I've had lots of work done here. Pete is a former dealer mechanic. Really knows his stuff... I'm on my fourth car with him. A lot of the time, you can call him. If he can't get you in right away, I'll tell you when to come in. He'll tell you what to go back to your dealer for what he can offer. Generally pretty fair prices. If you have the time and he asks you to sit, he'll give you a good conversation, too. Also opens a little later, so stays a little later. That's super convenient. read more

I had a flat tire , damaged and punctured completely, pete was the best ! Got me right in and started helping me . This place is awesome, reasonable, great customer service, very popular and decent prices and great work. Thank you Pete's Auto Repair read more

DO NOT GO HERE!!! This man Pete charges me $300 saying he'll test my car if something is wrong with it. He end up sending my car to another mechanic shop 5 mins away to fix my radiator!!! You can keep my $300 dollar scammer!! read more

Pete is very knowledgeable,kind and honest. If you're looking for a good mechanic with reasonable prices go see Pete.

Y'all when I tell you go to Pete's for anything go to Pete for anything. Man not only has helped me with my oil changed but he makes sure the cars in good order before I ever leave. I was having issues with my check engine lights and Pete's been helping me deal with the issues. Never going to anyone else ever again read more

I've been going to Pete for over 10 years with my cars. A friend recommended him and he has been nothing but honest and pragmatic as a mechanic. I had a 20 year old Camry that he kept going until finally the cost of repair wasn't worth keeping the car running. All along the way, Pete made suggestions of things that could minimize the cost of upkeep. Pete had always been friendly and honest. As a single women when I first started going to him, I never felt taken advantage of or talked down to, as I had at other mechanics. I highly recommend him- he's a real gem in the neighborhood. read more

Pete is the ONLY mechanic that I trust to work on my car in Chicago. He's the nicest man, and seriously knows everything about cars. He's the only mechanic left in Chicago that lets his customers watch him work! When my CR-V's front axel broke, I was stranded on the road and called AAA but their tow truck driver had no idea what he was doing or how to even use a tow truck. I called Pete out of desperation and he sent his tow truck driver right over and was able to bring it to his shop and start working on it right away. You just don't see this kind of service anymore! Simply THE BEST. Cannot recommend Pete enough! :) read more

I took my vehicle in for an oil change, complete check up and specifically to check the windshield wiper fluid dispenser. I dropped my car off with expectation that I would wait for it but was advised it would be ready that afternoon. No problem. When I picked up the car it had not been checked out. There was no mention that my radiator fluid probably need to be changed even though it never had been at 80000 miles, and when Pete was questioned regarding the windshield wiper dispenser being unsafe for current driving conditions which was the purpose of me specifically asking for it to be checked out, Pete's response was to say "don't lay that s*** on me" He has no need to worry. We will not be using his service any longer. That is sad considering he had taken care of this car allegedly for the previous 10 years. read more

Pete is not only an honest mechanic but does great work at a reasonable price! Highly recommend!

