Martin Auto Service. Honest and fair. Definitely a place to have your car repaired. I recently had a significant problem with my car and they treated me very well and went above and beyond. I will keep going back. read more

Martin Auto Service is the first place I call for fair, honest, and top notch work on our cars. In addition to great mechanics, their customer service is excellent. Trust your vehicles to Martin Auto Service and you won't be disappointed! read more

I don't usually leave reviews like this, but I believe my experience at Martin Auto Shop should be shared to help others make informed decisions. In June 2024, I brought my truck in for an A/C issue -- no cold air and a hissing sound. I had recently replaced the condenser at another shop (less than a year old), but Martin Auto told me it was leaking because it wasn't an OEM part. I paid $1,959.90 for a new OEM condenser, trusting this would resolve the issue. No mention was made of leaks elsewhere, or that dye was added for future detection. I paid in full and requested the replaced part be returned to me, a right protected by Illinois law (815 ILCS 306/25). They agreed. However, when I picked up my vehicle, they claimed the part was already in the recycling bin. Only after I insisted did they "retrieve" it, banged up and with no explanation. I was frustrated, but life was hectic -- my parents were visiting from Mexico and I let it go. About three months later, the same A/C issue returned. I brought the vehicle back with a video showing symptoms. I was told the original repair "checked out fine," and now my rear A/C lines were leaking -- a new, unrelated issue they hadn't identified earlier. I was quoted nearly $2,000 again, and told the warranty didn't cover this. At this point, I noticed something on my original invoice: it clearly said a leak detector dye had been added, but no recovery, evacuation, or recharge was performed. I've since learned (through detailed A/I research and professionals) that a proper A/C repair -- especially when leaks are involved -- includes these steps. Dye alone doesn't diagnose anything unless you bring the vehicle back for inspection under UV light, which I was never asked to do. So the dye was added but never actually used to identify system-wide issues. I contacted the shop's management team. At first, there was a courteous exchange, and even a mention of a refund -- until they backtracked and claimed it was a mistake. Eventually, I reached the owner, offered to talk, but I wasn't interested in nice words, just compensation for the incomplete job, She was polite but stood by the same answer: no refund, no real explanation, and no accountability for the missed diagnostics or mishandled part. To be clear, this review isn't just about the money. It's about: Incomplete diagnostics Failure to return a replaced part (as required by law) Inconsistent communication Lack of transparency A second costly repair that may have been avoidable I gave this shop multiple opportunities to resolve things respectfully and privately. Unfortunately, their final decision left me with no other option than to share my experience publicly. I hope this helps others consider all factors before trusting this shop with costly repairs. read more

I've had a number of repairs done here on several vehicles over the past six years or so. These folks are unfailingly straight, fair, and helpful. Easy with scheduling too. A much appreciated asset to the community. read more

I took my 2013 Ford Fiesta to Martin Auto on Friday Oct 4th with a "check engine" light that would go on and off. I had called prior to drop off, spoke with Javier, to advise that I was including the oxygen sensor that was "diagnosed " with my sensor. At 11am 10/4, Javier called and ran off a list of things to do...serpentine belt, brakes, carb clean out and indeed, the oxygen sensor! So, seeing as Javier was sure the sensor and carb build up was the issue after HIS DIAGNOSTIC CHECK, I decided to invest the $1608 that I was quoted to fix the engine problem AND get the brakes and belt. I was thrilled to get my car back that same day right at closing time. Well, Saturday 10/5 I drove my car 80 miles and BAM, that same "check engine " light is BACK!!! I called Martin Auto and had to leave a message as they were closed. Monday 10/7 I called off to work and after not hearing anything from Martin's I phoned at 7:30am (they open at 7am). I told Javier the same issue was back. I brought my car BACK in at 7:40am and patiently waited for SOME UPDATE!! At 3:06pm I called them, as I was really getting concerned. Javier informed me that all they had done so far was "make sure the original fix was done properly " AND NOW, he wants me to pay another $159 for a NEW DIAGNOSTIC TEST !!! He finally agreed to "waive" the fee and again, I waited for the new info. I called again at 4:15pm and was told another 20 minutes. Well they close at 5pm so now I know I'm going to be in a pickle. My husband and I drove down there and my car apparently was on some sort of test drive and then at 4:40pm I am told that for ANOTHER $1100 they are sure the "new codes" can be cleared and my car will be fine WTF ?!? Such deception!! I would have NEVER put new brakes/belt etc. if I would have known that the actual part that I included was NOT going to fix the light! Now I'm sitting here with a "pig with lipstick" My 2013 car with lovely new brakes and belt that can't be driven because the ACTUAL problem was NEVER fixed!!! Just horrible! If I could give a 1/2 star I would because even 1 star is too much read more

