Nelson's Auto Repair

Reviews

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

  Denise Houk
5 years ago
This is the best repair place I've ever been to. They are very communicative about what needs to be done and they always give you different options pertaining to price. They are very open and honest and do their best to get you in quickly. They also offer really inexpensive oil changes which I really appreciate. It's best to make an appointment for an oil change- just a heads up.

  Ronnie M
7 months ago
I wish I could rate them more than 5 stars, my car was making a strange noise in the suspension, I was prepared to pay big money to get it fixed. Nelson's Auto Repair found the problem-- a loose jam-nut on tie-rod. They didn't even charge me. I will always be grateful for their honesty, They'll always get my business . A one of a kind Auto repair shop, Thank-you

  Jacqueline Roverud
a year ago
This place is awesome. Always honest which I appreciate because I m pretty intimidated by car stuff because I m not super knowledgeable. My old car had a problem with the exhaust system. Because the car was old and had a lot of miles, instead of having a very costly repair done (extra costly because of how the exhaust system on a Santa Fe is set up) the manager gave me an alternative that was less than $200 and fixed the problem for the rest of the life of that vehicle. Because of that I ll always go to Nelson s.All work is fairly priced especially compared to the other service station on the next corner. Eric the manager is always helpful. My mom also brings her car to Nelson s and she s just as happy. They ve got two customers for life. Thanks Nelson s! You re the best.Services: Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Oil change

  Jay Benedict
4 months ago
Have gone here for years! They take great pride in making sure it is done right, up front and honest pricing, and great at communicating with us on repairs and their feedback.

  Jesse Olson
8 months ago
Stopped by today for help clearing a check engine light on my minivan. The tech was so kind and helpful. It was a simple thing. He cleared it and gave me a few pro tips.Highly recommend!

  Matt Beattie
a year ago
First time going to Nelson s and it won t be my last. I will be going here for all my car repairs. Super friendly staff and they were great to work with. very honest about to repairs and what needed to be done with my car. Couldn t ask for better service. Thanks again!Service: BrakesService: Brakes

  michael hutchinson
a year ago
My roofer recommended Nelson's on 34th Ave. in South Minneapolis shortly after it opened for business. I had been looking for an independent repair shop after several unpleasant experiences with a dealership from which I had purchased 2 vehicles 13 years ago. All I can do is echo the sentiments of other reviewers about the incredible work they do at this location. Eric (the manager) is a straightshooter. No bull; he gives you an honest assessment of what is wrong with your vehicle and an upfront estimate of the repair cost. I placed my trust in him and his mechanics, and never felt I was given the runaround. The dealership had recommended some repairs for both vehicles. I had Eric check it out every time; sometimes he agreed with the dealership, and I would authorize repairs, which Nelson's would perform at roughly half the dealership price. On a couple occasions, Eric and his mechanics could find NOTHING wrong with the vehicle and saved me a ton of money on unnecessary repairs the dealership recommended.lAlso of note is the Nelson Repair warranty of its repairs. My wife's Toyota minivan developed a thunking noise whenever the steering wheel was turned a certain way. Eric recommended I pay a visit to a frame expert he knew; that guy could not find anything. Eric felt badly for me, but he got super creative in his approach to the next step. Rather than giving me the "too bad, so sad" response, he looked into his computer file on the vehicle and saw that Nelson's had replaced the CV axle 18 months earlier. It had a 24-month manufacturer's warranty, and the frame guy had mentioned that sometimes the aftermarket CV axles are defective. Eric gambled and replaced the CV axle under warranty. And Viola, the thunking noise went away immediately.Recently, my wife and I relocated to another state. We drove 2 older cars, which Eric's mechanics had checked out prior to our cross-country trip. We arrived at our destination without incident and I am left to find a mechanic with the same character traits as Eric. I'll jump for joy if I succeed.Sorry for the long-winded review, but I can't say enough about how lucky I was to find Eric at the Nokomis Nelson's Repair. A final piece of advice: make a phone appointment a couple weeks in advance with Eric. He and his mechanics are that busy.Services: Air & cabin filter replacement, Steering & suspension repair, Auto water leak repair, Auto maintenance, Battery, Oil change

