I won't take my car to anyone but Dan at Whole Auto Repair - he's made me a customer for life. He's transparent about everything, communicates clearly, is fair in his pricing and is super efficient. If you need work done on your car - just take it to Dan, he will take exceptional care of you! read more

I went to this guy for years I over looked his rudeness but to not really take care of my car needs and just ignore it never mention it is unforgivable It ended up costing me thousands of dollars that could have been taken care of along the way and dressing why lights came on instead of simply turning the lights off cost me down the road $1000.'s of dollars is unconscionable read more

Been going to Whole Auto for years, Dan is my go-to mechanic. No BS, reasonable prices, does the work and gets your vehicle back to you in a reasonable time frame. Shops like this are a dying breed, I can't recommend Whole Auto enough. Thanks for all the hard work over the years Dan. read more

Dan is amazing! Wouldn't take my car anywhere else. He goes above and beyond every time. He is kind and professional. Always a great experience. Thank you! read more

Brought my mini in for some TLC on one major repair. Dan took the initiative to fix a few other little odds and ends for me without breaking the bank. He was very upfront and great about communicating what needed to be done and what small extras he would recommend fixing while he was in there (minis aren't an easy job considering you have to take off their whole front side to get anything done) I've known him awhile from being his server and he's such a good dude. Treats you like you deserve, not like you're his next big windfall. Thanks for everything Dan. read more

See all

Dan at Whole Auto saved my life! I was informed that my Ford F250 "needed a whole new engine.". I was looking at $14,000 - $16,000 for a used engine and installation. I was seriously concerned about how to come up with that amount of money. I was told by a friend to have Dan check out my truck. Dan looked at my truck and said, "You don't need a new engine." Dan fixed the truck at a very reasonable price. It has been running perfectly for over 6 months! Dan is a professional. Dan saved my truck and my life! read more

Dan was everything the reviews said and more!! I was in a real bind he had my car in and out in one day. I felt safe, which means a lot to an old single lady with car trouble. Professional and kind and efficient!!! Highly recommended read more

Dan is the best!!! We used to take our old car to different auto shop, and we liked them but we had some bad experience last few times we went there and we just wanted to go with a different approach. One of out family members recommended Dan, and they have been taking thier car there for years, and let me you tell you this, Dan is a gem!!! He takes really good care of our car, and very affordable, quick and trustworthy. We been going there for a while and I can't trust anyone with my car like I do with him. Highly recommend!!!! read more

I called first thing in the morning and he squeezed me in before his appointments. He was very kind and accommodating to my huge double stroller that had my kids in there. He has super friendly dogs there too, which I loved, but just to know when you show up. And the brown lab may try to follow you home which was adorable. I will say, the parking lot is small and he parked me on the street which I didn't mind as my car is a ranch van. but overall great service. Would recommend to anyone. read more

Dan is simply the best mechanic we've worked with, and we've been taking our vehicles to him for seven years now. He's the kind of mechanic who cares intimately about cars--really loves them--and will treat your car with the same care as he would his own. Most importantly, Dan is completely honest and straightforward. Once, I thought my truck needed a new clutch, as it would not stay in gear. It was terrifying to drive back from San Francisco, where the problem began, all the way to Petaluma. But I took it in to Dan the next day. He quoted a new clutch as a $3,000 to $4,000 repair, and said he'd get back to me on the exact price when he did some more research and opened it up. I love my old Toyota Pickup, and so I decided to go for it. But the next time he called, he said it was all fixed, and I could come pick it up. The damage? $95.95. He did some research by talking to a good buddy of his who was an expert in older Toyota trucks, and learned that it was likely a plastic part that crumbles away after the first 300K miles. "That part cost $5.95, and one hour of my labor to replace," Dan said. If there was any opportunity to gouge a customer, that was it. But Dan not only did research to save me $3K-4K, but he also told the truth about the whole thing. That's the kind of guy Dan is: honest to the core. I'm writing this because I just read about his dog Tyson's aggressiveness toward other dogs. I can't tell you how long I've spent petting Tyson over the years; he's a super sweet dog. I think it's wise to take those customers' experience as a warning, and don't bring your dog when you visit Dan's shop. But to nail Dan for his outstanding mechanic work and honesty is not fair to do on Yelp. Do it somewhere else. I've owed it to Dan to write this 5-star review for awhile now. Oh, and how did we find him in the first place? His competition across the street (that we found through Yelp) was too busy to get our job done in time, and they said, "Take it to Dan. He'll take care of you." When your competition recommends you in a snap, that's when you're working at a whole other level of quality. Thank you, Dan, for the years of dedication to quality and automotive excellence. Next time I come in, I'll bring a bone for Tyson too. read more

