AST Mechanics

Reviews

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

  Mark Auvil
a year ago
I ve been meaning to write this review since I pulled out of there in December. I decided to move cross country in my 2003 Hyundai Sonata. She wasn t as enthusiastic about the move as I was and I broke down on Vail Pass in the middle of a blizzard. I limped into Vail and stopped at the Shell station that was familiar from my years living in the high country. Tomas and his guys went through everything finding the multiple problems that had put a pause on my journey. I can say, without any hyperbole, that it was the single best experience I ve ever had with a mechanic. I cannot recommend them enough.Services: Electrical repair, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Engine repair, Auto maintenance

  Fred Goldberg
a year ago
Had the ABS warning light come on and a noise from front wheel. I showed up early Monday morning and had my vehicle repaired and back by 3 that afternoon. Tomas is awesome really helped me out of of jam. I ve used Tomas for over 14 years with fabulous results.Service: Brake service & repairService: Brake service & repair

  Collin Ricker
7 months ago
Completely changed our weekend. We had massive brake failure on the way into Vail and needed fresh brakes to get to Aspen. Tomas and his crew fully found and replaced brakes in less than an hour. Price was very competitive, service was immaculate, and I wish I lived in Vail so I could continue using AST over my normal Denver shop. 10/10!

  Justin Jaschke
a year ago
Brakes had begun shaking badly on the trip up to Vail and I was nervous about driving back. I called AST and talked to Tomas who was most knowledgeable and able to explain the likely issue. He was able to get me in that same day to replace the front rotors and brake pads and had me ready to go by end of day. The cost was very reasonable, less than I would have been charged by the dealer in Denver. He even gave me tips for downshifting on long downhills to preserve the brakes and followed up with me to make sure everything was ok. Can t say enough about the service I received. Thanks Tomas. Service: Brake service & repair

  Donnie Akins
a year ago
The steering wheel on our Yukon started shaking while braking on our trip to Vail. I brought the vehicle to AST on the morning prior to our departure and Tomas was able to diagnose and fix the problem by lunch. He replaced the warped front rotors and he inspected the brake pads, but didn't replace those since they were still in good condition. The cost was very reasonable and he recommended downshifting into lower gear when heading back down from the mountains. I appreciate his help getting me and my family home safely and would definitely recommend AST for a reliable, honest mechanic.Service: Brake service & repair

  Seth Gulley
8 months ago
This shop and team is one of the best around. My family and I were traveling back from Moab and happened to stop in Vail for lunch had an emergency brake situation come to fruition. I called this shop and they got me in immediately and completed the job and at a very reasonable price! No extra fees for emergencies. Will go back anytime I'm in Vail and need some work.Services: Air & cabin filter replacement, Brake service & repair