My only gripe with Martin Service shop is that they are in IL and not Virginia. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet these awesome folks in person but if I'm ever nearby I will seriously stop by to say thank you. Everyone I dealt with from my primary contact Jacob to Joe and the owner Kyle was fantastic. Why doesn't everyone run their business like this? Seriously if I lived anywhere near I'd never go anywhere else. They are transparent, honest, friendly, professional. If you have any questions about going here, don't. But feel free to ask and I will tell you more about why you really need to take your car here. There's a reason why they have 5 stars. They helped me with a remote buying experience where multiple things could have gone wrong but their care and attention made it go as smooth as it could have. The best thing you can say about any business is that they are trustworthy, that's them! read more

Martin Auto Service - They sent me a picture of the front end since I was buying remotely. They took great care of her! - Auto Repair Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

Brought my car in for a Winterization special early this year. They encouraged me to replace gaskets as there was a minor oil leak. I took their advice and got the work done. When I got my oil changed at another place, they told me that I had severe oil leaks. I brought my car in again to Martin's, and they made a bunch of excuses (which I thought was very unprofessional). I got some more work done, and they sent me on my way (giving me the impression that the problem was fixed). Again, when I got my oil changed at another place, they told me that I had severe oil leaks. I was livid, and talked to the manager. I specifically asked for a different mechanic to look at my car, and he assured me that I would have a different mechanic. I brought my car in again, and they told me that it was not oil, but transmission fluid. Also, they gave me the same mechanic as he pulled my car out of the garage and handed me my keys. Well, a few days ago, my oil light comes on. I brought it to my old mechanic in Arlington Heights, because I did not want to deal with Martin's. I barely got into the parking lot when my car stalled and all sorts of lights went on. I just got my car back and my mechanic told me that he had to clean all this oil and gunk from my engine to see what the problem was. Long story short, he told me that they probably didn't diagnose the problem correctly because they didn't take the time the clean the engine to see what the real problem was. I'm actually not angry at the mechanic, but more so with the owner and management. They probably try to get as many customers in as they can, and the mechanics are pressed for time. Doing this compromises the quality of their work and causes issues with diagnostics. They also compromised my safety by letting me believe that my car was ok when it was not. They get one star for work that they have done in the past that was satisfactory, and another for the candy that they leave in your car after you get work done by them. So, if you like dropping a grand on your car without getting your car fixed and you like candy, then by all means, go to Martin's. read more

Got a referral from a friend at Hope Culture Church. I Took my car in for an oil change and to find out why the check engine light is on. This place is really nice, clean, with a comfortable waiting room. Although they were busy, I did not have a long wait. The cost of the oil change was very reasonable, and the staff are very friendly. read more

Have been to Martin a few times now and am impressed with their approach (don't upsell, explain everything, feel like they're being honest about work that needs and doesn't need doing) and speed of service. We just had the rear brake pads and rotors done over the weekend - stopped in and they had it done in less than 2 hours. And they have a keurig and cool mid century modern vibe read more

I highly recommend Martin Service. They're great at repairs, but more importantly; they are professional, kind, and honest.

Extremely accommodating with scheduling and service and friendly to myself and my toddler when we brought my husbands subaru in today. Very honest, up front with cost, explained everything well. Super fair pricing and excellent customer service. They did excellent with my husbands car. We are very happy and will be bringing our other car here for regular maintenance and recommend them. read more

