Quality Auto Service

(812 reviews)

Great place for smog test. Reasonably priced. They were friendly and quick. I will make this my new…read moresmog shop and recommend to family and friends.

Good place to get your smog checked. My car's self diagnostic tests had fully reset due to a…read morebattery change, tests which need to be completed to get a passing grade for my registration. They explained what tests my car had to run during a drive, and I was able to find a step by step guide for my make and model to make sure those were all completed. I came back in and they didn't charge me twice, which was nice.

EZ Star Smog Oakland

(915 reviews)

Needed a Star smog for my car that was due the next day.I called in and Richard was very respectful…read moreand helpful. Got the service I needed and for a great price. Will come again thank you

Smog Service is on point. No bs. Great pricing. My second…read moretime and will continue and tell my pals.

15 Minute Smog Test & Repair

(1.3k reviews)

It's been 11 years since I had to do a smog check because I purchased a new hybrid car, so I never…read moreneeded one. I ended up going back to the exact same guy I used 11 years ago , Carlos at 15 Minutes Smog Test & Repair. Same guy, same professionalism, same incredible service. I was literally in and out in 15 minutes and paid only $40. Eleven years ago, I paid $35. In California, where prices have doubled and tripled on everything, this is honestly unbelievable. I called around before going, and everywhere else was quoting me anywhere from $60 to $80+. Carlos knows exactly what he's doing, which is why this place constantly has 5-star reviews. Super proactive, super professional, and they even cleaned my windshield while I was there. Seriously, don't waste your time chasing coupons or dealing with nonsense shops. If you need a smog check, go here. Carlos was phenomenal. A++ service. I honestly don't even understand how anyone else is still in business at this point.

This is my go to spot for smog checks!…read more I like to make an appointment because they work on your car as soon as you get there. I've been there before without an appointment and other cars with appointments are worked on before mine. No big deal, since they're fine with walk ins. But if I can save 15 minutes, I'll save 15 minutes! Jose is efficient and quick! He's also friendly and appears to remember me - maybe because I've been going there for awhile! $40 for our cars, cash or credit. There's a cafe a block away but I check my email onsite and my car is ready! I should time him next time. I think it's been as fast as 12 minutes.

Chinatown Smog& Repair Station

4.1

(17 reviews)

Highly recommend this place for smog test, they did a fantastic job on my old toyota…read more where other places don't even want to work on my car. They also provide other auto work too or stop by for a quick oil change while getting some egg tart or boba tea in chinatown

The service was quick and the guy doing my smog, Mohammed, was informative and kind and patient…read morewith my questions. Highly recommended.

Auto Row Smog and Repair

(465 reviews)

I had recently replaced the battery on my older Toyota and had no idea it would reset the vehicle…read morediagnostics and affect my smog check. Another business told me rather bluntly that I needed to complete a 50-mile "drive cycle" before the car could pass. With my DMV registration deadline approaching over a holiday weekend, I was overwhelmed and short on time. After a restless night, I called this smog and repair shop and explained my situation. From the very first conversation, Brian and Katrina treated me with patience, compassion, and professionalism. Even though they were clearly very busy for the holiday weekend, they made me feel heard, understood, and genuinely cared for. That kind of customer service is rare these days. When I arrived, they were ready for me right on time. The process was smooth, organized, and efficient. The shop may look busy to the average customer, but it's obvious they run things with experience and precision. My car was finished promptly, and the quality of service was excellent. An added bonus: the location is great if you need to wait nearby. I was able to relax outside in the sun near Sprouts while everything was handled. What stayed with me most was how human the experience felt. Brian and Katrina made me feel at home away from home during a very stressful situation. I'm deeply grateful for their expertise, kindness, and integrity, and I'll absolutely be adding them to my future rolodex for automotive services. Highly recommended.

