Berkeley Auto Service

Reviews

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

  James Koutsoukos
4 months ago
I recently made my second trip to Berkeley Auto Service on San Pablo Avenue for an oil change and a diagnostic check in preparation for several long road trips. My experience was outstanding, further solidifying my trust in their service.Carlos, the technician who assisted me, epitomizes honesty and integrity in the auto service industry. He had the opportunity to charge significantly, yet he chose to be fair and compassionate with his pricing. His transparency and sincerity are not only reassuring but also incredibly rare in this business.The service's efficiency was equally impressive. I was able to drop off my car on the same day I called, and by the next morning, it was ready for pick-up. This quick turnaround is incredibly convenient, especially for those with tight schedules.Another aspect that stood out to me was the seamless quote estimate system. Before any repairs were done, I received an email with a detailed overview of all the checks performed, including tire pressure and the results of the diagnostic. It clearly outlined the recommended repairs, allowing me the option to authorize them as I saw fit. The process was straightforward, making it easy to choose and authorize the services I needed.Every visit to Berkeley Auto Service is marked by a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Carlos and the team greet you with a smile, humor, and an energy that makes every interaction enjoyable. It s a refreshing change from the typical auto service experience.I am extremely grateful for the exceptional service provided by Berkeley Auto Service and for Carlos s dedication to being sincere, transparent, and honest. As a Subaru owner, it's a relief to have a reliable, trustworthy service provider. I highly recommend Berkeley Auto Service to anyone looking for quality, honest auto care, complemented by a user-friendly service authorization system.

  Mei Jardstrom
5 months ago
After having worked with several different mechanics in the Bay, I am so happy to have found this one. Carlos is honest, straightforward and reasonable in price. They use a modern online communication system so it s easy to see and approve services clearly without so much back and forth.

  Valerie Liu
8 months ago
My car had its catalytic converter stolen, so I brought it to Carlos's shop. He had experience dealing with my car insurance and the quote and insurance payout went smoothly.Despite the long wait for Toyota to send the new part, Carlos was very communicative throughout the whole process and we were finally able to get the car fixed.

  Curt Beckmann
11 months ago
I had several warning lights suddenly show up. Berkeley Auto quickly determined the issue and gave me options, i approved and they ordered the necessary part and installed and tested, and car was ready. The whole thing was about 24 hrs and price remarkably low. I am quite happy with my experience and will be back!Service: General repairs & maintenanceService: General repairs & maintenance

  Zach Theard
10 months ago
I called this auto body shop 20 minutes before closing and Carlos was more than willing to help me install my car with a new battery. He was even kind enough to upgrade my car battery for a discounted price and educated me on certain types of batteries that are better for my Audi. Overall a great experience and very honest workers. 10 out of 10 recommend.Service: Battery

  James
8 months ago
An Epitome of Trust and Professionalism: Berkeley Auto ServiceIt was an average day until my 2016 Subaru Impreza Sport hatchback started spewing smoke from the engine. Fearful thoughts of a cracked cylinder or a leaking gasket started looming over me like a dark cloud. Finding a mechanic to attend to this promptly seemed impossible as the earliest availability was three to four weeks out. Desperation led me to Berkeley Auto Service where I met Carlos, a master of the craft, who not only welcomed me immediately but also assured me despite his VW and Audi specialization.Upon arrival, I was requested to sign an online form to carry out the diagnostics, not knowing what to expect next. Yet, the calm demeanor of Carlos and the transparency in the process nudged me to place my trust in his hands. Leaving my car behind was an anxious goodbye, but the hope for a trouble-free tomorrow reassured me.The next morning, a meticulously detailed quote arrived in my inbox. The clarity of the communication was remarkable: detailed images of my car, straightforward diagnostic information, and a transparent cost breakdown for the necessary repairs. It was simple, yet comprehensive, organized, and strikingly professional.In an industry where an oil-leaking car often translates into a potential windfall, Carlos stood out with his honesty. He refrained from exploiting the situation and instead extended an extremely compassionate and reasonable price point. It was not just the repair of my car that made me relieved but also the moral integrity showcased that made me a satisfied customer.I am incredibly grateful to have discovered Berkeley Auto Service. Any past reviews expressing dissatisfaction must surely be a misunderstanding or an aberration. Disregard them as outrageous misinterpretations because my experience here was nothing short of exceptional.I wholeheartedly recommend Berkeley Auto Service for their remarkable professionalism, commendable honesty, and incomparable customer service. It's not just a repair shop, it's a sanctuary for troubled cars and anxious owners alike.

  J.T. Trollman
a year ago
We've taken our small Fiat to Berkeley Auto Service three times now and have appreciated their honesty and the quality of their service. Carlos is super communicative, and they use some software to communicate their quotes that makes both the proposed service and past service history all very clear and easy to understand. I also appreciate that Carlos doesn't hard sell: he and his team seem very no-nonsense in explaining our options. We'll keep coming here!Services: Tires, General repairs & maintenance, Electrical, Vehicle Inspection, Wheel alignment, Auto tire replacement, Auto maintenance, Oil change

  Jill Raycroft
a year ago
Carlos is the most honest mechanic I ve brought my cars to. He and his knowledgeable team always take the time to explain repairs and the prices are fair. They are efficient and the 24 point inspection was affordable & helped me so much after I recently purchased a used car. I highly recommend Berkeley Auto Service!

