Mar 9, 2026 I have…read morejust purchased and had installed a set of Nokian One 100H tires (215/70/R16) for my Honda CR-V (FWD only). I had asked for a recommendation for tires that would provide a softer more comfortable ride than my existing Nokian all weather set and be very good in the rain. I found the existing ride to be very harsh, especially going over depressed manhole covers and typical Nanaimo road patches. I had some slim hope better tires might produce enough improvement to at least notice so as to justify my somewhat earlier than needed purchase. I would like to say how pleased I am at the resulting improvement. The new Nokians were even smoother on smooth pavement and over my "favourite" set of 3 sequential road patches on Jinglepot the car produced just a muted bump instead of the harsh bone shaking bang from the old all weathers. I haven't had the opportunity to test the new ones in the rain yet (soon will I think) but I can say even on dry pavement I've noticed improved traction. Thanks to all the staff who helped with the recommendation, scheduled the appointment, and did all the install work. Once again Kal Tire 682 (6590 Island Hwy N) has come through for me. Russ Macdonald

Huge thanks to John Earhart at Kal Tire Norwell Dr. Location. He went above and beyond to help us…read morein a very stressful situation. We didn't even buy tires. John crawled under our suv to take pictures and helped us get the vehicle safely drivable before we left on a long trip home. I would recommend this Kal Tire location to anyone for all their products. very friendly and caring staff. Thanks again John

These guys helped out my boyrfriend when in a serious crunch getting towed from BC ferries lineup…read more They've been considerate about repairs needed and not needed just yet, consulting in detail, considering cost and quality. Appreciated their communication and repair skills, and kindness. Many thanks!

RON IS THE BEST HANDS DOWN ! I am constantly overcharged from other places , recommended services i…read moredon't need , am told to do maintenance wayyy before maintenance is due , waiting forever , sometimes days to get my vehicle back, etc etc etc . Ron got me in for my brakes that needed hours within me calling about it , I normally would have to arrange a ride home and wait a full day if not multiple days for basic things like coolant flush and oil changes at laird Wheaton , at Mid island automotive I was in and out so quickly I just sat in the lobby and chatted with Cammy the lovely woman that works at the front desk and was treated to coffee and a Christmas chocolate while the men worked their magic , I was shocked at how quickly the service was . The price was very reasonable and I left there happy and not feeling ripped off like every other place I've been in Nanaimo , they topped off my fluids as well . Ron and his team were extremely accommodating, kind , informative and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend Mid island automotive to friends , family or anyone needing some work done on their vehicle , I'm sure you will be as satisfied with their work as I was . Thanks so much to all the staff at mid island automotive!

Midas (Departure Bay Location Only):…read more I only went to this location because of the close proximity to my house. While the front end staff are friendly and accommodating. I will never go here again. After spending lots of $$$$ and giving them multiple chances; here is what has been consistent: -The Quality Control and Checklists of their work is well below par with each visit, I found parts paid for but not installed. -Each visit resulted in missing OEM parts, or parts not completely installed or parts even coming off my vehicle. -The owner is an absolute condescending, arrogant, person. -They overpromise and never deliver, I'm still waiting for a return/follow up call after I have reached out to them 4 times. The Hammond Bay Location; however, does deliver.

I was on a road trip from California to Vancouver and on the ferry to Vancouver Island a man…read morenoticed that there was a piece of plastic hanging down from the front end of my car underneath. It is a low sedan and it was scraping the ground. I did not know what to do , I could not refasten it or tear it off. I called a Lexus repair shop and they were busy for days. I called Midas and ask them if they could look under and fix it and they squeezed me in in about an hour from when I called. They fixed it immediately and did not charge me. There is a woman that's running the shop there and she seems very efficient. It really was a good feeling to be taken care of so soon and not charged. I haven't had the best experiences with Midas back inCalifornia.

I rate him a 1 because there's no 0 . My daughter saw a car at his location on Bowen Road in…read moreNanaimo that she was interested in purchasing, she and I test drove the car and within fifteen minutes the car died and wouldn't start. When contacting the owner he said the problem was she drove too far and began blaming the way she must have been driving the car. This was on a weeknight he began by saying she would have to pay to get it tow back to his shop when she refused he reluctantly agreed to have a tow truck pick the car up. A couple of days later he called and asked if she was still interested in buying the car NOPE. Honestly I don't know if he's a crook or con man but he sure acted like one. Looks like he has shut down his shop hope he isn't operating somewhere else Ray McDonald