BE CAREFUL! $620…read morefor the LABOR to install one ignition coil and spark plugs... here's how it happened: My partner brought our BMW 328i in for a smog inspection and to clear a check engine light. The car had already been diagnosed with a failed ignition coil and spark plugs by a mechanic who was backed up 2 weeks. Despite that, we were told they'd need to run another diagnostic themselves... AWESOME When I heard that they needed to do another diagnosis, I was worried, but luckily I was able to speak with the shop and my girlfriend before any work was done which was a relief. I was told on the phone that the repair would be $500 (a tad high- and also the maximum my normal mechanic told me I should pay for these repairs ....but it's the Bay Area, what are you going to do). By the time I got home from work it was almost 9PM. We were in bed and assumed that the car was gonna be there overnight but the shop called at 840 to let us know that we needed to pick up the vehicle. When we got there, I was informed that the bill had climbed to nearly $800 after additional labor charges and inspection fee had been added on top which were not initially included (all of which happened conveniently after I got off the call and my girlfriend left the car to get worked on). That kind of increase should have been explained much more clearly upfront. But OK, I approved, she signed, it's a miscommunication. Except it wasn't the bill she signed was $800 for labor no parts mention , and when I got there they raise the rate in additional $32 from the sheet she signed. Looking at this final invoice now: they charged OVE $620 in labor to replace 1 ignition coil and 1 spark plug-- i'm no mechanic but after speaking with a few, i've been informed that that's actually a fair amount of time to spend..... once you take into consideration their 2 hour lunch break in the middle of the job. The parts were only $150, yet the labor charge was FOUR TIME that amount. Let that sink in. These guys are crooks and I hope the BBB audits their business to make sure that the number of mechanic hours line up to the number of hours of possible working hours (they won't). I have a strong feeling they are working on multiple cars at the same time and charging you for the pleasure. If you're considering this shop, immediately STOP, go elsewhere. If your hands are absolutely tied, I'd still try to go elsewhere but if you absolutely have to, I recommend asking for a detailed, itemized estimate before authorizing any repairs-- then sitting there and watching how long they actually work on your car. Also take that initial estimate and use it as toilet paper.... that's exactly what they'll do. We absolutely will never be returning. Times are tough in the economy and I really hate that I supported this business. I strongly suggest you don't

76 Oakland Smog

4.3

(126 reviews)

Took care of both my cars with no issues for past 2 years . Thank you…read more Value is solid .

DO NOT GO HERE!!!…read more This used to be my go to place for smog, but the last couple of visits were very frustrating and ended up costing me unnecessary money. Both times my vehicles were in good condition and should have easily passed. However, the technician was searching around for any small issue and manually entered something into his system that caused a failure, then required me to return and pay additional $28 for a retest. Which I'm not going to do. After the most recent incident, I went to another smog shop and the car passed without any problems. I'm familiar with cars, and based on my experience I can tell you that "visual inspection" is 100% BS. I will not be returning.

Express Auto Clinic

(235 reviews)

I've been going to Express Auto Clinic on Broadway for years, and they have consistently taken…read moreexcellent care of my car. Don and his team are honest, straightforward, and very good at explaining what actually needs to be done versus what can wait, which is rare in auto repair. When my Prius's catalytic converter was stolen and it was covered by insurance, they didn't just replace the part; they installed a custom set of countermeasures, including a welded cage and varied fasteners, specifically designed to slow down or deter future theft attempts. For Prius owners in Oakland dealing with catalytic converter theft, this kind of thoughtful, preventative work is invaluable, and I always tell other Prius drivers to go to Don when this happens. At this point I take my car to Don for everything, from routine oil changes and smog checks to major maintenance, because I trust his judgment and his workmanship. Pricing has always been fair, the work is done quickly, and I've never felt like they were upselling me. Don is incredibly thoughtful and genuinely considerate of his customers' needs, which keeps me coming back and recommending him to friends and neighbors.

The woman and Don, I think his name was, were very quick and helpful. They let us know that the…read morespark plug was not screwed on properly. Maybe that's why we've been hearing rumbling on the car.

76 Oakland Smog

(50 reviews)

Robert was super friendly and helpful. The test was very reasonably priced and efficient - I was in…read moreand out in 15 minutes. There's a coffee shop and a nice bougie market next door for while you wait. Never knew a smog test could be a pleasant experience... Highly recommended!

$67 and 6-7 minutes later, I had an unequivocally great, nothing about it "so-so" experience at 76…read moreOakland Smog. Kind, friendly, expert service. I went in at 5:30pm on a Monday, no line, no wait. Funny to rave about a smog check, but I've certainly been to versions and locations that were seedy and sus. Go here instead.

