My "check engine" light was on and I couldn't figure out why. I called Tom's in a Monday morning panic. John told me to bring the car over so he could have a look. Turns out it was a simple problem with the gas cap not being on correctly and the codes needing to be reset. I know nothing about cars. John easily could have charged me a fortune to "fix" a non-existent problem but instead he just performed the diagnostic, checked a few things under the hood,reset the codes, and sent me happily on my way. Wow. Great, honest service! read more

I reserved a time to get brakes replaced; pads and maybe rotors turned. They asked why? After 10 minutes of back and forth and saying I don't want to wait for noise just do the brakes we agreed on a full inspection in prep for a trip. I brought the car in and the service order was for an inspection. I had to remind him I was here for brakes so inspect if you want but the brakes need to get done today. So about 2PM the inspection was done and they said I needed new brakes. They also said they only had time for an oil change. They said they would call when done with that and didn't. So I got the car at 5, still with my old brakes, and will never return. Sometimes you just need to listen to your customer. They don't listen. Only have one car so lost a whole day read more

Looked for a place with good reviews and found Tom's Automotive was nearby. Came for an oil change and was charged $255 (keep in mind I had a BMW prior to my recent Lexus purchase and it was $120 max). They attempted to charge me $416 just to check if they needed to work on and/or charge me more for my headlights and my mid center console charging station. They wouldn't even bother fixing my windshield wipers that I had installed incorrectly. Money hungry, I do not recommend. I should leave feeling cared for and satisfied with customer service. read more

Tom's Automotive Service - Auto Repair Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I called for a quote for an easy service, it just happens that this place was down the street from me and had great reviews so I figured I would give them a call. I was quoted double the amount and only have drop off service. Even for an hour service? A drop off? No thanks. Save your money and your time somewhere else. Edit: I was quoted $187 for an oil change, I went somewhere else and paid $81 which is normally around the amount I pay for. I can't imagine the quotes on other services if an oil change is almost $200. read more

I have and continue to trust Tom's Automotive with my vehicles. They are friendly, informative and transparent allowing me to decide on repairs that fit my pocketbook. I appreciate them all! read more

I just paid $280 after they opened my door panel and put it back on. No actual work done. While the door was open, they called to quote me $1200 to replace the window regulators on both windows of my Fiat. I did some pricing online and found regulators for anywhere between $40 and $90. They said they wouldn't use those brands to fix my car, so I said I'd cut my losses and have them just close the door back up. Today, I found the parts from Mopar for $150. It's a bummer I didn't see this earlier before the door panel was put back on...my takeaway was that they're not too concerned with saving the customer money on parts. I get that they don't want to install faulty parts, but when there is a reputable retailer selling the parts for $300, that would make labor $900 with the quote I got, which seems steep. Pros: they are very communicative Cons: expensive, and you have to book like 2-3 weeks out read more

This place i a huge ripoff. There're liars and every time I've gone in there I feel they ripped me off. Last week i went to have a bulb replaced on my car. It took maybe 20 minutes unfortunately there was another issue with the ballast so i replaced the ballast and wanted them to replace the bulb. This time they told me that the fender had to come off in order to replace the bulb. That's funny because they didn't have to do that last week. Just another way to squeeze more money out of me. Think twice before going into this business. read more

I found the team at Tom's via FB and people had great things to say. I went in due to check engine sign and needing a oil change and tires rotated. They kept me up to date on timeline and it took over a week unfortunately to get my car back which was hard due to parts they had to order, which wasn't ideal. The service they did on the car was good, provided detailed breakdown of what was done and what was recommended which helped and the car is working great and drives smooth which is nice! I would recommend them and would go back for other services if needed. And they are w/in 10-15min walking distance for me! read more

We've been going to Tom's for over 12 years. The service is excellent, the pricing is very fair, and the quality of the work is super. We highly recomment Tom's. read more

I appreciate the maintenance options and the communication offered to work with not only my schedule, but also to create a proactive, non-pressured plan that will make it manageable for my budget. This keeps my vehicle running smooth and safe, without unpredictable financial ....uhm... upset. Appreciate their care and attention... in that they speak with me as a human being with this care and attention. It makes a difference and a nice connection. Highly recommend. read more

Every time I drop my car off at Tom's, I always feel confident that they will give me an honest answer of what's going on with my vehicle. I also like that they support the community and the food bank. Lucky to have them in our West Seattle community. read more

