Kevin is on top of it and super easy to deal with. I work in the automotive industry myself and Imperial is one of the few shops I would highly recommend. Recently I needed some work done on my 2007 F-150 and they got it done on time and under budget. Consider Imperial a Michael-approved Five Star auto repair facility. Probably not as valuable as Kevin's ASE certificate but close enough. Happy Holidays! read more

I can't recommend Imperial enough. I am a retired auto mechanics teacher and know what a competent shop should be like. Kevin is honest and skilled at keeping my 2005 Honda Accord in good shape. read more

Kevin is so easy to work with, figures out just what needs to be done, and doesn't tack on a bunch of unnecessary items. Quality work and the right price. I would take any car to Kevin, new or old. He's worked on my Toyota many times and always fast, efficient and available. read more

I have been bringing my cars to Kevin for the past 5 years. Kevin is a great guy and has always done an excellent job on all my vehicles at a fair price. It's reassuring to know that the work will be done properly without worrying about getting ripped-off. No need to shop around for another mechanic. read more

I will keep this very simple and to the point. I was referred to Kevin and his shop. I brought in my Honda Civic which has 140k milage. I was looking for someone to do some updates on my car. I was quoted thousands of dollars from popular chain shops. Kevin had a look and I walked away spending 250 dollars on a few things including a 3x transmission flush. He told me that my car was in excellent condition. He also gave me a very fair estimate for getting my AC running again. I was so happy with him and his technicians. He had a perfect opportunity to quote me very high, but he didn't. I ended up taking in my car in a week later to have him do the AC. It was fixed and at a very good price. Its obvious Kevin is an honest guy wants to keep peoples cars running. I will be bringing my car to him for everything including oil changes from here on out. Thank you Kevin and your shop!! Happy Customer read more

Good solid servicing of our Jeep Wrangler. Fair price and knows what he's doing. Kevin is friendly and knowledgeable. Very easy to work with. read more

Hands down the easiest repair shop I've ever dealt with and they work on Minis I highly recommend them and will definitely return.

Took my car in for repair, Kevin and his crew went the EXTRA mile to make sure i was taken care of. Thanks Guys. Bob in San Rafael read more

This shop is professional, friendly and reliable. Brought my car in for an oil change and tire rotation and discovered my front break pads were wearing out, with a thousand miles left! Kevin got me in the next day and before a trip to the mountains! I've found my new mechanic in Marin! Thank you, for preventing a possible accident. read more

Knowledgeable, professional, transparent. A rare thing to find for mechanic shops anywhere. Highly recommended.

Honest mechanic. Kevin, the owner, gives it to you straight and provides realistic options. Told us he would not work on one of our cars once because he did not have the technology. Next year he got the technology and he has been working on that car ever since. He is getting busier and just opened a new larger shop. Has great folks working for him. read more

Kevin and his crew..100% friendly, honest and expert. 10+ years and ZERO hassles ever. I refer all my friends and clients. To a person, each one has raved about their experience(s) and thanked me.. most, multiple times. read more

First time here! Went for checkup and was able to wait in the waiting room while car was being serviced. The work started and finished on time. Imperial checked everything, rotated the tires, fluid top offs and recommended services with the estimated prices included. Prices are so reasonable. When I called the dealer, their prices for the same service were three times higher. Professional, knowledgeable, helpful staff. read more

What's one more review of a place w/ mostly 5 stars? Well, I came here, specifically, *because* of the one star review. I had a heater core that I needed to be replaced, and found Imperial and Kevin by searching specifically "heater core" as stupid as that sounds. It was a lark, and voila... up this one start review popped. Plenty of places have 5 star reviews, but not all of them respond to the rare negative review. It says a lot about someone's commitment to a business when they actually care enough to kindly, professionally, and politely offer a counter to the rare bad review. I was impressed with his response, so I took the leap and took my '95 YJ Wrangler in for a new heater core. Kevin was kind enough to suggest other options to make sure my car was in the best of shape, but I opted to just go with the main repair... but it's awesome to know he will give you a fair assessment of all you can do, without trying to hard upsell you into something you might be confused about, or not understand. I know my truck fairly well, esp. through my trusty mechanic at Golden Gate Jeep in the city, so I knew I didn't need any extra work done... so a heater core it was. (My YJ was spitting antifreeze into the passenger side footwell, and I was dutifully breathing it for a couple months so yeah, my memory is gone and I don't know where I am). I called yesterday, he ordered the part, I came in this AM and he had hooked up a $25 rental for the day from Enterprise (see previous review) - I dropped it off, they did the work, I picked it up later that day - and my car actually has heat, vent, and a atmosphere that is unlike a hostile alien planet. The estimate was *PRECISELY* the final price. Kevin was kind, friendly, helpful, responsive, and clear. I hate these sort of mundane challenges of daily life.. trying to work, while trying to get minutia taken care of. It's usually a drag. This was a treat..... it's rare, it was easy, it was simple, and I am (half-jokingly) hoping my car breaks again so I can go back. okay okay, I am joking... but it's a 1995, so I will need help again. In this situation, it's pretty obvious who I will visit again. Thanks guys. Well done. read more