Bear Safety Center

(24 reviews)

Found this place by luck and I am so glad I did. Not only did Will do my smog test for a great…read moreprice but he also took the time to walk me through the extensive test procedure for my older 1995 Acura. I was told he's been in the business for 30 years and his knowledge definitely shows. My new go to shop for smog tests for older cars!

My mechanic has been taking my car here for almost a decade. Today is the first day I been to this…read morebusiness. The owner and his assistant and very friend. They ate also professional. The small but clean. These guys even practiced Covid/air borne illnesses and etc. They both wore masks and stayed 6ft+ away. I came in for a smog check and they finished in 20-25 mins. They both were good at holding/starting a conversation. The price for a smog isn't as bad as some places so it's a good value. I will be back here and will tell my network to come here. Thank you guys!!

First Choice Auto Repair & Brakes

(320 reviews)

Real solid work done in a timely manner. I came in he assessed my brakes for free and then order…read morethe parts and got it done all within an hour. I got my brakes and rotors on my front axle replaced. The gentleman robert had a good attitude and explain things simply

We were impressed with the kind, prompt, and reasonable brake service we received for our Toyota…read moreHighlander Hybrid. We will definitely remember this shop for future service.

Rim Restorer

5.0

(207 reviews)

I highly recommend Rim Restorer!!!!! Chris is amazing with…read moreover 12yrs experience, responsive, professional and simply a nice guy! No fuss, on time and fixed my rim, made it brand new. Affordable, best deal in town for the level of craftsmanship. Thanks again Chris!

Can't way enough great things about Rim Restorer. Christophers communication is on point, very…read morehelpful and professional. He restored the rims on my z3 and made them look brand new again. Chris will be the first person I can next time I curb my rims. I don't think anyone can beat his pricing matched with a superior quality. Thanks rim restorer for all your help.

First Choice Auto Repair & Brakes

(320 reviews)

Real solid work done in a timely manner. I came in he assessed my brakes for free and then order…read morethe parts and got it done all within an hour. I got my brakes and rotors on my front axle replaced. The gentleman robert had a good attitude and explain things simply

We were impressed with the kind, prompt, and reasonable brake service we received for our Toyota…read moreHighlander Hybrid. We will definitely remember this shop for future service.

Montclair Auto Tech-Volvos & More

(148 reviews)

Ali and Charlene took great care of me again! Problem with my daughter's Subaru Crosstrek was very…read moremysterious. Ali tested the car thoroughly and was able to take care of the problem. Fast, friendly, and professional. You can trust this business implicitly!

It almost feels unfair to give Montclair Auto Tech only five stars, because they've earned so much…read moremore. My family has been coming here for over 20 years, and in all that time, we've never trusted anyone else with our cars or our peace of mind. I still remember being stranded in Southern California because my Volvo XC70 broke down. I called the local dealership and got a quote that I wasn't sure about. I reached out to Ali, and his depth of knowledge was staggering. He confirmed the pricing and was even able to accurately break down the labor and parts costs. He also gave me a few questions to ask just to be safe. That kind of reassurance, from hundreds of miles away, was priceless. Now that I drive a Lexus, Montclair Auto Tech is still the only place I'll take it for service or repairs. Their honesty, skill, and consistency are unmatched. I'm deeply grateful for this shop. They have my highest recommendation.

Alex and Angel’s Tires

(532 reviews)

I requested a tire rotation because I knew it was late. Very fast, professional comms. Had to…read morereplace tires, full set. Heavy EV wears down tires quickly especially when wheels are not aligned. Ended up getting a fresh new set of Hankooks for EVs, an upgrade from the Goodyear OEMs, and very happy with the quiet and smooth ride. Service took a little less than expected. No price surprises. Very patient communication team through the Yelp app. Explaining that alignment, rotations, and flats were covered under the purchase which is similar to discount tires, but from a local independent shop, it was nicer to work with. Glad to have discovered them through Yelp. Would definitely recommend. No hassle, clear and accountable communication. Fair pricing.