This guy is an asshole. Plain and simple. I called him today to ask him about a small issue i'm having and he made this big deal about how I shouldn't be working on MY vehicle if I don't know what I'm doing and basically ridiculed me with a negative tone. I guess he never learned anything from experience.. He probably doesn't believe in taking risks to learn things in life. He literally also blamed me for the last time I came in and said he hung up the phone on a girl whos on "suicide watch' , because of me calling him on the phone that day....and told me all this nonsense that has nothing to do with me about how she's a good girl and had a job for him. What a basket case. I told him I didn't make him do anything and that it was his choice to answer my phone call that day. He literally told me to come in that day to diagnose poor fuel economy on a car. You would think if he was smart, he would just tell me he's busy. The only reason I didn't let him diagnose it that time is because he was charging me 40$ just to check for leaks and I believe 75$ or some crazy sh!t for putting it on the lift to check the wheel bearings. What a 'twat. I think anyone calls a mechanic good if they do a simple job for them, judging by some of these reviews. No matter how negative his attitude is or how muhc of an asshole he is being, I always keep my composure with him however, because he's an old cranky idiot. I can only imagine how much crap he's screwed up in his younger days when he tries to ridicule me for working on my SUV, doing a job he would probably have been too timid to do himself at my age. Avoid this guy at all costs. HAlf the time he's just wasting his own time talking to ladies who probably just sweet talk and bullshit him into discounts on mechanics .. He's a dumb dumb extraordinaire. I can imagine he was one gullible idiot as a kid and got taken advantage of so much that now that he's finally gotten to his senior age, wants to be a cranky asshole to young people. I also ask that you don't be fooled by these reviews. You might want to go to this guy because he's in the neighborhood and it's convenient.. It's easy for any mechanic to say "if you give me a 5 star review and prove it, i'll give you a discount on the job" .. In total of all 3 experiences i've had from Pete. I learned that he's what east coasters would call a "scumbag". ON THE BRIGHTSIDE, After dealing with this scumbag's attitude for the LAST time, I now have the motivation to do the job myself. This would probably make Pete hiss, kinda like the vacuum leak I'm dealing with on my intake manifold. read more

I found this guy to be dishonest, and the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection agrees with me. I contacted them after the Attorney General's Office said they just do mediation between customers and businesses. It wasn't their responsibility to pursue anything if he stopped answering the paperwork I presented. The City of Chicago was only too happy to take up a case against him with the information I provided, said what he did was illegal, and that they had fined him $640. Pete even pled guilty. I wouldn't be surprised if the city actually hopes this so called honest mechanic stays in business, just so they can collect more revenue in fines from him. I can only make a guess that those guys who gave rave reviews must be relatives, or they are being conned and don't know it. I hardly think it's a compliment or positive testimonial to either Pete's skills or honesty, if some guy says he has to bring his vehicle in for many repeat visits, for numerous and varied things, or that Pete probably needs to rip out the dashboard of his vehicle to find the problem. That doesn't seem like a positive endorsement for a mechanic in my opinion, nor does the fact that his mechanic manipulated people to comment on or reference my review. I just don't see that happening in any other Yelp reviews I read, even if a business has gotten some very bad reviews. To quote Shakespeare, "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." read more

I go to Pete at least twice a month- I drive a Ford.... says enough. Each and every time is nothing shy of a majestic experience, worthy of a cupcake with a cherry on top for Pete's sincerity and diligence. Yesterday, however, was slightly different. I walked in, and another one of Pete's clients is saying, "Pete, someone gave you a bad, I mean bad review on Yelp. Bad to the point of slander." So, after talking about a Vehicle Speed Sensor and a short wire issue, I go on Yelp to check this review out. Sure enough, Swoozie W. has written a very incorrect review, to say the least. NOT ONCE, EVER, has anyone I've seen or heard, even a person who has come off the street randomly to get a flat tire repaired, to get an oil change, or to get some sort of filter changed, said bad words about Pete. In fact, in going to Pete's for over a year now, I've seen the same faces week after week. I was referred to him by a dear friend of mine. Referrals go a long way in an individual mechanic's business. In my 10 years of driving, I've seen a few mechanics. I trust two, and two only... my very good friend Matt who I've known since kindergarten, and Pete, who has helped me 12 times to fix either my brakes, my side view mirror, my speedometer and odometer, my tire, my bent wheel, and last but not least, constantly looking to find the cause and solution to trouble code coming up. Calls his friends at Ford, who also have no idea what the issue is, and say, "Sorry!" But Pete is always there to say and act, "We'll find it, we might need to take the dashboard apart, but we'll find it." Swoozie, he doesn't just come on like Gomer Pyle, he is a spitting image of Gomer Pyle. A simpleminded, gentle, (urban) auto mechanic. read more