I am glad to see him Gone. He May be a Nice Guy to talk to, however, my personal experience is one…read morewhere i gotta say, i have never had dishonest BS spoken to me and at such a blatant level in my entire 41 years having my vehicles repaired. Watched His staff mess up from the start, while putting my vehicle on the hoist, apprentice crushed the rear heater lines, Dave tells my at bill time, my vehicle just started to leak anti frozen while there. A lye. Later after vehicle back in my possession i driving a friend home, heard something hit vehicle under front middle and rear underside of vehicle. Two stop signs later my brake pedal goes to the floor. And my eyes go wide. Front Wheel hub & bearing job was just done by them. Took it back that night. Following day i go to pick up and i get told the rear drum brakes, the brake Adjuster fell off. Really, another blatant lye. Brake adjuster not able to fly out of brake drum if it came off. Heavy grinding noise and grabbing rear brakes would have been apparent. It was not. E brake and brake pedal would have been different upon returning to me. E brake no diff. Did not hold, no change at all! Neither was there a change in brake pedal travel. So whatever had happened was hydraulic in nature, not mechanical. So as the front calliper was just re and re'd for the hub n brg, obvious it was a Front calliper support bolt that was not installed / tightened correctly. Thus allowing for one to fall out, go bouncing under the vehicle, hitting undercarriage and causing the noise heard just prior to the brake pedal catastrophically dropping causing no brakes. The Gripe is that In both those instances Dave charged me for their Blatant mistakes. Adding together it was over $550.00 in parts and labour for those two Mistakes they made. I guess The lyes he told me happened to be the free part!! Ha! I could go on and on, because there is more. However i will not! I will however Finish by saying again, i am ecstatic to finally see that business gone from Nanaimo. I feel we residents of central Nanaimo are far better off without those smug, nice smiling, ohh so easy to bill high, lye and overcharge people.

This is a place you want to bring your vehicle for an honest and trustworthy experience from…read morequotation to the final repair costs. Great staff who do their upmost to reduce your costs. My large repair ended up costing a few hundred less because of the service reps diligence to find the best price on parts and labor. I will definitely be a return customer with all of my vehicles for servicing and repair. Richard K.

My wife recently took her SUV in for its regular servicing. They recommended new tires, which it…read moredefinitely needs, and provided a quotation for a set of tires. They told her that they have a relationship with the tire wholesaler so the price they quoted was the "best in town." But it turns out, after a bit of calling around for other quotes, the Auto Check price was about $320 higher than other shops for the identical tires. In other words, they were prepared to gouge her for tires they clearly knew were way overpriced. To me, that kind of business practice stinks.

Contrary to the complaint above (why has it been so long before anyone else posted a review?), I've…read morefound this location to be both friendly and helpful. I was there today, as well as on another occasion some years ago. Both times they fixed a simple light vehicle flat for free (along with providing helpful advice). They saved me money over my Nissan dealer, who wanted to sell me two new tires! No such sales tactics from Kal Tire. They don't know me, nor do they owe me any favours. Both times, their service was excellent. I can recommend them with bonus points for attitude.

My wife had a leak in her tire so I took it to Costco. They said it couldn't be repaired and that I…read morewould have to order a new one. $130 for the replacement so I said fine so they ordered it. In the meantime they put spare on and put damaged tire in trunk. the next day my wife took her car to this Kal Tire and they looked at the tire and said no problem, apparently it was just a small hole. They repaired it FOR FREE. So my wife cancelled the tire that Costco ordered in. And prior to this, my wife took her previous car in (which we bought used and was a nightmare, everything was leaking including the tires), and again this Kal Tire repaired her tires and I can't recall how much they charged but it was very, very cheap. These guys have helped my wife (soon to be ex-wife - ouch) each time and have gone above and beyond. I never thought much of this place when driving past it. I think they are beside a taxi lot, so lots of cars everywhere. Not the most inviting appearance. But next time I need tires I'm definitely going to them first as I felt over charged at Fountain tire.

I had a nail in the tire of my rental car yesterday. I am on vacation and had no clue where to go…read morein Nanaimo to get the tire fixed. Miraculously I was very close to Fountain Tire when my tire started to go flat. Everyone at Fountain Tire was professional and very very helpful. They turned a stressful situation into an enjoyable one. Excellent service! If I lived in Nanaimo this would be the only place I would go for tire purchases and tire changes.

Charged $100 for diagnostic for a stuck wiper. Diagnostic was need a new wiper motor $550 plus…read morelabour. I went home and repaired it myself. I am a computer scientist who had never worked on a car before.

Fast, friendly, good value. I had a technician at the Country Club location in Nanaimo remember me…read morefrom my visit a year previous and asked specific follow up questions from our previous conversation. The team there is efficient and I will continue to give them my business.

Callum and his fellow associates are always exceptional for service, demeanor and efficiency. We…read moreare so happy to have this service in Parksville! What would we do without you? A+ Reasonable prices too!