I was a Toyota owner for years and then bought a second car - a Honda. I needed to find a great mechanic and investigated by asking my own clients who owned Hondas throughout Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito & Oakland for referrals. Patti's Auto Care came up 3 times and THAT was it for me. For almost 3 years now I've brought my Honda to Patti's - always satisfied. They have NEVER tried to do anything that I was not kept informed of, and they have ALWAYS been reasonable for my pocket. I have recommended them many times and even enjoy the waiting area where I can plan to relax during the longer repairs when needed. read more

Very friendly staff! Took my car in for headlight repair. I was told there would be a 3-hour wait. After 30 minutes by car was ready! I will be back :-) read more

I started going here several years and a few cars ago. They were recommended by a friend as a an auto shop that will do good work, charge a fair price and not try to sell you what you don't need. My experience has been exactly that. A lot of places will up sell for that quick extra cash, but it seems that Patti's has a much better business model. They know that if they give good service and don't rip you off, you will come back next time you need work done, and you will recommend them to your friends. My roommate was looking for some work to get done on a truck he had, I sent him here and he has been pleased with every encounter. Now he recommends Patti's to people he meets. Go here if you want the best work at the best price. read more

Jeff is very nice. He provided good service many times to fix my moody Dodge Caravan. Prices are very fair.

I will never take my car anywhere other than Patti's. I'd heard about it for years from various friends, but the South Berkeley location wasn't super convenient, so I always went elsewhere. My check-engine light came on, so I went over to my usual Goodyear on Park Blvd. They said there was some part I needed, my car wouldn't pass smog without the repair, etc etc. Quoted about $300 for the part alone. So I decided to listen to all the advice I'd been getting, and took my car to Patti's. They checked it out right away and called me back within an hour. Turns out your check-engine light can come on if your gas cap isn't screwed on tight enough. So they screwed it on for me. That's it. No $300. I had them change a broken brake light while it was there. The total damage: $15. Patti's is great for someone like me, who knows nothing about cars and most definitely has "sucker" written all over them. I've taken my car there for other random maintenance since, and it's always been reasonably priced, courteous and swift. It's nice to have someone you know isn't trying to rip you off. I hate all-caps, but in this case it's necessary: BIG thumbs up. read more

I adore Patti's! Erica takes the time to explain everything to you (once she even texted me pictures of an issue with my car to help explain!) and they are super fair and reasonable. I trust that they will not try to overcharge or upsell me, which feels rare for a garage. Huge fan! read more

Great service...the manager was very helpful and the owner gave me some fantastic advice on my future car purchase. Would highly recommend to all my friends. read more

Amazing service and helpful. I had been sent on a wild goose chase by several other (condescending, male) mechanics and Patti's correctly diagnosed the problem in mere moments. Will be coming back here again for sure. read more

I called Patti's when I was in the middle of a bad experience with another mechanic, and Jeff, one of the mechanics at Patti's, gave me good guidance on the phone on how to handle it. I appreciate it! Once I got that situation squared away, I came in to have a broken turn signal lamp replaced and they didn't even charge me for labor. UPDATE: On Christmas Eve 2015 I was rear-ended and my bumper destroyed. The bumper was hanging precariously by a thread and I had to get to the ER. I stopped at Patti's on the way and they safely removed the bumper. Really, I cannot say enough good things about Patti's. read more

I had an excellent experience at patti's when I brought my Honda Civic in because it was rattling. Jeffrey was super pleasant, honest, and speedy! They pro-rated my rate and got me out of there in no time! I would recommend Patti's to any Honda driver. read more

Pattis has been great whenever ive been in to see them. High quality work, honest and reasonably priced, would highly recommend!

I can't attest to the quality of their repairs, but the Jeffery was nice and courteous when I took my car in to be inspected prior to selling it on the used market. Needless to say -- he helped me -- as a seller -- make sure I'm not selling someone a piece of junk. I'm glad the prospective buyer had me take the car to Patti's. They determined a number of issues I was not aware of. I'll probably take my other vehicles there now too. Honest, friendly and all-in-all someone who I'd trust to keep my car on the road. If I visit the shop for repairs - I'll update my review -- but on feeling, they deserve 5 stars. read more