  Daniel Loudenback
3 years ago
I have never had such a good experience at an auto mechanic. They are professional, knowledgeable, and most of all, make you feel like you're being consulted on what should be repaired on your car rather than confusing you and making you feel like you're getting ripped off.I'm not a car guy, so I rely on my mechanic to give me an accurate and honest assessment. I know I get that at Nelson's.My car was having issues starting. Of course right when it got to their shop, it would start up like it was brand new. The team at Nelson's started and tested my car up to 40 times a day to see if they could diagnose the problem. This went on for two weeks, and eventually we were able to agree on what the issue is. Eric, the manager, also educated me on several components that were in my car, making me feel like I was a part of the decision to make a major repair to my car.If you're looking for an auto mechanic, you won't find a better one than Nelson's.Services: Transmission, Engine repair, Brakes, Oil change

  Stephen Twite
5 years ago
Eric and his team are fantastic! I am extremely happy with the work they did on my Toyota. They are courteous, give you the feeling that they care, and are on your side. So much better than the bigger shops, they have become my default auto service center! You will not be disappointed.

  Travis Anderson
3 years ago
Nelson s is the only place I trust with my vehicle. They are straight talking, honest and quick. I use them for everything from an oil change to an exhaust replacement. They aren t the cheapest or the most expensive but it s hard to find a mechanic shop that will be more honest with you about what your car needs and what it doesn t.

  Beatrice H.
7 years ago
I've been here twice so far. Plan to keep coming here because the guys are great. They're honest and won't overcharge like most places. They were so flexible and allowed me to make my own decisions without being pushy (like most places are). I was hesitant on coming here because I feel like I have such bad experiences with car shop guys treating me like I'm stupid, but these guys were absolutely great. BEST experience with a car shop I've ever had.As far as my car...it runs better than it has since I got it.

  hellen ferguson
2 years ago
Nelson's Auto Repair is AMAZING Excellent service knowledge, great prices, I can't say enough good things about them!We've taken both of our vehicles there and have been well cared for! From oil changes brakes, exhaust, they're wonderful

  Anthony
6 years ago
I had an excellent experience here. I went in to get three expensive sensors replaced on short notice, and they happily fit me in to their tight schedule the next morning. However, once they completed the diagnostics they told me that the problem could be the sensors, as I had previously thought, but recommended that we start with an oil change as that might resolve the solution and would be much cheaper. And they were right!! All I needed was an oil change. They could have easily sold me on the sensors, but didn't. Instead, they explained to me the full diagnostic report of my car and gave me the most honest "this is what I would do if it were my car" scenario I have every received at an auto shop. I highly recommend Nelson's Auto Repair :)

  Kathleen Redlin
6 years ago
If you need your car serviced from a place you can trust, I highly recommend Nelson's Auto Service Nokomis. Sam and Eric make an excellent team, and are undoubtedly some of the best in the business. They took my car in right away, diagnosed all of the issues, and even prioritize what needed to be done right away and what I could wait to do. They are honest, efficient, and their work second to none.

  Katrina
a year ago
Nelson s is the absolute best. I ve been going here for years and Eric is always the kindest person. Their work is always at a reasonable price and they really take the time to educate people. I recommend this shop to literally everyone I know.Services: Vehicle Inspection, Tire change, Oil changeServices: Vehicle Inspection, Tire change, Oil change

  Allison Suhan Eggers
3 years ago
So glad to have them! They have fair pricing and are always very honest with me about my car. After going around to different places in the cities for years, I am happy to finally find a place I feel confident in.

  Talbot Hook
6 years ago
I'm from out of state, and my car, driving to Minneapolis, began making really horrible noises in the engine. I was recommended Nelson's by a friend, and my experience was great. The owner, Eric, was friendly, competent, and very kind; they looked at my car for no charge in a very timely manner, and gave me a lot of excellent advice. On top of all this, they were playing some great tunes in their garage. Highly recommended.

