****UPDATED 8/12/26**** It's all about how you treat the customer, and after getting a call from Jon Duncan, the owner himself, things started to turn around. The morning after returning my car for the AC issue, I got a call from the owner of Duncan's, his first words were accountable, apologetic, and genuine. He told me he was going to come pick up my car, leaving me a loaner (with functioning AC) because HE was going to make this right! After full diagnostics Jon had figured out what the cause was, I needed to replace my AC Compressor since the clutch was bad. He charged me ONLy for parts. He also threw in an oil change, replaced my cabin filter at no cost. He treated me like a priority and, like my business was important to him. I went from swearing I'd never go back to a business and in less than 24 hours I proclaimed I'll be a customer for life at Duncan's Automotive in Lincoln. Jon, you 100% reclaimed my business by offering me grace and empathy. You went above and beyond by coming to my home to pickup my car and stay with it from start to finish, assuring standards were followed and top service was delivered. Thanks to the team at Duncan that made this right, it changed EVERYTHING! Original Post: Called Duncan's and said my AC stopped working. I told them I also need a new drivers side door handle. I was quoted $800+ to diagnose AC and replace the door handle. I then received their call quoting an additional 1200 to repair blower and other parts for the AC, I agreed. AC worked on the way home, success!! But, then I loaded up my family the next day to get to the Reptile Expo, just ten miles away when the AC stopped working halfway there. My daughter, with a severe seizure disorder cannot handle temps over 80, started to have seizures. A nightmare. Monday morning I called and told them it stopped working and that I could not afford to not have my car for another day but would bring it in if they could get it fixed and prioritize my situation (already had my scheduled appointment and paid!) I heard "standing appointments" are already scheduled, clearly I would not be a priority. I was told they'd be able to get it back but would need me to leave it, again. I said I couldn't afford another Lyft and they said "we'll have someone take you home". I enter the shop and service writer Mike asks me if he can help me, only to seem flustered the moment he realized I was frustrated, as I was sharing the simple facts with him: I brought it in, I picked it up, my daughter was impacted by seizures and he said "you've made your point"! No, "I'm really sorry about that" or any concern/compassion/customer service) then he pointed to the work order from the previous week, and said I "didn't say the aC wasn't blowing cold air". I told him I'm not a technician nor would I know what words to convey beyond "my AC isn't working". He asked "what does that mean to you?" It means my system I use to cool down the interior of the car wasn't functioning and I paid close to $800 for a diagnosis to correct that issue. He said they'd get the car looked at but I may incur further charges, i told him I shouldn't have to pay for anything else since they told me the car was fixed and it wasn't (plus parts totaled $650 and labor was over $1200-they want more labor fees to do correct what they messed up the first time)! That's a great business practice to assure money keeps flowing in but terrible for the customer who paid to get her AC fixed only to be asked to pay more to actually get it done? Ridiculous. They charge premium labor at $210 as if they have master technicians servicing the vehicles. When I mentioned this to Mike he said, "we should've charged you the $260 rate for AC repairs". read more

I brought my "baby" here (202 2SS 1LE Hennessey Camaro) after dealership contract expired. Looking for a fair trustworthy new place. Just needed a drain and refill manual transmission and rear diff. Was initially over charged , I paid and wrote them off--- but out of the blue there service manager (Mike) called explained he caught the over charged and apologized and sent me a refund for the difference. I will be going back but "Steve" needs to pay a little more attention to DETAIL ---- read more

Duncan's Automotive - My Baby - Auto Repair Near Me - Lincoln, California

Hey everyone I just wanted to thank Jenell Stuebing for her and the mechanic that took the time out of their busy day to fix my two broken bulbs on Honda CRV . It was really refreshing to see them go the extra mile to get it done today. I would highly recommend this place to all my friends and to my family. I now have a place to go to get my cars fixed. Thank you so much Janell and your mechanics. Sincerely Matt read more

Incredible electrical troubleshooting on a complicated car. They were able to isolate a reoccurring problem that was not easy for other automobile maintenance personnel to diagnose and fix. Very happy. read more