I would not hesitate to recommend Patti's Auto to anyone with a Honda or Japanese car. I took my Honda Civic here for years and was always treated honestly and with respect. Their prices seem reasonable and their work is top notch. They explain what they need to do/have done to my car without being condescending. I also got free rides back and forth from the Berkeley BART station so I could get to work on time. It's not often you have a "feel good" experience at an auto shop, but I always enjoyed dropping off my car there and speaking with their friendly staff, knowing they would give my car the same attention they would as if it was their own. read more

If you want to get the best service on your car at the most reasonable cost possible, this is the shop you want to choose. You will get the straight poop about what's going on with your car from an owner that is honest, sincere, and highly experienced, your care will be serviced expediently and economically, and you will have a comfortable place to wait, if you desire to do so. I can't speak highly enough about this business!! Thanks, Christopher T. read more

I totally trust these guys. Great, fast, friendly service at a great price. And they are right around the corner from us! I feel like they give it to you straight, whatever your problem may be. No BS. My roommate has also had great experiences here. Would totally recommend. read more

Came in for a pre-purchase inspection, came out without a penny paid and an honest thoughtful evaluation of the car (I decided to pass on that particular vehicle based on the advice). Love this place and will come back to bring my $s that these folks certainly deserve but aren't as hungry for as virtually any other place in town! read more

I'm new to the area finding a good mechanic was high on my priorities. Great experience here so far!!

I've had several great experiences with this mechanic. I just moved from Berkeley to San Jose and I'm sad to have to leave them. They're always willing to fit you in when you have a small problem and I find the entire staff to be pleasant and efficient. I've had them change my oil, repair belts, and replace bulbs. They're always cost-effective and quick. Today, I went in with what I thought was a burnt out turn signal bulb. I had two kids in the car and was on a tight timeframe. I drove in, they checked my signal, fixed it, and sent me off without charging me for it because they "didn't use any parts and it didn't take long". Such a generous offering -- I'll make sure to have them do my servicing whenever I'm able to get it done in Berkeley. Thanks so much, guys! read more

I've really come to trust and appreciate Patti's. From the two experiences I've had with them, I've received exemplary service and will definitely send all my auto-related business their direction. From these two experiences, I've received no-BS answers to my questions and straightforward, honest options and opinions on how to best proceed with repairing the car according to its needs and my budget. read more

These guys do great work. Go in and ask for Donnie. I highly recommend them.

I don't know what the people who wrote bad reviews are smoking... this place is the cream of the crop. They are efficient, quick, fairly priced, and generous (they always offer rides when my car is busy being worked on). I wouldn't even think of taking my car anywhere else. A gem of a mechanic, so glad I found them. read more

I have been a customer of Patti's Autocare for several years and have been very happy with them. Both Patti and her husband Jeff are friendly and professional. They have always done excellant work for me and their prices have been very reasonable. I know I have saved a lot of money over the years. If you need a good realiable mechanic go no further than Patti's Autocare. read more

I know Honda's and have had my 2000 Honda CRV for the last 5 years, these guys are GREAT! I came in thinking I had a crank oil leak and Jeff let me know it was an oil pan leak which is a less costly repair. And, the labor rates are much more reasonable than that other shop (Mini?) across the street. Plus, they work on Saturdays! 5 stars across the board! read more

I can't praise Patty's auto care enough. I have an older car, so having a good mechanic is essential. Not only do they know what they're doing, but they're very conscientious about price. I have a list of repairs that I need to do, and they're good at guiding me about what's essential given my budget. I never feel like they're trying to swindle me out of more money. They're professional, respectful, friendly, and work in a timely manner. I feel so grateful that I found them! read more

She went out of her way to make sure I was able to get my vehicle in, and I had it the next day. The quote was more than reasonable. 5 star experience. read more

I'm sure I've left a review already, but I just can't say enough good things about Patti's Auto Care! They are ALWAYS able to get my daughter's car in quickly, and get it repaired quickly, for a very honest price. I wish I lived in the bay area just so I could take my other cars to them, but I live in Sacramento... we were so happy to find Patti's on Yelp when our daughter first moved to Berkeley, and we've been using them ever since. Highly recommend!! read more

Patti's auto care is so awesome you almost feel funny giving them 5 stars... I almost worry that the secret will get out and I will not get an appointment or the spell will be broken. I'm almost serious, but the owner and staff are so excellent that you just have to wish them the best. I have brought my car for multiple major repairs plus recommended friends try Patti's and in each case been pleased with my choice. Not cheap or gimmicky just an honest car shop with reasonable prices. Patti's has always delivered under the quoted price and has even done me a favor here and there. One time I had a repair that didn't cure the "noise" I was paying to fix so the owner threw in another smaller repair free. I feel SO happy I finally found a cool mechanic I fell I can trust. read more

