Came at 8 am when they opened to get my car looked at. They diagnosed a problem within 30 minutes of being here. Nick was very helpful. They didn't pressure me into fixing my cars issues like some repair places do. A true relief. They rather take an amazing approach in my opinion- pricing out what needs to be fixed (prioritizing safety issues) then what you should fix soon and then down the road. Great customer service! read more

Used to be a Good Service Shop... Now is a $$ shop. Sorry folks but the reason oil drain plugs get "worn out" or "stripped" is two things 1) overtightening from a tech in a hurry or doesn't care 2) cross threading the plug. If properly trained technicians use appropriate tools and sense the drain plug will be fine for life of car. Also, not too long back I was told the front control arm bushings needed to be replaced. This is accurate and a good thing to do. But, I was then told they would need to replace the whole front control arm assembly to do this, and the cost around 900 dollars. Again $$ not service. Front bushings can be replaced easily and cost is around 20 dollars each side. Considering 1 hour labor and costs should be approxiamately 100 dollars total. Would have been willing to pay for that honest service... No need to change out the full front control arms. So... this WAS one of the last strongholds to get honest service. New management with new plans...unfortunate. I am sad to see them go down the drain as with so many other places seeking $$'s rather than to provide honest service. People will pay for service if you don't try to pull the wool over their eyes. Especially when you are trying to do this with someone that knows as much as you do about cars. Heck I LOVE supporting my local business people, and am one myself. Very unfortunate. I usually give a few more times to see if maybe just a bad day for the shop... tried this... But this is seeming to be a norm for this shop now too... Off to shopping again for a trustworthy shop. Good luck folks. I will add that after having to make a phone call and discussion... no agreement. Apparently oil drain plugs wear out between 50 to 100 thousand miles....I disagree...as do many of my other fellow full time mechanics... they DID NOT charge my son for the drain plug. Still the bad news is I will probably now have to change the oil pan in my garage at home. read more

They wanted almost 1000$ for a brake job. Also tried to sell me a new air filter when my existing one has less than 2000 miles on it. I looked at it when I got home and it was fine but I could tell from the connection that it wasn't even opened. I really would avoid this place. read more

I have had two cars severely damaged while in for repairs in this shop costing me thousands in repairs elsewhere. A punctured air intake box and a crushed oil filter housing. When I brought my car back in after an oil change because it was leaking oil they sent me away saying it wasn't their fault and just drive it and see what it does. Well my engine almost seized because of their damage and their lack of help when I brought it back. STAY AWAY!!!!! Report to the BBB coming soon and perhaps law suit to recoup damages read more

It is good for oil changes but I think tires should not be done there. Way too expensive.The manager and his staff went out of their way to help me when my husband was in the hospital, read more

I went to Merlin in Woodstock for an oil change. I left with a recommendation for new shocks and rear tires. You know what, the gentlemen making the recommendation, Chris and Marshall, were spot on! My car was due for both and I'm glad to have followed their recommendation. The drive is MUCH smoother. The quality of work and the service were exceptional. Excellent work, good folks of Merlin in Woodstock. read more

Broke down 2 hours from home. Car overheated. Pulled into Merlin who quickly diagnosed the loose hose, fixed it, refilled our fluids but before they let us go they test drove... fast, inexpensive, great. read more

Been taking my vehicles here for a couple years now and I will continue to do so in the future as well. Anytime I pick up my vehicle from there after getting work done, I know it was fixed properly. Darryl and Paul are the ones I normally deal with and they genuinely care about what they do. Keep up the good work Merlins and I highly recommend this shop if you are looking for a regular mechanic! read more

Anyone who goes here is throwing their money away. Severely overpriced. I had to wait 40 minutes just to get information on new tires. No thank you. read more

Been going here for three or four years. I've moved away from Woodstock but still come back for them to do car, tire or oil change work for me. Theses guys Paul and Darryl are top notch as far as quality of work and service. Their prices are real reasonable and it's always obvious with their help and advice that they care about their customers. Definitely a place where loyalty goes both ways. read more

I guess they would be ok for an oil change but if you need an alignment done don't go there. Got an estimate for over $1000. Did some checking around and went to Firestone on Randall rd. In LITH and had the work done for less than 1/2 the price. Have a nice day. read more

I went in for an oil change not to long ago and during my oil change the manager was claiming that I needed to purchase a new oil plug because they supposedly "wear out". Which is not true, the only way that an oil plug can get damaged is if the people changing it screw it in too tight or they screw it in crooked. After arguing with the manager there for a little bit he ended up replacing my oil plug for free because they damaged it. So after all of that was over and I drove home the car seemed fine, but after about a month or two of normal use the engine started making funny noises. So I went and purchased a couple cans of sea foam and put in in my gas tank to clean it out. The noise went away for about a day. After the noise came back we decided to take the car to a trusted mechanic and he had told us that our oil pan in our car was empty! He said that it either leaked out of the car or the oil was not changed at all. Now if the oil had been leaking it would've been on the floor of my garage or been burning up out the back of my exhaust pipe which was not happening. So that leaves me to one conclusion which is that Merlin in Woodstock Illinois charged me for an oil change that was not even done. The new management there is a joke and the kid who runs it knows nothing about cars and is ripping his customers off so that he can make a couple extra bucks. Do not go here for any reason if you value your vehicle. But if you like over paying for things and having them do damage to your vehicle then this is the place for you! read more

I have taken my vehicles here for years. Paul (owner) and Daryl (manager) are two of the most trustworthy people you'll ever meet. They are honest and know their stuff. The first few times I went there, I checked with the head mechanic at my own business, and he said their quotes not only were clear and made good common sense, but that the prices seemed really fair. I am so happy that this place is here - I don't know what I would do without an honest mechanic in town! read more

Took my vehicle in because of an intermittent shudder in the front end. They ended up replacing a ball joint. Left the shop, and still had the same problem. Took the vehicle to my usual mechanic a few weeks later, and he told me that not only had the ball joint been incorrectly installed, he told me that they had stripped the threads, and that the ball joint connection was not even secure. So I got to have the same ball joint replaced again, correctly this time. Not worth trying to fight with Merlin's about this, but safe to say I won't be going back. read more

These guys gouge big time. Charged $100 over market for each of 2 sensors plus an hour labor for each sensor even though it only took 20 minutes to change both. They know when they have you over a barrel so be prepared to bend over. read more

Been going for years now. No one likes spending money at the mechanic shop because most of us don't know what are car really needs. But we've had lots of work done here and I feel they've always been fair. read more

I have been using Paul and his crew for over 10 years now. I first started taking my car to him when he was in Crystal Lake. He has proven his ability and trustworthiness time and time again. If you are looking for an honest evaluation of your vehicle take it to these guys. read more