Sam Koka will take great care of you and your car! He takes the time to explain the problems and the options which I REALLY appreciate. He is a stand up guy. Most of my friends and family take their cars to him too. Plus, his CUTE son, Alex, is now working there too! read more

Had an oil change there a few months ago for $20, which was fine. Next time I went was after my car wouldn't start. A friend jumped it then I took it to SK to have it checked out. Within 15 minutes I got a call to tell me it was because I left the inside light on all night. This information cost me $95. I should've protested this, but didn't. read more

SK Auto (Alex and his dad Sam before him) have been my go to mechanic for the last four cars I've owned. Besides being two of the nicest guys in town, they are also the most honest and most fair mechanics I've used. I've lost count of how many emergency fixes they've done for me with all of my vehicles. One night, while my mother was in the hospital, I called Alex after hours to handle an emergency with my car at home. He came over later that night, crawled under my car (in the dark), and fixed my problem in a jiffy. If not for him, I would have ended up taking a cab to the hospital. Also just had my current vehicle serviced today and it purrs like a kitten. Thanks Alex! read more

Been back here a couple more times now and it looks like they've decided to keep their oil change price at $19.95 full time now which totally rocks as these guys are usually reasonably nice and pretty quick in general (last oil hange took under 15 mins). With such a great oil change price in a charming neighborhood setting, I think it's safe to say that I'm definitely a fan of SK Auto and support their pleasant and always versatile business. read more

This guy will charge for parts and labor without ever installing if it can't be proven. I was also charged services that werent rendered like tire balancing which led to much bigger problems like cupping on new tires I bought from him. At that point he said it was because of struts and again charged for something I didn't need. I ultimately had to go elsewhere to get to the truth and get things fixed properly. STAY AWAY! read more

S K Auto is one of the best Auto shops in Alameda. They are willing to work with you to get you the best possible price on parts and labor. Need it done right, and done quick, then S K Auto is the place to go. With fantastic mechanics that get the problem solved and fixed. A big thumbs up to these guys read more

I was getting a lot of engine codes for the Jeep. In particular, p0138, which is for O2 sensor 1/2. Problem is, they write "1/1" on the ticket and install the wrong sensor. A week later I'm still getting 0138. I take it back. What gives? Despite seeing "1/1" on the ticket, they deny misdiagnosing the problem. And oh, I do need 1/2, only they don't have the tools to remove that sensor. So I take it somewhere else, pay less, get the right part. Out about $250 I didn't need to spend. Won't be back. read more

It's hard to find a trust-worthy mechanic no matter where you live but to know that there's one right here in Alameda is a huge relief. Sam has been working on my vehicles for many years and and I always know that when I pick up my car the job will be done correctly and that there are no surprises when it comes to the cost. He's very straight-forward about potential issues and will always show you the parts from your car that needed replacing. You just can't go wrong with SK Auto. read more

Beware! SK Auto doesn't stand by their work. Recently I had a leaking water pump replaced by SK Auto and they suggested I do the timing belt at the same time. When I picked the car it had an immediate rattle. I tried several times to get them to address the issue with no resolution including leaving the car with them overnight for a couple of days. Finally- I took it to the dealer and they immediately diagnosed it as a problem with the timing belt replacement. After explaining this, including showing them pictures of the exact issue from the dealer- I was told it wasn't their problem and they refused to stand by the work. Yes- of course mistakes are made by any business but it's in how they are handled. I post this as a warning to take your business elsewhere as this shop won't own up to their mistakes! I now need to pay another shop to redo this $1000+ job or risk loosing my engine. Thanks SK Auto! read more

I have only good things to say about SK Auto. My friend told me about this place and I am happy to recommend anyone to Sam! 1. I went there for the first time because I needed new brake pads... or so I thought! Since I commute a lot I'm very cautious about these kind of things (call me paranoid, I deserve it!) and any other mechanic could have easily charged me for it but not Sam! He said I can give it a few more months... HOW AWESOME WAS THAT? 2. I took my husband's 4Runner there after some thieves stole the catalytic converter while the vehicle parked at Fruitvale Bart station. Sam communicated directly with AAA, I got calls with updates and had a great service. The car runs great now and Sam earned me as a return client. I hope from now on I will only need to go back for the usual general maintenance but at least I know if something does happen, I have a mechanic I can trust!! read more

one thing I have to agree w/ is that the price for an oil change is a steal. HOWEVER, I am somewhat unsatisfied by the owner's attitude. I took my car down for an oil change, but he told me that he can't do it and told me to come back at 8 in the morning. Benefit of the doubt, they may be busy since they only had 1 mechanic working on 3 car lifts. NOW the thing that bothered me the most is that the mechanic smoked his damn cigarette while performing the oil change. And he had the damn nerve to bring his funky cigarette smell into my car. Good thing I tried this out with my Integra, if this were to sit in my 350z with his smell, I would literally bitch him out. read more

Cheap reliable quick and friendly.