Had a flat tire from a screw. Honda had a 3 hour wait so I checked out some nearby shops. Alex and…read moreAngel's answered my questions clearly before I arrived. Once I got there, service was quick, easy and straightforward. Also, it was cheaper than the dealership to fix it with a patch! I definitely recommend their services. Very polite, explain the different options and you can watch them do all the work from the seating area.

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

5 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Nancy W.

0

1

0

17 years ago

have had 2 occasions to take my car to Quality Auto and experienced great service both times. The first time was when a AAA tow truck hit my car and had to pay to fix it. At Quality Auto, the body work was done beautifully and quickly, the best service I've ever had getting a body repair done. During this first visit, I found out that they do most, if not all, of the body work on the Sheriff's Dept., Oakland Police Dept. and BART police department vehicles. The second time I went was a simple service, an oil change, but the work was again done quickly and thoroughly at a very decent price. A regular oil change is $24.95 but because I was a return customer, I was given a discount and paid only $20.00. Lawrence Qiu and his brother are co-owners of this family business that was started by their father and taken over by them when he retired. Lawrence told me during my first visit that his father had told him the way to succeed was to be honest, provide good customer service and make it affordable. This is the rule that the Qiu brothers seem to be following and it's paying off. I would highly recommend Quality Auto for any body or mechanical work you need done on your vehicle. read more

Queenie C.

Elite 25

35

167

347

8 years ago

If I could give this shop a negative star, I would. Many people say they are honest but in reality they are nothing but shady business owners. Lawrence, which I had once thought was a honest man is nothing but a conniving, dishonest, malicious person who has NO integrity. He tried selling my family a car in bad faith after knowing the car had bad plates. Upon taking the car for a test drive I was pulled over for False registration even though I had the paper work he gave me. He stated his guys must have "accidentally" put the wrong plates on but later states he "knew" there were issues with the plates and warned my father; later says it was the DMV's fault. He can't keep his story straight. How can anyone do business with a shady business owner?? He takes advantage of those who immigrated here even though his family are immigrants too!! They state time after time, if we were pulled over in Oakland he had friends in the police station that would excuse the tickets. I'm pretty sure that means he has DISHONEST police friends doing shady things too... DONT COME HERE! They show a good front but are nothing but DISHONEST people! read more

Jonathan D.

0

1

0

16 years ago

Everyone is great, excellent services, on schedule, great quality of work, quick service, no doubts. I will definitely continue to go back. I have had a whole engine swapped and my car now runs great, thanks to everyone that had helped to check out the engine before swapping it. The time and effort they have put in to make sure my car runs correctly afterward, I really appreciate that type of service. read more

Kristopher K.

0

1

0

16 years ago

These guys are the best, simply stated. I have been a customer of Gary and Lawrence for years, and whether it's for an oil change, new brakes, tune-up, etc. they always do an efficient and thorough job. The mechanics at Quality Auto are accurate in their diagnostics, and if they say it's going to take 2 days, your car will be fixed ready for pick up within 2 days. read more

rita m.

0

1

0

15 years ago

gary and lawrence are the best been going to them for years. they take pride in their work and over all their price are the lowest I have incounter. thank guys. read more

Quality Auto Service - autorepair - Updated August 2026

People who viewed Quality Auto Service also viewed

Jason's Auto Service

(93 reviews)

Jasons's Auto Service is trustworthy, honest, and does good work…read more Tyler always takes the time to explain what is going on with your car and is also very clear about explaining what his mechanics found, as well as the process they went through to arrive at their conclusions. He lets you know what is necessary and what can wait, but also gives you the big picture about what to keep an eye on. Furthermore, their pricing is transparent and fair. They look out for their customers' best interests. I feel very fortunate to have found them. Highly recommend!

Tyler provided excellent customer service and excellent service on my elderly mom's 2003 Lexus…read moreES350. Considering the car hadn't been serviced in 3 years and has just 64K miles, the comprehensive inspection and service provided and cost was very fair. It's no secret or surprise....Bay Area labor costs are high - no matter where you go, the cost of pars and labor will exceed our financial expectations. I don't mind paying for labor -providing what I receive is top-notch and above board.. The shop is no-frills - just quality mechanics that are incredibly good at what they do. I find Tyler to be honest, ethical and a very kind and honorable person. I highly recommend this shop to anyone. All the very best Tyler and Crew!