Dan is an amazing mechanic. He stands by his work and is an extremely honest individual. I would highly recommend him the next time you need any work done on your vehicle. read more

I got my car serviced here, on time at a reasonable price. I will definitely be back here, when my vehicle needs service.

Updated review: Dude stand by his work, and honestly he's very responsive and knowledgeable. If you're looking for a good mechanic, this is your guy. However, on my second visit I was scolded twice by him. Once for trying to give him an overview of my on-going issue after a repair- (WAS A PART ISSUE NOT A MECHANIC ISSUE), and the second time because I brought my dogs to the shop, and his dog is apparently not dog friendly. I was supposed to know that somehow, so I got scolded for not knowing that. Again, great mechanic, wouldn't think twice about checking him out. However, I respect other people and expect people to treat me with the same respect so I won't be coming back. read more

Dan's skill set match his business sense and character. Great guy and a great mechanic. Been taking my vehicle to Dan since I moved here from Sac 8 years ago. I've wrenched my whole life and Dan's a knowledgeable and trustworthy mechanic, he'll always be first when I'm in need. read more

Top notch quality and care. Straight forward and honest. I actually trust this mechanic. He really helped me out when my side mirror got busted, helped me save some money instead of trying to rip me off. This is my go to place. read more

Extremely happy with the service and customer care. I feel like I finally found someone to trust read more

I am thrilled to have finally found a mechanic I can trust. I love Dan's no-nonsense, no-salesy approach as he's taken care of my 2005 Honda Civic (which he says will last another 100K miles). I also call him for a second opinion when other auto/tire shops claim I need an expensive repair... Dan has a great "bullshit detector" for that. He also did a thorough pre-purchase inspection of a used car I recently bought. Happy to be a Whole Auto customer! read more

Dan hooked me up. I do most of my own mechanic work but couldn't finish my water pump job before the mandatory evacuation for the recent fires. I called dan in the morning and picked up my truck that evening. Car repair isn't cheap anywhere, but it's better to be thorough, which Dan is! read more

Jay totally rules. He is a fantastic problem-solver, a dedicated and thorough worker and one of the nicest most stand-up guys ever. If anything goes wrong with me car, this is the place to go. read more

I can see why Jay and Phil have racked up a bunch of 5-star Yelps. Last week, we were plagued with a pesky issue on our 2002 Mazda Tribute - blowing fuses and not starting. We had a much-vaunted (and pricey) Audi-Mazda-Etc. dealer service department look at it and charge us $135.00 to diagnose and replace a fuse. Yes, a fuse. When the car died again, we had it towed to Whole Auto. Avery called us promptly to notify us of warranty status issues (never use US Fidelis) and what all *really* needed doing on the car. A new fuel pump later, our Tribute is back in action. But it's not just the work well done and quickly that we liked. Jay met us the morning we picked up the car and looked into a few other questions we had, even making small fixes and advising us of other upcoming maintenance issues before they became major problems. VERY friendly, super informative, straight talk. Willing to listen to the whole story, too, before giving his input. We'll certainly be back. Trustworthy, informative, meticulous. Excellent customer service. UPDATE: Phil has assisted us with ongoing problems on our Tribute and has really gone out of his way to troubleshoot and resolve some really tough to diagnose issues. read more

Well, this place wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great. I took advantage of their oil change deal a few months ago, and I had to wait at least 30 minutes when I came to pick up my car because the guy was out driving around one of the cars in is shop to test it for something? It just seemed strange, because he knew I was coming back to pick up my car. And my car got very dusty while in his shop. To say the least, I wasn't impressed. The price was great, the guy there was nice, but I just know I can find better service for around the same price elsewhere, so I don't expect to return here. read more