  Daniel McManus
7 months ago
BE AWARE that every part they sell to you is marked up a MINIMUM of 50%.Please continue reading this review so you are better informed if you still choose to use this auto shop. UNBELIEVABLE how blatant the scamming is if you have the sense to QAQC the work that they claim to have done and the parts that they use.For context (since their prices are not listed anywhere), I was charged $516.05 (before tax) for the following services:1. Oil change & oil filter change = $189.55 (high)2. Engine air filter change = $115.04 (insane)3. Diesel fuel filter change = $186.33 (insane)4. Shop Supplies = $20.135. Hazardous Materials = $5.00You absolutely must check that all services reported as completed on the invoice have actually been done. Ask for condition of the fluids, hoses, brakes. Ask for what they saw. They claim to have "checked all fluids..." and I immediately found that my washer fluid was not filled (image attached). How can a customer trust that anything else had actually been done when the easiest task on the invoice had blatantly not been completed?I did not ask at any point for them to purchase and replace my engine air filter. Upon picking up the vehicle, I discovered that they had performed this service, charged me $115.04 ($64.34 in parts and $50.70 in labor TO CHANGE AN AIR FILTER), and did not receive prior approval to do either of these things. Again, this part was marked up 50% for the exact part number from CarQuest listed on the invoice (this is the case for every single part replaced, one marked up 52%). Thomas claims "you would have complained if I didn't do this service". Absolutely not. This is a 10-minute job I have done myself multiple times which is specifically why I did not request this be done.They claimed they "checked differential and transfer case fluid" although we could not find, and they could not show me, a single tool mark on any bolt or plug that is REQUIRED to be removed to check these fluids. I stood there with them while they looked under my vehicle and they could not prove to me that these services were performed. These bolts and plugs have not been touched in thousands of miles. They are covered in road dust. Any socket or hex wrench that would have touched these plugs would have removed some dust or scratched the surface of the bolts/plugs. If you have ever used a screw driver, you have seen the marks it makes on a screw. Same concept here.Thomas will trust the words of his mechanics that services have been completed even when I showed him direct proof that they were not & could not have been done.I could not have been more calm or level headed when reviewing these things with Thomas on the invoice or looking over the vehicle in person.Thomas immediately resorted to attacking my character when we started to uncover these things. I was called a "whiner" a "complainer" and a "young person that doesn't understand how the world works" because I uncovered these things directly to him. Anybody who knows how to read & has 20 minutes to spare to check somebody's work will quickly understand how Thomas's world works (grossly overcharging for parts and scamming on services). But he's the professional mechanic so he deserves to do this?He does not care to retain the business of customers when they find faults in his services (and straight up fraud) and does not believe that customers should check his work and that we should "trust it because he is the professional mechanic", in his words. Apparently I know nothing about the world because I do not work on cars everyday.Super unfortunate experience as his mechanics seemed knowledgeable when asking them questions off the cuff about how certain mechanical components work. The mechanics were quick to agree that their prices are insanely high, so much so that the mechanics called Thomas the night of the service and tried to get some of the prices changed and was told that he is not allowed to change prices.Services: Air & cabin filter replacement, General repairs & maintenance, Vehicle Inspection, Oil change

  jmv 15
5 months ago
Fixed my brakes fast and even gave this flatlander a lesson on mountain driving! Great friendly service! The even followed up to make sure everything was OK. Highly recommend.

  Scott smith
a year ago
These guys are the best. Second time I ve used this shop. Tomas and his crew are friendly, smart, professional and empathetic. Got my car in the same day and other shops were telling me 5-10 days.Quickly trouble shot the issue got a part ordered and installed the same day. Done by 3:30, amazing! Fantastic service and the issue was resolved.By far the best service I have ever received from a mechanic. They even texted me pictures of my brakes as they rebuilt them. Second time these guys have saved me and fixed my Subaru.Thanks Tomas.Services: Electrical, Brakes, Brake service & repair, Battery

  Lynn Smith
2 years ago
Tomas saved our vacation! Driving from Wisconsin to Utah, our front brakes began to squeek and grind as we left Dillon, Colorado. We decided to have them checked and found A.S.T. Mechanics. Tomas already had cars scheduled for the day but told us he would work us in so we wouldn't be driving with questionable brakes for 3 weeks. Tomas advised the pads were pretty worn down but still had some life left. We decided since we were on our way to the parks in Utah to go ahead and replace the breaks. We are so glad we did! Tomas worked us in and we were back on the road by late afternoon and our brakes worked great the rest of the trip (driving through many switchbacks!). Thanks Tomas for the great service! We would highly recommend!! Lynn and Janet SmithServices: Brakes, Brake service & repair

  Paul Gilson
2 years ago
Outstanding mechanics. Repaired a broken water pump on my beat up Saturn. When that didn t 100% fix the issue, they kept digging until they found a reinforcement plate that needed replacing. Tomas could have charged me a lot more labor than he did, but kept the price manageable for me. Even topped off my oil when they were slammed and followed up after to make sure my car was running smoothly. Top notch service!

  Robbie Maciel
2 months ago
Very quick and professional. Even followed up a couple of days later to make sure the car was still doing okay!