Bay Area Auto Repair

(61 reviews)

6 stars if I can give it!! An honest mechanic!…read more Quality/Quantity - Danny works on all our cars. We drive and schedule all our service from NV just so he can do all the maintenance for our cars. We have tried a few mechanics in NV, but none are as good as Danny. Hence us still giving him ALL our cars to work on. Atmosphere - Not the best neighborhood, but that does not bother me. My daughter and I even went for a walk while he serviced our car. Small waiting area, but I usually just hang out in the parking lot talking with all the other customers. Always busy. See my pictures of a FULL parking lot 30 minutes after he opens. Open weekdays from 9am to 5pm. He has stayed late for us on the very few times our schedule did not allow us to be back at 5pm. Closed weekends now, since Covid. I am glad you are now having a better work life balance. Service - 6 stars. Danny is the BEST. Honest, sincere, hard working, etc. Larry was a good guy also, my first contact. If you know Larry, you are long term customers also. Lastly, congrats to Mark on his recent retirement! And of course congrats to your kids for their many "grown" accomplishments! We always schedule to be the first customer, unless it is an emergency. Easy in and out for us. Price - They used to be inexpensive, but now charge typical mechanic prices. Which is fine with me as they are always honest and never have us do unnecessary work. Owner Comment - Not sure how long you have been around, but I think I have been a customer since 2008, if not sooner???

My go-to location when I am in Oakland and in need of an oil change. Offers a $30 labor fee if I…read moresupply the oil, filter, and washer which I get in abundance if my parents have any extras or if I find them on sale. Beats a lot of other places in terms of labor fees. Can get it done in less than an hour if you come right at opening.

Costa Auto Care and Tire

(225 reviews)

As part of our family fleet, we have a couple Hondas a CRV and a civic sport as well as a Ford and…read morethe cyber beast. Rather than take our Honda CRV or the Civic sport to Honda for service we might go there to get something very minor and find out what we need but when we want to get it done, we take it the cost of auto care they do everything they stand behind their work and they're not funny style and what I mean by that is if you don't need something, they'll let you know they'll come by and check your tires. They will rotate your tires balance some and they'll do like different maintenance on your car that you need that the dealer of course we charge you twice as much for. I'd recommend Costa they're pretty busy they're located in East Oakland and I believe they're closed on Sundays but they're definitely worth it. If you can make an appointment to drop your car off there to get it serviced usually they don't. They don't allow you to wait because they take their time and diagnosing everything and making sure they do it right and sometimes they may have to order things, but I would highly recommend you check them out. My family has been relying on them not only for tires, but for maintenance for almost 20 something year maybe 25 years.

I got highly recommended by my brother in law. I got a quote for a Dodge charger 2021 for a 60,000…read moremiles. They responded quickly. The gentleman at the front desk was very polite. I had to get some work done on my vehicle and I know I got a great deal versus a dealership. Unfortunately, my car did have to stay overnight after I approved the services. I do like their virtual system where you can approve or deny services. I was a bit confused on one of the services, and I called to get an explanation and they explain without any hesitation. I would definitely come back to get my other services that I denied and regular oil changes thank you Costa Auto Care and team for your services.

1701 Auto Care

(210 reviews)

Saved me $1414 getting my car fixed here! I had no idea that the other auto mechanic I've been…read moregoing to was so expensive. Someone recommended 1701 so I decided to give it a try. I made a call and the same repair that I was quoted as $480 at another local auto repair shop, Sebastian quoted me as about $250 dollars. And then the other repair of the right and left arms for some part of the engine that I was quoted as $1184 by the other Auto shop, Sebastian told me that it's normal wear and doesn't need to be repaired yet. Now it makes sense that the previous repair shop wanted to charge me $50 per bulb to put in when my bulbs went out on my car. So I went and got the bulbs myself at O'Reilly's and put them in myself the first time until I found out O'Reillys offers complementary bulb replacement. Between 1701 and O'Reillys, I think I may be able to survive and keep my car running. Grateful for honest affordable 1701 Auto Care! Thank you, Sebastian.

Sebastian and team were professionals, all smiles, worked efficiently and the price was right for…read morefront and back brake pads and rotor replacements. FYI - Because they are that good, they get booked fast so make sure you plan early. I was bummed the mascot cat wasn't around but I will be back 100%!

