Pleasanton Auto Repair

Reviews

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

  I
8 months ago
Excellent service. Honest. And good prices too. I trust this mechanic to tell me exactly what's going on with my car and to charge a fair price. He's also friendly and easy to talk to. The shop is easy to find in a convenient area. I have nothing but positive things to say. Highly recommended!

  Matt Ellis
a year ago
I have a 66 Mustang that needed the timing fixed and set. I called Jim a couple times over the phone and he said bring it by and so glad I did. I can "turn a wrench" myself, but these old cars can be finicky. I called Jim this morning, and he said come on over. I was there in 10 mins, he took a look, got to work. Fixed timing, adjusted carb idle, and no joke, the engine is 100x times running better. I have called multiple shops around Dublin, Livermore, and Pleasanton and they all told me they had a wait of about 1-2 months to even look at it. I can't thank him enough for jumping on this for me. My 66 Mustang and I appreciate your service Jim, and def will be back!M~Service: Auto engine tuning

  tieler wagoner
8 months ago
DO NOT RISK YOUR VEHICLE!!!!! The owner is James but goes by Jim. I brought my Jeep into his shop a couple days ago because I had a check engine light on. He charged me 160 to tell me the code that I had already gotten for free at AutoZone. He waited til he had my car apart to change the parts and prices 4 different times. He threatened to wash his hands of it and make me tow it to another shop at my expense. He cracked my intake manifold and claimed it wasn t him. I took pictures of it an checked for anything else. After he completed the job there was another crack that he said wasn t him. This man is the owner of the shop and he treated me very poorly while he forced more money from the job. He is an absolute crook. My engine sounds like it s going to explode now but when I brought it in nothing was wrong but the check engine light was on. I brought the vehicle back and asked that he take another look and was met with rude an foul language from the owner. DO NOT BRING YOUR VEHICLE HERE!!!!!

  rebecca
4 weeks ago
Excellent went over and above to help me. Saved a lot of money. I will always go to Pleasanton Auto Repair.

  Rebecca Audycki
5 years ago
BEST HONEST mechanic I ve EVER been to. I bought an old but solid 2004 explorer two years ago. Jim was the previous mechanic to this truck and knew the history of the vehicle. I decided to take it somewhere else when I needed work done thinking mechanics were all the same. After getting breaks done at a big box company they said I needed $8000 dollars worth of work done on my truck. I said no way and decided to call Pleasanton Auto and see what he thought about it.Jim is the best when I took my truck into see him. I said my truck was making noises after my breaks got done and the other guys quoted me this insane amount for my truck. He said let me take a look. He pointed out that they installed the breaks incorrectly and they cheated me by shaving my rotars instead of replacing them like I asked them to. He not only fixed the issue but he also figured out the $8000 issue - which was a bad screw that needed to be tightened.I ve been going to Pleasanton Auto for 2 years now and every time I have an issue I not only learn something new but know exactly what the issue is. He ll do his best to find me the best deal for the parts. I tell all my family and friends to see him because he really is the best mechanic. He wants to help not break the bank.I highly recommend Pleasanton Auto as the best place in Pleasanton.

  Benjamin Williams
5 years ago
I went in for a diagnosis on my Jeep. It had a misfire and the belt was squeaking. I had recently changed the belt myself, which did not fix the squeaking. I told this to the shop when I dropped the Jeep off. Two hours later I got a call with the results of my diagnosis. I was first accused of doing no preventative maintenance on my vehicle. I do complete the scheduled maintenance and have the paperwork to prove it. Secondly, the mechanic stated that he though I needed a new belt to fix the squeaking. This is evidence that the mechanic didn't even open the hood for the diagnosis, as the belt is only 2 weeks old. Thirdly, the mechanic wanted to change the distributor cap (a very costly fix) instead of first attempting to only change the spark plugs. Lastly, when I went to pick up my vehicle, he tried to tell me that the squeak I was hearing might be my brakes! That is a totally different sound than what I was describing and does not happen upon acceleration as I had told him. I paid 125 for this diagnosis by the way. Absolutely horrible experience.Edit: To add onto this, I just went to another mechanic who informed me that my engine doesn't even have a distributor cap!! It runs on coils.

