Central Auto Service

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  J F
2 weeks ago
Sunny and Peter knocked it out of park again. Saved me 1100 with a complicated fix they made simple. Plus they did smog and had me out of there in 30. Always great mechanics only exceeded by their friendliness and handshake of always treating their customers fair. Thanks!

  Neil Bhateja
a month ago
I called the day before asking if 10:45 AM was a good time to visit and if they took appointments or if I should just come in. They said just come in. When I arrived, they said there was just one person ahead of me. After 40 minutes of waiting, they said it would still be 20 more minutes. Fed up, I said they should let me know ahead of time if it would be an hour wait. The guy yelled, saying, I m busy too, not just you! Totally missing the point. If you re busy, let your customers know! Don t expect people to wait around for an hour and certainly never yell at your customers. Bad service, very disappointing.

  Christopher Buckley
2 weeks ago
Very reliable and easy to work with. They have been able to fix problems that other auto shops could not.

  Eldee Inc
a year ago
As always, for us, the best place to get the biennial smog test for both of our cars. Peter and Sunny are friendly, fast and efficient. In and out in about 20 mins since we're usually the first ones to arrive when they open at 9am. We usually then head to the local AAA office on 5th Street to get our registration stickers also.

  J Marra
6 months ago
The staff here knows what they're doing even recommended a few extra things to get my MPG up. Prices are very fair. I will be bringing all of my vehicles here from now on

  Jan Erion
10 months ago
Peter and his staff are absolutely the BEST!! Peter just saved me over $180 on a tire replacement (compared to my dealer)! They also do efficient and fast smog testing--best gas prices.Excellent service and staff!

  Jacob Gordon
a year ago
Sonny and his crew saved me! My beloved truck would not pass smog and he got me in there quickly and after a diagnostic got me up and running for the least amountof $ possible. Thought I would need a new catalytic but he wanted to spare me from that and looked for other ways to get the truck passed. Sure enough, he found a way and the truck passed with flying colors! These guys are friendly and honest and I will definitely go back when needed. Thank you Central Auto Service!Services: Carburetor cleaning, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Auto engine tuning, Vehicle Inspection, Auto emissions testing

  Lockitt13
8 months ago
Sunny and Peter and the rest of the staff are awesome. The care that they show for each customer is great. They take pride in their work. Definitely a place to have your vehicles serviced.Services: Tires, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Auto engine tuning, Tire rotations, Wheel alignment, Auto tire replacement, Air conditioning, Auto maintenance, Oil changeServices: Tires, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Auto engine tuning, Tire rotations, Wheel alignment, Auto tire replacement, Air conditioning, Auto maintenance, Oil change

  John C. Maxson
a year ago
Got me an alternator for under 500 with labor, I was being quoted 800 elsewhere and the car runs like a dream now. He even noticed issues about my power steering so that is next on the list. Very reasonably priced and quite helpful.

  AWH B
a year ago
I just dropped my car off to the Central auto service Alameda yesterday Tuesday 16th August 2022 for check up ,I know my car is always in good hands with them.They are very welcoming & down-to-earth. I have been taking my car to this mechanic since 2017 for inspection, service, maintenance, repair...etc. They are dedicated, professionals & great mechanics with super service, work, and ethics. They are efficient, honesty with high integrity and excellence in their services.They take the time to happily & patiently explain everything that needs to be done. Everytime i call them their response is "bring your car now we will take care of it". They make me feeI they are my family that i am taking my car to my family or home. Five star isn't high enough, I would easily give them a hundred if possible.

  Ashley Simmons
2 years ago
Amazing service. Sunny really worked with us on a confusing smog problem, provided a relatively affordable repair, and gave us the clear information we needed to pass the smog. For sure if you're having check engine light issues preventing you from completing smog/registration these folks are the way to go, you want a smog repair shop not a regular repair shop or smog test only shop, we wasted time and money on other shops that ended up throwing up their hands. The shop provides fast service on weekday mornings, for the repair it was a clean two day turn around unlike another shop that let our car just sit in the street for over a week. Go here first if you're struggling w smog!

  Judy Bartlett
4 years ago
Took my second-hand, out-of-state minivan in for an oil change and smog certificate. They were great, even offered me a ride home (which I didn't need). Super polite and helpful, and the price was far less than I expected. Be forewarned though, they get pretty busy, so be sure to call ahead. I most highly recommend these guys. I'm so glad we found them!

  allan reynolds
7 months ago
Central Auto got my 2003 bmw to pass smog while another station charged me bunches and fixed nothing Central diagnosed the problem and solved the smog puzzle excellent job guys.Service: Auto emissions testingService: Auto emissions testing

  Beverly Olsen
2 years ago
Smog Star Testing and Certificate. I have gone to Central Auto Service for years for Smog testing for my Mercedes Camper and Prius. They are very friendly, fast and at a reasonable price. Today I drove over to get an appointment and instead they did my testing and I had my certificate in hand within 20 minutes. I highly recommend Central Auto Service.

