I had a problem with my battery that was causing starting problems off and on for months. The battery wiring harness had a tricky glitch that appeared to be straightforward, but things WEREN'T as they seemed. Mr. Kennedy figured that out and saved me from having to replace a multi-wire harness and all the labor that would have gone with it. I had one shop tell me my car was too old (30 years GM) and they declined to even look at it. It's a pleasure doing business with an experienced man like Mr. Kennedy. A word to the wise. Don't try to pressure him or BS him. He knows all about that part of the business too. I've taken my car in for other work since and had exactly the same good result. And if you have any specialty work outside Wally's normal scope he might have some experienced recommendations. Thanks Wally! read more

I was dropping my Niece off after Wally did some 'emergency' surgery on her car. I noticed that my car had a tire going down. I asked Mr. Kennedy if he would put air in the tire. He not only did so but checked the other 3 tires. He is friendly and efficient. read more

Love Wally. Been here forever. Same day service. Super cool guy and down to earth. Pricing is more than fair. Gotta love the guy. Valuable asset to Freedom. read more

Wally was recommended by Toriumi Auto Repair who has been my mechanic for 10 years and has my trust. Wally was able to diagnose and fix our Chevy engine light issue by replacing the catalytic converter.The engine light kept turning on and it would not pass smog. The other smog place I took it to (not Toriumi's) did not even bother to connect the truck to the computer to see what was wrong. Wally fixed our Suburban in a fair amount of time. What I like about Wally is that he is very specific and if you are patient with him he will tell you exactly what is going on. When a mechanic is very specific with you, it's a good thing. Thanks Wally! read more

I can't help but be compassionate for Wally Kennedy, he is so mean to people on the phone. And all his neighboring businesses say that he shows up late to work all the time and gets there whenever he feels like it. I can attest to this, having waited for over an hour for him at 8 a.m. in the rain and fog with my car running for fear the battery would die. I had made an appointment with him the previous day at 8 a.m. to get a new battery. I waited over an hour for him and he didn't show. It was a blessing because I went down the street to Pasillas Tire Service and got great prompt, friendly, reliable service. They are honest at Pasillas, too. They didn't try and sell me the more expensive battery but the lesser expensive one and explained it actually had a better warranty. Wally needs to get some professional help for whatever his issue in life is. I wish him peace and healing in 2022. read more

Awesome place to get a smog down. I took my Dad's Ford F250 diesel in to see if Wally could do a smog on it. He told me if I could wait 5 or 10 minutes he could. He had it done within 20 to 30 minutes both cars. The one he was working on and my Dad's. The price is reasonable too. read more

Wally simply tells it like it is, honest and accurate. Some people dont like the no BS approach to business and the way he tells you the way it is whereas I find it refreshing. Honesty in this Industry is a golden thing to find and Wally is a golden gem. read more

This is a challenging time for Auto repair shops that all of a sudden have a huge post pandemic rush of people who now want and need their cars worked on. I was referred to Wally by my regular mechanic who had no openings. Although Wally was also extremely busy he offered to do my oil change if I could leave my car. In between his regular schedule, he made time to do the oil change and check my car. I was grateful for his thorough work and flexibility. Happy to support a small business with old fashioned quality and care for a new customer who needed timely service. read more

Great service my go to place for car repair or smog Wallys prices are fair and his workmanship is superb recommend to all in the Freedom, Watsonville areas. read more

Excellent service! Wally was the only mechanic to find an issue with our Jeep and we finally have it on the road! After 4 mechanics and plenty of $$ spent he was honest and knew exactly what to do. Thank you so much for your trusty service - we will definitely be return customers (but hopefully not too soon!) read more

If there was a way to take the one star away I would. This guy was so rude it was actually upsetting even a week later as I write this. Just plain wrong, if you want to have a normal automotive repair or smog service experience take your car or truck somewhere else. read more

Great guy. Fast and efficient. Always there to help and solve ur car problems. Good prices and knows what he is doing.

I came in for a smog check without an appointment around 4pm on a Wednesday. Service was very prompt. I passed smog within 10-15 min max. I was on my way out. My friend recommended this place and so would I. $65 for a smog not bad. read more

I brought my car in for a last minute smog check, they got me right in and were so kind!