I'll never waste my time on these people again. I arrived at my 8:00 am appt. on time. They presented me with a "diagnostic fee" of $187+ . I was supposed to wait outside, in 43 degree weather for several hours. I asked the tech what I was supposed to do, and he looked like I'd asked him the meaning of life. Even though their website offers a ride home, no can do because of COVID. I don't buy it. They are ready to get in my car, drive it around and take my money, but can't offer me a ride home. Geez guys, how hard is it to update a website? Also their website says they have a sterilizing spray???? You can't sterilize soft goods, like upholstery, you can sanitize, sure, but sterilization takes a lot more than the application of a spray. I'm done with these jokers. read more

I took my daughter's car in to Tom's Automotive for a repair and was charges a markup for parts that was over 100% more than the automotive standard. Incredible rip off! I trusted this shop only to discover that their prices are way out of line with other shops for the same service. The staff refused tell me what their mark up is but in my investigation. I discovered it to be extremely high Beware of this shop! read more

The Customer experience from the first call to job completion at Tom's Auto was utterly exceptional! The team was prompt, informative, honest, transparent, and set clear expectations of the repair services required for my vehicle. What impressed me the most was after the vehicle inspection, the team walked me through a crystal clear plan of services to get back on the road. They truly embody the top level of service you dream of in the automotive industry! I highly recommend you trust Tom's Auto with your future business, I certainly will! read more

The time I brought it in they told me it was a wheel balance issue and to take it to Les Schwab down the street. I told them I already did that and asked if they could at least look for other possible causes but they refused. So I took it back to Les Schwab for the 5th time this month and got my wheels rebalanced. They said if I still had issues it had to be something else (obviously) So I made the mistake of trying to give Tom's Auto my business again. The website is terrible. When you book an appointment it doesn't show what is and is not available. You just pick whatever and hope for the best. No confirmation or denial of appointment. So I called first thing in the morning and they told me they were all booked up for the day I requested. Would have been nice to know. Then I explained my situation and the person tried to argue with me that it's the wheels which they don't do. A quick google search told me all the other possible causes, but Tom's Auto are the "professionals" Then they said they would need to keep my car overnight so one of the mechanics could drive it home. (Wtf) I asked if they could just drive it on the highway and they got snotty with me. It was a very weird reaction. TLDR: poor website, complicated to set up an appointment, employees are very rude and unprofessional read more

5 stars for sure! I haven't had to bring my car in for anything major but they were a pleasure to deal with for my two visits that required minor work. If and when the time comes for a major repair, Toms has earned my trust as a reliable and reasonably priced shop. I've spoken with various people over the phone and in person and they were all incredibly friendly, courteous and helpful. This place sets the gold standard. read more

My BMW undercarriage caught something on the Seattle ferry and it tore . The piece was dragging so I stopped on my way home at Tom's automotive. John looked at it and said he could do a fix with what he had on hand. I thought it would be awhile because they were all busy and their waiting lot was full. However, he fixed it then and I was right on my way. Nice, honest, MORE than FAIR. The way we should all build a business and help each other. Not going to the dealership again. Coming back here. read more

I don't often write Yelp reviews, but I have to shout out exceptional customer service when I see it. I normally service my car at the dealership in Bellevue, but Tom's Automotive has won us over for all future servicing and repairs going forward. Tracy and Casey both helped us as service advisors, and were professional, friendly, and straightforward in walking through an itemized quote proposal and advising us which repairs to prioritize to stay within our budget. Their prices are transparent and fair compared to other garages I've been to in the past. Repairs and oil change were completed on time (dropped the car at 8am and picked it up at 5pm), and the car was clean and in great condition. I have not met the owner, Kandie, but I know that company culture starts at the very top, and our thoughtful client experience speaks to her leadership. Note: COVID-19 safety precautions were taken throughout the drop off, service, and pick up when we were there last in May. read more

Highly recommend. My car was making a disturbing noise and I was concerned if I should even be driving it around for safety reasons. Tom's didn't have an appointment available for a few weeks but suggested I come in for a test drive today to check if there's a safety concern. Instantly diagnosed the issue, patiently and absolutely non-condescendingly explained it all to me (I know nothing of cars) and instead of charging me a million dollars to fix it, suggested I take it back to the previous shop since it was still likely under warranty there and can get fixed for free (which it did). Big Thanks to John at Tom's. Very knowledgeable and helpful. I will definitely use Tom's for all my future car needs. read more

