Very dependable and knowledgeable. Will return In the future. The car was ready as scheduled. She also installed a rear light lense which had not been scheduled. Beautiful job. read more

Judy was a life saver, she replaced the breaks of my van in another necessary repairs. Thank you read more

My experience at judys was top notch! Excellent service at a reasonable price she went above and beyond ill be back!

I trust Judy implicitly. I'm an hvac/r mechanic so I also fix things as a living. So he knows her stuff. She doesn't like soft coat stuff and make you feel good she says this is it this is the price does a great job. She always helped me with my cars. Now I'm getting an EV I don't know if she's going to go into that field. But she's an excellent honest mechanic. But don't try and nickel and dime her or be cheap. She's reasonable and good but doesn't bargain. read more

wonderfull service and great explanations! Quick and efficient with easy access from the freeway in San Rafael.

I've been taking my older (2005) car to Judy for years, and am so grateful for her work! She's so helpful to understand what's going on, what's needed vs what's not needed, and helps me make the best choices for my situation. If my car could write a Yelp review, she'd give Judy 5 stars, too read more

Needed to get air intake hose replaced to pass the smog test. Judy was able to assist in a timely manner and was very transparent about pricing and time it would take to fix. Pricing was extremely fair. Would highly recommend read more

My family has been coming to Judy for years. Every time she has been amazing to work with, has honest prices, and completes repairs in a timely manor. I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a trustworthy shop with great customer service !! Thanks Judy read more

My cousin did a Yelp review and I also trust her word and I called made an appt Judy is very pleasant over the phone....super nice & asked a few questions. Met her today super funny, friendly and shares a spot w her step son who has his own bussniess (pretty freaking neat!) I only want the best for my car lol price wise is great!!! No complaints Thanks Judy!! Nice to meet ya I'll be back for sure read more

Judy's Automotive - Auto Repair Near Me - San Rafael, California

Owner is super aggressive and RUDE!!! My little brother was walking in front of her establishment admiring her dog and she completely freaks out. She Lashed out on my 4yo brother and proceeds to yell at me and said some really mean words. We were not disturbing her but she was so mean and aggressive towards us. I would totally not come near that place again. read more

Judy was quick to reply. Was easy to follow up with and discuss details. She was thorough and knowledgeable about my Subaru situation. Although I didn't need her assistance this time if I have future needs Judy is on top of the list for the job. Thanks Judy for your time and help. read more

Had my catalytic converter plate cover done here. I'm glad I called ahead of time because she had them on hand. She is super friendly, honest and knows her stuff. read more

Since I moved to North California, I have been looking for a reliable mechanic. I have had a long relationship with my mechanic in SoCal and he has done a wonderful job of keeping my Ford Explorer running for the last 10 years. Alas, my car developed a problem with the cooling system and I found myself in need. Of course, I turn to Yelp for suggestions. From the reviews I read, many of the mechanics work mainly on foreign cars. That is when I came a crossed review for Judy. I called Judy and described the problem. She told me to bring the car in for an estimate. She was very through in her examination of my car and gave me a very reasonable quote for the amount of work that needed to do to get my car back on the road. She completed the job in a very timely fashion and my car is running well. She also made some suggestion on other things that need to be addressed but did not push more repairs on me. I am very happy with my repairs and I think I have found a new mechanic. Thanks, Judy. read more

Judy 100% tried to screw me over!!!! She was going to charge nearly $2,000 to replace my struts shocks and a few other minor things... we were able to replace the struts and shocks at home for less than $400 and brought my car to another shop for the rest of the work totaling under $300 more. $700 TOTAL! Wow. She also said it would take two days, when the majority of the work took us less than 4 hours (as amateurs). I was really excited to bring my business to a woman run shop but felt totally ripped off which I'm sure was due to my ~young and impressionable~ appearance. Go somewhere else and with someone who won't charge you you based on judging your looks/ automotive knowledge!! The estimate was FAR FROM FAIR and I think it's terrible when owners have to comment and message me when I leave an honest review. read more