  Richard Lincoln
4 years ago
I have used them in the past for auto service and even recommended them to others. Had a great experience and felt valued. That customer service seems to have changed 180 degrees. When speaking with a technician he was excessively rude and abrasive when speaking about a smog check. Conducted no service there or ever in the future. Will not be recommending to others. Shifted to SMOG Dog and felt valued and had a great service for a better price. Will be recommending that company in the future.

  danny vo
a year ago
This is for the auto repair shop and not smog.Hate to leave this review but this was an awful experience. Took my 2002 rav4 in for a radiator change because it was leaking coolant. Guy quoted me a fairly low price so I should ve seen the red flags there.Told me that he s going to reuse the current hoses since they seem to still be in good condition and that thermostat was too much of a hassle so he wouldn t do that on this job. I trusted him but knew better, both are typical in radiator jobs because they re all regulating the cooling system and should be done together to avoid any future headaches. I asked about both but he said I didn t need it.Ended up taking the car back at least 3 different times because it was still leaking coolant. First, he said it was a loose bolt or clamp and he fixed it. Other times, he said it was coolant that had pooled in the frame of the car and he didn t have time to clean up after himself or test drive but the car was ok. What?! Claimed it was eventually leaking from a hose to the transmission but all of it sounded troubling. No idea how he fixed it after the third trip and beyond.Im not saying he didn t try to fix it every time I went back for coolant leaking but I wasted at least 3 separate weeks trying to get this resolved along with a lot of arguing with the mechanic over why this keeps happening. First and second time, cool, we make mistakes but third or more, it s done. Your quality of work is garbage.The car ended up throwing a code for the thermostat a few weeks later and knew I wouldn t go back here to fix it. The next mechanic shop said this was a sloppy job and he used the wrong coolant so I d need a flush so it still ended up costing me a bunch of money to fix.Don t go to this shop for your repairs. The work is awful, service is terrible, and not worth the money you think you re saving.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic

  AWH
4 years ago
Best mechanic shop. I was looking for a good & trustworthy mechanic near me. Friends & families recommended me many places but for some reason my heart told me to go to central auto service Alameda. I am always happy that i followed my heart.They have very convenient drop off and pick-up services. Sunny & Peter always make me feel at home. They are very welcoming & down-to-earth & are dedicated, professionals & great mechanics with super service, work, and ethics. They are efficient, honesty with high integrity and excellence in their services.They take the time to happily & patiently explain everything that needs to be done. Everytime i call them their response is "bring your car now we will take care of it". They make me feeI they are my family that i am taking my car to my family or home. Five star isn't high enough, I would easily give them a hundred if possible. I recommend everyone to try them. There is no harm in trying, see them & their services by yourselves

  Lori Slicton
9 years ago
I wouldn't bring my truck to anybody else. Sonny and Peter REALLY look out for you. One time I needed an emergency break repair but didn't get around to taking it in. Peter approached me as I was pumping gas. He said, 'Look George, you're a married man with kids and your vehicle is dangerous. Please bring your truck in for repair-I'll do it cheap and make it safe for you.! After that, I'll never take my truck to anybody else. What other mechanic will look after you like that!!! Now we're customers and good friends too. You can't beat their price and their quality. They're honest and look out for you too. They're the best. I'm grateful to have them i'm my neighborhood. One of the things a man needs in life is a trusty auto mechanic

  Jeff Schuster
a year ago
Called for an appointment for a simple repair, instead of telling me when they could fit me in, they said call back tomorrow. Clearly not interested in my money. I live near them, they missed out on the chance for a loyal customer

  b Gill
9 years ago
I had my Honda Pilot Timing Belt and Water changed at Central Auto. Car had 110k miles at the time of service. My pilot has 150k miles and running smooth. The timing belt change was completed on time and I am extremely happy with the service. I take both of my cars to Central auto... a lot cheaper then dealership prices and better service.

  d tamang
8 years ago
Central Auto Services is my GO -TO for all my auto needs. Super honest guy with great work ethic.His prices are competitive, and combined with his honesty, it makes for a carefree experience. I just hand the keys off and I know they will take care of me.You usually have to pay a premium for peace of mind, but with these guys it's all inclusive.

  Dez Yuv
9 years ago
I have been going to this shop for over 10 years and always good service and fair prices. Sonny took the time to listen to the noise that my car was making, went on several test drives and resolved the noise issue. My friend she s in in her 70 s and she made recommendation of this shop in 2004, since then good service.

  Mother Earth
a year ago
Related to shop.Took my vehicle in for radiator leak.Asked for a presssure check. Yup it was cracked.Got a quote, agreed to have it replaced.Did a road trip to family and it was leaking.Really! They didn't tighten the hoses enough.Seems this place is lacking in following up after replacement.

  John Jensen
2 months ago
Smogged my 32 foot Winnebago. Thanks for going above and beyond for me!

  Monica Blam!
2 years ago
Straight forward, super fast, super cheap.For a gal always on the go with too many chores to list I couldn t have asked for more. No bull smog test done!

  Eric Ho
8 years ago
Reasonable price $50+ for STAR smog check. Staffs are nice. Close to my home. Gas has discount on Wednesday.

  Jeff Silva
11 months ago
I came in for a smog, and it was a quick 20 minutes. Thank you, and I will be coming back here again when I need to.

  Leda Nelson
6 years ago
Great place to get a smog- they do drop ins and only $50. Quick, efficient, and very friendly.

  Mary Neal
5 years ago
I was a long, long time customer. Central Auto does not return phone calls. Nice people but I need an auto service who knows what customer service is.

  Denise Falconer
9 months ago
great staff and prices coming here many years