Hands-On Auto Tech

Reviews

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

  Dave Frazier
2 weeks ago
Absolutely the only shop I will ever be taking my cars to again! I've been getting work done from them for the last 6 years and they are always incredibly clear and transparent with any and all repairs that are needed. They have a very neat digital system that makes invoicing and payments really easy! Tom and his team of skilled mechanics are absolutely amazing and we're the only ones who could manage to get our Subaru WRX fixed. They managed to do an entire short block replacement in about 4 days, and had a loaner car for us to use the entire time. Their price was about 20% lower than anywhere else I've seen, and everywhere else was saying it was going to be 2 to 4 weeks to get this completed. These guys are incredible and you should definitely give them a shout!

  V Volpe
2 months ago
We came to Hands-On Auto by way of word-of-mouth referral and was not disappointed. Tom and John are professional, friendly, and take care of our vehicles with great care and knowledge. They offer 'loaner' vehicles in case they you still need a vehicle while they work on your own.They offer a bumper-to-bumper inspection as part of the service they provide and give you a checklist of items that you may need to get completed in a high-to-low priority.We will be referring our friends and neighbors to Hands-On for their automotive repair needs!

  Ashley Engler
5 months ago
These guys are the best! After calling around to several garages Hands On Auto gave us the best prices for the repairs needed AND was able to get our car in for the work in a timely fashion. Tom kept us up to date with progress, and the work was done quickly. Thank you Tom and the rest of the team! We appreciate your honest, non-nonsense approach to doing business! We'll be back for all of our auto care needs.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Vehicle safety inspection, Auto maintenance

  Keith Wilcox
2 months ago
I have a 1991 Toyota Pickup truck that Tom has maintained for the past 4 years. He has done such a reliable, quality job that can't imagine going anywhere else. And his honesty? Top notch! I also have a 1969 Toyota FJ40 and was willing to spend 30k with Tom to get it restored. Tom told me he could do it just as well as anyone, but that since he knew of a dedicated shop (for FJs) that had scaled the process that I could save some money by going to them instead. What a guy! I'm even on the fence with that. I'm considering having Tom do the work anyway because I'd rather spend a little more with someone I trust!

  Mark Johnson
4 months ago
Took my truck here today for the first time. Can t speak highly enough about these guys. They under promised and over delivered. Kept communication clear, sent pictures of progress throughout the day. Literally a flawless experience. This is now my go to auto shop and the shop I will be recommending to anyone I can in the future.

  trish capozzoli
5 months ago
FINALLY I found a mechanic that doesn t make me feel like they are taking advantage of me. Hands on auto tech gave me a fair price and extremely detailed description of exactly what was wrong with my car. I had taken my 4runner to several other mechanics prior and none of them took the time to figure it out, but they still charged me hundreds of dollars. Hands on auto tech gave me a car to drive while I got my work done, and everything was diagnosed, quoted and finished within 24 hrs. Could not recommend them enoughServices: Tires, Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Vehicle Inspection, Brakes, Auto tire replacement, Vehicle safety inspection, Auto maintenance, Auto brake replacement, Oil change

  Mr. Dude
7 months ago
Tom s always been great to my family s cars. I trust him unequivocally. He s the only one I ve trusted to work on my old truck besides myself. I just dont have time anymore. Wanting to send the classic mustang to him next. I ve even referred many people to them as well which I don t normally do.Even the system they use for their invoicing and quotes is awesome. Picture or video updates to show what they find. Regular communication.As a first responder/PT small business owner myself I love that he has also been one himself, and I love supporting local and small businesses.They are genuinely great folks and truly care about their customers.Services: Auto A/C replacement, Brakes, A/C installation & repair, Oil change

