I'm writing this review on behalf of my husband, who doesn't have a Yelp account and is usually too busy with work, so I've taken on the role of his unofficial "at-home admin." Automotive and mechanic matters are definitely not my strong suit, so I truly appreciated how straightforward McWilliams & Walden made most of the process. I initially called to inquire if they could manage a warranty repair for the hydro booster on our GMC Sierra. The original repair was performed in Seaview, Washington, and McWilliams & Walden handled everything, including liais-ing with the Washington repair shop for the warranty reimbursement. That was incredibly helpful. They also identified and resolved a problem with the transmission cooler, which had a leak. Most of my interactions were with Steve, who was prompt in returning calls and excellent at explaining things in simple terms so I could grasp what was happening and relay it to my husband. They are AAA approved, and even though we aren't AAA members, that approval was significant for the warranty work and provided us with added assurance. The only reason we are giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is due to a hiccup with ordering the cooler, which delayed the return of the truck. I completely understand that parts delays and ordering issues can occur, but improved communication and updates during the delay without me having to be the one to keep reaching out would have elevated this to a 5-star review. Fortunately, since we're still new to Bakersfield and I'm in the process of exploring job opportunities here, my husband was able to use my Subaru for the week + 2 days while they had his truck. So it was a minor inconvenience, not a dealbreaker. Overall, we were grateful for the warranty coordination, the repair work, and the fact that they made a stressful truck issue feel manageable for someone like me who doesn't speak fluent mechanic. read more

McWilliams & Walden - Smog Check Stations Near Me - Bakersfield, California

I have a warranty and the easy process to provide the information so that way they can collaborate with phenomenal my experience so far is good. Customer service is great and efficient helpful explain all of your needs and take care of your car in a timely manner. it's not a good feeling to have to worry about where you're gonna take your vehicle. Your livelihood is on the line in a way because you need reliable transportation. This place made me feel very comfortable with allowing them to touch my car. It's all about feeling safe. They value the needs of the customers and Makenna made life easier most of all the over all staff are all kind friendly and professional. read more

McWilliams & Walden - Easy to find - Smog Check Stations Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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My Rental van was brought here, I didn't choose them. They charged more than the dealership! Dealership quoted me ~$500 less and 4 hours of labor, not their 6. I had to call them for every update, they never called me to give me information. They could not give me a straight answer as to which part was being replaced. At first it was the "Coolant inlet housing" (which isn't a part on a sprinter), nor could they provide me with a part number (even though they ordered the part). The part took almost a week to arrive (largely because there was a "misnumbered part"...aka....they ordered the wrong part). On top of all that they charged $347 for the part! After I finally got a part number out of them I was able to spend 3-4 min and find the same part for less than half of that (OEM). I later called the dealership they got the part from and they quoted me at $275! SAME DEALERSHIP they got the part from! What a scam they run. Then, they said my fuel filter needed to also be replaced. I had just replaced it a month earlier, but when they were removing it they broke off a piece. Then they wanted ME to pay for it! They claimed it was because it's brittle (after being a month old) and plastic breaks sometimes. Not only that, the tech didn't even have to remove that hose from the filter! He could have left it alone and been fine. They waaaay over charge (more than a dealership in both time and per hour), won't call you to give updates give updates, and wont take responsibility for the parts that they break. Talking to manager about all this and he was very rude, kept interrupting me and in no way tried to understand why they should pay for a part that THEY broke. read more

Fantastic auto repair shop. Staff were friendly and professional. The owner was very helpful. They did a great job for me. I highly recommend them. read more

I just came back from getting my Ram pick up smogged and I was so so impressed with the excellent service that I received. From the time that I called and got information on the phone with Makenna and then getting the truck eventually serviced, every aspect was efficient and professional. Everyone in the front office were friendly and accomodating. Kudos to Makenna, Steven, Maria, Dakota and Gary. They all made my wait short. I was in and out within 25 minutes and to boot, it was during the lunch hour.!! I will definitely return to them for my vehicle repairs and future smog checks. I was able to use a Groupon offer, so the experience was even better!! read more

I received high-quality service on my vehicle paired with excellent customer care. The team recently replaced my transmission, and they also repaired a significant crack in my windshield. In addition, they arranged a rental vehicle through Hertz while my car was being serviced. The entire process was smooth, timely, and efficient. read more

Definitely enjoyed my experience here as they were really helpful with my car troubles! They fixed my check engine light so I was able to pass smog, I have recommended them to my family members and friends as well! read more

The best oil change. Service was great and fast and great price, Makenna was so helpful.