Judy is trustworthy, knowledgeable, reliable. She's been working on our cars for years now and feel she's been a great partner in keeping our cars on the road. Honest, fair, the real deal! read more

Judy is amazing! Completely professional open during the pandemic and fit us in the next day when we were having an unexplainable issue with the car read more

I called Judy's Auto on my way from Napa to San Rafael to see if she had time to possibly do a used vehicle inspection on a car I was headed to look at. She was able to fit me in that same day, just a few hours later. Her inspection was thorough, she explained everything to me clearly, and was very friendly. Her notes gave me the information I needed to go forward with the purchase and provided piece of mind that the car would need some repairs but was in mechanically sound condition. In addition, she was following the COVID-19 protocol: wore a mask, sanitized everything she touched inside and outside of the car, even sanitized the doorknob I accidentally touched! I would definitely use Judy's shop regularly if we still lived in San Rafael! read more

I've been taking my vehicles to Judy for a little over a year now. She is absolutely awesome! The first time I took a vehicle to her: My Chevy Silverado was giving me trouble. I went to Judy's after checking her shop out online reviews etc. First thing she starts my truck, breathes in with her nose, and says well you most likely have a radiator leak. I was impressed right there. It reminded me of my grandfather who was a mechanic and eventually thought mechanics at College of Marin and Berkeley. Except for maybe one time going a little over her estimate, Judy has always hit her estimate and sometimes been efficient enough that she came in under her estimate... That's always nice. Anyways I refer her to everyone. read more

One of my year round resolutions is to be thankful and grateful for what I have. This should translate into taking consistently good care of my things, but that isn't always the case. I can be a little rough and careless with my possessions sometimes, but I'm working on improving this. A key component of any car owner's well being is having a trusted mechanic. In my case, I really emphasize trust because I know bo diddly about cars. Really. I found Judy via Yelp, and have had nothing but positive experiences with her. The level of service she provides is exactly why I don't take my car to some chain store oil change place where you'll get a different person every time. She helps you plan ahead to your next service and apprises you of what work you may or may not need, giving her honest opinion about what is a priority. I've always left her shop feeling confident that I was paying a more than fair price for her work. Make it your resolution to support this fabulous local business! read more

Just moved to San Rafael. Needed an oil change. I'd only ever gone to the Jiffy-Lube/15 min type places to get the cheapest/fastest oil change and of course, hated that they would try to trick/upsell me to get extra things done to my car, never trusted them. Yelping "oil change" in San Rafael - I phone canvassed - Luckys on Red Hill (quoted ~$60 for SUV oil change/3-4 hour wait), Easy Automotive on Lincoln (~$50 AND they were booked solid for a week) and I read reviews for the local Pennzoil 10 minute oil change, which weren't great. Then I found Judy and although I'd been warned to "stay away from the Canal" area of San Rafael, I've found the person I will also go to and always recommend for auto maintenance/repairs! Initial quote $40 for Oil Change, 1 hour She does the old change, a "flashlight inspection" sweep of anything else. Turns out: a) transmission fluid leak - she fixed and topped up the lost fluid b) need 2 brake lights replaced c) recommended that my 2 new tires be rotated to the front - she could rotate them all for me d) washer fluid needed topping up e) coolant - Toyota brand - needed filling up. She did/fixed all of these things, I only stayed for an extra 20 minutes from the quoted hour and altogether was charged $85 (this included the oil change!). I don't know where you'd get better service for a fairer price. I don't know where else a trip to the mechanic would make you think "yay I get to see Judy again" instead of paranoid "oh shit, how's this mechanic gone try to screw me." And Judy herself was warm, delightful, charming and an empathetic human being. She explained her diagnosis with no trace of guile or pushiness, She's carved out her niche in the Universe and she rules it! Old copies of Grimm's Fairy Tales in the magazine rack "for the kiddies" and dream catchers and baseball paraphernalia everywhere. And how's this: Instead of ignoring all the things wrong with my car and living in denial until they break down, I'm actually WANTING to set aside/budget money for Judy to fix things as I am able to pay for them, because I think she'd totally enhance the lifespan of my car overall. She inspires my trust and customer loyalty with her honesty and fair prices! read more