Wally is personable and likes to get to know his customers. I have taken both our Honda and Mercedes to Wally and he has always done a fine job. He worries about my wife's Mercedes as if it was his own and I appreciate that. Don R. read more

I came in and my car wasn't passing because a o2 censor. Wally checked it and didn't pass , I had one more chance to pass given this isn't a "no pass, no pay" shop. He told me to drive the car some more so the sensor could reset itself. I came back wishing it would pass on the 2nd time. I didn't want to have to pay again. He told me he was going to do an "Unofficial test" he did and it didn't pass. So he told me to keep driving it and come back after about some 50 miles . I thought that was cool of him to do. I did come back after about 150 miles a few days later. He right away told me we're doing another "Unofficial test" my car did pass this time but I thought it was very cool of him to give me all those "Unofficial tests" given it's not a "No pass, no pay" shop like I stated before. Overall, I would recommend this place the owner is nice and understanding. His lady helper was also very nice. They seem very down to earth people and I would come back again. read more

Wally Kennedy's Automotive - The shop - Auto Repair Near Me - Freedom, California

I always bring our family cars to Wally's for smog checks. I can drive in, get smogged, and be on my way within 15-20 minutes. Wally charges the same price as other places. If there happens to be a car or two in front of me, I can walk to Starbucks and my car is ready when I get back. Super convenient! read more

I came here very early. While doing oil change for my car. Another customer came in, he went to talk to the customer for 30 minutes. I ended up spending more than an hour there for oil change. It was not a busy day. I am very disappointed because I don't think its right to do treat customer and do business that way. Time to some of us are valuable, it's something we don't have. read more

Pleasant and efficient service. No effusive and over-the-top personality, but I do not need that. I like dealing with the owner. read more

I always bring my vehicles to Wallys and have for many years. But this last time he went above and beyond. I brought my jeep in after I had to replace and O2 sensor. Wally did a pretest and found the O2 sensor failed to reset. He gave me instructions on how to drive it for a few days. I went back and still no reset. He gave me some more suggestions to drive it. I went back a few days later and still no reset. He then did some research online and found a Jeep service bulletin that pertained to my model and year. I took it to the dealer and they found that the problem existed and fixed for free! I took it back to Wallys after a few days of driving and it Passed!! Wally was very patient and extremely helpful and his wife was too! read more

He came highly recommended years ago from a friend of mine so I have been using Wally for a number of years. This last time I went into the shop was the LAST time I will cross his door way. With all the times I have gone into his shop, he couldn't even greet me with a smile. So I tried to make him smile and talked with a friend of mine that was also at the shop. When he came to my vehicle he looked at it and said that he couldn't fail it nor pass it because it is a "gray area of the law" and "i don't want to loose my license". I can tell you, Bureau of Automotive Repair doesn't have "gray area of the law". So I left and drove a half block and got a smog check with a smile in 10 minutes and no attitude/moody person to deal with. I won't be back to Kennedy's...... read more

Stopped in with a Porsche Boxster for a smog. This guy told me it's a very "specialized' test and would cost $200....!? I'm getting it done at Water Star in Santa Cruz for $58. F this crook. read more

This guy Wally is extremely passive-aggressive. Gave my girlfriend a very hard time, asking questions in a condescending way to the point where she felt he was fighting with her! She described the car as not "turning over" and he rudely corrected her three times saying "You mean it didn't start? Turning over is different than that, blah, blah...!" Whaat?! She's not a mechanic! Save the rude lectures!! To add insult he (eventually) gave her a quote of almost $600. She begin to say that she was going to get another opinion and he hung up on her with a loud & rude "THANK YOU!" She called back & asked why he hung up when she was still speaking? She was stunned at his hostility. He went on a loud diatribe telling her what she said to him, but she didn't say 75% of what he was saying! How could she possibly say all of that, she asked, when he hung up while she had just begun speaking?! This guy is unreal! And guess what? The other shop she took it to charged her only $60/part & $125/labor - Wally was charging $175/part and almost $400/labor! There is no excuse for his belligerent behavior or the obvious overcharging! I didn't even mention how he treated her when she first called him on her lunch break to ask about the diagnosis/cost - because despite having the car overnight, he had not bothered to call her at all. When she called, he was very hostile to her with a 'how dare you call me before I call you' attitude. The other shop called her within 30 minutes of the car being dropped off - and with a cheerful attitude! read more

I have taken all 4 of my cars here for smog. I've never had a problem. While there he looked over a few safety and maintenance items for me and made suggestions. I had a bad tire that I was unaware of that he pointed out to me. There were also a few minor fixes that I could fix myself. He had nothing to gain but was willing to go the extra mile. He is usually busy so you need to schedule with him. He can't drop everything to take care of you immediately. He is honest and does good work. I recommend him. read more

He is a honest and fair-priced mechanic who knows his stuff. If he can fit you in he will do a great job and you'll be happy you used his services. I've gone to him for years and he's the best around. read more

I don't know how he stays in business. He was rude and out to charge for a pretest on a car brand that always passes smog.

I was calling around and asking smog related questions and getting a lot of b.s. Wally's was the only place that followed up and actually seemed interested in our business. Thanks guys. read more

Very personable, fast and thorough. No complaints. Of course work was simple (tune up) but nonetheless very complete.

Breaks my heart to see all these people insult Wally. I have known Wally for years, he may not be the warmest man ever, but he means well. My service there has been great. People may think it's pricey, but it's best to think before judging, he is a man trying to provide for his family and regardless, money makes he world go round. He always gets the job done, and I would recommended his shop and services to anyone! read more