  Andrea Shomo
a year ago
Tomas was fantastic. I was traveling from Denver to Moab via i70 and ran into a snow and then rain storm. My left driver side windshield flew off during the storm and I could not see. Trucks were spraying me with dirty water and made things worse. I pull over to the first mechanic I found. I told Tomas I was currently traveling and needed a new windshield wiper ASAP. He stopped what he was doing, ordered one from a sister shop, had it delivered, installed it, and topped off my windshield wiper fluid all within 30 mins. Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Meredith Turk
3 years ago
I drove from Denver to Vail last weekend and my 2004 Subaru overheated just after Vail pass on a Sunday. I got it towed to AST and wasn't sure if I could get help. Literally at 8:30 am on Monday when they opened Tomas called me and was so kind. He got me a new radiator within hours and I was able to make it home safely. Then he texted to make sure I made it home. What a great place and great guy, Tomas. I highly recommend.

  Michael Young
2 years ago
Tomas and his mechanics were very professional, efficient and competent. My brake disc rotors overheated and became warped after coming down into Silverthorne and then Vail Pass. They replaced them within 24 hours despite being very busy with other repairs. My truck is back to running and braking like a champ! Tomas answered all my questions and provided me with valuable information on how to avoid overheating the brakes in the future. Well done A.S.T. Mechanics!Service: Brakes

  Chase Odle
3 years ago
I had a great experience at AST Mechanics. We were having some fuel pump issues on a cross country road trip and we called AST to see if they could get us in that day. They saw us in an hour and started working on our van and running a diagnostic right away. They explained the issue thoroughly and made some suggestions on how to Make the fuel pump run better until we got to our destination. The staff and owner were very friendly and down to earth. They even texted us the next day to make sure everything went okay and how the van was running. Would 100% recommend this business!Services: General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic

  Kari Annen
2 years ago
On our way to Glenwood Springs my windshield wipers decided to get moody and stop functioning. We stopped in Vail and by chance (or not) we found A.S.T. Mechanics and I m so thankful we did. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Tomas for his time and willingness to solve the issue no matter how challenging. He went above and beyond and I greatly appreciate it. He even gave my daughter a few pointers on car maintenance. Who takes the time to do that anymore?! Tomas you are a rare gem!!Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Patrick Elliott
3 years ago
Thomas took great care of me. I showed up with a broken front drive shaft on my Jeep Wrangler. Thomas looked at it right away then had a custom drive shaft built in Denver and overnighted. He didn t charge me on shipping and installed the new front drive shaft the next day. His team checked the transfer case fluid and had me back on the road quick. 10/10 - no BS from these guys and quick legit work done for me.Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Dana Good
3 years ago
I can't say enough good things about AST and specifically Tomas (spelling?). We were stranded without a place to stay and in a vehicle that wouldn't run. AST towed us to their shop in West Vail and in a matter of 1-2 hours had us back up and running - so we could drive to our home in Denver. Tomas was like an angel who worked a miracle and the whole experience was affordable as well. THANK YOU!!!Service: Auto engine diagnostic

  David Oxford
2 years ago
On my family vacation we found out my daughter s car needed new brakes the day before she had to leave. Tomas put them on the next morning and got her out in time. Also fixed the skid plate under the engine which had dropped and dragged. Tomas was recommended to me and I also recommend him. A good mechanicService: BrakesService: Brakes

  Ellie Manzi
4 years ago
I was having problems starting my Jeep Grand Cherokee and visited 3 different mechanics, who could not find anything wrong, despite my clearly explaining this issue was ongoing. Tomas, at A.S.T. Mechanics, in West Vail, was the fourth mechanic to have a look. He found the problem to be faulty connections with the car's battery. I did not have to wait long to have this problem repaired and Tomas was courteous, showed excellent mechanical expertise and was reasonably priced, as well.I highly recommend Tomas, the mechanic located at Vail's Shell Station for very good service and a congenial manner, as well. My sincere thanks, Tomas!

  Richard
3 years ago
We happened to need an emergency wheel bearing repair the day we pulled into the West Vail gas station where AST happens to have their mechanic shop, and these guys worked extremely hard to fit us into their busy schedule to get us back on the road and onto our vacation.When we arrived at the station just to fill up with gas, another customer told us he saw heavy smoke and a burning smell coming from the trailer wheels. Upon inspection, the left side wheel bearings were shot and one of the wheel brakes was completely destroyed (we were lucky we didn't lose that tire coming down the pass!). Even though Tomas and his crew were already buried with work, they created a safe space for us to put the trailer, and diagnosed the issue as one they could fix that day if they could receive the proper parts from a Vail distributor. Fortunately, the parts shop had the proper bearings and AST was able to get us back on the road later that day.If not for their efforts, we would have needed a tow to get the trailer back to Denver for repairs, and our vacation would have been ruined.AST went way above and beyond to fit us in and get us repaired.We love these guys!!