If you're looking for an honest, professional, and truly customer-focused automotive shop in Lincoln, look no further than Duncan's Automotive! They came highly recommended by our local legend, Richard Buss--and now I know why. From the moment I called, Claire went above and beyond to accommodate my hectic schedule. She was incredibly friendly and understanding, making it so easy to book an appointment that fit into my busy life. What really sets Duncan's apart is their team's willingness to "dumb down" the car talk for those of us who aren't exactly automotive experts. Chris and Brian performed a thorough analysis of my vehicle and took the time to walk me through every detail--especially when it came to diagnosing and explaining the issues with my 12-volt battery. They never made me feel rushed or talked down to; instead, they patiently answered all my questions in plain language I could actually understand. I originally came in expecting a starter repair, which could have cost anywhere from $300-$700 plus labor (1-2 hours of work). But thanks to their honest evaluation, they discovered the real issue was a phantom (parasitic) battery drain caused by an aftermarket dashcam plugged into my cigarette lighter. The folks at Duncan's even offered to take another look at my van anytime after my visit if any issues continued, and said they'd charge my battery to get me back on the road if I ever needed it. It's rare to find a shop that combines true technical expertise with this level of customer care and transparency. I left feeling informed, confident, and completely taken care of. Thank you, Duncan's Automotive, for making car repair an easy--and even pleasant--experience! I won't trust my car with anyone else. read more

Charged me too much before, and yesterday I asked for a quote and you promised to call back. Seems like customers can't trust your staff. Changing my auto care now. Goodbye Duncan, you were great before. read more

Incredibly good service so much I have switched any places I considered a hospital for my car and decided this is the place for all my needs. Originally a flat tire, they patched it up in record time and at a very good price. The patch didn't work, and no fault of theirs so they took the car back and got me two new tires and refunded the patch--still completing in record time. I couldn't get to my car by the time it was done, so they let me leave the car overnight--whether that's standard, they made it feel like it was all okay. Basically, the customer service feels like a couple of people helping you out with your car, not a customer service rep taking another call. Seriously great work everyone here. read more

I highly recommend Duncan Automotive in Lincoln California. They continue to take care of my 23 year old Chrysler 300M even to the extent of designing and installing a special wiring harness for the shifter/transmission which was no longer manufactured. Also, they continue to inspect various parts which have aged and to make valid replacement suggestions. Their standard services and warranty management is beyond expectations. Joe M. read more

Erin Miner I was referred to Duncan's by my AAA representative. Initially, I had a dead battery on my 2014 Audi Q7. I called AAA roadside service to replace battery. Upon arrival, the driver notified me that since my battery was under the front seat. It was a liability for AAA to replace it. I asked how much was the battery? He replied, $275. Driver left, I called AAA for remedies. They recommended Duncan's. I immediately called Duncans Sat evening and spoke to a technician he threw out a quote of $375 (battery + labor) which sounded reasonable because I had it done 5 years ago for $275. I had the car towed to Duncans. Before arrival the AAA tow truck driver hooked up jumpers to the battery and told me that the battery was dead and needed replacement. Duncan's calls me and said they need to do a test on the battery. I asked how much for the test? They replied $100. I replied just change the battery. He calls back and notified me that the battery is $389 and that it needs to be programmed after installation. He said it takes an hour to program the battery. Internally, I thought that seemed excessive. But, I knew I didn't have the means to program it myself. I said, do the job. He gave me a total to complete the job was $660. After, hanging up with Duncan's I went to the internet to research prices of batteries and YouTube to see how long the process was to program the battery on my vehicle. The video on YouTube took less than 5 min to program the battery. I was taken back by the video and by the reduced prices of batteries. However, I did agree to the services rendered. I do believe that Duncan's is a business to make money for services. I also believe that they upcharge for parts and offer services that they already know need to be done. And we're disingenuous with the duration of labor time that it needs to complete services which leads to an upcharge in labor. Needless to say, I will not recommend Duncan's to anybody's after this experience. I believe they are a competent shop, but unethical in up charging parts and unnecessary labor. read more

I made an appointment to diagnose my car after not passing smog at a different smog station. Duncan's has a great team of people, everyone was knowledgeable. Happy to report they found a loose connection, reconnected it, and my car passed smog. On top of everything, Duncan's prices were very fair. read more

A year ago I had the pleasure of working with Duncan's Automotive, and I can confidently say that their service exceeded all expectations. This review is well overdue (my apologies) but my husband and I have talked several times since then about how kind and fair Duncan's was to us. We are so grateful. From the moment I walked in, I was impressed by the honesty and transparency they demonstrated. The team, especially Chris, went above and beyond to explain everything clearly, ensuring I felt confident in the work being done. Their prices were incredibly fair, with no hidden fees or surprises--just a straightforward, trustworthy experience. Chris's customer service was exceptional--friendly, professional, and genuinely attentive to my needs. I highly recommend Duncan's Automotive for anyone seeking reliable, honest service. They truly care about their customers! read more