Got a lot of work done with them, throughout the years and they have generally been really great, but this visit stuck out to me because of unprofessional service. I came in because of an issue with the ride quality and handling and it was progressively getting worse as I drove more or for long periods of time. I wanted them to test drive it to see if there were any problems. I have an older vehicle and I want to stay on top of maintenance. It's also an old vehicle so there's always maintenance to be done. The worker taking my appointment said they did an initial test drive and there were no issues. Then the same worker said HE personally would test drive it at 60 MPH to see if there were any issues. I said okay but I waited about an hour then the test driver came out, and it was not the worker taking my appointment. The test driver said there were no issues. I was relieved initially because I wouldn't have to do any work on my car but then I asked if they ever did an inspection and they said they only did a visual inspection i.e. they didn't check anything. On top of this all, I got in my car and I noticed the stereo was switched to aux when I always have it on Bluetooth. needless to say they were most likely listening to music , not the car problems. There was no charge for this appointment, but there was over an hours worth of gas used to do nothing. I thought I had found some mechanics who were serious about their craft but I think I will have to take my business elsewhere. This visit really showed me how little they care about a customer, one who's had a lot of work done with them, and how undisciplined their staff are. And as soon as I drove away I could feel the problem I was talking about again, so it wasn't a productive appointment at all. read more

This place is the absolute BEST. We never feel like we're getting screwed over, we always feel in the know about things. Super friendly staff and owner. My husband and I (We know absolutely nothing about cars), have been coming here to get routine oil changes, and random things fixed like flat tires, brakes fixed, etc. HIGHLY recommend! & This is Kyle holding my baby when I needed my hands free for a minute. read more

Martin Auto Service - Auto Repair Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

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I can't say enough great things about these mechanics! Our 2005 Buick Rendezvous had a number of issues. These guys took care of EVERYTHING and gave us an upfront estimate that actually matched the final cost-- when does that ever happen?? Usually the final cost ends up being much more than the estimate. Since we were really low on money, they let us pick and choose which items we would have taken care of and they NEVER made us feel like we were being cheapskates like other places have. Hey, we have limited funds, what can I say? Anyway, they treated us with such dignity and respect, even though we were small potatoes. They never made us feel small at all. Our car is is running fabulously!! These guys are HONEST!! We also recommended these fellows to our son. Our son's 2014 Passat was having issues. He had taken it first to the dealership who told him that there were metal shavings in the oil and they recommended a new engine. Well, that was something our son could NOT afford. He then took his car to Martin Service for an oil change. Guess what? No metal shavings in the oil. Our son can now breathe a sigh of relief as he thought he was driving his car on borrowed time. So glad to know a there's a reliable, honest mechanic who does fabulous work in the area. Oh!! And they're community minded!!! Bet you didn't know they donated some coursework to the Dream Academy in Elgin did you? Yeah, they're THAT kind of folks!! read more

Such reliably decent people, who know their stuff! I had a weird check engine light come on and took it to them, they checked the code and saw it was something that should still be covered by the warrantee and instead of doing the work and charging me for it anyway, they told me! And I know this would be expensive too. This isn't the first time they have saved me money either so I am a loyal customer. read more

They helped my husband pop open his trunk is less than 24 hours! Super nice people, reliable and friendly. Definitely will be going there for any car problems! read more

They are so friendly and welcoming. I was an impatient person and took my car to a different place for an oil change and then had to come back here for them to fix what the "national chain" could not do. They are reliable and bonus the waiting area is lovely. I learned my lesson just go here and don't be impatient over the weekend. read more

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Audi Owners Beware! First let me start with a positive comment...the front office staff was always friendly and professional. That is where the positive comments stop, unfortunately. Martin Service claims to have a "Euro Tech"; however, it was clear they were in WAY over their head with my Audi Q7. They had my vehicle for over two months. This was a horrible experience, and I would urge anyone with an Audi to look elsewhere for service as they are not equipped to handle higher end vehicles. read more

We moved to Elgin and needed to find a trusted mechanic. The owner Kyle is your man. He has a team of knowledgable mechanics as well as accomidating and dependable service. He only uses quality parts and will explain what needs to be done ahead of time. Great communication via text. I recommend scheduling your appointment first before dropping off your car. read more

Always a 5/5 when it comes to having work done on my car at Martin Service! Kyle and the team are professional, honest, and hard working! Whether it's simply an oil change, new battery, or work on my engine, they have always charged fair prices for all their work! read more

I've taken my cars to Matin Service since they first opened and they are truly set apart from any other shop in the area. They are honest, friendly, and deliver on their promises. It is clear Kyle works hard at providing top notch customer service. You will not be disappointed. read more