My 2001 Lexus ES300 has 127,000 miles on it and it was in dire need of its 120,000 mile service. A few months ago I called Lexus of Marin, where I've had it serviced since I bought it, and they quoted me $1,000+. I told them to hold their breath and I'd get back to them. This past Sunday I was in Wheel Works having a nail removed from one of my tires. While there I asked the service guy if they worked on engines, and he said yes, so I asked him how much he'd charge for the tune-up, he gave me a quote of $750. I'd heard about Judy's Automotive, and I'd read the posts here on Yelp, so I gave her a call on Monday and asked her if she'd give me a quote for the service. She said she'd call me back the next day, which she did. She quoted me HALF of what Lexus had quoted! I dropped the car off first thing this morning, and she called me early this afternoon saying that the car was ready. She explained everything she'd done, what shape the car is in and what she recommends for the future. I was so impressed with her - she was honest and not pushy at all. I have had such a positive experience in an incredibly short period of time - but I'm going with my gut on this one...Judy's good people! I'm going to tell anyone who'll listen that they should take their car(s) to Judy's Automotive, because there's no one else like her out there. I'm so grateful I made the phone call! Thanks Judy! read more

Make a human connection AND get your car serviced. Judy is an evolved priestess and knows whereof she speaks. She's a skilled, reliable and experienced mechanic; all about integrity. This is personal service from the heart. If you live in Marin and choose to stay away from the larger dealerships, you'll likely join the rest of us who consider Judy's Garage "home". Absolutely can't go wrong. (unless, say, she doesn't have time to fit you into her busy schedule.) Better get on it.....! read more

Girls rule. Chicks rock. You know all of those sayings & Joan Jett may just come to mind when you hear them, but me? I think of Judy at Judy's Automotive. Judy knows cars. I found her ad in a publication for local parents & I love supporting anyone who supports families, so I checked her out & I'm so happy I did. She's a parent herself, so when my kid was disruptive, she understood. She understands kids & cars. Now that's local talent worth visiting! read more

If I could give Judy 6 stars I would. I had a belt go out on my Honda CRV. This belt controls the water pump, power steering, ac compressor, and alternator. Coming back from Sonoma I experienced epic car failure which rendered me unable to continue my journey home to Oakland at 11:30pm after a long day of work. I ditched my car and got a ride back to Oakland. I called around to see who could replace this belt for me. The Honda dealership was over twice what Judy quoted me. She was a few bucks more than another place I called, but was much easier to communicate with, and I made an appointment to bring the car in. She was extremely friendly and personable when I got there with my disabled car. She called me after an hour or so to let me know that the AC compressor had seized up and that she would try to figure out a work around. I suggested that we install a pulley in place of the compressor, but she chose to just put a shorter belt in as it was a cheaper and just as effective alternative. She was efficient, cost considerate, and super friendly. She made a list of other potential issues that she found in association with belt failure but did not pressure me to have her do the work at her shop. If I lived in Marin, she would be my go to mechanic without a second thought. I had such a good experience with her, that I might have to trek out from Oakland to do future repairs with her. Thanks so much Judy! You rock. read more

This lady rocks! Judy is a tough-talking broad, and I say that with the utmost respect. She helped save me from getting ripped off from an auto shop in Fresno that wanted to charge me for a bogus repair. She had the good graces and patience to take my desperate call asking her what the hell a certain thingamjig was, and if she really thought it could be $1,600 worth of broken. Thanks to her, I drove my car home to the Bay Area with no problems, and I actually got a rebate from the Fresno shop. She charges reasonable rates, and doesn't talk down to you. God bless a mechanic you can trust. And she has the most lovely dogs. read more