  Joe JT
3 days ago
DO NOT GO HERE! FIND A DIFFERENT PLACE! TRUST ME.~~Update: 12/21/22Tried to pickup the car today, but they said that the $200 power steering flush didn't fix the problem, so now they charged the owner of the car another $300! to replace the pump.Which means that's now TWICE they didn't fix the issue during their initial repair. I think that other reviewer is right...you're paying to train their mechanic, and please don't pay these ppl to diagnose an engine light code for you, just take it to Autozone, Oreiley's, etc. they will hook up their computer, read the codes, and give you a printout for FREE!~~We took in a 2005 Honda Accord, because there was vibration in the front end and steering wheel on acceleration. They took a look and said it was the passenger side CV axle, and transmission bushing. The original axle wasn't bent, the boots weren't damaged, but it had come loose where it attaches to the transmission.We were told that it would need a new bushing, and axle.Cost about $425.Didn't fix anything.When we got the car back, the mechanic said it's about "10% better" lol. After driving it, and realizing it had the same problem I couldn't help but wonder about something....The old CV axle wasn't damaged, and the issue was caused on transmission side where it attaches, it would be pretty easy to tell right away by the amount play from the new axle that it wasn't going to work, so why go ahead and install it anyways and then charge us for a part that wasn't going to work anyways. Why not save the customer about $200, and just replace the bushing, put the old part back on, and tell the customer the truth about the likely outcome of the "repair".Jump ahead a few months, and my roommate decides they want to try Hands-On Auto Tech one more time since they're very close to home even though I recommended against it.The power steering on the Honda Accord locks up in the morning when it's very cold likely because there's 232,000 miles on the odometer. Guess how much they charged to flush and replace fluid?$200I'm not kidding, $135 for labor, and are you ready for this...$60 for "parts", ummmmm I guess they mean fluid (how much PS fluid does it take?).I called a place I like to use for my own vehicles when I'm too lazy to do the work myself called "Brakes Plus" in Firestone.I asked them today (12/20/22) how much to flush and fill the power steering on a 2005 Honda Accord, guess how much?$80$200 vs $80How can you not feel a little ripped off after comparing those numbers?The nail in the coffin on ever using these guys again was when the car owner asked for a quick, general inspection of the suspension components just to make sure there was nothing major about to fail.Guess how much they wanted for the opportunity to make more business for themselves? $150I've taken two different cars to brakes plus in Firestone, and every time there's an issue, or even if there's not, they always come back to me with FREE information about my vehicle's power or drive train based on their analysis from checking on stuff since they're already under there, and it might make them more business. One time I took in a Toyota Highlander for an alignment, but they couldn't do it. So, they provided me a detailed printout of everything that was wrong with the suspension/brakes for guess how much....NOTHING, they look at the car for free, and then tell you exactly what needs to be replaced.The point is...FREE vs $150.The original problem was that on cold mornings the wheel would be hard to turn for a few minutes until everything warmed up then it was completely fine for the rest of the day.If we knew it would cost $500 to replace a still "good enough" pump on an old car we would've just left the thing alone lol.Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Kira V
7 months ago
Had my car towed here when the serpentine belt broke. The belt failure was due to an issue with the AC compressor. I had taken my car to my (former) regular mechanic twice for AC related issues and both times was told there was nothing wrong with it. The mechanic here found the problem within ten minutes.I like that you get a text with a price breakdown of services and parts for your approval. It's easy to use and you know how much your total repair will cost - no surprises.As a young woman, I am wary of walking into male-dominated spaces like many auto shops. I was treated respectfully here. Nobody tried to convince me I need a new cabin filter. Also they have a chameleon.Services: Auto engine diagnostic, Engine repair, Auto A/C replacement, A/C installation & repair

  Rose Chacon
a year ago
Hands down, the best experience with a mechanic ever! Tom & his crew are the nicest, most straight forward & honest team you ll ever be lucky enough to have working on your vehicle. Tom helped me through the entire insurance process and went the extra mile in offering up a loaner vehicle for us to use for over a month!.. @ no additional cost! This isn t the first time I ve gone to this shop and definitely won t be the last. Tom is not about getting one over on his customers.. especially female customers. It s so refreshing knowing people like him still exist in this world! Thank you Tom for all you do, day in and day out.

  Samuel Burkholder
a year ago
Tom worked with my shifting schedule to assist on an electrical issue with my car. He saw me last minute and got my car back on the road with a new battery and starter among other inspections in under two hours from parked to pavement. You get what you pay for and the care and quality shown by the owner is reflected by the other mechanics. I never felt oversold over-promised, and in the end I couldn't be happier with the final product. I will definitely be back in the future to get some other work done!

  Tom
a year ago
I have only had very basic work done here, but my first impressions are that they are honest and trustworthy. I went here because a less reputable shop said my brakes were dangerously thin. This shop said my brakes were fine, pointed out other areas of maintenance concern, but didn't try to 'sell' anything to me.I was expecting this to be a low-tech "Mom & Pop" operation (which it seemed to be from the cat that greeted me at the door) but I was wrong. Any work that needed to be done was sent to me to approve on a website via text. They provided a loaner car while mine was in their shop. Everything was quick, professional, and well communicated.When I need repairs done, I will take my car here again enthusiastically.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Vehicle Inspection, Brakes, Vehicle safety inspection, Auto maintenance

  Morgan Upton
2 months ago
These guys are genuinely good people and good mechanics. I'll recommend them ten times over and I do!