Dan V Auto Repair

3.9

(62 reviews)

Dan V Auto repair is the the most expert, fair-priced, and fast auto mechanic I have ever visited…read morein 33 years of owning cars. And Dan V (i.e., "Dan the 5th") is a super friendly, honest, and straightforward guy, too. He doesn't BS you. I've been there on 4 separate occasions for various services on my Audi wagon and Dodge pickup, and had a great experience every time. And I always drive away feeling like I got a good deal on great service. I brought in my Dodge Dakota after a cracked head blew my engine, and Dan was able to diagnose, estimate, and find me a new (used) engine with low miles within 2 hours! After the engine was shipped here, he and his crew pulled my old engine, replaced every gasket on the replacement, had the replacement heads tested, and completed the whole job in under a week. And for exactly the price he said he would do it for. There's none of that BS about finding out you need to pay more for something or other here; the price he has quoted me is exactly what I was charged when he was done. And it's reasonable. My old truck runs like it's brand new now, all thanks to Dan. To me, his mission statement is encapsulated in what he told me when I asked him why he went through the trouble of replacing every single gasket on my replacement engine when he really didn't have to: "It's better for both of us. I'm guaranteeing the work, so I don't want you to come back later with a leak. For both our sakes, I just do it right the first time." And he does. Thanks, Dan!

This place is quite possibly the worst mechanic shop in Oakland. The owner is inconsistent with…read moremaintenance turnarounds and he only fixes the car enough to drive off the lot,just so you can bring it back to him in a day or two! The lot is always full of "unfinished projects" and they park cars that they are working on ,on the street.You have been warned...... Don't waste the time bringing your car here just because it's a local shop,they simply don't have it. This place is horrible!

Express Auto Clinic

(235 reviews)

I've been going to Express Auto Clinic on Broadway for years, and they have consistently taken…read moreexcellent care of my car. Don and his team are honest, straightforward, and very good at explaining what actually needs to be done versus what can wait, which is rare in auto repair. When my Prius's catalytic converter was stolen and it was covered by insurance, they didn't just replace the part; they installed a custom set of countermeasures, including a welded cage and varied fasteners, specifically designed to slow down or deter future theft attempts. For Prius owners in Oakland dealing with catalytic converter theft, this kind of thoughtful, preventative work is invaluable, and I always tell other Prius drivers to go to Don when this happens. At this point I take my car to Don for everything, from routine oil changes and smog checks to major maintenance, because I trust his judgment and his workmanship. Pricing has always been fair, the work is done quickly, and I've never felt like they were upselling me. Don is incredibly thoughtful and genuinely considerate of his customers' needs, which keeps me coming back and recommending him to friends and neighbors.

The woman and Don, I think his name was, were very quick and helpful. They let us know that the…read morespark plug was not screwed on properly. Maybe that's why we've been hearing rumbling on the car.

Auto Row Smog and Repair

(465 reviews)

I had recently replaced the battery on my older Toyota and had no idea it would reset the vehicle…read morediagnostics and affect my smog check. Another business told me rather bluntly that I needed to complete a 50-mile "drive cycle" before the car could pass. With my DMV registration deadline approaching over a holiday weekend, I was overwhelmed and short on time. After a restless night, I called this smog and repair shop and explained my situation. From the very first conversation, Brian and Katrina treated me with patience, compassion, and professionalism. Even though they were clearly very busy for the holiday weekend, they made me feel heard, understood, and genuinely cared for. That kind of customer service is rare these days. When I arrived, they were ready for me right on time. The process was smooth, organized, and efficient. The shop may look busy to the average customer, but it's obvious they run things with experience and precision. My car was finished promptly, and the quality of service was excellent. An added bonus: the location is great if you need to wait nearby. I was able to relax outside in the sun near Sprouts while everything was handled. What stayed with me most was how human the experience felt. Brian and Katrina made me feel at home away from home during a very stressful situation. I'm deeply grateful for their expertise, kindness, and integrity, and I'll absolutely be adding them to my future rolodex for automotive services. Highly recommended.

