[[HIGHLIGHT]]I had an appointment for a smog check that I scheduled 2 weeks ago. I had an email and text confirmation at that time[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. When I arrived today, they asked me if I was dropping it off. When I asked how long it would take ( since I didn't have a ride!) the young man asked me to go to a different business because their machine was down. [[HIGHLIGHT]]They did not attempt to call, text or email me in advance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I came from the East Bay for this appointment so a heads up would have been most appropriate![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] My second car is due in a month but I will not be coming to Helmings. My family has used Helmings since they were on Lambert in Palo Alto. I'm disappointed that they let the business decline like this! read more

Very happy to have found this shop. They appear to run a very tight ship in order to keep from taking on more business than they can handle and therefore turnaround times are usually within a day. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I mostly communicated with Leane who is absolutely lovely.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The shop is very forthright about their plans for a vehicle and will go the extra mile for their customers. My vehicle became a bit of a puzzle and they took the time to troubleshoot for hours without trying to price gouge. [[HIGHLIGHT]]A customer will always feel heard there.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] A huge thank you to everyone I spoke to today and in past visits. This will be my shop as long as I live in the Bay Area. read more

Helming's sold business to Advanced. [[HIGHLIGHT]]My experience with a routine maintenance appointment there was great.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] KT (new owner) provided responsive, thorough, and timely service. read more

Was a bit nervous when Leane sent out a text in December that they were retiring. Turns out I had nothing to worry about. When I brought the car in for an oil leak, the process was completely seamless. KT had all the maintenance records and knew when my car was previously serviced and what was done. He was able to diagnose the issue and fix the problem. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Even sent me a photo of the problematic part.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Good communication skills.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Needed my blinker fixed as it wasn't blinking, was in and out in under 10 min. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Freaking fantastic service, will be coming here for all car issues when I'm anywhere near SF.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Helming's has just replaced shocks on my 4Runner. Though it involved less common procedure, they have completed the task as planned. I have been their customer for more than two decades. Their mechanics including the owner, Mike are knowledgeable and skilled so that I can always depend on them. Though I do use other shops for some simple works, they are still a place to go to deal with any major work. I can recommend them for almost all of your auto repair needs. read more

Helming's is always helpful. They're a good and honest mechanic shop. I came in the other day needing help installing a wiper blade on the back window. They did it for me, no prob and no charge. When my daughter moved to Southern California, they helped us find a mechanic for her down in the Inland Empire. I can count on good, honest advice and service without worry. read more

I've been going to Helming's for Hybrid service for the 22 years that I've had my 2002 Prius (that's the early model), because I learned Mike had gotten qualified to service this new beast back then, when the first hybrids started showing up. Mike and Leanne Reelfs and team have given me consistent and thorough service ever since. Just now I've finished with a round of diagnosing trouble with the big battery and its control system, ever since a large and scary diagnostic screen came up on the car's main display: Orange triangle w/ excalamation mark, pic of a battery, labelled "PS, Main". Mike plugged in the diag, the code said "battery leak", he clarified it meant electric leak, i.e. a kind of short, in the battery or its high-voltage power switching. Without hesitation Mike referred me to Prius Hybrid Battery of San Jose as the best qualified to deal with such things. Turned out to be very complicated issue, difficult to diagnose. Mike has plugged in his diag machine, got the code, and explained it to me many times over these years. He's always been clear and left me knowing what did or didn't have to do -- most often didn't, so those times really he did it for nothing; one more reason why I keep going back. His team keeps full records; so they always know what I've had done lately. Also what further service I ought to do; and in that case I recognize the items they mention, as being, yes, stuff I should be getting at those intervals. Big thanks and vote of confidence to Mike and Leanne Reelfs and the whole team at Helming's! John S.B. of Mountain View read more

What a fantastic Auto repair shop. Everything from scheduling an appointment to diagnostics, repair, communications, drop off, pickup - everything is top notch professional and efficient. I had to bring 2 of my cars for repair in the past 12 month on 3 different occasions (Air conditioner, bearings, CV Axels). The experience was absolutely great. Thank you!! read more

I have been taking my Maserati Quattroporte to a Maserati dealer for several years, paying premium dollars for repairs. Helming's repaired a window regulator problem for less money and it works better than new! Their friendly personnel and clean shop is a large plus. They are my new go-to repair shop from now on! read more

The team at Helming's was a lifesaver when my car was driving strangely and multiple check engine lights came on. After reading reviews on Nextdoor and Yelp, I called to see if they could assist before the weekend. They advised me to bring my car in so they could run a diagnostic and within 20 minutes I had an understanding of what was wrong with my car. The team was booked out that day and Monday but they said they would see what they could do, if I left my car they would possibly be able to work on my car when time permitted. My car was turned around much quicker than expected. The team at Helming's is fully transparent and they obviously care about their customers, in fact, their customers seem more like family to them. Thank you Helming's Team!! read more

Helmings is the best! So great to know a family car repair that will always do first rate work for an honest price. We love Helmings!