S. Moreno is an outstanding professional, always friendly, reliable, and goes above and beyond to make sure everything is taken care of!

Steve was lots of help, along with the rest of the staff. Strongly recommended. Knowledgeable technicians, all around one stop shop, even for body work. read more

I've had a wonderful experience with McWilliams & Walden Inc.! From the moment I scheduled my appointment to when I picked up my vehicle, the team was professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. They took the time to clearly explain what needed to be done and answered all my questions. It's clear why the are they standard in Bakersfield when it come to all your auto repair and maintenance needs! read more

Rude staff wouldn't bother coming back again, they also charged an insane amount for their service. Definitely not worth it.

I only trust McWilliams and Walden with my vehicle. Maria is always helpful and on top of all that I need to know. She's amazing!

Impeccable service! Mckenna was kind and accommodating. Thank you, McKenna. McWilliams & Walden came highly recommended. Will definitely come back. read more

I dealt with Steven in the office and he is always professional and explains what needs to be done to my vehicles in order to keep my vehicle safe and up to date on maintenance. I recommend McWilliams and Walden to everyone! read more

Amazing work they always seem to be busy but always find the time to squeeze us in highly recommend this place never been more satisfied.

Where do I begin? Not to many places standout anymore where value is given to the customer by treating them with dignity and respect. I was greeted and helped by Ramon who was polite and helpful with getting my 97' Jeep checked in for service. I met Gary (owner) who was very informative and helpful when telling me what I could expect when getting my Jeep serviced. No bs, just the information I needed to know for my service on the Jeep; however, it failed smog and needed additional maintenance, but no problem for these guys! Gary graciously offered me a complimentary ride service back to my house which was clear on the other side of town; saving me an Uber or Lyft fee! John their runner was very polite and friendly which made the car ride even better! It was an overall experience that I will not forget because every employee I had made contact with left an impressionable mark on me which reflects Gary's character on who he hires to represent his business, McWillams & Walden. Best in class, and I will be getting all my vehicles serviced and repaired (if needed) from them, here on out, and will make sure to tell others about my wonderful experience with them! Keep up the amazing work, McWilliams & Walden! Thanks again! read more

Have been coming here since 2002! Won't let anyone else touch my vehicles except McWilliams & Walden

I can't say enough good things about this shop! The team here is honest, knowledgeable, and always goes above and beyond. They took the time to explain everything clearly and made sure my car was running perfectly before I left. The service was fast, friendly, and affordable a rare combo these days! I always feel confident bringing my car here because I know it's in great hands. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a trustworthy mechanic! read more

Needed a smog and my AC repaired. Ramon was awesome! Pointed me in the direction of a program, walked me through signing up. Got my smog and AC done, just in time for summer. Would definitely recommend this place. Great people and amazing service. read more

Great experience at McWilliams and Walden! The service was fast, professional, and super easy. Makenna was my service advisor and she was amazing friendly, clear, and kept me updated the whole time. Highly recommend their team! read more

My experience with McWilliams and Walden was fantastic. Steven took great care of me from beginning to end. He was approachable, patient, and always ready to answer my questions. It's not often you find someone who is both highly skilled and genuinely easy to talk to. I'm grateful for the support and would absolutely recommend Steven to anyone. read more

Great Service!! Knowledge, Honesty, and Professionalism!! If that's what you are looking for then look no further. Steve was a huge help!! Plugged us in with financial assistance and knows his stuff!! read more

I had such a wonderful experience bringing my car in. From the moment I walked in, Makenna was incredibly patient and helpful. She took the time to explain everything to me, answered all of my questions, and made sure I felt completely comfortable with the whole process. It's rare to find someone who genuinely cares about providing great customer service, but Makenna truly went above and beyond. I'm very pleased with the help I received and so grateful for her support. I highly recommend this shop! read more