I have had nothing but positive experiences with this 2-bay shop. I drive a VW Passat and have received excellent service from a neighborhood mechanic who is extremely knowledgeable and unwavering in his ethics. His prices are also reasonable. While I also share the fear of too many people discovering this shop, I feel that I owe my fellow Yelpers the chance to actually have a positive thing to say about the place that works on their car(s). First of all, I need to thank Matt D. below for his recommendation. At the time I used Yelp to discover this mechanic, he was the only reviewer of the business, which is usually a bad sign. I placed a call to the shop and Pete answered and asked me to swing by and he'd have a look at my car. I didn't know why at that time, but he allowed me to completely dissolve the self-protection that we usually keep activated when dealing with a used car salesman or mechanic. Now that I have had four different visits to his shop, I'm ready to write my review. On half of these visits, I have asked him to order the parts, and the other two times, he allowed me to get what I needed (tires & a serpentine belt); in the case of the tires, he allowed me to order online and ship them directly to his shop. He called me the day that they arrived. He has also warned people about buying a non-refundable part as there is nothing his customers can do but eat the price of the part if it doesn't work out if they choose to reject his advice and listen instead to that of their unemployed boyfriend. I think he is honest to a fault, very pragmatic and you will also need to keep in mind that his style of work is technically very proficient but a little less structured than some shops. By that I mean if he is doing a bigger project on your car, I have seen him ask the other person to return in an hour, and when they come back, he tells them he is still working on your car, and suggests that they return again in a few more hours. (Of course, if I was the person who couldn't just stroll in and get work done, I might lessen his rating by a star, but I have always called first and then shown up at the time window he gave me to arrive.) The only other comment I would disagree with is the reviewer that described him as "simpleminded" auto mechanic. Perhaps I take offense with the connotations associated with that word. While he has no problem avoiding technical jargon so that a layperson may understand what he is doing, I find him to be quite a few notches above the median IQ in his ZIP code. A good mechanic is akin to a trusted accountant, you want to pre-decease them so you never have to go through the experiences that led you to your "one and only" again. If you listen intently to what he recommends and follow the instructions that he gives to you, I don't see how you could ever be steered wrong by this mechanic. read more

I've gone to Pete for work on my car a couple of times. He does a great job, provides excellent customer service, and is very honest/reliable. Not only did he do a great job on my car, but he provided valuable advice on my new property purchase. For example he referred me to the best plumber and roofers and so on! He has given me great tips on my car maitenance! Thanks Pete! You've earned a lifelong customer! read more

Whether it's a flat tire, oil change, new battery, or anything else I need repaired, Pete is the man to do it. He is honest, efficient, and fairly priced. Definitely recommended. read more

My alternate went out today and I was driving for Uber when it went out. I needed to fix and keep going. Where do you find a shop opened on a Labor Day weekend. Called Pete and he helped me out on the spot. Thank you Pete!! read more

Hello all I'm writing this review for Pete's and on yesterday I realized I had air hissing from my rear tire and I was driving down Pulaski trying find all night tire shop and I came upon Pete's one of the best experience I've ever had not only did he have a tire to replace my bad but he cleaned my rim put on another valve and checked all air in my other tires tell me were you can find a mechanic like this these days. He will be my mechanic for life now anything I need fixed will definitely be taken to him. Once again thanks Pete I would made it home without you read more

Very rude guy!!! He looks like "I don't wanna do this job, but okay show me what u got"!!! Helpless, terrible service!!! I showed him my car, the only thing he said is "go to dealer" that's it!! He didn't even try to help!! Keep away guys, honestly!!! read more

He's excellent! My coworker now also goes to Pete for her car repairs, leaving a mechanic she swore by. He's that great! Above and beyond, great prices and cares about the job and your wallet! read more

One of my friends told me I should take my car to Pete instead of the dealer or other auto shops in Chicago. I took their advice. I was more than surprised with customer service professionalism and willingness to go the extra mile to fix the problem with my car. Pete saved hundreds of dollars. Best of all he did the work on a Saturday morning. Most often the response is that the maintenance department isn't even open on Saturday. I definitely recommend Pete to my friends and family. Thanks Pete!! read more