  J Bacchi
3 years ago
Gave me a high estimate knowing it would only be a $20 part to fix a taillight he said $150 to check wire harness and all connections not to mention new parts and installation. That was after he checked an said my bulb was not burned out which turns out, that was all the problem the whole time . I will never say go to this place or referral them ever bad business and money hungry, not for the people

  ElgtPhsnt2
5 years ago
I have been going to Jim Bowen's shop since 1981 and he has serviced and cured every problem, I've ever had with the following: an old Ford Van; a 1978 Mercedes; a Bayliner boat; a SeaDoo, a Dodge Viper, a Ford Ranger, a Dodge diesel truck; you name it and everyone was serviced or repaired with precision and skill.I had some serious problems with a fuel pump and fuel gauge on a Dodge Viper and was told by Dodge to "see a qualified Viper mechanic". Went to Jim and he took it on, with amazing results; no more problems and at a price far less than what the dealer would have charged. I won't ever take it anywhere else, as long as Jim's around.Took a Dodge truck to the dealer who was not too encouraging about the repair and that it would be "pricey" (a death wobble)Jim took one look, fixed it and never a problem, again, and at a very, reasonable price.One day, I took my old van to Jim to check a problem (I forget exactly what, now). He took one look under the hood and said: "You can fix that, yourself and save a couple bucks", so I did. He even loaned me the correct wrench.I have never, ever felt a need to question his work, work ethics and pricing and believe they are the best.I have sent friends to him and everyone, who did, said to me how pleased they were with results and attention.With Jim, if you don't want to hear the answer, don't ask the question.Years ago, I was looking at a particular used car to buy and I called Jim to make an appointment. He asked what make of car, I told him and he said, in no uncertain terms: "don't buy it unless you want to spend a fortune on transmissions". That's all it took.I will always trust him and the quality of his work and pricing ..!!I would like to believe he'll be here, forever ;-)

  crystal forrestall
5 years ago
I ve had tons of work done by jimmy and all I have to say is he s such a genuine and honest mechanic! He will not try to sell you something that your car doesn t need and that s one thing I really like about Jimmy s shop. If your looking for a mechanic that doesn t try to cover your eyes with wool look no further this place is the best! I ll never take my cars anywhere else!

  Brad campiotti
4 years ago
Took car in for a new starter to be installed and for the battery to be checked. Owner claimed he bought the starter from Honda in Dublin and charged me $700.00 just for the starter that lists for $482 from Honda. However when I went to Dublin Honda the parts manager told me they had not sold that guy jimmy parts in several months got car back with a bill for $1048 the next morning my wife and child were left stranded with a dead battery per the AAA guy. Watch out for this CROOK!!!

  Steve Miller
a year ago
Lacked professionalism. Paid for an examination of a specific repair issue. He responded back by naming many possible issues unrelated to my issue but it will cost many hundreds of dollars more just to examine. Since I've worked on cars before, I knew this was b.s. Save your time and money by going anywhere else.

  Kenya Sullivan
3 years ago
CHARGED 80 MINUTES LABOR TO REPLACE BATTERY OVERCHARGE...BE CAREFUL...A LOT OF OVERCHARG-REVIEWS!!! (1) Charged an additional $140 without notification; (2) left with a NEW engine noice/squeak, & (3) claimed that an engine piece was missing but I was the one did the repair the 1st time & NO ONE ELSE has worked on my Jeep. I get it; Covid times are hard-- desperate people do desperate things. This seemed desperate.Services: Electrical repair, Electrical

  Liz Rivera
4 years ago
Friendly, knowledgeable owner. Answered all questions, has reasonable prices. My car is running like new again.

  Haiqa Babar
a year ago
Extremely rude employee with no courtesy or respect for their customer whatsoever. Thank god I found that out before actually taking my car in to people like the guy on the phone.

  Pat Rice
3 years ago
Will let you know. In the past he has been very fair. Main thing he a a good mechanic and they're hard to find

  Lucas Thompson
6 years ago
Excellent service, fair price and fast turnaround time to get my truck running safely. Will be returning again and again.

  David Clausen
6 months ago
Great service. Locally owmed

  Barry Pries
a year ago
Very trustworthy and they do very good work

  Chris Esposito
5 years ago
Lost one of my parts and told me it fell off. Fixed the bearing though.

  Florie Francis
3 years ago
Friendly and great work fair prices!

  Kelly Seiber
4 years ago
I trust the workmanship from this company 100%.

  Glenn Fietz
a year ago
Excellent communication

  Ameya Samant
6 years ago
Fixed my car instantly