Automotive Clinic

Eli W

December 15, 2011 at 11:04 AM

OK.  I was steamed when I wrote my original review.  I still stand by my complaint that they should have called me to get my approval before starting work on my truck.  And that in this particular instance they did a really bad job of calling me back and letting me know what was happening.  Especially since I had been clear with them when I brought it in that if it was more complicated than a day long job I wanted to tow it to my regular mechanic.  That said.  My truck actually needed that work done.  They did not inflate my bill by adding things that I did not need.  They did good solid work.  There was one more thing I needed to have done but I could not afford it on the first visit.  I brought it back to them this week because it was the completion of a fix for the original brake problem and if something went wrong down the line with the work  I did not want to be in the position of two shops blaming each other for whatever went wrong.  This time they were really good about calling me every day.  They completed the four things on my list.  Everything looks and runs great.I think they do quality work.  They are not cheap.

Malcolm

December 12, 2011 at 11:17 PM

I used this garage when I purchased a used car from Craigslist. They are an approved AAA vehicle inspection provider. They did a 175-point inspection of the car for $99 and I was very pleased with their service. They pointed out that the car needed a battery, an air filter and one wiper blade. They explained how much they would charge for those items and how alternatively, I could go out and purchase them myself and what the savings would be. Now THAT'S a paradigm shift for a garage! So I would definitely put them in the "honest" camp when it comes to getting your car serviced.

THOMAS E.

April 28, 2010 at 09:16 PM

Great service.  Good people.  Quick smog check.

HapaPower

February 4, 2010 at 01:32 AM

Wow.  I'm sorry that so many people have had issues with this shop.I've been taking my 4Runner (w/ almost $200K) there for years.  Given it's an old car, I don't want to put too much money into the car but I want it to keep running as a beater / Home Depot / dog park / occasional Tahoe truck.  I've mainly work with Derek who has partnered with me to help me decide what to fix and what to leave as is.My car runs great.  I trust them.  They do good work and stand behind it.I don't think they are the cheapest, but do you want to take your car to the place that gives you the cheapest price?  I prefer a shop I trust with a reputation for quality work (and willing to pay more for it).If you want commodity items like tires and (maybe even brakes), go to Costco or Brakes-R-Us. If you want quality service to keep your car in tip top shape, I recommend Automotive Clinic.

sydel s.

December 20, 2009 at 07:38 AM

Always gets it back to me that day or the next, very friendly, but some how always forgets to call me back. maybe because they are so busy washing my car for free :) but when they do call, and even when i check up on the status, they are always very informative, and i dont feel like im getting taken, just because im a girl... and its so close that i walk 4 blocks to pick it up. perhaps a little on the pricey side, but for the location, the speediness, supporting a local business, and that my super friendly and helpful AAA tow dudes are always from there (THANKS TIM) you bet that I'm a returning customer.

Cathy L

February 29, 2008 at 01:35 AM

Larry at the Automotive Clinic is a class act.  My car broke down close to their shop and he took a look at it right away.  I ended up having it towed to our regular mechanic from his shop, but he was extremely courteous, helpful and professional.  I wish he were our regular mechanic.  He didn't charge me for the time he spent, which was so honorable that I had to write this review.  Also, every customer leaving the shop left with a grateful smile on their faces.  You would be in good hands with Larry.

Charles G.

July 16, 2007 at 09:04 PM

I've taken my car here twice.  Once for normal maintenance when the car started having problems (I was hoping the maintenance would forestall the breakdown, but I knew the day would come) and the second time when it finally did break down.  They do the job right so you don't have to bring it back 50 times like almost every other shop I've ever had to deal with.  The symptoms that led to the breakdown started before they ever got their hands on the car the first time, so the break down was not their fault.And try to top this for customer service:My second trip to them was for the breakdown, my car absolutely died on the Freeway, southbound 101 in San Mateo.  I take the Caltrain back, get home at 6:30 on Saturday, and the owner is still there.  I live down the street.  The guy gives me his tow truck company's name and tells me to call them, leave the key in the car (which won't start - no big risk!) and they'll pick it up without me waiting for them and bring it to his shop.  Ever waited for a tow truck by the side of the freeway?  Not fun and not usually quick.  So the next day, I go back and try to start it - - no luck.  So I hide the key, give the company the access code to the door combo thingy, and they do all the rest.  No waiting, no nothing.  I call Sunday night, they pick the car up that night and they bring it in first thing Monday morning, before I'm even awake. Monday morning this company calls me and tells me what the problem is (it was exactly what they suspected when I first described the problem the night of the breakdown, and what we all knew would happen when I did the earlier maintenance in the desperate hope that the thing wouldn't break), fix it, call me to get my credit card ##, wash it, drive the car back to MY HOUSE, put it in my garage and leave the key in it, close the garage door, and when I get home from work it's waiting.  I've spent NO TIME on this at all.  They did everything.  Three phone calls - one to the tow company, one to approve the work and one to give my credit card # and the car is waiting for me in my garage when I get home from work.Jesus christ, I've never seen anything like this!  This company is fantastic.  The work is done right and the customer service is un friggin heard of! You might pay 5-10% more than the cheapest shop but who cares. Don't go anywhere else.

Karva T

October 1, 2006 at 09:55 PM

Hmm unlike Thomas K., I've always had a great experience with these guys! My first time I nearly lost my car - my timing belt clip snapped and all hell broke lose in my engine. These guys took it apart and didn't find anything wrong. I guess that's why i trust them. Any other mechanic would have told me I needed thousands of dollars worth of repairs on the engine (as it really did seem that way or my car was totalled) but all i had to pay was $250 for the diagnostic. The mechanics are really nice and take the time to explain everything. They're a bit pricey, but for great service and people you can trust, it's worth it. (Although thanks to Thomas I MIGHT put up a bit more of a guard on my next visit!)