Kyle and his team were so helpful when I was suddenly stranded. They provided immediate help at an extremely fair price and I was back on the road in a few hours! I live in Chicago, but will highly consider traveling back to Elgin for auto repairs! Highly recommended! read more

I am so glad to have a GREAT local independent auto repair shop in my town. For 15+ years, they have performed all my vehicle repairs. I have always appreciated their professionalism, and attention to detail. Trustworthy, honest & friendly. They have definitely earned the 5 stars! read more

Jerry knows what he's doing! He's obviously very competent and knowledgeable about all things automotive. What I appreciate the most is that he is hands on. In most cases he personally completes your repair or performs your service and can tell you in detail exactly what was done and why. Not the usual procedure that most auto repair places employ.....you know, hand your keys to a guy behind the counter and he hands them to some 9-5 mechanic in the back that never sees you or knows your name and probably couldn't care less. Nope, this guy is old school. Not exactly the cheapest but the service and peace of mind you get here is well worth it. read more

Courteous, clear communication, quick to reply, and affordable. I know the owner personally and can vouch for his character. SO GRATEFUL he opened an auto shop when I needed it most. It's not easy to find truly TRUSTWORTHY mechanics...but this one you can trust. A very big thank you to the team at Martin Service for great service all around! read more

It is great to know that there is someone out there you can trust. I went in thinking my brakes were going bad, but they called me back and said that they were fine and that they need just a little adjustment. They are super friendly there and very helpful ! Also if you have questions about the repair, they will be more than happy to explain it to you. I will keep going there for as long as I live in Elgin. Great place to get your car fixed ! read more

Kyle is an easy going and understanding guy and I so appreciate the time and care he and his team put into their work. He is great at creating conversation while you wait for your vehicle and clearly has great relationships with those in Elgin! They have fair pricing and, in my experience, have always been good at estimating the time needed for my repairs and oil changes. You won't regret heading here for your car needs! read more

Top notch auto repair place with exceptional/friendly customer service. Reasonable prices combined with a, "we don't fix unnecessary stuff," mentality equals a winner in my book! read more

Brought my car in for a fog light assembly replacement, told Bruce I needed to be out the door by 9:45 the latest. 9:00 am, done. Always 5 star service. As stated before, good old- fashioned type service, lacking at many businesses in today's world. Can't recommend Martin's Service enough. read more

Take your vehicle here with confidence. As other reviewers have stated, Kyle and his team are absolutely the best. I needed our Tahoe ready for a trip out of town and he made it road ready in one day. We have had him work on our other car, too, and we never feel we are being cheated or taken advantage of, like we feel at the dealer or other shops. We highly recommend his shop for your car repair. Take your vehicle here with confidence. They are trustworthy and kind. read more

Kyle and his team are trustworthy, knowledgeable, and kind. We've had excellent service each time we've brought our cars here.

I was having issues with a tire continually losing air. First thing he does is fills it back up, tell me it seems fine, tire looks fine, and to come back if it loses air again. It was winter, that was my first thought as well, which is why I tested that before I brought it in...but okay, I'll give it another go. Tire wasn't flattening, just going typically from 40 to 30 or so within a couple days. It loses air and I bring it back. It was right down the street from me, and honestly I wanted to make him feel like a jerk. He takes the wheel off, inspects the tire which was okay, and finds a small crack in the rim. I knew a welder who knew a welder who could work with the metal alloy of the rim- all was well. Not a month goes by that the guy who changes my oil tells me that same wheel is swaying. I'll admit I should've caught it. I noticed a slight amount of shaking and figured my tires were unbalanced. When I took it to a small garage shop of a friend's to get it fixed the man was baffled that someone who had removed the tire hadn't noticed the damage. As it had certainly been an issue that arrived at least a few months prior. He may very well be an amazing mechanic. But I'm good. Though I liked how old the place felt, I'd like someone to be looking out for me. Could've been stranded or in an accident. I've moved since, this was in 2014. Just felt compelled to finally give a review because the car shop I just went to, for an oil and belt change, showed me my cracked sway bar that somehow another shop in my new town had missed while replacing my other front ball-joint. Could've broken within the 3 weeks time difference, but the other side of the bar, the drivers side they worked on, is also very damaged, so they should've seen that. It's a rusty car, I know it's going to break in places, please tell me when it does when I bring it in. Thank you for reading my soap opera. Really though, this place felt untrustworthy. read more