  Adriana Ramos
9 months ago
Friendly service, patiently listened to my questions and concerns about my car.Service done to vehicle was fast and great communication.Wasn't pressured into additional services.Been there twice and I would definitely go again.Service: General repairs & maintenanceService: General repairs & maintenance

  aurelio ramirez
a year ago
We were visiting from southern California and were about to head back home when the alternator on my truck went out. I had my truck towed to this shop and explained to the mechanic, Carlos, we were from out of town and were on our way back home. He said he would work on it right away to get us back on the road. We went to grab breakfast at a local diner and by the time we got back my truck was ready. This shop is clean and the waiting area is comfortable, and Carlos is friendly and easy to talk to. I would highly recommend this shop.

  ben burbridge
a year ago
I have been a customer of Berkeley Auto Service since 1989 when Roger worked on my VW Jetta. He then took care of my Audi A4 for 12 years, and then my Audi S4 for the last 5 years. Roger was incredibly talented, nice, unwaveringly honest, and charged half as much as the Audi dealer for the same work.So when I took the S4 in for a 50K mi service on 7/12/22, I was disappointed to find that the shop had been sold and Roger was no longer there. I nevertheless left the car with them for the service. Later that day I got an estimate from Carlos for $2523.78 which included:1) replace rear brake pads and rotors $1,022.90 (Roger had replaced all 4 wheels' pads and rotors for $1200 total 9K miles earlier...)2) flush brake lines: $399.70 (which included 2 liters of brake fluid at $35 ea, >2x the cost on Amazon)3) Change spark plugs: $598.42 (which included 6 plugs at $33.07 each, 3x the cost on Amazon)4) oil change: $110.005) replace windshield wipers: $201.26 ($51.13 each plus $99 labor).It was also recommended that I replace all 4 tires (unnecessarily). The 'serpentine belt' replacement, required on the 50K mi service, was not included.I went into the shop to discuss the estimate in person with Carlos, yet he had left early so I discussed it with a young man who work there and told me 'things have changed' at Berkeley Auto Service. He also informed me that if I didn't have the work done, I'd be charged $178 just for the estimate.Short of time and needing my car back, I authorized the oil change, brake fluid flush, spark plug change, and serpentine belt replacement, total $1,581.84. They wanted to keep it 4 days but I complained so they did it in 3 days.I left feeling the exact opposite of how I felt with all my prior visits with Roger, having been significantly over-charged for the reduced scope of work. My impression is that their recommendations and pricing are designed to take advantage of people who do not know cars and don't shop around. It's sad to lose a great mechanic, but I definitely won't be back and wouldn't recommend them to anyone. The dealer would probably be cheaper anyway.Services: Vehicle Inspection, Brakes, Auto maintenance, Oil change

  Dana Wiseman
3 years ago
Finding a trustworthy mechanic can be challenging. Give Berkeley Auto Service a try, and you'll never have to worry about your car care again.Carlos has been my mechanic for years and has proven time and time again, to be extremely knowledgeable, trustworthy, and professional. Excellent communication-- he is always happy to answer any questions and provide thorough explanations about repairs needed and options available. Turn around time is quick, even on major repairs. Prices are fair, and the work is typically guaranteed. I absolutely trust and recommend Berkeley Auto Service.Services: Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Brakes, Battery, Oil change

  Jeff Shaddock
a year ago
I used to go to this shop religiously when it was under previous ownership. When I learned that it had been sold, I was a little nervous, but decided to try it out. Carlos and his guys are great mechanics who took good care of my car and are communicative and fast. High recommendation, and I'll take my car there again.Service: General repairs & maintenanceService: General repairs & maintenance

  Sean AnHonestIrishman Patterson
10 months ago
Not an honest business. They cost me additional 1500 dollars in parts. (Went to another mechanics that confirmed amature error) Tried and tested. They changed Front sustention with control arm and reassembled the arm directly to knuckle without noticing the metal sleeve that was removed and that should have remained. They mounted the parts together without the sleeve leaving it on the other part... This caused further damage to the arm that was just changed and also damaged the knuckle. A pretty amature mistake costing 1500 dollars. Not only this the owner now claims it was broken and they removed it. This is extremely shady work and you should pay for your error which you have not.

  Peter Naughton
10 months ago
Carlos has taken good care of me and my car. He has given me much better prices than the dealership, is straightforward, and is reliably fast.

