Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Reviews
Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.
GinnieLou OrganizerBitch Padden
a month ago
When we moved to Des Moines several years ago, we asked our neighbors if they knew a good mechanic. They referred us to Higgins Auto (where they'd been taking their cars for decades), and we've been taking our vehicles there ever since. Top notch service with exceptional customer care. Employees are so dedicated that they bought the business when the owners retired. This is the solid choice for routine and long-term auto maintenance. In the Des Moines area.
Evan Jorgenson
2 months ago
Knowledgeable, trustworthy, and fast service. The staff does amazing work for a fair price. I've taken my cars in to be checked and/or serviced numerous times and I've never been disappointed.
James R
4 months ago
My wife apparently had a battery issue with her car and had it towed here. It took them 3 days to replace the battery, to which they stated they only use AGM batteries in these vehicles, which is not true. They also stated they were not comfortable with her driving on these paper thin, almost metal to metal brake pads, which from the pictures you can see is also not true. They insisted she get them replaced along with the rotors, which they stated are replaced with the pads front and rear, which is also not true. I have no doubt they have done good work based on the reviews, but did you ever ask if the work actually needed to be done? They are liars and will rip you off. If you have a friend, mother, wife, daughter, or Army veteran (such as my wife), they need to ask questions and get a second opinion! Do NOT go here! Not even close to the tab that says they need replaced, and these were the front brakes. The rotors were fine and true, and the back brakes were in even better condition. This place is dishonest!
Anando Sacic
2 months ago
Arnes was great!! Gave me a great deal on a new set of tires & brakes! Definitely will be back for all my regular maintenance needs
Anthony Fenner
6 months ago
I've been taking my vehicles to Higgins for 21 years now. From my first car to now my business fleet. The old owners and new, always treat me great. Kind, honest, affordable and fast. Couldn't ask for better customer service or work. Life long customer here. Thanks!
Ty Mann
6 months ago
I have had a couple of times over the years where I have caught mechanics from dealerships in a lie about what was wrong with my vehicle. The dealership will claim I need repairs that will often times be well over a thousand dollars. I then have taken the vehicle to Higgins and they will let me know that the vehicle doesn't need the repair that the dealership claimed. They will fix the problem for literally 1/5 of the cost and the vehicle will run great and the problem never returns. I have sent many friends to Higgins over the last 10 years. Everyone always comes back letting me know they had a great experience.
Matt Shasta
4 months ago
*updated again. Blower motor installed by Higgins has died. Luckily I've found a new shop who will warranty their work for 2 years.*updated based on another reviewers attempt to dismiss my review as me not paying attention. It's kind of hard to imagine the motivation to gaslight someone over a review. Let me be blunt. When I complained the receptionist acknowledged the problem and encouraged me to complain. Your positive experiences are relevant. Post them. But don't try to take away from other's experiences when you have no knowledge of the situation. Makes the reader question your relationship with the businessI am so disappointed right now. I started using Higgins not too long ago on the advice of a friend. They seemed competent and trustworthy. Then today they tried to "slip in" a charge for $83.12 to replace a cabin air filter because it was "standard practice when replacing the blower motor". Even if the tech thought a dirty cabin filter contributed to the blower motor failure, I would not have authorized them to replace it, although he insists he mentioned this in our phone call (we'll agree to disagree). It takes maybe 2 minutes to replace this particular filter, and I'm not going to pay someone $60 for 2 minutes of work. This is the kind of nonsense I expect a dealer to try and pull, not a local "mom and pop" auto repair shop. It's so silly to lose my business this way. In the last 6 months, I've given them 3 repair jobs for over $3500. And they just lost my business over a $15 cabin air filter. The friend who recommended them to me isn't really a "car person", so she's probably getting a new $80 cabin air filter every time she brings her car in.
Amy Meyer
4 months ago
Very pleased with the service on my high mileage car. Nice people. Reasonable cost.
Max
6 months ago
A big thanks to Steph, Nick and Higgins Auto. We are in from out of town and have a tough situation with the passing of a loved one and then having their SUV suddenly have all the oil vanish and a bad engine. They came through with a valuable, honest diagnosis and great advice on how to handle this situation. We highly recommend them as we have learned so many others do in the Des Moines area.
Greg Smith
a year ago
I've used Higgins several times since I moved to Urbandale and I'm very pleased with the work completed. They're busy for a reason. They only do the work that needs to be done and don't overcharge for it. Most recently, I really didn't want to replace my exhaust and was very happy they could just repair instead of replace. If you're looking for a mechanic in Urbandale, I would definitely recommend them.Edit to my review. Plan to drop your car off for the day and confirm it's ready prior to pickup before going to pick it up. I see some complaints about this in the reviews. If you need fast, immediate service, you really should confirm availability anywhere you take your car before just assuming they can get you in right away. Regardless, I always leave my car and get it when they're done, and it works great for me.I also saw a review about sneaking in a charge to replace a cabin air filter, stating it was not disclosed on the phone even though they claimed it was. I wasn't on that call, but I can say that they've always called me to let me know what needs to be done with a price and confirmed I want to proceed prior to doing the work. My instinct is that the customer wasn't paying attention when Higgins called, but I can't be sure.
Bonny Williams
10 months ago
I've been taking my cars there for years and never have any issues. Todd Smith, who is co-owner, is completely trustworthy, and I advise all my family and friends to use them!!
David Fritz
a week ago
Fast, friendly, affordable, and they do great work.
