Allen Automotive

Reviews

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

  Damian Kostiuk
2 months ago
The team does very good work, and are reasonable to work within your budget. They will always offer a solution that will make your car highly dependable, and will adjust quotes with discussion of your needs. Can't say enough good - you can trust these guys.

  Gian-Paul Vidal
3 months ago
Our check checking system light came on while we were on 495. We still had an hour of driving, so we pulled into Silver Spring. Fortunately we were able to find this place. It was a little before 5pm, but they quickly accepted us and replaced our alternator. We were back on the road in less than an hour. Very friendly staff and quick service.

  Jennifer Jantos
a month ago
Unfortunately I was a loyal customer for years until June of 2023. After getting the car serviced, I noticed the steering wheel was pulling a bit and was reassured this was normal after a suspension service.. My car was realigned at no charge, which I appreciated, but the steering wheel continued to pull in a progressive manner and I brought the car to another mechanic, 9 months later, who informed me some bolt hadn t been screwed tightly enough and was literally almost dislodged. I m upset and will get details tmrw but I could have gotten into an accident on the beltway.

  Mia Minguela
9 months ago
Amazing group of people here at Allen s. Amazing customer service from Henry and extremely knowledgeable technicians who were willing to explain the issues with my Wrangler and how to maintain it. I learned the hard way not to trust the large service chains that pride themselves on changing your oil quickly, instead, I will be coming to Allen s for oil changes and any concerns for my Jeep. Thank you guys so much.

  Jasper Laquan
a year ago
Allen Automotive was a answer to my prayers especially since NO ONE else could help me out. I have a 92 ford Bronco that had been sitting for about 6 years and even after I installed a new engine in it myself - it would not start and no other mechanic could tell me why. It was clear the problem was electrical but it wasn't until after my truck sat at the local ford dealership for months and after going to a few other local mechanic shops that I came to Allen Automotive, who got to work on my truck right away! They literally had it starting on the first day I dropped it off and had the work completely finished within a couple of days.... I will say, they are NOT cheap. However considering the hours of work and scope of work that my vehicle needed, I'd say it was fair and thanks to them I finally have my Bronco ready for the road.Gary was extremely skilled and knowledgeable and was willing to take the time to show me everything my truck needed as well as help me find parts to do easier work myself. The other staff were friendly and respectful. They are a trustworthy business and I sincerely hope they are able to continue to provide service to the community here for a long time to come. Especially since other local shops around here sucked.

  Nathan Moore
10 months ago
Great service and reasonable estimates. Kind people who pick up the phone when you call and don t take short cuts. Taken my 2000s Mazda there many times and been happy with the service each time.

  Joseph Malandruccolo IV
a year ago
I tried to do my own oil changed and messed up badly. I brought my car in about two hours before closing and was told it would be ready in the morning. Then I received a call just before closing and the shop said the car was all good and ready to go! I couldn't believe it! They really saved me. The estimate was sent to me within minutes of leaving. The staff was friendly and considerate. I will definitely be visiting them again.Services: Transmission repair, Auto maintenance, Oil change

  Kaspian
4 months ago
I was a loyal customer for years but the service has been on the decline for a while and more than once I've been spoken to in a very patronizing manner. They're now at the bottom of my list for mechanic recommendations (I wouldn't recommend this place to single women).

  jones wiley
a year ago
Gonna try and keep this short and sweet. Henry is a great guy, and the service techs I m sure do awesome work 99.9% of the time. However this something I can t and won t let go.I picked my vehicle up and immediately noticed something was off, but brushed it off until the next day, since I figured maybe it was an installation error and something that could be fixed with another appointment. Only to wake up the next morning, inspect the car, and realize that the service tech forgot to properly secure my wheel. The wheel was literally being secured by a single lug nut, since the rest had fallen off from driving up the street.I understand that mistakes happen. But basic things like properly securing a (can t even say the word since the review might get removed) ducking wheel should be common sense from a safety standpoint.Now I m not going to say don t come here. Again, I m sure they do fantastic work the majority of the time. But this is the first, and last time I ll ever be visiting this shop.Service: Steering & suspension repair

  L Newman
3 years ago
The team at Allen Automotive has always been top notch technically and somehow also manages to be competitive on pricing as well. Having spent many years in the industry, I recognize quality work and good management when I see it. These folks deliver a quality product/service and a great customer experience at a very fair price. In this market where impersonal franchised chain shops are the norm, Allen Automotive stands out as the go-to resource. A truly great small business.