  Morgan Goodwin
a year ago
These guys were very clear, organized and professional. Took care of a transmission that needed new oil/filter as a walk-in and had us on the road with only a few hours delay. Great experience.Service: Transmission repairService: Transmission repair

  Kyle Edward Rindfleisch
a year ago
Would not recommend. Went in for a transmission fluid change, when I left I immediately started to have power steering problems. I took it back to the shop and Carlos told me that nothing they did caused the issue and to give it time to see if it'd go away. An hour later my dash started blowing up with a litany of problems. I took it to a Honda dealer and they notified me that my speed sensor was damaged. I don't know how the sensor was damaged, all I know is that it worked fine before going to the shop, and it was broke immediately after leaving. Never going back.Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Kim Chavez
a year ago
Carlos does great work. Our car had a lot of problems and Carlos was able to repair it. He is always fair and honest. I won t trust my car with anyone elseServices: General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Engine repairServices: General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Engine repair

  Laura Katz
a year ago
I had my Audi 2015 A3 towed to Berkeley Auto Service. It was a mess! In a few days the car was delivered to me ready to drive safely.Service: Auto brake repairService: Auto brake repair

  Abel Mkulama
a year ago
Great technical know how on what was wrong with my car. I got a call soon after dropping off the car at their service center. The guard and the technicians were friendly and gave me excellent service. Highly recommend!Service: General repairs & maintenanceService: General repairs & maintenance

  Dave Harrington
a year ago
Carlos is a pleasure to work with. He has taken great care of our VW Tiguan over the years, from regular service to more major maintenance. Highly recommended!Services: Auto maintenance, Oil changeServices: Auto maintenance, Oil change

  Nicole Minor
a year ago
We needed several things for our 90,000 mile check. Carlos was really great, responded quickly, got us in right away, and was very helpful and professional. Highly recommend!Service: Engine repairService: Engine repair

  stephen hasegawa
a year ago
Great work. Very responsive, scheduled me quickly, and got the work done before some shops could even start. Also did a good job explaining what he did, why he did it, and what he would recommend in the future.Service: General repairs & maintenanceService: General repairs & maintenance

  Randy McClure
6 years ago
My experience with this shop was excellent. Roger and Dan (brothers) are car guys - they love cars and have spent their lives working on them. They're good mechanics and they care about their customers. I picked them from Google reviews and agree with their high rating.I took my Audi to them because I failed my smog test and they called me about 2 hours after I dropped it off to say that they'd found several other issues, which I had them fix - my shocks and the bushings in my front suspension were shot. I was there when they removed the old parts and it was clear that they were shot.The smog failure was more complicated, but they figured it out by applying a smart process of elimination. I grew up working on and racing cars and spent my weekends and summers working in my uncle's auto repair shop, so I'm a bit of a mechanic myself and these guys are the real deal.Like others, I had to wait a week to get my car in, but once they had it they dived into trouble shooting mode and didn't stop until they had it all figured out. Really good guys. I just moved to the Bay Area and it's great to know I've found my new mechanics.

  Bill Dean
2 years ago
Been going to Berkeley Auto Service for close to 8 years. Have a VW Passat and their service has always been great. Now with new owner, Carlos, they've really stepped up and added another level of technical sophistication that makes it even easier to work with them. Definitely recommend them!!!Service: Auto engine diagnosticService: Auto engine diagnostic

  Shubham Talbar
a year ago
Extremely expensive service. I took my Audi A4 for a routine maintainance checkup and the mechanic quoted $8k for fixing all the issues. When I later took it to the authorized dealer they quoted $3.5k for the same fixes. The labor charged is outright ridiculous.

  Ms. E
a year ago
Great customer service, not only were they able to get my car in quickly and complete a thorough inspection/repair, Carlos followed up with me the next day to check on how my car was performing.Services: Tires, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Vehicle InspectionServices: Tires, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Vehicle Inspection

  Gene Goltsman
7 years ago
I've been bringing my GTI to Dan and Roger for several years, and I've been getting nothing but dedicated and HONEST service. They don't push their own parts on you, don't charge bogus inspections fees, and don't run up labor time on you like so many other places will. They're a pleasure to deal with, and you can see there's good chemistry in the shop. Timing wise - I agree, there have been times when they got swamped and I didn't get my cat back as soon as I'd like, but they also have come in and worked on it on weekends on several occasions, which makes up for it, I think.

  Kellen Shipley
a year ago
Great shop and staff! Very thorough service with helpful reports documenting issues with photos and measurements included. Highly recommended! Thanks Carlos and team.

  Kevin Zimmerman
4 years ago
I have a friend with a VW "new" beetle, two of them actually, and when she told me she'd found this shop she calls "family auto" I was thrilled. Finally she was getting good advice about "this matters right now; this other thing, not quite as high a priority" and it has been accurate, solid perspective backed up by good work and realistic, reliable parts choices. I've been there with my friend and talked to them - these are people who are experienced and like what they are doing, and seem to know how to make a good honest living. My qualifications for my opinions are based on that I was once a wrench, 12 years at the journeyman level, and I would take my car here in a heartbeat if I had one of the kinds they work on and I wasn't able to address something myself for any reason.