I have been going to Imperial, as has my family, for over a decade. Kevin is a stand up guy and a true professional. He explains everything with extensive detail and in Lehman's terms so I understand what he is doing. His prices are fair and the work is excellent. I wouldn't trust anyone else in Marin with my vehicles and I highly recommend Imperial Automotive. Plus, the John C character was wrong to post the complaint he did. Kevin would never break someone's tail light. The accusation was egregious at best. read more

Imperial Automotive - Auto Repair Near Me - San Rafael, California

I've used Imperial Automotive to maintain both of my vehicles: a 1991 200K Mitsubishi and a 2002 Jeep Liberty. What I love about this place is how accessible it and the proprietor Kevin are. Its a small shop w/a couple of mechanics that you can go talk to about your work, even going out to the vehicle while they are working on it and seeing what the deal is. I find Kevin and company to very honest and they have reasonable rates. read more

They have a hard time with follow through. Their prices are great considering their in Marin but the service lacks any real customer service uniqueness. They have left parts in my car that didn't appear to go to my car and most recently, I had breaks done and there is now a clicking sound every time I apply the breaks. I called the owner, Kevin, and he said it was ok. He didn't offer to fix the issue even though I voiced my concerns about the noise, he just appeased me be saying there was nothing wrong and basically just deal with it. read more

Imperial Automotive - The Ride - Auto Repair Near Me - San Rafael, California

After reading the Yelp reviews, my husband & I brought our cars to Kevin to check out. We both own Honda's and wanted to find a reliable auto mechanic instead of always going to a dealership. We have now brought both of our cars in for routine maintenance and I have been so pleased with the work done on the cars. The prices were reasonable, the staff very friendly, and best of all, extremely accomodating. Kevin is busy fixing problems that other mechanics have tried and failed to fix on my Honda Pilot. I am so happy and am recommending this business to all my friends with Japanese cars. I completely trust him and his staff. read more

I took my car here for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Kevin and his team were amazing - on time, respectful, and honest. They were very accommodating with my schedule (we are a 1-car family with little kids, so drop-off/ pick-up isn't easy). They also discovered something that had been overlooked by other mechanics in the area (a timing belt that needed replacing). I am so grateful to find a mechanic I can trust - I will definitely be taking my car here for the years to come! Thank you!!! read more

Very impressed with the excellent service I got from Kevin at a fair price, my Sienna van has never run better.

Kevin is the best mechanic I know! Always honest, always performs excellent work, and he guarantees his work. I have been using him for 15 years, both personally and for my business. In a world where finding a trustworty mechanic is rare, Kevin is a truly a gem. I'd recommend him to anybody. read more

All of the great reviews that have been posted already about Imperial Automotive are all true. This place is great!

It's not easy to find an honest mechanic but I guarantee you've found one here. Kevin is skilled, likable, friendly, and fair. I brought in an old '98 Civic with a window that broke and wouldn't roll up on a rainy day. Easy Automotive had wanted to keep the car overnight and quoted me about $130-180 for the fix. Kevin squeezed me in to his busy schedule and cracked open the door frame to fix the window while I waited. When he only asked for $50, I was convinced I had found my new guy. You really can't go wrong with Imperial Auto. Try them out and never worry about being charged for work that didn't need to be done or overcharged for work that does need to be done again. read more

Kevin and his staff are great. I tired of taking my MDX to the Acura dealer every time a maintenance alert came on so I looked local and found Imperial. The price was way below the Dealership, they were no nonsense, in and out, friendly and attentive. Kevin is also an avid Marin mountain biker and can give good tips on the numerous local trails. I will be going back for my next MDX service. read more