Trustworthy auto shop, with great customer service. From the minute I walked in Chris took good care of me; he answered all my questions and was very knowledgeable. Not only that but Chris actually cared that I was in good hands. I've ready recommended Duncan's to a close friend. read more

Everyone we interacted with was so friendly, but Chris Davis went above and beyond! I inherited a 24 year-old vehicle and had a couple of urgent issues to resolve within two days before driving 8 hours south. He let me bring the car in, diagnosed the problems very quickly, and quoted what could be accomplished in my timeframe. Then, when researching the outstanding repairs he realized that he could accomplish more (and the cost was lower than the original estimate)! You don't find this kind of service very often anymore! I HIGHLY recommend Duncan's for a repair and service partner. read more

They did very good and prompt service, but for my smog certificate... but I went back for an estimate of repair on vapor sensor ( simple job) they wanted 265$ just to look at it... that's a bit over the top. read more

Honest and efficient: Duncan's Automotive saves the day again! My work vehicle mysteriously died and they were able to diagnose the problem quickly and I am back in business! Thanks to Duncan's Automotive of Lincoln! read more

I recently went to Duncan's in Lincoln to get my AC compressor fixed. The serpentine belt had broken on a road trip across Nevada and the mechanic in Ely replaced it but when he started the car up again the AC compressor quickly overheated. He disconnected the electrical connection to it and it stopped overheating so he knew the clutch in it had failed but perhaps there was more damage. So when I got back to Lincoln I went to Duncan's to get that fixed and to get the oil changed. I was quoted $1868 to replace the compressor and then they also said that since there was a lot of corrosion on the battery terminals they needed me to spend $428.90 to fix that! In addition, they said I needed my fuel injectors serviced for $190. Luckily for me I couldn't leave the car overnight that night so I took it home after they did the diagnosis and I spent a few minutes cleaning off the battery terminals and did a rudimentary test with my voltmeter which seemed to indicate everything was fine with the battery. I told the service advisor of this so they checked again and verified that no service was necessary. When I picked up the car, all they had done was what was necessary to fix the AC compressor. They did not change the oil or service the fuel injectors. When I pointed this out to the service advisor he said that oils are so good these days that the car didn't need an oil change and that no service was really needed on the fuel injectors. So they were trying to get me to pay $428.90 because my battery had some corrosion on it when all that was needed was to clean it, and they were also trying to get me to pay $190 for fuel injector service which I was told was also not necessary. I feel that this is a very dishonest and disreputable way to run a business. They were obviously trying to get me to pay for service that was not necessary. I honestly don't know if they oversold me on fixing the AC compressor. By my understanding, when the clutch goes and the compressor overheats, it can cause more severe problems where the fluid gets contaminated so the lines need to be flushed and the fluid replaced. And that's what they did, the maximal amount. I have no way of knowing whether or not the only problem was that the clutch died and needed to be replaced. Perhaps, perhaps not. Given what happened with the battery and fuel injectors I'm left wondering whether or not they were honest about that too. So I would not recommend them because I don't think they can be trusted to honestly do only the service that is necessary. read more

They would not honor a coupon downloaded from their own website , saying, simply, they were no longer accepting the coupon. No prior notice of any kind that promotion had been withdrawn. Interesting business strategy - i.e Offer promotion - renig on offer - drive customer away. It worked. I walked. read more

I brought my truck to Duncan's three times for the same issue. By the third time, my warranty had expired. My wife brought her new car to Duncan's for scheduled maintenance later to find out the oil filter was the wrong part. My son brought his car in for clutch issues twice and still isn't fixed. I'm tired of rolling the dice with Duncan's. read more

Rip off. Misdiagnosed my transmission problem, still charged over $600 to fix it when it was never fixed, will never go back.

Great place, best in Lincoln. Friendly cat to pet. Complimentary Kurig, tea water. Nice waiting area with outlets to change your device. Interesting map to study. read more

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Brought my vehicle here because of the positive reviews on yelp. I was looking for an honest mechanic. They tried to charge me $7,100 to repair the AC. That seemed unreasonably high to me so I took it to another place and they competed the job for $600. I'll let that speak for itself read more

We have been going to Duncan's for the last year. They have done a great job and have always been honest.