Pete is the best mechanic I've ever had!! I've been driving almost 30 years now and Pete is the honest, fast and will only fix what needs to be fixed and no more. He's got later hours too so you can pickup your car after work easily. Pete will explain what he did to your car too and give you tips on how to avoid future problems. I've been going to Pete now for about 3 years and trust nobody but him with my Prius and Camry. read more

One of the best mechanics. Down to earth, honest, and reliable. Have been trusting our wheels with Pete for a long time. Highly recommend. read more

I have to say that Pete is one of the most honest mechanics. If he can't/won't do it, he will help find you someone that does. I had a lot of trouble with my last car and he was always there to help. Being a girl and going into a shop can be very intimidating and Pete makes you feel comfortable and explains everything. I found him through a family friend and I am so happy to have a GREAT mechanic I can trust! read more

I hit a pothole a couple weeks ago and got a flat tire. Pete's was just around the corner and when I pulled in, he had just closed up and was getting ready to head home. Without even pausing, he opened the garage and told me to pull in. He was friendly and took care of it efficiently & professionally. In addition, the bill was less than I expected. I would definitely go here again and recommend this place to everyone. read more

I recently moved around this location and I've been blessed having this guy around here I don't know what I would've done without him (probably getting ripped off) but anyway, I have a really sensitive car and expensively maintained (Mercedes) and Pete is there for you from A to Z.. I mean really great job/awesome personality/reasonable pricing/and honesty is the best, if he can do it he'd say yea bring it over if not he'd refer you to the best possible place.. An A+ or five stars is little to mention the grading quality of service.. Very lovable results! read more

I am writing to say I will be visiting Pete this morning , I need new brakes. I googled the business to see what time it would open and started reading some reviews. I will preface this by saying A] I am not a relative B] We do not do any family functions together when he is not working on any of my vehicles because he is not family. He actually is a member of our Church. I have had Pete fix all my vehicles for over 20 years no problem. Actually Pete or one of his guys gives me a ride home while they work on my vehicles, I am about 4 blocks away, Mr. Lazy I guess. I am just taking some out of the air of one of these negative review writers and let me say this, I read the negative reviews and they did not even sound real, they sounded fake. Hey guys stay home, stay happy stay home. I have never had any issues or problems with the quality of work that had been performed on any vehicle at Pete's, I have had numerous trucks there in my association with Pete's. 5 star review, highly recommended business, complete trust and faith in the work performed by the technicians at Pete's, people of integrity. Have a great day, this is Jerry the elevator man. My man. read more

Wow - I heard about the negative review of Pete - I can't believe it. I have been going to him for 15 years now - even when I moved out of the neighborhood (to Rogers Park), I still make the drive to Pete's because I have yet to find a more honest mechanic. I hate to give away some of the reasons you know Pete is the real deal (because his insurance might give him a hard time) but most mechanics have that stupid sign that says 'because of insurance regulations, customers are not allowed in the shop' - Pete let's you in the shop, he shows you what's wrong with your car personally, and even has some chairs setup so you can relax while watching him fix the problem! I think most mechanics post that stupid insurance sign because they don't want you to see the crap work that goes on most of the time. Pete isn't afraid of letting you watch him work - that kind of confidence only comes with decades on the job. One more mention - he lets you bring your own parts - I had to replace a bearing (which he confirmed with a special stethoscope before going into the job - which is labor intensive!). The OEM bearing would have been $350! (abs n stick), but I found an aftermarket one for $54 delivered and Pete knocked it out in about an hour. Pete is awesome - I am curious though why 'Swoozie W' casts personal attacks about folks appearance and gets away with it? I read her other reviews, apparently, she doesn't like any mechanic? She gave some other shop 2 stars after the guy tried getting her in his back room to look at pron? WTF? 1 read more