  Nicholas Horvath
a year ago
They were great. Reasonably priced and very quick and communicative. There are further issues that they found which we could address with our car but they explained all the options without hard selling us or pressuring us to do it now. Had me in and out for basic tune-up/oil change/simple repair issue in less than 24 hours. I will use them again.

  Mary Somermeyer
7 months ago
Honest, reliable mechanic. They replaced the front struts on our Prius V and the PVC valve. They are a Longmont small business but worth the drive for us.

  Kristen Davalos
2 years ago
If you re on here reading reviews to try and find a place for your car based off pricing, value, timing, everything, TAKE YOUR CAR HERE! I promise you will not be disappointed. To say this was an exceptional and beyond wonderful experience would truly be an understatement. I had an unexpected flat tire turn in to a couple thousand dollar repair at the first shop that quoted me due to needing the entire left front steering/strut/knuckle component replaced because I guess I hit it just right for all that to crack, and I called numerous shops in Longmont that all had great reviews before landing on Hands On Auto Tech because they quoted me well under a thousand dollars cheaper than what all the other shops were quoting me. I wouldn t have been able to afford it otherwise. They were absolutely amazing, fixing my car two days faster than they originally quoted me, and giving me a complimentary loaner car to use in the meantime. I couldn t say anything better about the experience because it exceeded my expectations by quite a bit. Take your car here, you will not be disappointed. They re honest, reliable, and seem to really care about their customers. I worked with John and he was readily available to answer any of my questions at any time and did an outstanding job ensuring I got the best value. I will be referring anyone I possibly can here and they ve made a customer for life. Thank you so much, Hands On! I truly appreciate everything you did for me.Service: Wheel alignment

  Andy C
4 years ago
Tom, his wife, and team are great folks that absolutely deserve your business.They took me home when I had to leave my car with them. Tom himself picked me up when it was ready. Tom called me as soon as they had looked over the car from top to bottom, told me everything they had found, went into detail on every repair, the cost of each repair, and ranked them in importance. Super honest and straight forward. These guys are the only shop I have ever felt comfortable referring to as "my mechanic". I'd recommend them to anyone I know for car troubles and maintenance.

  Lisa Eaddy
a year ago
Can't say enough good things about this shop. The owner was so quick to respond and gave me the only reasonable quote for changing the struts on my Cherokee. They were able to fit me in right before the holidays. Thank you so so much!Service: Steering & suspension replacementService: Steering & suspension replacement

  Mike Paterson
4 years ago
Hands-On Auto Tech is great! My family was looking at purchasing a used vehicle. We drove 90 minutes to check one out and could only get an inspection the same day. Tom made it work. He was incredible. Made room for the vehicle within 30 minutes of our call. Personally walked me through his inspection. Answered every question I had. The only disappointment for me is that I don't live close enough to have Tom and his crew as "our" mechanic and shop of choice. Definitely recommend.

  Adam Mueller
7 years ago
I have never wrote an online review before, but after my experience with Hands-on Automotive I was so pleased with the service I felt obligated to share my experience.Being new to the area I searched reviews to find a good automotive repair shop. I took my extra vehicle to Hands-on for an alignment prior to having new tires installed. Being my extra vehicle it took me almost 6 months to put about 500 miles on the new tires. At this point, I realized the tires were not wearing correctly and the alignment was bad. I took the truck back to them and Tom (owner) upheld what most of the reviews will tell you... he fixed the problem above and beyond my expectations. Even after 6 months, he re-aligned my vehicle that day, coached me on what steps I could have taken to catch the issue earlier, and offered store credit for the damage to the tires.I have worked with several auto repair shops in the past and truly believe this service is the best of the best. I know this situation would not have worked out the way it did at any other shop. I am excited to say I have found a shop I can trust and will be recommending them all family and friends in the area. Thanks Tom!

  Maurits Thayer
4 years ago
Tom and his crew are just fantastic. I've brought my vehicles here for several years and they always do exceptional work for a fair price. They are very honest and wholesome people who do exceptional work and stand behind their work. I can't say enough good things about them really. They are just a rare gem in this world.