I came in today for an estimate for repair of a loose seat belt buckle after a washer wore off and fell out. I thought this could be safety-threatening in the event of an accident. Patti's explained that I could get it replaced, but that it wasn't a safety issue and that it didn't need to be done (more precisely, I didn't need to give $200 to Toyota for nothing). The man kindly explained that if it were a safety issue, I would have maintenance lights and airbag signals come up. So, he suggested, I didn't need to worry about it. Compared to my experience getting estimates at: 1. Toyota Berkeley - wanted to charge $200+ for it 2. Art's Automotive - wanted to charge about $160 for it, but didn't tell me that it wasn't needed. This was my first time here, but the place seems honest and not money-hungry. Once I do need an actual repair and/or service for my vehicle, I'll be going to Patti's instead of wasting my money at the dealer and/or other auto centers. (Note: This is the first ever review I've written on Yelp after using this site for years, so this should tell you how moved I was by this kind of service) read more

Donni and Jeffrey are great guys to deal with. They explain everything that they are going to do very clearly, and only do exactly what's needed with the car and no more. The prices are very reasonable, and they do the work quickly and well. I highly recommend coming here to get your car fixed. read more

Where to start? Patti's ROX!!! I discovered her after a bad experience I had with a dealer garage probably 20 years ago. I've taken both of my Honda's to her since then and have ALWAYS received the BEST and most HONEST auto service imaginable. They know their stuff, won't talk you into service you don't need (in fact, they have talked me OUT of service I didn't need), and they are FUN! The other customers are friendly. It's like stepping into "Cheers"... I have referred dozens of people to Patti's and they have all raved, and I will continue bragging about them. It's SO rare to find an honest mechanic. They especially treat women with respect - a nice change from other garages. Two thumbs WAY up! read more

I too went into Patti's for two used car diagnostics. I got solid, honest advice that I trusted even without a thorough check. One car I decided not to buy based on the quick check and assessment, and the other I was ready to buy. But so were several others, so I lost out to another bidder. That just confirmed for me that the advice I received was reliable. I will be coming back to Patti's for maintenance on the car we finally purchase! I highly recommend it. read more

This place rocks. The owner let me have a mobile tint-removal guy come to the shop while my car was there, and he (the owner) actually paid him by check for me, which put him in a risky position. I've never seen a mechanic front hundreds of dollars for any customer, let alone a brand new one. If people are leaving bad reviews on here it's bc they tried to sell someone a lemon, this shop called them out, and they yelped afterwards. This will be my go-to shop from now on. read more

Patties is the first auto repair shop that I have ever trusted in my 40 years on this earth. I have been taking my car's to them for several years now and I have always had exceptional customer service and outstanding work done on my vehicles. Recently, I took my (older) mother-in-laws car in because the check engine light came on. Well...My mom-in-law forgot to screw down the gas cap and all that needed to be done was tighten the gas cap. They did it for FREE. If I had gone to the dealership they would of charged me and arm and a leg. I appreciate the family atmosphere and the fact that the staff and Dottie (the adorable boston terrier) remember me. Take your car here and you won't have to worry about being ripped-off. 5 stars all the way. read more

I have a heart-warming story of failure and success, with a 5-star ending. It started with a recommendation to take my car to Patti's Auto Care in Berkeley for the replacement of two front axles. I was greeted graciously, quoted a fair price and departed thinking the one-day's repair would be uneventful. Wrong! Shortly thereafter I received a call that one axle was extraordinarily stubborn and could not be separated from the chassis. The mechanics were turning to increasing difficult measures to access the axle. Finally a call came in that in a last ditch attempt to pull the axle out, they had attached a chain to the transmission to pull them apart. Bad news. The transmission broke. The garage manager said my older car (a 1997 Aspire) was now worthless and he quoted me a salvage price. Just eight hours earlier I had an operational vehicle with no serious problems. Now I was being offered $850 to find a replacement. I was upset and said as much. I also suggested they find a replacement and stick it in. He said they had already tried to find one and that the age and model were unique, making locating one unlikely. But he said they would continue to try. I hung up, not enjoying the conversation but not having a good solution to offer. Several days passed and each conversation was the same reply - no transmission could be found and they were losing hope. But then I received some good news. It turns out the owner of Patti's Auto Care is a WOMAN and my plight have been brought to her attention and she instructed her manager to TRY HARDER to find a replacement. They did and found one in Florida, which was then shipped to Los Angeles and then up to Berkeley. I was thrilled and held my breath. For five weeks! Then the call came that my beloved mechanical machine was finally ready. And the good news didn't stop there. When I showed up to pay the final bill, it was identical to what I was originally quoted. Patti's Auto Care had replaced the transmission and absorbed many additional hours of repair at no charge. All my dealings with Patti's Auto Care were forthright and professional. And I was impressed by how they stood by their work and word. A 5-star outfit, no question. read more

