Ken was excellent to work with. He diagnosed our problem and fixed it perfectly. We were on a business trip and he got us on our way in record time. We were very grateful. Highly recommend! (Volvo XC90) read more

I have been going to Ken's for over 25 years and now only buy Volvos because of his outstanding service. He does a great job fixing your car for a very reasonable cost. He is also the most trustworthy person in business I know. There have been only two times in the 25 plus years where Ken was unable to fix my vehicle. One time I was forced to go to Fields Volvo in Northfield to replace a control module on my XC90. My original estimate was to cost $3800; it took 3 plus weeks to fix and when I went to pick up the car they tried to charge me $4300. I complained to the service manager that the extra cost was not authorized and they ended up charging me $3890. Ken would never charge more than his estimate and never has in all the years I've been going to him. The other time was when I had transmission trouble; unfortunately he doesn't fix transmissions. Outstanding guy/business!! read more

Fantastic! Ken and his staff really take care of you! Had alternator placed. Was able to schedule appt, have work done and out in same day. I left with the feeling they actually cared about their work and about me as a customer. No other hands will touch my S60R. Top shop, good pricing, but more importantly, they are there to connect with you as a customer. You will not be disappointed. read more

Ah, Volvo owners, we're a tricky bunch. Thankfully we have a place/guy like Ken's VolvoTech. Currently I'm on my fourth Volvo, spanning the past 14 years (not including the one my parents own and have serviced at Ken's), and have had them all worked on at Volvo Tech - aside from a couple of oil changes in college against my will. Ken has always been honest, as affordable as possible and transparent in his service. If he replaces something, he always shows the part that was broken and highlights why it was important to have the part fixed. On the contrary, if I think something should be replaced, and it doesn't *really* need to be, he explains why or sets a timeline for replacement. At the same time, he's patient with a guy like me who has minimal (at best) knowledge of car repair asking ridiculous questions. Finding an honest mechanic is a tall order. Like Costanza said "No one know what they're talkin' about! It's like, "'Oh, seems you need a new johnson rod.' Oh! Yeah! Johnson rod! Well, get me one of those!" Ken is a guy you can trust. read more

Ken and David are always there for small emergency repairs and regular service too. Fair pricing and great product knowledge. I even consult before looking at a new Volvo for what to avoid - I've bought 4 new to me in the past 6 years. Always with success read more

Our family has had 5 or more Volvos serviced by Volvo Tech over a time span of probably 10 or more years. Ken knows what he's doing and treats his customers right. I can't tell you how many times he has saved us big dollars on our cars over the years. He will generally always suggest the most cost-sensitive way of solving problems with your car where applicable. Ken is extremely nice and easy going, and has been doing this for a long, long time. I've asked him stupid questions and great questions and been treated the same way- with patience and respect. I'll never forget one day probably 10 years ago when my dad put a gas can for the lawn mower in my trunk without telling me, assuming I'd fill it up at the gas station for him. Well, the gas smell in the cabin prompted me to take the car to Ken's. Ken stopped everything he was doing and probed all over the place looking for a gas leak. Then he opened the trunk and- there was the gas tank! I felt terrible but I don't know of another shop that would be so helpful and understanding of such a moronic problem. This shop has VIDA diagnostics and programming equipment. Volvo Tech is a great model of how a car shop should be run. Kudos to Ken and his employees. read more

Ken's Volvo Tech is the best auto repair garage I have ever been to , they are quick , honest and do a professional job. I trust no one else with my car. read more

I've relied on Ken for my last two Volvo's. He knows your name (thanks to Mimi at the desk, I suspect) and is totally midwestern honest. He evaluates your car as if it was his own car and makes recommendations based on that. His services are way cheaper than dealerships. I am Volvo for Life, and Ken is my guy. read more