I am a nurse who relies on her car to get to patient's homes. The mechanic that I was using closed due to COVID19. Unfortunately I can't close as patients need to be seen and cared for. My car was due for maintenance and a friend recommended Judy's Automotive to me. Judy is thorough (she explained everything she did and why and told me when I need to return), honest, and reasonably priced. She also wears a mask and wipes down the surfaces of the car that she touches to kill any viral droplets that may have wandered in. I feel confident that Judy will be my mechanic for a long time to come! read more

It is so easy to become enchanted with the idea of a "10 MINUTE OIL CHANGE!" when places proclaiming such a statement are on every other corner. Though I know better, I have to admit that I have been suckered into one of those places on more than one occasion. And let's face it, $100 later, you always drive away wondering, "what in the hell did I pay you to do for a car that I'm still making payments on?" So when Judy told me that it was going to take maybe an hour to change my oil and look around, I laughed. I laughed out of the comfort of knowing that she was not only a certified one woman show but that she was actually going to inspect my vehicle like a PVT conducting a PMCS on a multi-million dollar piece of equipment. I can honestly say that for the first time, I didn't drive away praying that my car wasn't going to bust a belt or leak oil. I drove away knowing that she took the time one needs to properly maintain a vehicle. I drove away knowing that I couldn't have found a better person to give it to me straight on prices, time, and on expertise of my vehicle. And though my car isn't a multi-million dollar piece of equipment, it is worth more than a sloppy 10 minute job. Even if it's just an oil change, or your routine schedule for tire rotations, or heaven forbid, a complete engine overhaul, take the time to see Judy because she takes the time for you. read more

If I could give a review a title, this one would be: Judy Saved My Sanity I live in Oakland but was in San Rafael for the weekend, house/cat/dog-sitting for a friend. I wasn't feeling great so I was attempting to drive to a doctor when my car made a terrible popping sound, and suddenly my brakes weren't working so great anymore. I had no clue where I was or what to do, so I turned to Yelp and found out that Judy's Automotive was close by. I carefully made my way over and when I came in, nearly in tears, Judy and another very nice mechanic welcomed me, asked how they could help, and offered me cuddles from both of their dogs (might not be for everyone, but it was certainly what I needed). Judy quickly assessed what was wrong with my brakes, figured out what parts I would need, and said she would fit me into her schedule for that day, since she knew I was worried about getting back to the cats and dogs I was watching. She said to give her a few hours, gave me directions to a hiking trail that would lead me down by the water of the bay, and gave me a big hug and told me everything would be okay. A few hours and a long, relaxing walk later, I was back on the road with functioning breaks and a grateful feeling in my heart. I definitely plan to come back to this shop in the future. read more

Over the years I've had many cars, most of which have needed repairs at one point or another (at the age of 50, that's just a symptom of my time on earth). Most of the time I've been challenged to find a mechanic that is truly honest, has reasonable fees, and willing to provide options based on cost savings when it makes sense, given I'm not the wealthiest person around. Three years ago, I was pointed in the direction of Judy, and I've never looked back. My car (a 93 Mazda 929) has had more than its share of issues during that time. I've needed my radiator, transmission, radio antennae, and driver's door window motor replaced, along with the typical tune-ups, oil changes and tire replacement, rotation. Judy's always been there for me, and provided excellent service every time. She's an amazing person who has taken the time to learn about my life and never fails to ask me how various things are going when we speak on the phone - even if I'm just calling to schedule a service appointment. While that's just good business sense, it's clear to me that Judy genuinely cares about my life for caring's sake. When I needed muffler work this past week, I brought my car to Judy first - in less than a minute she assessed the specific problem and promptly suggested I take the car to a local muffler shop, that it would be less expensive for them to do it than for me to have her do the work. And that she said they're the best place to go for this issue. Which allowed me to get that work done without worrying that the muffler shop would rip me off. If you live or work in San Rafael, or anywhere in Marin, Judy's Automotive is the best place to bring your car, bar none. And Judy is the best mechanic I've ever known. read more