Great service ! Very reasonable and attentive. Repaired my SUV and kept me posted throughout I would definitely recommend them read more

Great local business. Don't take my car anywhere else. Fair and honest pricing, never push services that you don't need on you

Having just moved here, we've been on the hunt for a new mechanic. We tried another one this past week for a different vehicle and were very disappointed so I gave Duncan's a call yesterday to see if they could get me in on a Saturday- Bonus points for being open on a Saturday! Chris was really friendly and helpful on the phone so we brought it in this morning. Not really sure of the issue and still trying to stomach the large amount we just spent this last week on our other car that didn't even fix the issue, I was nervous. I was very happy with the experience. He let me know up front that there would be a diagnostic fee and kept me updated throughout the day on the progress. They would need to keep it a couple days to order the part and get it taken care of but we need our car. We ended up picking it up in the afternoon and he said we could bring it back when it fit our schedules better. I know you're thinking "but they didn't even fix the car!" It would've been nice to get it taken care of in one day but we were able to narrow down the issue and get the peace of mind that it's still drivable until we can bring it back. I really can't say enough great things about Chris and his customer service- he's knowledgeable, very easy to talk to, and didn't make me feel like an idiot while talking about parts I know nothing about. I feel very confident that we won't be taken advantage of and am happy to find a mechanic we can trust read more

These guys are solid! My stepdaughter has a Nissan that's been good at times, and not so good at times. Well, her check engine light came on right as she was needing to register and smog it. We took it into these guys at Duncan and they took care of the issue, and even handed her a smog certificate! She was beyond happy because she worries that she will get taken advantage of at repair shops, but not at Duncen's. These guys shoot it straight and let you know what you need now, if anything, and what you can table for later down the road. Thanks Duncan's! read more

After my mother was told by Costco AND George's Automotive in Lincoln that her wheel sensor in her Lexus needed to be replaced to the tune of $700. She made an appointment with Dunkuns and come to find out the sensor was lit ONLY because the spare tire needed air!! The honesty saved her hundreds of dollars and when she offered to pay for the service of filling her tires they refused. This is our new go to for any auto service from now in. Thank you Dunkuns for your honesty and integrity. My Mother and I will be sure to pass your name on to all of the residence in Sin City Lincoln!! read more

My gf was in the Lincoln area visiting family when she had a tire puncture after running over a piece of wood. AAA recommended using Duncan Automotive for the repair. They were excellent! They repaired the tire at a very reasonable rate and checked all the tires. The next day she found the other tire on the same side was losing air likely from the same incident. She took the car back to Duncan and they repaired it very quickly and didn't charge her. Both times they were reassuring to her. They even called her a few weeks later to see if there were any problems with the tire repairs. I can't say enough about the excellent customer service she received. Highly recommended. read more

I have been using this shop for about 17 years now. I find them to knowledgeable and caring. How often can you say that about the people in a repair shop? The repair to my faulty water pump was quickly resolved. I purchased my 2019 Toyota Corolla from Yuba City Toyota as a used vehicle with no recourse for reimbursement of repair. The water pump was faulty when I bought it and the oil had not been changed. After the technicians at Duncan went through the car, I now feel secure to drive it. Chris is great very caring and pleasant at the front desk. read more

Originally had some problems with the Staffing at this location. The owner contacted me and made things right. He definitely changed my views about this place. I will recommend it now. read more

Duncan's Automotive - Auto Repair Near Me - Lincoln, California

Very friendly and competent. Make your appt w them a bit in advance because they are busy

I recently took both of my vehicles for repairs and inspection checks. The staff there is very professional and informative on the repair costs. The quality of work is great and good competitive pricing. I just moved from the bay area and i am glad that I found a automotive repair place that I can count on. Automotive repairs can be stressful for customers. Your shop staff made the repair work an easy going experience for me as a valued customer. I would recommend your automotive shop to others. Thank you and I will be back.Lincoln California is an up and coming town. I support all our businesses here. Duncan Automotive earned my business. Our vehicles run great. read more

Took my car in for a B2 maintenance check. Got a quote for $1400.00. Normally, there $400-$500. I will never use them again!