Why does Imperial get 5 stars in my book? One word.....oops...two words...consistency and integrity. I recently went to a local TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE chain who wanted to charge me $500 for basic brake work. I took my vehicle to Imperial and was told that the service could be performed for a FIFTH of the price of that Tosca...oops....that other place. Kevin and his staff are highly competent, and will not try to charge you for services you don't need. Check them out! read more

Woah, the experience i had at this mechanic shop was not your average price estimate you on the surface value of the vehicle your bringing in to be serviced. The owner; Louis discounted the invoice from the work being performed cause he knew that i inherited a hi-end BMW that my income was not suited for what so ever. Best mechanic shop in San Rafael, Ca! read more

Great honest service at a reasonable price. For when you have to deal with what you wish were mutually exclusive words, (car problems), Imperial has been our answer numerous times. read more

I've been taking my Honda Civic to Kevin for tune-ups and to get a side view mirror fixed. His rates are good and he is honest and easy to work with. His mechanics discovered a cracked catalytic converter on my car during one tune-up. Instead of trying to get me to do an expensive fix at Imperial Auto, Kevin guided me to the Honda dealer to get the problem fixed under warranty for free. read more

This place is great: reliable, accommodating, reasonably priced. Everyone in my family brings their car here for repairs, tuneups and oil changes and has done so for ten years or so; this even includes my brother when he's in town from LA with his car, and my sister and I, who both live in San Francisco. The truth is: when you find a good mechanic who's also honest and trustworthy, like Kevin, you stick with them! read more

Kevin's garage here is simply the best and most trustworthy mechanic in the county. Always a great price, super conscientious and careful, these guys will stay late to adjust something or make it right for you if needed. I'm curious and always ask about stuff, but I see them treat busy moms and non-mechanically minded people with respect. I really appreciate a mechanic with honor. These guys are it. read more

I want to recommend Kevin at Imperial Auto. I was told by my past mechanic that I would need front brakes at 80,000. I was referred to Kevin from a friend and found him accommodating and friendly. Dropped the car off for the requested brake job and as promised, he called me at 4:30 and informed me I didn't need front brakes at this time. How honest is that ! read more

I've been going to Kevin at Imperial for 20 yrs too - in fact, I was bummed when I bought a new car and thought I had to take it to the dealer for stuff. Luckily someone told me I was stupid. Kevin is super and I trust him completely to do a great job at a fair price. read more

So legit. Went in with a Highlander that I'd inadvertently driven into a low garden wall, busting the bumper part. Thought it could be a several hundred dollar job - walked away with a very nice repair job for literally... $58! Plus a recommendation not to replace the bumper bc it'd run $500-700 just for the part and not functionally compromising the car. I mean, in this day and age, who operates like that in the best overt interest of the consumer like that?! Kevin, that's who! Highly recommend. read more

My family has been going to Kevin for 20+ years and we trust him completely. Trust is the name of the game when it comes to auto mechanics, right? Affordable, timely, fantastic service, nothing but 5 stars. read more

Kevin is an honest guy and won't try to sell you something you don't need. They primarily work on Japanese cars but I only trust Kevin with my VW so that tells you the respect I have for him. I usually buy my own parts and have Kevin do the labor. read more

Kevin is awesome! I had some major work done on my subaru, which was covered under a warranty I had purchased and he worked with the insurance company to get everything taken care of. I've moved out of the county, but I'll still drive 40+ minutes to get the oil changed there. read more

On more than one occasion Kevin has worked on my car. I have found him to do great work and be the most honest mechanic I've ever used. I would recommend him to anyone read more

I have been taking my car to Kevin and the Imperial team for several years. I wholly trust and have confidence in them. Kevin is completely honest , honorable , and has impressive expertise . If anyone can fix it, they can. I would send anyone I care about there without hesitation. Excellent people doing excellent work! read more

I have known Kevin for years and have always been impressed with his integrity, knowledge and calm and easy attitude. You won't find a better auto repair shop. read more

Another mechanic quoted me $850 for a new radiator (after fixing two things unrelated to the problem, mind you), and Kevin took a look at the car at 9 AM and completed a new radiator install by noon for $405. To put it bluntly, Kevin does great work, is honest, and charges much less than most other places. I have since referred several friends, all of whom have had great experiences at Imperial. read more