Not only is Pete the nicest person on the phone and in person, (every interaction is pleasant..and he answers the phone all the time, i have never had to leave a message and wait for him to call me back..he also mentioned we can call him day or night) he really knows his stuff, (he has pretty much worked for every major car company and has the specialized tools to prove it!) my husband was even impressed, as he has worked at car places, but he doesnt know enough to diagnose my car. I didnt have to wait long at all for him to look at it. While he did, we went to starbucks down the street and he called as soon as he knew what the problem was and how he was going to approach it. Long story short, what he did saved me $800 from what Firestone told me they needed to do to it. Pete had me come back a week later to make sure everything was good and my car has been running great since! I am super satisfied with Petes Auto Repair and his knowledge of cars, as well as his availability and pricing. He also gave us some basic tips to save $ in the long run as far as oil and filters, etc. My husband and I will definitely be going back to him for repairs. I am not wasting my time and $$ on big companies anymore. read more

I wouldnt give it any stars. I have used Pete before and he has over charged but this time i was floored. my car broke down in the middle of Lakeshore Dr and i needed it towed asap. I had them take it to petes and it turned out it was the fuel pump and filter. He quoted me 750. I thought that was high sio did other mechanics but i was in a pickle it would of cost more to tow it elsewhere. I didnt have the money so a friend from my church paid the bill, gave us a loan. My car sat there for 3 days and finally yesturday i picked it up. he proceeds to tell me that after he did the job he noticed my brake lines were leaking. Hows that possible it sat on you lot for three days nad he tries to blame the guy who towed it there three days earlier. I spoke with other mechanics and Pete had not noticd it. Also this was the first time he asked for money upfront, strange. So he tells me its not worth fixing its junk now. Then tells me i need to put brake fluid in tit when the light goes on its a small leak. I left angry called other mechanics, hes a crook basically. Not only that my car brake fluid emptied three blocks down. He let me leave his lot in a dangerous car, and didnt care. He put me in harms way and let me leave with no brakes. He took money from my church family and messed up my car and now i have reported him and contacted the news to out him. I expect a full refund on this and an apology. I will out him all over social media and the news. Never, ever go there cause he is a crook, a thief and a liar. I am going all the way with this. read more

I always get great service at fair prices. This is the second review I have given Pete's auto. I just had a front headlight put it; and will probably need to replace the front drivers side headlight housing. I have been getting my car serviced at Pete's for about five years or so. Pete has saved me money over the years- even inspecting a used car, and giving it a thumbs up, which I did buy(which is a nice running vehicle I have) and steering me away from a couple of lemons. My neighbor went there on my recommendation; and was very satisfied. read more

Pete Kastanes is My Car Guy. He has been My Car Guy for nearly 20 years, since I happened into my neighborhood "Pete's Auto" garage at Pulaski and Wilson in desperation to keep my old red Ford running, trying to avoid having to accrue new car payments. I was new to the neighborhood (Albany Park) and was still discovering available services. That Ford was 11 years old, and I had put too much money into it as it aged, with continuous trouble, and nobody could diagnose various problems until I took it to Pete. He did keep it running, and the same for the new Toyota Corolla I finally bought in 2000 and drove until its demise last year (2016). Now Pete is taking care of my new/used Honda Civic. Pete knows my cars like I know my grandchildren. His experience is vast (of which I've heard over the years); his personality is like the neighbor you'd love to have; his Price Is Right and he'll tell you why or when you can get a bargain on parts ("Tell them Pete sent you"); he's seemingly always available and if not, will tell you exactly when he'll be free to help. If you need a handyman or a plumber or an electrician, call Pete and he'll recommend someone, since he knows everybody. I've sent my daughter from North Center to Pete's Auto with her aged Toyota. Can you see that I highly recommend Pete's Auto and Pete Kastanes personally to help with all your automobile questions, maintenance and repair? Indeed I do. And thank you, Pete, for 20 years of service. Judith Randall. read more