  Tamara Nelke
3 years ago
I was heading to Grand Junction from Denver when my van broke down on I-70. Some how my girlfriend saw me when she was driving East bound on I 70.Together we were able to get the van to A.S.T Mechanics. Tomas went above and beyond to squeeze me into his day! The garage was very busy yet he took the to help me out, and send me on my way. I highly recommend this facility. The pricing was reasonable and Tomas was exceptional!Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Keith Binkley
2 years ago
Tomas and his crew helped me out in replacing my alternator quickly on a snowy day. He found the part and delivered my vehicle on time as promised. I would definitely use them again!

  alan gore
2 years ago
Friday Memorial Day weekend we are 10 miles out of Vail @ 4:00pm hit a bump and had to pull over. From the sound my wife and I both knew something was not good! We both thought great holiday weekend we are going to be on the side of the road for 3 hours!!Not the case, these guy's had a tow truck in 10 minutes yes I repeat 10 minutes my wife and were blown away. They got it to the shop mind you it is now 4:30pm Friday Memorial day weekend they put it up on the rack and come to find out we snapped a strut in half. Now of course they can't get the parts until Tuesday so we had no choice, To make a long story short these guys were amazing, respectful knowing we are stressed , broke down have to go get a rental and then come back in the middle of the week. I live two hours away. They kept the car inside over the weekend showed up Wednesday morning and the car runs much better on new struts!! Steve and the crew were funny told some jokes.The moral of the story is if you break down outside of Vail call these guys you will be in good hands and Thomas thank you again you were great.Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Carol Lynn
2 years ago
Great service and staff. Tomas and his staff went out of their way to find the materials and tools needed to complete my needed repair even though it was unexpected. Their attention to detail made the rest of my trip successful. I'm glad I found Tomas and his team at AST Mechanics.Services: Auto glass repair, General repairs & maintenanceServices: Auto glass repair, General repairs & maintenance

  karin Powdermaker
2 years ago
I brought my car in to AST for brake issues. Thomas was wonderful in not only fixing the brake issues in a very timely manner, but also gave me great tips on driving through the mountains and saving my brakes. Was a great experience at AST!Service: BrakesService: Brakes

  Chad
7 years ago
My wife got stranded in Vail and was towed to this mechanic shop by our insurance company. The towing company was fantastic and Tomas Sierant at the shop told my wife he could look at her car within the hour. After waiting for 2 hours with no call she walked back to find that they had only popped the hood for a few minutes to take a look. After being charged $40 for little to no diagnosis, we were told the fix would be between $600-$2000. Needless to say we towed the car back home after Tomas threatened to fine us if we didn't take the car by the end of the day (this was at 3:00pm). I can't say I would recommend this shop even in a bind.

  InCo Ventures
3 years ago
Our car was brought to this location by tow truck Over the weekend and they weren t open. We had to leave the vehicle there overnight and find a way to Grand Junction. They called the next morning with the diagnosis cost for a problem we had identified and a inflated price for the repair.Not being able to pay 2-3x what other shops in Colorado charge for the same repair, they suggested that we could remove the vehicle ourselves.Colorado fires covering I-70 restricted us from getting to the car for two days.We asked and offered to pay for a service to relocate the vehicle but they had no solutions or ideas to facilitate this. Not being from Colorado or Vail, I was insure how or where to relocate it. Vail police were very helpful.I am informed that they typically charge $35 dollars a day to park and did not charge me for that service.Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Marissa Kovac
5 years ago
I always go to AST Mechanics to get anything done to my car. They have ordered and changes tires for me, changed my oil, and ordered and fixed various parts for my car. The guys there are really friendly and I never have to wait long for their help. They definitely take the extra time to make sure everything is squared away. I would recommend seeing them for anyone in the vail valley or anyone just stopping through