I am new to Petaluma so had to rely on Yelp reviews to connect me with a reputable auto repair establishment. I'm happy to report the overflowing positive reviews were right on target for Whole Auto. I had the pleasure of meeting "Dan" who was incredibly resourceful, knowledgable and kind. He's a straight shooter. He gave me the 411 on my car and was honest and up front. I felt fully apprised of the situation and very grateful for his feedback. and advice. Dan's honest demeanor is real and heartfelt. This is not someone who is going to give you the runaround nor is he going to be all fake-cheery (I had that experience at another repair shop I went to prior) while he gives you an estimate that could send you off a cliff! I will be returning for my presale inspections on whatever car I decide to buy. I am grateful to Dan and credit his professionalim and true concern for his customers and their situation as reasons I'll be returning to Dan and Whole Auto. read more

Wonderful experience! I had a very unusual problem & these guys jumped to the rescue I was pushing a stroller with 2 kids & I realized the front tire was nearly flat. I saw them working(clean shop & good vibes) & asked for a bit of air for the tire. Not only did I get help but turns out one other tire had tube install wrong & was also very low. They both were kind & git me on my way to the nearby park before kids fussed Any shop willing to do this & be friendly to crazy situation like that deserves stars & praise THANKS read more

I am the daughter of a mechanic and am wary of most garages when it comes to diagnosing what's wrong and selling up how much needs to be done. Not so with Whole Auto. Dan is like my dad 30 years ago, keen, honest and truly dependable, oh and he knows his shit. We first came across Dan when we had a problem with our truck, my partner is a great (home) mechanic himself but some things he doesn't have the tools and/or skill to do, we take it to Dan. We have never been disappointed. The truck is gone and we've done 100k in our Subi in 4 years. Dan has been there when we needed him most, and recently managed to get us on the road with new wheel bearings in less than 4 hours-he really came through for us that time, just like he has every other time. The world of mechanics can be unscrupulous for sure, but it also has it's many gems, those like my dad and Dan, honest guys who want to help you keep your car running and afford a decent life for themselves and their families. I can't think of a more honest person to bring my car to, other than my dad (who was in England before he passed) than Dan. When it comes to keeping Nikko (our Subi) on the road, Dan is our man, could he be yours too? HIGHLY RECOMMEND read more

I called this morning in the hopes of getting a smog check on my car, and Dan very nicely fit me in to his schedule! When I arrived, I remembered that I also needed an oil change, and he agreed to do it no problem. But here's the best, best part - my car has been rattling for like two years, the noise coming from the front-ish of the car. I have had it looked at by like three different wonderful garages and no one could figure it out. I did not even tell Dan about this rattle problem. Two hours later I came back, everything done, and Dan had FIXED THE RATTLE!! He took off some cracked part under my car. I feel like my sanity has been returned. THANK YOU!! read more

HONEST and KNOWLEDGABLE MECHANICS!! My parents came out to visit from GA in their brand new 2011 Toyota Sienna. We took a trip up to Tahoe and after getting stuck in the snow the ABS and traction sensor lights would not go off. My dad made an appointment with the local Toyota dealership and they advised they couldn't see him for two days and would charge $120 for diagnosis plus parts and labor. I checked reviews on Yelp and came across Whole Auto. We decided to give them a shot. They were able to see us that day and less than an hour later they found the problem. The chains we put on the van to get out of the snow had come loose and sliced the sensor, a $300 part. They were honest about the repair and even allowed us to contact the dealer to see if this would fall under warranty. They didn't charge us to diagnose the vehicle, gave us a discount on the part and when we picked up the van it cost less than what they quoted, how rare is that? They even gave my dad back the part they removed. Whole Auto far exceeded our expectations. Its nice to know there are still honest mechanics out there. read more

Amazing experience at Whole Auto! Kyle was incredibly accommodating, helpful and honest. Took my mother's car in to get a free diagnostic reading since the check engine light came on while driving the car home from the airport. Since it is not my car, I was not able to be of much help to Kyle. I have no idea if the car is acting funny or not. Kyle just hooked his little doohickey up to the car, started it up and let me know the reason why the light came on. He even wrote down the code number for me. Luckily the issue is not serious enough to prevent me from driving the car back to the airport to pick up my mother. Will definitely be going back to get any automotive work done in the future. read more