Great place. Have been going here for five years, and we trust them. They're flexible, work with us, and the work has been good.

So appreciate the amazing service and honest feedback! Live having a trusted. Family operated home for us to take our cars to for their safe maintenance. Thank you Leane and Mike for all you and your caring team do to take good care of our vessels! read more

An honest auto shop! Reasonably priced, pleasant people and timely. They have been in business for a longtime and the owner was present. read more

Once again I want to thank Mike, Leane, Tim, Sean and the rest of the crew at Helmings Auto for the great work on my Toyota Avalon. I had the master window switch replaced. When I dropped the car off Tim the service writer told me that he would budget 2 hours for labor. When I picked up the car Tim said they only spent one hour replacing the switch so they only charged me for ONE hours labor. I mean they could have easily charged me for the second hour per the estimate! I am extremely fortunate to be a customer of this facility. I can't say enough for their honesty, integrity and workmanship. Sincerely and with many thanks again. read more

I was going to Chuck automotive for years and was so bummed when they were closing down. Chuck recommend Helmings and I've been a very happy customer since. Have been bringing my FJ for a while now. I can always rely on Helming's for any service/repair. They are very efficient and it's been a pleasure working with them. Highly recommend. read more

Thank you so much to Mike and Leane for all the care and ongoing trusted maintenance of our family car. We appreciate you and your team so much! read more

Every single time we take our car to them i wish i could write another 5 star review. Theyre incredibly fast, very thorough, and more than reasonable with their prices. Theyre super helpful and very communicative and will save you tons of $$$. We have an old car with over 200k and they are magical to her. Seriously can't recommend them enough. They tell you what they think is most important and what they think you don't need as much so that you have the option to save $ in an informed way. Theyre very honest, lovely to talk to, and are the best hands in which to put your car. read more

Great service with great work! Staff are very courteous while mechanics are very skilled.

I have been going to Helmings for 15 years and they have been amazing each and every time at correctly diagnosing the problem and fixing it on a timely basis. read more

I brought in my 2001 PT Cruiser with a severely slipping transmission. I worried that this may be a hefty expense, however $200 later, I'm driving my car home. My car's problem was a transmission fluid leak and they also found and fixed a coolant hose leak. Thank you Helming's and I'm happy to recommend you to friends and family. read more

The dealer told me that my Infiniti G35 needed a new transmission for $8,700! I took it to Helmings and they tested it and then took it to a transmission re-builder and they tested it as well. I expected that It was going to cost me $3500 for a rebuilt transmission. Helming came back and said that they could find noting wrong with the transmission and charged me only a very small diagnostic fee. If they had been less than totally honest they could have charged me thousands and I would never have known the work was unnecessary. But they didn't do that. That's the very definition of an honest car repair ship. I'm never going back to the dealer again. Helmings will get all my business from now on. read more

I brought my car in to Helming's today for the first time for brake service. Five stars for polite, pleasant, and quick (got the car back the same day). I just noticed that they had also secured part of my front fender that had been pulled free after a minor scuffle with the concrete base of a traffic gate. I wasn't expecting this, but if this is typical of the kind of service they provide - then I'm extremely grateful for the freebie. read more

These guys are great. I have been going to this place for 2 years, taking my wife's car and my car there. They are quick and have responsible prices and very knowledgeable about cars. The great thing, is that they keep you and your car in mind, rather how much money they'll make off of you. read more

I think I just found a hospital for my truck. This place is awesome; employees super nice and helpful. - Truck problem occurred at 8:00pm Thursday night. - Truck towed to Helming's at 10:00am Friday morning. - Truck arrives at Helming's at 10:10am. - Problem resolved by 3:00pm No complaints here about anything with Helming's. Do yourself a favor and give them your business...you're short-changing yourself going elsewhere. read more

A great place, honest, knowledgeable and competent staff! Mike and his team are awesome.