  Eire Plumbing
5 years ago
These guys are Great! They do a great job and stand behind their work.Most importantly they know what they are doing! I have dealt with bad shops in the past.They have also squeezed me in on several occasions the same day I called. When my truck is down I can't make money and it hurts. They understand and have always got me in and out. They have won my business no question.I would recommend Allen Automotive to anyone without hesitation.

  Raphael P. Mirasol
4 years ago
The team at Allen Automotive is great! My car is older and rusty, which usually means lots of things go wrong while working on it. They managed to minimize the cost and get my car road worthy again in just a couple of days. I highly recommend this shop and will be coming back!

  Neil Razdan
3 years ago
They are courtious, friendly, economical, and very good at what they do. Took my Jeep, first to the dealer who handed me invoice of almost $10,000. Cancelled that and took it to Allan. They did same work in half the price and in five less days. They got my future business.

  David K. Popiel
7 years ago
Over a year ago, I had an experienced tow truck driver talk me through the pros & cons of many of the local auto shops. He gave positive reviews of Allen Automotive (one of the only positive reviews for the area since he said that most of the honest mechanics had been forced out of DC and the nearby surrounding suburbs). I've subsequently been a loyal customer with Allen Automotive for my BMW and have been impressed with their honesty, transparency and rapid service turn-around. I'm lucky to have found them.

  arthur wilde
2 years ago
I took my vehicle into Allen s for them to remove a lug nut that was stuck and required special drilling. I asked for a general quote over the phone but according to them I had to bring the vehicle in for them to give me an estimate.Long story short I ended up leaving the vehicle there for A little less than 24 hours. In this time I received no quote (which was my Initial reason for coming there in the first place). Yet a technician had already PERFORMED WORK ON MY VEHICLE WITHOUT MY AUTHORIZATION.I quoted two other mechanics prior to coming into Allen s and decided I no longer wanted Allen s Automotive to service my vehicle.So they reversed The work that they had already done WITHOUT MY AUTHORIZATION. And charged me a $200 storage fee for having my vehicle there for less than 24 hours.I understand everyone has to make a living and business may not be what it used to be given the devastating effects of COVID but I was dissatisfied with my experience herke.

  Cora Skylar
8 years ago
It's rare that I like a business enough to give it a review, but this place has played car doctor for my and my daughter's cars too many times to not commend them. They are professional, their prices are extremely reasonable for the quality work you're receiving, and Henry, the owner, never fails to thoroughly explain the problem and exactly how the mechanics are going to go about fixing it. If you don't have a day to waste waiting for your car, they'll happily drop you off at the metro station and pick you back up if you have no other means of transportation. Professional, friendly, and affordable. Highly recommend this business.

  Capt Ingram
4 years ago
Allen Automotive provides high quality service and information. I m having the best experience with my receipt of automotive services from Allen Automotive. Foremost, they answer any question and speak to me as if I m in their family. Professionally, they provide high quality service in comparison to my interactions with other automotive professionals over the past 40+ years.

  Colin Eliot
3 years ago
I have used Allen Automotive for several service items since moving to the area and they always provide top-notch service. The quality of work is high, comminution with the staff is great, and the appointments have always been right on time.I would recommend them to anyone in the area.

  Aviva Fischer
3 years ago
I love working with Allen Automotive. I have been a client for almost 10 years. They are professional and personable. They are upfront with their pricing and always have my car ready when they say it will be.Service: General repairs & maintenanceService: General repairs & maintenance

  Danielle A.
6 years ago
Went in for a Maryland state inspection, they replaced my wiper blades that caused my car to fail and passed me. They re much better than the ones I had.I had a rear differential issue and went back and they took care of it in just a few hours. The owner offered to have someone drive me back to work (3 miles away) if I dropped my car off first thing in the morning, too.My windshield was cracked pretty badly while in their care and after making arrangements with the owner, that was fixed the next day, in an hour or so while I waited.

  A. Paytes
3 years ago
Alway professional. Treats you fairly. Advises honestly without frivolous expenses. Honesty and integrity are their trademarks.Have used Allen Automotive for at least 10 years and I trust them to take care of my cars.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Oil changeServices: General repairs & maintenance, Oil change

  Kitchen Boy
5 years ago
This is my auto repair and maintenance shop. Henry and the team are honest, professional and do great work. If they say something is wrong then you can trust it is. They don't up sell or diagnose bill padding work. They help local businesses as well, for example if you have a tire problem, they send you to Radial Tire nearby. Like I said - good honest place.

