and technically capable, and a full axle brake job cost about half of what their closest competitor charges. Despite the few bad reviews they have, I decided to give them a shot, and I'm glad I did. It took a little longer than originally estimated, but I had them do a rear brake check and wheel alignment as well, so nothing unreasonable. But the tiny space heater they have wasn't adequate to warm the waiting room, so I spent most of the time huddled over it. All in all it was worth the risk and I will return. read more

Had the front control arms replaced on my car along with all 4 wheels brakes done. They did the work in a very high quality manner and at well under 1/2 the price the dealer wanted for the work. Just plain excellent. read more

Outstanding service from Kyle and Carl. First time here decided to give them a shot basic oil change and a trans flush. Got done fast did a free check on my car and also gave me the papers of my tires and alignment check for free also my car is 09 with 115k miles. I will be going back for all my car needs. Trustworthy with great price. read more

Carl's comment below is not true. I'm not a former employee but a customer. Read the other 1 star reviews and see the consistency specific to Drake Auto breaking parts on other customers' car. Also under not recommended review Elena E. is his wife so there's additional unethical examples of how Drake Auto is a big scam! Seriously with so many other repair shops why would you even risk taking your car here? A car is a big investment so why let him and his son cause damage to it? Also why is Carl constantly commenting on his customer's reviews, regardless if they're good or bad? Also why is he as asking Yelp to remove reviews? If he were a legit business just do the best you can do and let them customers post good reviews. Just by commenting on every review you know Carl is more interested in being an editor instead of a mechanic! That should be a big red flag. Stay away from this Father & Son con job. Kyle is useless, and before this gig he was bagging groceries at Wegmann's. Carl will nickle and dime you, and adds everything onto the bill. You casually pick up a Drake Auto keychain, you then see a $5 line item on your bill. I unfortunately bought my Jag into the shop to get 1) oil change and 2) spark plug changed. I stayed there to observe Kyle work. First off, he thinks he knows everything, so when I tell him where you're having concerns or areas of problem he pompously smirks and nods his head, but doesn't listen. When he started to change the oil, he started to unscrew the undercarriage cover. Okaaaaay, what's going on here? Then when he realized he didn't need to do that, he screwed it back on but also accidentally stripping the plastic so the screw doesn't hold that section in place any longer (so who pays to fix this now I wonder?). Then for some fucking strange reason decides the current nut isn't good enough, so decides to order a replacement nut. Charges and arm and a leg for it (did you do this to charge me more moneys?), and it turns out that nut doesn't even fit, some cheap after market Chinese nut, so oil spills everywhere. Where's the original nut, just put that back in please? Apparently it's been trashed and can't be found. So to "fix" this issue, the father has to order a bigger nut but now it doesn't fit into the oil pan. Therefore he decides to tap the oil pan hole so it can be larger to fit. Of course, now there goes your oil pan ($1500). "Oh no, it wasn't me who damaged your pan, it was someone before me, so I cannot be held responsible for it". Now comes the spark plug change. I guess they ordered some Kmart blue light special plugs, and I guess after they changed it they didn't bother to test it out. I pick up the car, and immediately as I startup the engine, the check engine light comes on, and the car starts to shake violently. Apparently they left out one of the plugs! They took it out but didn't put one in. Goodness, there's nothing I can say about this except Wow! Let's just say I had to take to another shop and paid a fortune to get their mistakes fixed. Lesson learned. Regardless of what folks say on here, if this was truly a legit and good company wouldn't you think there would be more then 4-5 reviews? Check out the great shops, they all have 50+ reviews, and I'm not talking about positive ones, I'm talking about just the number of reviews. You been there for 12 years so that's 1 review every 3 years? Come on now. read more

Carl and Kyle are the best mechanics in the DC metro area. They are nice, very honest and professional when it comes to repairing your vehicles. I bring all my cars, trucks and recommend friends over there. We have been coming to Drake's for over 4 years now and have been very happy with the service. They have exceeded my expectations every time I go there and I will continue to return. Twice I have come in with minor problems, they were fixed in under 10 minutes and Carl did not even charge me. Talk about good customer service. Another time I brought in my F150 for him to look at the transfer case issue (which two other mechanics told me needed a $3000 replacement) and car cleaned it up and it was working perfectly for $80. They are better than dealer service for 1/3 the price. read more

I took my 1973 VW bus here and had my carburetor rebuilt first and ended up replacing it, and had them adjust the timing and idle to make it run better and I couldn't be happier with the work that Carl and his team did. My bus now runs great. Recently, my clutch cable snapped, I had the bus towed there and they installed the new cable and had my bus ready in less than 24 hours. Carl is really the most honest mechanic that I've ever brought a vehicle too and is very knowledgeable. 100% would recommend! read more

I own a 2006 Hyundai Sonata that needed front and rear shocks/struts,bushings and a transmissions fluid flush. I had done some mechanic shop searching for about 6 or 7 months at shops that specialized in shocks/strut work. After about two months I narrowed it down to Drake Auto Repair and a Mechanic shop in Glenn Burnie Maryland. I called Drake Auto and Carl answered the phone. I shared with him what the dealer and the other places had told me and their high cost for shocks and struts. After listening to me he suggested that I bring my 2006 Hyundai Sonata in to find the problem. Then he told me NO CHARGE to look at it. He won me over with 'NO CHARGE' to look at my car todetermine the problem and give me a price quote for repair. Back in March 2016 My son and I took the time to find the place and drove from Burtonsville Maryland. He took the car for a test drive first to listen and hear the actual problem then he drove it into the shop to take a further extensive look. Within about 10-15 minutes He told us exactly what the problem was and the cost. He gave me a couple of options but I told him that I needed time to save up but I would be back to have the work done. On June 28, 2016 My Son and I drove from Burtonsville Maryland (Montgomery County) to have two of our vehicles serviced. We were greeted by Kyle (Carl's son) and other staff with a warm welcome and speedy check in. I was hesitant at first because Carl is on vacation for the next two weeks but once Kyle started talking and asking me a few questions I could hear and sense that he is very knowledgeable like Carl (his Father). My Son and I felt special and received outstanding customer service the entire time. In addition Kyle kept us abreast of what was going on with both vehicles (2006 Hyundai Sonata and 2006 Hyundai Sante Fe) while waiting in the lounge. The shop and place is very clean...very impressive. My family and I have decided that Drake Auto Repair is well worth our one hour drive to have our vehicles serviced. We will recommend this place to family and friends. Thank you Kyle and other staff members for fixing both of our vehicles on the same day. read more

Outstanding service and priced well below their competitors. They've earned a customer for life!

Customer service was great and the prices were fair. I had new brake pads and sensors installed plus new front rotors on my F10 BMW 535i. They ordered my parts and confirmed pricing while I waited. Carl and his team had me in and out in half the time the dealer takes. I'll be using them for maintenance moving forward. read more

Nothing but good things to say about this shop: customer service is top-notch; diagnosis was thorough; honest recommendations on which repairs are needed immediately and which can wait; estimate was accurate; job done right and completed on time. There's a culture of professionalism and integrity at Drake Auto that begins at the top and is woven all the way through. read more