I usually only enter into a fray with a review if a business is under-scored with unjust or misrepresentative review. In this case the opposite is true -- I am only writing to say the reviews aren't managed or planted. It's summer 2012, and yes, Ken's VT really is this good. A reminiscence that tells you the care and balance in Ken's work: Our first visit, a metal coupling connecting a lifting collar on the stick shift of our manual, vintage Volvo sedan had snapped. Ken decided he could more affordably fabricate (i.e., via welding) than source the small, hidden but essential replacement part. This he did, and presented me with a jaw-droppingly LOW bill for the job (relative to any other such work I've ever had done, automotive or otherwise). From there we proceeded to routine maintenance, and to the intermittent special needs that any aging import car has. All needs have been handled with care, timeliness, frugality, and graciousness, with decent scheduling and parts access aiding in the turn-around. These are all echos of others' comments, and I would again, as others, emphasize the integrity of the operation. It is not an accident that "honest" joins "affordable" as a recurring theme in all letters. Finally, I'd add -- and please hold fire, hear me out -- that it's been my experience to look at Ken's carefully documented service bills and feel concern that he is not charging enough. Rare experience in life, but the last thing I want is his hitting a fiscal wall and not be able to continue long into the future (and to choose a similarly minded individual to continue!). If such a rise should eventually occur, blame me. Bottom line, with any import outside of dealer care, it's a good idea to find your mechanic before you buy the car. If you're in the Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Libertyville, and broader north suburban area (see other letters) and are looking at a Volvo of any age, you can breathe a sigh. The requisite mechanic to allow you to go ahead is waiting, Ken at Volco Tech. read more

Ken is a very honest guy who will do his best to take care of your car. He does not believe in repairing things that aren't broken. If you have an old volvo, he can keep it running! If it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't drive a volvo. I highly recommend him. read more

A friend recommended Volvo Tech to me when I told her I'd just bought a 1998 Volvo V70R wagon (in the coveted saffron color). She has been taking her Volvo wagon to Ken for 25 years, and this is my first Volvo. I pulled up and Ken walked up and addressed me by name. He remembered me from working on my VW bus...30 years ago! I'd stopped by another Volvo repair shop and gotten an estimate on some work and was told I would have to leave it for several days and that the part would take about a week to get. I called Volvo Tech, and Mimi scheduled me for two days later. The repair took 15 minutes, and they not only charged me less than the other repair shop, they charged me less than what they quoted me on the phone. They are beyond awesome. Every time I drive by the place on RT 176 I give them a high five! read more

With a '99 S70 T5 w/165K, an 01' V70 T5 w/202K and our newest addition an 04' V70 R AWD w/80K a good mechanic is a necessity. Ken & Dave have always been absolutely wonderful. They keep repairs so reasonable there have been times where I literally had to ask if they had included everything on the bill (less than $100 w/3 different things addressed!!). I've even called in to do over the phone diagnosis and/or inquiries and they are always helpful. Even emergency situations are handled quickly with special accommodations being made. I'll take fair, honest service and friendly people any day of the week over a fancy garage and someone kissing my butt. read more

We have been taking our Volvos to Ken for the past 15 years. Ken is knowledgable and trust worthy. He would always tell you his honest opinions provide the best service. We are blessed to have him in our neighborhood so we can go to him for advises for a car we have just purchased or a car that needs work. Thanks, Ken. We are grateful! read more

Bought my first Volvo (a 1992 240) a few years ago. In good shape, but of course high mileage due to it's age and needed some work. For anything other than standard, easy maintenance needs such as oil changes, brake work, tune ups, alignments, I quickly learned that I needed an experienced Volvo shop to do the work. Ken's Volvo Tech is that shop. I had suspension and worn out bushing needs. Local repair shops couldn't do it or couldn't get parts. Ken's Volvo Tech could. Had a malfunctioning overdrive (240 owners can relate). Local shops said either "nothing is wrong" OR "you need a rebuilt transmission". Ken's Volvo Tech correctly identified the problem (bad solenoid) and replaced it. I live in Hammond, IN and I willingly drive the 65 or so miles to Ken's Volvo Tech to get the correct diagnosis and repair. Fair prices, too. This place is highly recommended for Volvo owners in my opinion. I have 240,000 miles on this Volvo, and I expect 240,000 more so long as Ken's Volvo Tech is around. Highly recommended. read more