  Dan Beck
3 years ago
This is a review of my first visit to Nelson's Nokomis, and I'm pretty happy with the experience. My 2009 Vibe was showing the check engine light and "VSC Off", and the car had gone into "limp mode" (engine wouldn't rev above 3500 rpm.) After getting the computer codes and driving the car, Eric was able to make recommendations and, as other reviewers have mentioned, he carefully explained my options (and also explained why cars go into limp mode - good to know.) I went with everything he suggested, and the resulting improvements in performance made me glad I did. And the cost? When people review repair shops they'll often say, "the price was really low" or, "this place was way too expensive." But as Henny Youngman used to say, "Compared to what?" I mean, unless you took your car around to 3 different shops and compared estimates, how would you know? And who does that when their car is in limp mode, anyway? I will say that, given the scope of work they did, I felt that the cost was reasonable, and having driven it for several days now I'm convinced that the repairs were worth every penny. I hadn't realized how much my performance had degraded until they replaced the plugs and ignition coils. What a difference - runs like new!Services: Electrical repair, Auto engine diagnostic, Oil change

  Brett B
2 years ago
Eric and the guys at Nelson s are great! I ve gone here for years and continued to even after moving out of the neighborhood. They are fair, honest and great at communicating - I completely trust them with my vehicles.

  Adam Shimp
8 months ago
I've been going here for a few years and I've been very happy with everything. Very knowledgeable and excellent prices for quality work.

  Samuel Adams
6 years ago
I've been here twice and had a great experience both times. The prices are reasonable and they won't try to sell you something you don't need. They were great at explaining exactly what was wrong with my vehicle and the quoted price to make the repair was spot on. I'll be returning.

  David T
2 years ago
I greatly appreciate the staff at Nelsons auto. They are fast, kind, and patiently explain what is wrong with my car to me (a person who knows nothing about the inner workings of cars). I trust them and will go back as long as I live in MSP.Services: Exhaust, Brakes, Oil changeServices: Exhaust, Brakes, Oil change

  James Miernicki
7 years ago
Nelson s Nokomis is a newer shop but they have an experienced manager and technicians. Besides getting my oil change done quickly they also helped me resolve (for free) a couple squeaks and rattles on my car s body. Knowledgeable staff based on my conversations with them during my visit. Will definitely visit again!

  Donovan Niesen
5 years ago
Have been there a few times now. Each time they've been super friendly and communicative. They definitely know what they're doing and take time to explain so that you understand as well. Pricing has been very reasonable on top of awesome service.So glad they're in our neighborhood!

  Erika Farrell
3 years ago
So far I've had 4/5 oil changes and new tires from this shop. Always fast, totally reasonable prices and they are super friendly and helpful. Very glad they're in my neighborhood!

  Carlos Bauzo
4 years ago
Went in for a quote for brakes and they were super busy. They took a look at my SUV. Told me to bring it the early the next day and before noon the car was done. Great price too!

  Miles Dittberner
6 years ago
Overpriced and mis and overdiagnosed my vehicle. Not sure if they even bothered to look at it. Was told it wasn't even worth looking at and that it was leaking oil and coolant from everywhere and needed all sorts of suspension work among other things. Upon inspecting my vehicle under the hood the engine was clean with no signs of oil or coolant leaks nor were there any underneath or puddles on the ground. Brought my vehicle to Trihn's Auto Repair and they fixed the problem for less than $400 and even did my ball joints for free. My vehicle has been running fine since. It's a far cry from the $2000 to 4000 quote I got from Nelson's when they told me I'd be better off junking it and buying a new vehicle. Won't ever go back. Can't trust them. Whether they didn't want to work on my vehicle or whatever the case, they lost a customer in me. Go to Trihn's. Best shop in town. You'll be happy you did. There is no one better.

  C Bartell
5 years ago
Had work done on my cars three different times and always felt i received quality work at a reasonable price. I bought tires and had then installed next day in the fall when nobody could do it for weeks.

  Sonyna Castillo
5 years ago
I called twice on 12/20 to schedule an appointment for an oil change. No answer each time. The second time I decided to leave a voicemail. I left my name number and what service I was interested in. Its been a week and I have never received a call back. Got the picture will take my business else where. To Eric-The voicemail was left on 12/20/2018 the shop on 34th.

  Will Sabol
3 years ago
Fast and thorough service. I dropped of a vehicle for a pre-purchase inspection and received a detailed report on potential issue and an estimate of cost you bring the vehicle up to standards. Nice and friendly. Reasonable cost.