  Theron T.
3 years ago
I had a major problem with my car's alignment that despite years of trying the dealership could not fix. Took my car here and they found and fixed the problem right away.The staff is very friendly and their expertise is clear. Glad I found this place. I love my car again!

  Donald Schmigel
8 years ago
Second time customer. Very satisfied with the friendly, efficient, customer oriented staff at Allen Automotive. Received an appointment convenient to me, and a written quote for service requested. Work completed on schedule with final cost actually being a little less than my quote.

  Ruth Siegel
3 years ago
A number of years ago (the recommendation of Radial Tire Company in Brookeville), I took my 1997 Toyota Tacoma to Allen Automotive. There was no turning back! Henry and his staff are knowledgeable and respectful. Their prices are fair and they explain the process thoroughly. I love the way that Henry talks shop with me and does not treat me like a person who could not possibly understand the repairs process due to my gender. Henry even dropped me off and picked me up at Parkway Deli so that I could enjoy a meal while waiting for my truck to be fixed.Allen Automotive is efficient; the work is of the highest quality. Allen Automotive undid the work of another mechanic in Wheaton who Gerry-rigged my emergency brake and charged me for an unsatisfactory repair, leaving me with a permanently-glowing brake warning light that threatened my emissions inspections. Allen Automotive even repaired a leak in my tire at no charge, freeing me from a visit to Radial Tire Company and the long lines for tire service. Don t get me wrong, Radial Tire is so good that you must arrive early and get in line to replace or repair your tires. Henry s long-standing relationship with Radial Tire enabled him to replace all of my tires on my 2011 RAV4 during the same visit. Henry consulted with Radial Tire about the best tire for the RAV4, procured the tires and handled the entire process.We picked up the RAV4 last night. Thanks to Allen Automotive, we feel safe and well-cared for. How often does one walk out of a car repair shop with a broad smile because the service was well-done, fairly-priced and came with a lot of respect from the owner and staff?Henry, you ROCK!Services: Tires, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Wheel alignment, Brakes, Air conditioning, Battery, Oil change

  Ben Labaree
5 years ago
I took our Subaru in for an oil change and to have a trailer hitch installed. As in the past, I was hugely impressed by the time and care Allen Automotive put into the work. I bought the hitch online and the folks in the shop went above and beyond to install even more securely and with better hardware, etc than called for. This is an A+ operation.

  andrew gomes
3 years ago
No more going to dealership. Henry and RB are the best. Learned lot of things about my own car showed me how my previous service was. Took time, described everything. And they don t over change or didn t suggest anything extra. Thank you guys keep the good work.

  Tamara Prince
4 years ago
I have taken my car to Allen Automotive for 16 years -- and, yes, the same car is still running well. They are prompt, responsive, efficient and competent. Wouldn't go anywhere else.

  Christopher Jackson
4 years ago
Used to be a great shop.The last two times I brought my car in though were just awful. Brought my car to get a cracked header fixed. Waited for two weeks only to be told they couldn't do it. Brought it in again, to put in sparks and wires just because I didn't have the time and wanted to give them a second chance. Gave them the parts to do it...Turns out they didn't have the time of day to do it. Waited a week and a half to try to be fair, but ended up just picking up the car and going elsewhere. Sad to see.

  Nannette Boyle
8 years ago
Allen Automotive is the mechanic you thought didn't exist anymore.Behind a red painted brick wall in a very unimpressive little industrial park are immaculate service bays, tidy & organised office and waiting space. However it is the staff that makes the place what it is. These guys don't mess around: they are there to fix your car. If the problem is hard to describe and you don't speak "mechanic" very well, they listen intently & ask questions. Henry, the boss, won't do extensive work until he calls you first and gets your OK. The receipts for work are very detailed; there is never any question about what was or what was not done. If Allen goofs, they make it right.All work is done with care and skill. No, they are not cheap, but you absolutely get what you pay for. Allen would never stoop to that old trick of "inventing" something wrong and then "fixing" it at a high price .I was getting regularly ripped off at my local garage----thank goodness I've now found Allen.