I had such a wonderful experience bringing my car in. From the moment I walked in, Makenna was incredibly patient and helpful. She took the time to explain everything to me, answered all of my questions, and made sure I felt completely comfortable with the whole process. It's rare to find someone who genuinely cares about providing great customer service, but Makenna truly went above and beyond. I'm very pleased with the help I received and so grateful for her support. I highly recommend this shop! read more

I have been coming here for many years. This is an amazing place. They helped me out with multiple special programs and even got some of my repairs paid for Makenna at the front is great. read more

McWilliams & Walden Inc. was great at repairing my car. They fixed my Hyundai when it was stolen and did an excellent job at the body work and mechanical repairs all together! read more

This shop really knows their stuff! Brought my old dodge here to fix an idle issue that was misdiagnosed by 2 other AAA shops before. Gary (owner) nailed in 2 tries. Although communication is sometimes curt and confident. I am super happy with shops like this still around as I think most mechanics do maintenance only without experience McWilliams shows. Thank you McKenna for taking care of me read more

Warning, long story: My elderly mother had her car towed to this auto shop through AAA for a thermostat housing replacement, water pump, coolant refill, and front brake rotor resurfacing. (Mckenna, the receptionist was great to work with) The initial service took four days due to a required part order, costing over $1500. However, the problems started after she picked up her car. Upon driving home, my mother discovered that her AC had stopped working, and the radiator was devoid of liquid. Additionally, we noticed small handprints on the windows, a forgotten phone charger in the vehicle and her side mirror electronic no longer working. We promptly contacted the shop to have them reevaluate their work. Upon returning to the shop, my mother was met with a less-than-friendly reception from a lady named Maria. Maria asserted that their mechanics don't miss anything and claimed it was impossible for the newly arisen issues to be connected to their service. She even insisted on additional charges for the examination. My mother said if she could explain further details to her daughter (Me) to which Maria responded with attitude, "Have her call me and ask for me. My name is MARIA" When I called to discuss the matter, Maria answered and rudely cut me off mid-sentence. During the call, she seemed more interested in highlighting that my mother brought donuts and coffee to wait for the evaluation to be done, but there was no place to sit. This unnecessary information was repeatedly emphasized, disrupting the conversation flow. All I wanted was an explanation on the new charges mentioned. Maria's manager, Dakota, eventually intervened and again, explained there are no seats to wait. Frustrated at this point, I said I completely understand that part, now please help clarify the new charges. Dakota explained the additional charges policy but failed to address or apologize for Maria's unprofessional behavior. Despite Dakota's professionalism, the lack of acknowledgment for the poor customer service left a bitter taste and my mom refused to go back. The overall experience at this auto shop was far from satisfactory, and I strongly advise against using their services. It raises concerns about what might happen to vehicles left for service, especially overnight. The lack of communication and professionalism, as demonstrated by Maria, reflects poorly on the establishment, and the reviews on this platform seem to echo similar sentiments. Be cautious when considering this shop for your automotive needs. read more

I thought they had gone out of business. They should. Years ago they took my 5.0 red convertible mustang for a joyride. It was NOT a test drive. The owner Took. My. Vehicle. Home. read more

Gary and his team have always taken great care of our vehicles! They are honest, fairly priced, and their work is high quality. Thank you McWilliams and Walden for keeping our family moving! read more

Unprofessional. The manner I was spoken to was disheartening. I walked in with intent to receive smog repairs - I had a CAP Voucher that I received in the mail the day of my visit. I handed all documents to the employee assisting me & was told that I already took my car to be serviced. Confused, I assured two different employees that I had not received repairs anywhere else. I was unaware that I was sent a copy of the original document by BAR - still unsure as to why that is. (you need the original document to be serviced) The manager, I'm guessing, proceeded to go back and forth me, basically saying I was lying. Then instructed the initial employee helping me to call BAR & notify them somebody is bringing in a voucher that's already been used & see what the next steps are. After being informed that the letter was in fact legit, instead of admitting to being rude the manager proceeds to tell the employee to make sure to write down the BAR associates name and number just to be safe next time and walks off. Talking to me aggressively & basically calling me a liar, especially in front of my children, was uncalled for. The establishment may have been nice but the staff is extremely unprofessional. I am not a confrontational person, nor did I walk into their establishment with an attitude. I hope nobody else receives that treatment & I hope they don't regularly speak to people/ women that way. I've read other reviews and seems if you are a person of color or woman then this establishment isn't for you. read more