I went in to replace a bulb of one of my car's headlight. I called in the morning around 830 and was asked to bring my car rightaway and this could be done in a few minutes .. i had called a few other places and one of them had given me an estimate of 40 minutes for this work .. i have had this problem before in oregon (hillsboro) and my last experience was similar (5-10 minutes) .. i reached there around 9 .. after a short wait, the person behind the counter (most likely the owner himself) changed the bulb in 5-6 minutes ... was charged for the new bulb and 0.1 hr labor .. around 30 dollars .. which I think is very reasonable for this work .. so, overall a very wonderful experience .. a honest, helpful and trustworthy place .... one tip .. they are just off San Pablo which can have busy traffic at times .. the entrance to their shop is narrow .. a single car would fit (either going in or out) ... and sometimes that entrance could be blocked by other customer's cars .. but there are plenty of nearby parking spots .. right next to the shop .. on San Pablo where you can park. read more

Professional and Honest. My 1990 Honda Accord power window stopped working last week and it was stuck in the down position. With a winter storm coming, I had to cover it with cardboard when I called Patti's Auto Care and they diagnosed over the phone what was probably wrong. They were able to get me in the next day and when I arrived they had already ordered the part they thought was broken. Within several hours they called me back to say that the care was fixed. They also did a diagnostic of the car and told me that the car was running fine and how much brake I had left and no other repairs were required. I am so happy to find Patti's and it's great to find a trustworthy company that is honest. I will be certainly coming back for any future repair!! read more

I don't think so. Brought my car in for a check up before a trip and they did $1300 of work on it, and then when I got it back the next day it broke down. Had it towed and they didn't know what was wrong, but then charged me $500 to fix what I assume they had broken in the first place. Maybe Nissan's aren't they're specialty, but I will never return. Also Patti's husband kept talking to me for an hour about nothing read more

I just called in about getting my car checked out... Now I'm not super car savvy but still, being told to "put the bong away before calling back" seemed a bit over the top. If this is how they treat people there's no way I'll trust them with my car. read more

The owner, Jeffrey, apparently feels smug enough about the success of his business that he feels that he can, on the whim of his unpredictable temperement, pick and choose his customers. I am not sure how I failed to pass muster in this discriminatory process. I have long hair, but I can't possibly be the only Hippy in Berkeley. I can't imagine what it was. But I'd done business with the man a few times (was actually having him rebuild my car bit by bit) and came in one morning a few days ago with a perfectly reasonable and reasonably politely and well articulated business proposition; I was interested in topping up my fluids (oil and transmission). Really a perfectly normal thing to ask a mechanic. The man turned on my like a grizzly bear and threatened to call the police if I did not get off his property. I am not sure who else has experienced one of these bizarre outbursts, but I will state definitively that the man is temperamentally unpredictable. And put out that warning to all future customers. Another peculiar thing he does, that I always found unnerving, since I do not really know him, is recount his sexual exploits. Absolutely no need for that! I am sure I am not the only person who noticed that. Definitely, go for a mechanic who has reasonable control of himself; temperamentally and otherwise. Also, I will add, when someone flies off the handle like that, I also sometimes have a suspicion that it might be defensive behavior, intended to cover something up. My hunch now is that faulty work may possibly have been done. They recently, for example, replaced a starter, which still isn't turning over that smoothly. Jeffrey may have noticed this when he started my car, before flying into this possibly theatrical display. I will definitely have their work checked. read more

my car got stolen, but the stick prevented the thieves from getting far. Patti's replaced my anti-theft device, aka "clutch" in a few hours and i've been using it ever since. They did it at a really reasonable price too.Thanks Patti's! read more