Marion Ajiri
a year ago
Wonderful experience at Higgins plaza service. The work was excellent and timely. The prices reasonable. The mechanic even fixed my radio codes without me asking. Above and beyond. Thank you for doing such a great job fixing my car.
Terry W
5 days ago
Love this place. Excellent customer service
Korey Wilson
9 months ago
Higgins Auto Plaza is easily the best mechanic shop I have ever worked with. Extremely honest, professional, and an amazing staff. Rick is extremely helpful every visit, day in and day out - I have great respect for him and the team at Higgins. I grew up in a small town, and have been looking for that same level of small-town honesty and trust.I was looking for the most trustworthy auto shop in the Des Moines area, and I will say that Higgins Auto Plaza met this and surpassed all expectations. They go above and beyond every visit. Thank you to the entire team at Higgins Auto Plaza. I highly recommend them!
Austen Swearinger
7 months ago
Been going there for years. They're always helpful and honest. I'd stand in front of one of their brake jobs.
Desi Slayer
2 years ago
I highly recommend this mom & pop one stop shop. Reliable, trustworthy, honest this is it, talk to Nick or his team.Started driving from Cali and the maintenance light came on 500+ miles ago and needed an oil change ASAP. I called a few places and no same day was available and was told to make an appointment for 2 days later. I need it done today.I called in and was told the same ... a few hours later qith great news.. GET HERE BY 5pm well squeeze you in.. got my car back in a timely manner.
Cari Jacobsen
a year ago
Excellent, from the lady at the desk to work completed, and the calls to update during service. Much happier here than with the dealership who makes me go thru a number system to possibly get the right department! Streamlined and simple.
Dennis Haugland
7 months ago
Very prompt service, fixed the vehicle sooner than I expected. Definitely recommend Higgins and will use them in the future
Robert Giles
a year ago
Went in for brakes and also asked them to check the tires. They discovered dry rot which made senseat 6 yrs old!! With a trip to Florida ahead of me that could have been a disaster. I'm very impressed by these folks.Services: Tires, Auto brake repair, BrakesServices: Tires, Auto brake repair, Brakes
taylor nordgren
3 years ago
The most trustworthy auto shop I have gone to. I have taken all four cars I have ever owned there and they do a great job. One of the mechanics (maybe he's a owner too) there named Rick always does his best to explain to me what exactly is wrong and seems to go out of his way to not charge me for service. Last time I went in was for a used car that I had just purchased, and I was ready to pay for new tires, new break pads, and transmission fluid, because I new these things would need done eventually. He looked my car over for an hour, walked me through everything noteworthy about the vehicle, and in the end advised me not to have anything done to the car yet. He said he "could not in good conscious" do any work on the car yet because those things could wait and that I should drive it around for a few more months to make sure no more serious issues pop-up since it is a used car and you never know. Didn't charge me a dime.
kay joines
11 months ago
Very smart mechanic on duty here. Clean and honest
Becky Lievens
2 years ago
I highly recommend Higgins. They are honest, friendly, and responsibly priced. We have several different vehicles worked on for several different reasons. Each time, they finished in a timely manner, explained clearly what work was done, and the work was done well.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Oil changeServices: General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Oil change
Laci Powell
4 years ago
Higgins Auto Plaza has been nothing, but good to me. Todd has been working on my car for a while and always goes above and beyond to get my car in and fixed right away. He is very honest and up front with me when it comes to what needs to be fixed. Prices are reasonable, and very fair. I would recommend Higgins to anyone needing vehicle work done. Again, Todd is an amazing mechanic!
David Grosland
a year ago
Competent, concerned, considerate, and thorough. I have dealt with Higgins for over 40 years because of my confidence in the level of their performance and reliability.
Jessi Jones
5 years ago
I asked around the neighborhood before taking my car anywhere. I was not only recommended to check out Higgins by my neighbors, the competition also suggested I go here when a competing shop couldn t help me.They put way more time into my car then they billed me for and refused to take the extra money I tried to get them. I will definitely be giving them my business in the future. Knowledgeable and fair priced. Very low key atmosphere.
Neal DeSomber
3 years ago
Couldn't have been happier with my experience! I had my 2007 Silverado towed there as the tire was completely pulled off and behind the rim. The next day the mechanic informed me he personally went out and picked up a tire that would fit it as deliveries were slow that day. After pulling off the rim and tire and getting it cleaned up they were able to determine that the tire was still in good shape and could simply be rebalanced! I wasn't charged a thing for the tire! As honest as mechanics come! Will definitely be recommending to friends and family.Service: Tires
Mary Wright
6 months ago
Stephanie at the front desk is awesome! All the mechanics are great!
Brendan Taylor
4 years ago
I drove into town during a massive winter snowstorm on a Friday afternoon only to find a hose had broken during my trip from Minneapolis.My uncle drove me up to this shop and directed me to Kieth Riden there at Higgins Auto. He was super helpful.Within just a couple hours he called to say he was able to patch me up enough to get back home. Seeing as they closed (for the weekend) at 7pm and I brought the car in at 3pm - I was beyond grateful.I definitely recommend this mechanic!
Aaron Friess
4 years ago
Had nothing but great experiences with Rick and this shop. No high-pressure tactics to sell unneeded repairs, just high-quality, prompt service at a reasonable price. They communicate promptly so you're not surprised by a repair or its cost. I can't recommend them highly enough, and won't take vehicles anywhere else.