  Claudia Wiemer
2 years ago
Tom was so amazingly friendly and helpful, after I got stranded on the highway with my Honda Odyssey. Tom responded to my emails on a Sunday and got to my car right away first thing Monday morning. He emailed me photos of the damage and explained my repair options in detail to me, and even gave me a ride to and from my hotel. Wonderful service, highly recommended!

  Darren Richards
10 years ago
I've always done all of my own car repairs for the past 25 years, so it was hard for me to trust my vehicle to someone else. They were able to get my Grand Cherokee in and replace the radiator (no small feat with the hydraulic fan and tight fit) and flush my transmission and have it ready for me that same day. Prices were very reasonable. Tom was also very patient and helpful with all my questions. I'm a weekend mechanic with just enough knowledge to be dangerous, and he answered all my questions and even gave suggestions on repairs I could make myself. I'll definitely be coming back and recommending Hands-On to my friends and neighbors.

  Mike Peters
6 years ago
The quality of the work is excellent. Tom is an honest guy and a great mechanic. This is a mechanic you can trust. They have worked on all of my cars, from Hyundai to Jeeps to a Subaru. You will be glad you found Hands-On!I just want to add again, that Tom is a great guy. Totally trustworthy with your vehicle. He goes above and beyond. He treats customers like friends.

  Miguel Parra
5 years ago
Tom took great care of me after I had a bad experience with one of their competitors. He quickly pointed out he didn't agree with their diagnosis of my truck, and told me what to look for. He also cleaned off my engine, a sensor and tightened one of my hoses, all for free.They know what they are doing here, and I'm glad I came to them. Also, they found a problem with my distributor cap and rotor. They quoted me at a fair price for replacing it, and I'm happy to say I'll be back.

  Danielle Kraycik
4 years ago
I had a great experience with Hands On Auto Tech and will definitely be back next time my car needs maintenance! The water pump in my car broke, and Hands On was able to fix my car in just a few hours, even with it being extremely busy. The employees and owner were extremely friendly and made me feel welcomed the entire time. They even took the time to show me how to check fluid levels in my car (I know almost nothing about cars!). They were honest with me about the work that needed done, and I didn't feel that they tried to upsell me on anything I didn't need. I would highly recommend them to anyone who needs work done on their car.

  Ray Williams
a year ago
UPDATE: I can no longer recommend Hands-On Auto Tech. Things have changed. It happens. I took a vehicle in with a specific set of things I wanted checked and quote of fixing. John steered me to a general diagnostic of about $160. Just to tell me what I just told them. Waste of money.Tech is green, still learning. He recommended fixing a light that is not even a light. Took things apart before even figuring that out. But missed actual driving light that did need replaced.I came in with check engine light and that was one of main things on my list I handed them. The general diagnostic did not cover this! Waste of money. Hands-On wanted $200 per code just diagnose. I had 2 codes, so $400. I Ok'd it cause I was told "many times the fix is in the diagnosis". Not for me. $400 for nothing. Not even, hey here is the part number that vehicle needs to fix issue. Waste of money.It looks like customers are paying to train a new tech.I must say the oil change was right on price for market these days. Not Hands-on fault oil changes just cost a lot now a days.OLD Years ago review: Tom and Laura are great. Tom does great work and informs you. Both go above and beyond for service. I have tried a lot of mechanics all fall short of good. But Hands On is GREAT. I have found a mechanic I will stick with cause they have earned it!Services: General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Oil change

  Aleks Barrera
2 years ago
This is probably the best shop in the northern Colorado area that i've personally been to or heard of. These guys are very knowledgeable and friendly, as well as up front with you. I'm really pleased with the work they did with my brakes and they did it at a pretty good price. I will definitely be coming back here!Service: BrakesService: Brakes

  Steven Nasada
a year ago
I had a great experience with this shop.My car needed a new engine and they worked really hard to find the right replacement and make it work. I really appreciated their professionalism and would definitely come back for future issues.

  Sherry Ann Avila
5 years ago
I meant Tom through a recommendation of a friend My husband took care of everything that dealt with our cars. t I am now a widower .I can say the guys at Hands-On Auto are honest , they take the time to explain things so I understand, there is no pressure they make the recommendations you make the choice. Charlie in the front office set up the appointment Tom the owner actually works Hands-On as a mechanic along with his wife and their family I didn't just gained a mechanic I gained a few friends too !!!