I have been taking my cars to Tom's for many years. Everyone there is personable and professional. They explain things well, and they help you prioritize work (must be done now vs future visit.) They do an excellent job of keeping my cars running smoothly. Plus, Kandie and her team at Tom's are a great community-minded business. read more

This shop is the best! I called the shop last minute just to see if they could help me figure out why the little wrench was showing near the odometer. Especially since I had an oil change not too long ago. Turns out the last shop that did my oil change forgot to reset it. JOHN not only checked my oil and other fluids to make sure everything was okay..he took the time to look in the car manual to see How to make the wrench Disappear. I will definitely return when I really need an oil change. I also tried to tip him and he wouldn't take it. Thanks again John! read more

Oh wow, I was so grateful that I was able to come here with a great estimate on my car. They understood my needs and they were very negotiable with having me pick up my car (if needed) during the time we waited for the piece to fix my car. I would come back here again as they really did a great job in communication, efficiency, and customer service. read more

My Prius had a light come on that indicated "do not drive. tow to nearest dealer". I had it taken to Tom's because I live in West Seattle and Tom's has always been good to me. I talked with them the next morning and they could not get to it for a few days. They took it off the street and put it in a secure spot. When they diagnosed the problem, I got a call with an estimate and a time line. I have my car back and paid what they estimated. I am very happy with Tom's. read more

Called Toms ahead of time to check if they could install license plates on my Audi Q5 and they were kind to call us for a free consultation and got an appointment the same day. Walked in and the staff is really nice they checked out the car and needed time to check on what mounting hardware and products they would need to order to get this done. We got a call back the same day and they gave us an estimate of $995 to install license plates! Well that surely did not make sense to just get the license plates installed so we chose to find some other local repair shop who would take care of this at a much more reasonable price (1/10th of the price tbh). I understand Toms must have looked for original Audi mounting hardware etc etc and we also asked them for non-audi mounting hardware cos honestly this was just license plates and not some engine part i was looking for help with installation. Also, if you get the mounting hardware yourself they do not install it for you. So you have to literally accept what they buy and have it installed. People seemed nice and hence the 3 stars. read more

They get the job done, but it's gonna cost a LOT. I like their mechanics well enough, but the shop isn't some out of this world above average, incredible business that goes above and beyond every time. They are simply old time West Seatte, and they fix cars strictly according to OEM standards. I've payed Tom's for many years. I'm just done be seriously overcharged. I pay more than average for local living wages, and I pay extra for convenience, but I'm done paying more than twice as much as the next perfectly convenient, lifetime local mechanic. It's a trust thing, and I'm dissappointed in what Tom's thinks is reasonable. At some point they crossed the line into taking advantage of people that aren't mechanics (which is why we take our cars to mechanics, right?). Don't believe me? Ask them how much they charge to change your windshield wipers. As much as I wish it weren't the case, Tom's is not my go to from here on out. read more

Great service and they are very organized and always follow up. Very thorough and reliable.

I had a great experience with Tom's. During the snow storm my car wouldn't start so I had it towed to Tom's even though I'd never been a customer here before. Kandie and Bryce were both very helpful and communicative over the phone. Throughout the process they would call me and get my approval before doing any work on the car. I ended up needing a new starter and the work with finished in about 2 days. Overall, I'm very happy with the service and I'll definitely be taking my car here again and again again! I also wanted to add that I find it odd that some of these reviews say they are a scam. They were very transparent with me about costs from the beginning and always got my approval. The costs quoted to me on the phone were the exact amounts I paid when I picked up my car. read more

Updating my review to emphasize how consistently high the quality of service remains here in the face of all the competition. I simply cannot say enough nice things about these people. I just took my car in for its regular service, and they took care of me with special favors that I doubt I would ever have received at any other shop. Not only do they do a great job, but they patiently and thoroughly explain things to me so I can make an intelligent choice among my options, and they treat me with respect and don't look down on me just because I know next to nothing about cars. I always feel confident taking my car here. So often it has happened with other businesses that once I leave a positive review, my business is taken for granted and the quality of service goes downhill from there. Not at this place. I've been coming here for years and can't imagine I would ever take my car anywhere else, even though there are plenty of other shops that are far closer to where I live. This place is simply the best! read more