BE CAREFUL! $620…read morefor the LABOR to install one ignition coil and spark plugs... here's how it happened: My partner brought our BMW 328i in for a smog inspection and to clear a check engine light. The car had already been diagnosed with a failed ignition coil and spark plugs by a mechanic who was backed up 2 weeks. Despite that, we were told they'd need to run another diagnostic themselves... AWESOME When I heard that they needed to do another diagnosis, I was worried, but luckily I was able to speak with the shop and my girlfriend before any work was done which was a relief. I was told on the phone that the repair would be $500 (a tad high- and also the maximum my normal mechanic told me I should pay for these repairs ....but it's the Bay Area, what are you going to do). By the time I got home from work it was almost 9PM. We were in bed and assumed that the car was gonna be there overnight but the shop called at 840 to let us know that we needed to pick up the vehicle. When we got there, I was informed that the bill had climbed to nearly $800 after additional labor charges and inspection fee had been added on top which were not initially included (all of which happened conveniently after I got off the call and my girlfriend left the car to get worked on). That kind of increase should have been explained much more clearly upfront. But OK, I approved, she signed, it's a miscommunication. Except it wasn't the bill she signed was $800 for labor no parts mention , and when I got there they raise the rate in additional $32 from the sheet she signed. Looking at this final invoice now: they charged OVE $620 in labor to replace 1 ignition coil and 1 spark plug-- i'm no mechanic but after speaking with a few, i've been informed that that's actually a fair amount of time to spend..... once you take into consideration their 2 hour lunch break in the middle of the job. The parts were only $150, yet the labor charge was FOUR TIME that amount. Let that sink in. These guys are crooks and I hope the BBB audits their business to make sure that the number of mechanic hours line up to the number of hours of possible working hours (they won't). I have a strong feeling they are working on multiple cars at the same time and charging you for the pleasure. If you're considering this shop, immediately STOP, go elsewhere. If your hands are absolutely tied, I'd still try to go elsewhere but if you absolutely have to, I recommend asking for a detailed, itemized estimate before authorizing any repairs-- then sitting there and watching how long they actually work on your car. Also take that initial estimate and use it as toilet paper.... that's exactly what they'll do. We absolutely will never be returning. Times are tough in the economy and I really hate that I supported this business. I strongly suggest you don't

Discount Brakes & Tires

(201 reviews)

I had a lovely experience, and needed to get my front tire replaced because it kept going low…read more Recently moving, I didn't want to spend money on a new tire but ofc, as luck would know I was told about the used tires so I opted for that. I was in and out in about fifteen minutes. My pooch (well behaved and a doll) also felt very welcome. Thanks for the fast service!

Called ahead and was fit in. Needed brakes in an older model car. Free diagnostics and very…read morereasonable, fair price. Able to wait for repairs. I've had same friendly efficient service for over 20 years!

East Bay Auto Repair & Towing

(71 reviews)

I come here for all my car needs from oil change to check engine question marks. I've been coming…read morehere for years since it's so close to home and on the way to the gym. The front desk guy, Tony, is always really nice and goes above and beyond with service, they all do. My recent interaction with them was needing an oil change. I'm too lazy to do it myself and they always have the best prices of all other places. I dropped by on my way home from the gym since I had some free time and Tony informed me that they were getting ready for lunch and I would be waiting a while. If I want/had time, I could come back in an hour and I would be the first car they look at. I had time so I drove home first. Tony ended up calling me to let me know they were done for lunch 45 minutes later and I could stop by anytime. I thought this was really great service and he said he knew I was a loyal customer. I was in and out of there by the time I was done with a business phone call. I recommend at least coming and checking this place out if you need a quote on pricing. Their prices are always fair, in my opinion, but I also understand it depends on what is getting done and looked at. They know what they're doing and are quick with things if they're not slammed with other customers.

Look no further for the only auto repair shop you will ever need. These are the folks to get the…read morejob done! I have a 2006 Acura that I love and needs tlc. I have worked with Danny for years and he, his brother and team are the absolute best. Fast, punctual, communicative, reliable and kind they make the process seamless. I had terrible experiences at other mechanics but east bay auto makes you feel at home and you have reliable help with your problem, big or small. Do yourself a favor and bring your vehicle to them. Cheers!

Alameda Import Automotive