Check engine light P0705 popped on a few weeks ago Which is a code for the transmission range sensor circuit. At first the car had no symptoms, but soon it started idoling rough and high, and jerking back and fourth while at a stop light. No Bueno. We originally took our car across the street to all Automatic transmission and after they looked it over and couldn't find anything, they suggested we take it across the street to mcwilliams and Walden. They Even gave us the option of driving our car across the street for us so we didn't have to come back just to drive it across the street!. Lol. Awesome. The staff at mcwilliams were very friendly and helpful and patient. Lol we asked a lot of questions, and they were very helpful in answering all of them in a way we'd understand, since car repairs are way beyond me lol. After the diagnosis of a $135 they were able to Find the problem exactly and immediately ordered the parts and began the repairs, the car was Quickly fixed, ( picked up next day) And all is working normal again. Our car Doesn't have any of the symptoms anymore lol and even runs a lot more smoother! Total was $701.21. Definitely worth it. Not sure if that's the Going rate for work like this, But I'm just grateful that we were Referred to them Because they Do good work and are honest people. The end. read more

McWilliams and Walden Automotive Repair is a garage I have depended on for many years to service my vehicles. They provide top notch service. The personnel there are always pleasant and do their best to give you an accurate estimate of the costs and the time that your car will be in the shop. I could not ask for more; that is why this is my first stop for smog, oil changes, tires, and auto repairs. read more

Few months ago spent 5k on odyssey van. Timing belt was one item replaced. Few days later timing belt came off. Turns out they just put the new timing belt over the remnants of the old timing belt. Took pics. It was very clear. They denied it. Had to pay almost another grand to fix. Will not be going back. Shoddy work and looking to make a buck instead of credibility. read more

McWilliams & Walden - Clearly remnants of old timing belt. - Smog Check Stations Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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All I can say didn't start off good had a appointment on a Tuesday morning car didn't get looked at until Thursday part wasn't supposed to be in until wed wasn't really happy at all but the figured out what was wrong with it and ordered the part part was supposed to be in on Wednesday the next week so of course a little pissed off so I wouldn't get the car until Friday mid u it's been a week already to my surprise the part came in on wed and it was done on wed I got the call. And was like what???!!! So ... The turned a bad thing into a good thing the last time I had gotten work done was in the 90s when they used to be on Niles and they were always on point back then highly recommend them thank u read more

These guys are crooks, marking up parts up to almost 200 percent. Took my vehicle for an estimate and was floored by the price of the parts. Found everything online at a fourth of the cost. read more

Just look at the low reviews...they all have the same recurring theme. If you're white, male and no older than 50, this is the place for you...all others run!. And don't let the Black and Mexican workers fool you, they're only there for the appearance. Facts- had a warranty that covered all parts and labor, but of course they had to charge me out of pocket $348.90, but could not explain why....warranty company investigated and they had trouble trying to explain it to me. Like the manager at McWilliams said to me "take it where YOU are comfortable, pay your bill and leave"...I did just that, took it to Best Value on Niles who has a 5 star rating vs this place's 4-star rating. I'll admit our error on coming here (it was a mix up with the address). read more

For those of you who read my 8/8/23 post about the failed smog test and Barber Honda's poor customer service, might like a story about excellent customer service. Yesterday, because of my post, Gary from McWilliams & Walden reached out to me and invited me to bring my car to their facility this morning. He wrote, "I will put a scanner on it and see if it's actually communicating. If it is we can then smog it, ..." My car communicated just fine and passed the smog test. While I'm happy to be able to finish my registration, I'm also happy that tomorrow I don't have to drive 90 miles each way to Valencia and back. But my greatest joy comes from an individual reaching out to help when they didn't have to. Thank you, Gary. In the future, McWilliams & Walden is where I'll take my car for service. (edited) read more

Our neighbors recommended McWilliams & Walden for their quality work and service. We've taken in two different older cars several times now and have had very good experiences. They explain things clearly and have been prompt with their service. We'll definitely be returning when something else inevitably goes wrong with our aging vehicles. read more