Outstanding service and support were given to us by the owner, Dan. He did an excellent job in replacing our Suburban's transmission. The cost of replacement was spot on and very fair. Customer service, workmanship, and care deserve more than 5 stars. Coming from a family of mechanics and tradesmen, it's evident that he takes pride in his work. Definitely, recommend! We will utilize his services in the future. read more

Dan really is the man when it comes to car repairs. Honest and always hard-working, I am so happy to have found a mechanic I can truly trust and rely on for my vehicle needs (and currently, there are many). I refer friends to Dan without hesitation and know that if Dan says something needs to be done to my car, it really does need to be done. I appreciate Dan's ability to work with my schedule and to keep my car running when all hope seems lost. Thank you Dan! Keep up the good work. Oh & Dan drinks lattes if you ever feel the need to bring him a little something to show your appreciation ;) read more

Like a doctor who listens, a mechanic I can trust is one of lifes treasures. Dan at Whole Auto gives an honest assessment of my car's issues, offers repair options, and tries to keep my costs down when he can. He is great at explaining things to a gal who knows little about autos. I've found my mechanic for keeps. Dan is a mensch with wrench! read more

I had my truck at the dealer for a recall and while it was there I was told I needed new front brakes (pads and rotors). The quote seemed high so brought the truck to Whole Auto for a second opinion. Dan did the brake job the same day I dropped it off and for a much more reasonable price. I will definitely be going back to Whole Auto for future maintenance and repairs. read more

I highly recommend this auto shop and Dan! He is one of those rare breed of shop owners who is very honest and trustworthy. For example, recently my daughter was concerned about her brakes, telling Dan that she had planned a trip to the mountains. Dan told her to bring the car over, and he'd have a look. While another less honest person might have told her she needed brakes, he did an inspection, and told her her brakes were fine. AND, he also didn't charge her. This type of gesture is why she has brought her car to him for years. If your car need work, he will fix it for a fair price. If it doesn't, he won't sell you something you don't need. If I could give him 10 stars, I would. Thanks for running such a respectable and honest business! read more

Whole Auto is the best auto shop in town, by far! I have taken both my Volkswagen and Honda there many times, and each time Dan has given me a fair price and done great work. Dan is an honest, trustworthy guy, and I never, ever feel like I am being lied to about what's going on with my cars. Honestly, don't look any further for an auto shop...this the THE place to go! read more

I am brand new to the Petaluma area, and when my car started acting up, wasn't sure where to take it. Whole Auto had some great Yelp reviews, so I took my car here. I was working with a VERY limited budget, and when I went in and explained the problem, Jay (owner) was so friendly and helpful, and happy to help me stay in my budget. Not only did he get my car looked at and fixed within an hour, he told me that my car was running great, and didn't try to upsell services or anything to me. I will definately be coming back whenever my car has an issue, or just for the great deal on oil changes! :) Thank you so much, Whole Auto. You've found a loyal customer in me! read more

If you want honest, quality mechanical service, with very fair pricing, go to Dan. He always makes my wife and I feel like our two cars are being cared for. He is always honest and up front with pricing and options as to what work is needed now and what work you can schedule for another day. Put your trust in Whole Auto!! Robb & Carol Guempel read more

Dan is a person you can trust. His service is knowledgable, honest and reasonable, and I will be bringing my cars to him for as long as he's in business. read more

Jay and Steve...We can't thank you enough for dealing with our 1998 VW Cabrio on this past Saturday. You were a life saver. We thought it would cost wayyyyy more then it did. I recommend this Auto Garage to everyone in Petaluma. The service and great attitudes make it the best place in town. Thanks again Jay and Steve. Your number one in our book. Best, Tim and Neil read more

Awesome honest service at a reasonable cost and Tyson is pretty cool too. Thanks for the great service and getting the AC on my Jetta Sportwagon up and running. I hope I don't have to come back soon for anything else, but if something happens to one of my cars, I will be back. read more

Dan is one of the most knowledgeable mechanics I met. He really knows his work! And given the fact that he's very honest about what needs to happen to make repairs, Whole Auto gets 5 stars. read more

Dan is amazing. Trustworthy. Friendly and professional. He found and fixed every possible thing in my van to be safe before I was to take a drive to Los Angeles. And on pretty short notice! And affordable! And fast! I won't take my car anywhere else (once I'm back home in Petaluma). Truly the best. The van is driving like a dream! read more