Taking our car to Tom's feels like visiting a friend or family, not just because everyone there is so friendly and easygoing, but also because I implicitly trust them to give me thorough explanations (that I can actually understand!) and reasonable, accurate estimates for their excellent services. They go above and beyond in checking things out, keeping in touch, and even taking a quick minute to top off fluids if I'm heading out on a road trip. I kind of hate my stupid car but I love Tom's. read more

A breakdown (after hours of course) having been a customer before with Tom's I was hoping things would go smoothly. Calling after hours they offer drop off service which I used and had the tow truck company drop the car off on a Saturday. Calling them on Monday I was told they don't work on anything older than 1992. Well my car is 1994 with less than 100k miles. (You can eat off the engine compartment. Meticulous maintenance. Not a ding anywhere.) They just said they would pass on helping a return customer. Besides that the tone of the person on the phone was clear he could care less that now my car would need to be towed again somewhere else. Apparently they only deal with newer cars where the car computer can tell them what's wrong and replace the parts rather than being an auto mechanic and diagnosing a car problem themselves. read more

John helped me out in a pinch on Tuesday unlocking my car for me when I had accidentally left my keys inside. Thanks so much John and the Tom's auto family!!!!! read more

I am always pleased with the service I receive from Tom's Automotive. From the time I call to make an appointment to the pick up of my car, the staff is friendly, professional, and make you feel like they are true professionals. And I never get the feeling that they are pushing me to add more to the list of things I have asked them to check or do. They are great about pointing out things that may be upcoming maintenance (like replacing wiper blades), but never a pressure to get it done immediately. Great service, and their Covid precautions are thorough and appreciated! read more

I took my car in for a brake inspection as my brake light had come on and my brakes felt crunchy. I was expecting to pay anywhere from $400-$600 for this service (front brakes only). The estimate I received from them was $1100. For that amount of money I would rather take my car to the dealer and get a service loaner and have my car detailed. One suggested service they recommended on the estimate was replacing the rear license plate lightbulb. The part was listed at $3.10 and $15.00 to install it. I had a good chuckle with that. So $170.00 later (to inspect my brakes only) I left , lesson learned. I am giving them 2 stars for the care they took with social distancing and preventative measures with Covid 19 but I won't be returning and I definitely wouldn't recommend this auto shop. read more

Tom's has been my go-to mechanic for my 2010 Explorer. I've had multiple issues over the last couple years and they've been right there to help me decide what the real issue was, what needed to be done and even what didn't need to be done. They have been extremely fair in their pricing and their service has been fantastic. Coming from Colorado, I had a great mechanic and was worried I wouldn't find a shop of that caliber, but they have lived up to filling that role for us here. I would highly recommend them!! read more

I read a lot of reviews before going to Tom's. They gave me a quote the diagnostic in advance, so that's honest. But the quote was twice anything I've ever paid for a diagnosis. Further, the result was a laundry list of things that they recommended I MUST do. Mine is a 15-year-old car, so sure, everything could use a replacement, but all I wanted was to get it back on the road. This was not the place to go. Ended up towing it 40 miles to a mechanic I know and trust, and saved well over a thousand dollars. Also, I never actually got to speak with the mechanic who worked on my car. For $180 I'd expect at least a verbal consult, maybe a little more nuanced advice about what was truly necessary . read more

Great customer service, totally went the extra mile in terms of COVID awareness as the car was sanitized prior to it getting returned to us. Super communicative and helpful in terms of current and future maintenance. Also very friendly. Will be back- read more

Tom's has been taking care of my 20-year-old car since she was shiny and newish. Now that she's an old lady, I wouldn't trust anyone else to keep her running beautifully. Thanks, Kandie and Casey and the rest of the gang! read more

I called about a leak from my heating system, and despite a super packed schedule, John offered to check it out for me the next morning. He poked around in the dash, made a quick fix to unblock the draining tube, and then checked my oil and added a quart. I was in and out in just a few minutes and he only charged me for the oil. I was really impressed, and I'll definitely be back. read more

I brought my truck in to fix some suspension noise John helped me right away and fix the problem I couldn't ask for better service

Our family has been a client of Tom's since 2005 and we have never been disappointed. My husband does most of the work on our cars and we only bring them to the shop when he is stuck with something he can't do. At Tom's, not only do they always offer a menu of solutions to fit different budgets, but they have also provided advice regarding what my husband could do on his own, and we appreciate that very much. read more