The team at Helming's is extraordinarily community, customer and employee focused. If you are looking for a trustworthy place for auto care, and smog inspections, they are true professionals. In this industry, it is rare find such a high degree of integrity, and it starts from the owners. Thank you Helmings team! We are glad to have found you, and thank you for taking such good care of not just your clients but your employees too. We were glad to find you open during the Covid-19 Pandemic. read more

Always excellent, honest & reliable work!! Reasonable prices, & a convenient location, too. You'll also be able to get your car in & out without delay. Helming's owner (Mike) is very respectful to women, & explains exactly what your car needs & why. If you don't know anything about cars, this is definitely the place for you..... no more worries about trusting the repair shop. Several auto leasing places are nearby, too, & can pick you up in just a few minutes, if you need to rent a car. I have been using Helming's for over 10 years now, & wouldn't think of going anyplace else. They are the best! read more

You know that sinking feeling with other car mechanics, like you might as well just hand over your ATM card with the PIN and walk away....I've had that feeling so often with dealers and other car repair shops. Helming's has been a very different experience for me and my family; we have three cars we take to Helming's. I've liked the fact that when Helming's has had to make a major repair, they take that opportunity to check surrounding parts like belts and hoses inside (since the big cost is going in in the first place)--that has saved me money in the end, and I've found that's the kind of thing dealers make a lot of money on. I agree with whoever said finding a good mechanic is like finding a good doctor. Mike and his team have the overall health of the car in mind, and the overall safety of the car. Now if I could just find a good doctor. read more

i went to helming's as a member of the neighborhood and had heard nothing but good things about them. i went a couple of times to get an oil change and it was relatively expensive. however, i thought it was worth it to support the community and thought they would be there for me in the long run. after about a year of going there, my 4 year old car had a cracked and slightly leaking radiator. even though i had brought it in a couple of times, they detected it late (literally the day after the warranty expired). i talked to them over the phone about possibly reducing the cost of the replacement. they said they would, 'figure something out.' i brought it in and they not only didn't reduce the cost, but they were twice as expensive as another place several neighbors had recommended! i have since been going to the other place for a year now and had nothing but low prices and high quality. i felt stupid for trying to support helming's when they clearly were not trying to support my family. read more

We took our 2004 Prius for front brakes on October 4, 2016 for front brakes. Pad set. Rotary and fluid. 2 days later the brake fluid leaked out onto the street and we had to tow car to dealership. They found front brake line LOOSE and needed bleeding and replaced copper gaskets. I thank God nothing happened while driving with our grandson. DO NOT USE THIS repair shop. read more

An expensive option. Expect to pay anywhere between $50 - $110 for an oil change + oil filter. I went there after reading so many good reviews, some of them claimed prices are reasonable. But what seems like a reasonable price for one may be pricy for another. If I go there again, I would ask for a quote in advance. read more

Way overdue to praise Mike Reelfs and his crew for their outstanding work on my cars for the past 15+ years - yesterday they saved me $3,250!!!!!!!! No kidding!! The dealer told me that our 2010 Prius had a leaking timing chain cover and it would be $3500 to fix because the engine would have to be moved. I brought it to my trusted place, Helmings, for a second opinion and not only was the leak in a completely different spot, but it was minor and able to be repaired for under $250! If you ever find a shop like this you have got to shout their praises from the rooftops! Highly, HIGHLY recommend! read more

What can I say... Finding an honest & fair mechanic can be a frustrating process... Helming's was recommended by many of my neighbors so I had my non-running 10 year old PT Cruiser towed in. They were friendly, reasonably priced, and I had my car back in no time, as good as new! I also appreciate the fact that they communicated well with me when it came to what my needs were. I can honestly say I can recommend them highly! read more

This place is as good as it gets! Tons of experience and friendly service. My company & co workers have taken their cars to Helming's for several years... never an issue. Just got my RAV4 serviced.. oil change & rear breaks, in-&-out in a few hours! read more

Helming's Auto Repair go beyond what is expected of them. I had an issue with a headlight on my Toyota Prius and Leane did tons of research to find out which bulb lasts the longest. Who does that? She goes beyond her call of duty. I highly recommend Helming's Auto Repair!! read more

I live in Phoenix and called Helmings to replace the battery in my daughters vehicle in Mountain View. With things being very trying during these days they understood my need (and worries) and promptly went to her residence and got the job done. I cannot thank both Mike and Tim and everyone at Helming's for their understanding, professional attitude and extremely rapid service. My daughter will use their services for all her future automotive needs. You have indeed paid it forward and I will follow suit. read more

As trustworthy and honest as can be! From the first moment, I felt comfortable that this shop knows what it is doing, and understands how to serve customers. I don't know anything about what goes on under the hood, and they explained my situation in a way I could understand. This is simply a great shop, without pretense. read more

Amazing service!! They saved me over $100 dollars I was quoted at a nearby dealership and did and awesome job. So honest and friendly. Will definitely be back. read more