Took my car in, paid $160 to diagnose the problem. They called me 3 days later and told me the fix would be $1700 dollars. I said to proceed with the job. They told me it would take couple of days. A week later I called them because I didn't hear from them. The didn't do anything to the car. The told me the car needed about $4600 dollars in repair. I took it somewhere else. And all the problems they told me it had was not true. I got my car repaired elsewhere for $1200 dollars. They lied and took my $160 dollars. Don't trust them. read more

New to the area and was nervous about finding a reliable mechanic to work on my 2000 Silverado. Looked at lots of reviews with mixed feelings, it seemed many shops in the area had good reviews but then also poor reviews. I finally talked with some of my new neighbors and the consensus was that Duncan's was the go to shop in our community. I had great response from both Chris & Neal, especially since I got our new phone number wrong, so instead of waiting for me to call they were kind enough to come to my home and fill me in. Once that was out of the way we got the repairs going and Chris was great in keeping me updated on the challenges. Ultimately Duncan's took care of my truck and I am a happy camper. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Duncan's, they are the best...Fantastic customer service. Thank you guys, Tim I. read more

Car quit on me while driving, was battery related. After trying a new battery, it failed again. Figured it was the alternator, called Duncan's who said they could likely have it diagnosed and back by Weds (it was Monday afternoon). I said I needed it no later than Tuesday. They quickly diagnosed a problem less expensive than the alternator, got back to me in time for the part to be delivered Tuesday, called right after 9am Tuesday saying it was complete. Quick, to the point, professional. Happy client. read more

This place has great customer ser and knocked out my smog check in about 30 minutes. Highly recommended Update: another pain free fast smog a year later. I like this place read more

I came here for a Smog Check because we just moved to the area and needed to renew our vehicle registrations. They informed me that my car didn't need one yet and I should be just fine at the DMV. They were right and didn't charge me! Awesome service. They got themselves a future customer! read more

Where do I start. I've never written one of these, but I feel compelled to write something. A few weeks ago we had an RV trip planned with friends and their RVs. The morning we were all set to leave, my wife and I got up early to load tour RV's fridge and freezer with our food and other provitions for our long trip. As I walked outside, I observed a large puddle of fluid on the street directly under the engine compartment of the rig. I felt it and realized that it was from my radiator. "AW CRAP"! I had heard from our local RV maintenance/repair facility ("Harp's RV"), in the past that, if we ever needed mechanical service or repairs, to check them out. They said that the shop was "honest" and that they send a lot of their customers there. I filled my radiator with water and drove directly over there, arriving at 0730....They didn't "open" until 0830 but I needed help fast....our long planned trip was about to be nixed. The front door was unlocked and I found a guy inside working behind the front counter, later identified as "Chris". I had desperately "nervous" hopes that he would and could help me. He got me calmed down and said that they would put a radiator gauge on the radiator opening to see what was going on, and get back to me. I didn't have much hope they could do anything in enough good time to find and repair the bad leak. I disconnected my Honda CR-V from the rear hitch and drove home to wait for "the call" advising that we'd better cancel our trip. By the time I had arrived home, Chris called and told me that they found a "split" at the seam of the "plastic" radiator tank (I guess that's how they make them now),. Chris told me there are no radiator shops in Lincoln, Roseville or Rocklin that had this particular radiator, but there was one in Auburn. He said with my approval, he would put a man on "removing" our leaking radiator, while he sent another up to Auburn to bring back a new one to install. I said "Go for it". Not expecting to hear back in time to leave with our group in reasonable time, I informed our friends to go without us. All said to see if the shop can get some word by noon, and they,d wait. By 1130! I got a call from Chris saying that his guys were done! They started at 0830, pulled out the radiator (No small task), travelled all the way to the radiator supply shop in Auburn, returned and installed the new one with all hose connections (4 that I am aware of), filled the tank, tested the whole system and saved my vacation. Having moved up to this area from the Bay Area fairly recently, I believe to have found our new auto repair facility. And, many thanks to Chris and the two great mechanics who saved our trip! THANK YOU!!!!! Bill & Shelley Silva Sun City Lincoln Hills read more

While traveling from Northern California to Los Angeles the air conditioning started working intermittently. Stop in early on a Saturday morning and got an immediate diagnosis--leaking coolant. Recharged and on my way in about 40 minutes. They could have charged me an arm and a leg but it was a very fair price. If I lived here, this independent shop would be my regular mechanics. Check out their certifications too! read more