Went to Judy for help with my car and left a very happy woman once again, I went to Judy when I lived in San Rafael a few years ago and was delighted then too. Today's known issues were a flat tire, an oil change, burned out brake lights and a malfunctioning remote trunk release. She replaced two tires after checking to see if the flat was repairable, it was but tire needed to be replaced anyway. Judy is honest and patient, she takes the time to explain what is wrong. Her recommendations always make sense and her quotes are always honest. Its so nice to have the peace of mind of a great, honest and kind mechanic who is an excellent value. Remember folks, you get what you pay for and I am happy to pay for integrity. Its a pleasure to do business with her and a joy to support a female-owned and operated auto repair shop. Thanks Judy! read more

I was referred to Judy by a friend of a friend when I moved to Marin. She's worked on my 2008 Honda Civic brakes, oil, battery, and will do whatever else needs to be done because she's AWESOME. Great customer service, she remembers me between visits, I get a hug when I leave, and I've referred several folks to her since. As far as I know she does all the work personally. Only gripe: I wish she did smog inspections, as I was new to California and this whole emissions thing. But no biggie. read more

I have been coming to Judy for over 7 years - 2 different cars. I have always found her to be honest and upfront. She can be a bit gruff but I value her insights and honesty. read more

If you are calling to get a simple quote on a part and labor, this is NOT the place for you. The woman who answered the phone was rude, condescending, and seemed bothered by the fact that I was calling around for quotes. This was her rude response: "Are you just calling around for prices? (yes), well I am definitely not going to be your cheapest, I can guarantee you that." I then asked if she might know who might be able to offer me a quote. Her response, "I have no idea, goodbye." I've never had someone be so rude on the phone before. No thank you to Judy Automotive. read more

2 years later, I still come here every 5k miles. Judy is the best at what she does and I recommend her to anyone who asks!

I've been coming to Judy with both of our (old--2007/2000) cars for the last two years. She came highly recommended and now I want to do the same. Her work has been excellent, timely and reasonably priced. She lets me know the next likely thing we'll need to take care of and that helps me budget ahead of time, which is invaluable. Plus, she's the nicest person you'll ever meet. You can't go wrong having Judy take care of your car. She's the best. read more

I just had my BMW serviced at Judy's and am so happy with the results. Judy is reliable, efficient and direct - my car runs so much better now and I know exactly what was done and what is on the horizon for my car. Great communicator and mechanic! read more

Thank you Judy! Appreciate your help and advice on my Rav4. Having never met you, you allowed me to have my car towed, dropped off and diagnosed with ease. My car needs a ton of work, but I appreciate what I was able to afford and the advice given. read more

judy came through for me: i bought a 10 year old honda prelude, and had a limited time to get it checked out by a mechanic. i picked judy because of her well-deserved 5-star yelp rating. tho' i'd never used her services, she just said to get it there the next morning and she'd take care of it. and boy, did she! she went through the car i *great* detail. not only did she check out the drivetrain, suspension, tires, body, battery and brakes, but even noticed the missing sliding panel that covered the mirror on a sun visor! that's what i call thorough. i've found yelp to be a great way to crowd-source an opinion: judy's 5-star rating is right on. read more

Judy is trustworthy, reliable, knowledgable and her prices are more than fair. For a steering fluid issue I had, she even told me about a warranty I could pursue with the manufacturer to get it fixed for free instead of seeing an opportunity to make $$. So honest. read more

EDIT: I've taken my car to Judy for scheduled oil changes and she's squeezed me in for a few minor emergencies. I gotta give her an additional star for how exceptional and friendly she is. Despite not having weekend hours she will work with you as much as she can to find another viable solution. I'm lucky to have a decently flexible schedule to make sure I can always take my car to her! Thanks Judy! ------------------------------------------ Judy tells it to you straight, which is definitely what you want out of a mechanic. I'd trust her with any car. She did an oil change, rotated my tires, replaced a loose wheel bearing and burned out tail lights for me for a reasonable price. Definitely take your car to Judy if you want a trustworthy mechanic who tells it like it is without trying to gip you! Unfortunately I had to knock off one star because she never has weekend hours, but other than that she's fantastic. read more