My sister has used Sam for what seems like an eternity. He got her Jeep, which was declared totaled, back up and running. My saga began with an exhaust leak and I was quoted $1700 and $2000 by "mainstream" establishments. My sister once again told me"Go see Sam" long story short, Sam had my car back on the road for $350.....damn skippy I'm a fan! read more

My usual mechanic wasn't as convenient. because I had moved from San Leandro to Oakland. I work in Alameda so one of my co-workers recommended SK auto. So I tried them. When the owner saw I drove a Nissan, he told me he used to work for Nissan, I felt pretty comfortable; it seemed reasonable to trust them. Big mistake. I had a tune-up and my brakes done. When we picked up the car - the mechanic told us, we would probably be needing something else, but it didn't need to be done right away. We just dropped close to $900.00 - we were alright with waiting. The brakes were making a grinding noise after I picked it up and drove it home. I called and brought it back the next day. Of course it didn't make the sound once he was in the car - but he said he'd take a look. We did this twice. The brakes began to grind again... Then - there was an A/C belt that was changed..why? I had reason to use the A/C after they changed the belt. I started the car later, and it started making this loud screeching/whistling noise. It did this a few times, so I took it back. As things go - it didn't make the noise while he was in the car, but he said he'd take a look, and adjust it. I used the defrost - the noise once I started it again. Took it back...re-adjusted. Now, I can't use the A/C or the defrost without the noise. Although it doesn't happen all the time, it still does it. Some mornings when I use the defrost - it squeaks and whistles when I turn the fan on. It stops eventually, but I never had this problem before I took it to SK. Each time I brought it back, I got the promise the problem would be fixed. It hasn't. I stopped bringing it back. I, for one, don't have the time to keep going back and forth. It was an expensive lesson; even though my usual mechanic is not as convenient - I'll take the extra time to drive the extra miles to someone I know will do a good job. If you don't have the time to keep going back and forth - don't take it to SK. read more

Took my daughters BMW here for service. The BMW dealer quoted me $2550 for services, his quote was one quarter what they were charging. Crazy! He did amazing work and was a very nice guy. It's nice when you can find an auto mechanic that is trustworthy and does great work. Thank you! read more

Don't know why I'm being filtered, really do use Sam and really do have three cars that he takes care of. The Mercedes has 250K miles, the Saturn is over 180 and now we have a Ford that hasn't broken down. I feel like I am really taken care of and that they know their stuff. And they are local.... read more

Used to go to SK for everything but the last couple of times the work was so half-assed and expensive my wife and I have officially put SK Auto on the banned list. Just a couple of examples....Had an alternator put in and they never tightened the bolts! Had to take it back. Also took my truck in to get new brakes, three weeks later my brakes are squealing, took it back in and got the "oh, we only replaced the front brakes" excuse. I never ask them to replace this brake or that; I had asked for my "brakes" to get fixed. SK Auto even did repairs without authorization and then demanded payment. Overall, steer clear of SK Auto read more

just went there to get my brakes done and i have to say the crew was wonderful. Very honest work, explained what was wrong and it was fix in no time very convientent for me in which my girlfriend house is only a couple blocks down. I advise to take advantage of his brake deal, which is the best price in town. read more

Went in yesterday for the first time for an oil changed ($19.95!!) and met Sam. He said it would take 30 minutes so I decided to grab lunch. While ordering lunch I realized I didn't have my debit card or any cash on me, I ran back to the shop and told Sam don't start because I wouldn't be able to pay him. Sam told me not to worried and that I could come back to pay him! So that's exactly what I did this morning! I will definately be back! I think I may of found an auto shop worth trusting! read more

I used to be a regular customer here but no more. I incurred some body damage to my car due to some negligence on their part. I was reassured that it would be corrected - but it never was and he just stopped taking my calls. read more

Sam is the best. Very competent, fair prices, and gets the work done quickly.He'll even drive you home and pick you up.

Sam has been taking care of our cars for over five years now. He uses the best parts and will tell you if he thinks the OEM (factory) part is not worth the cost. But as a results, the brakes never squeak, our cars have no problems and I have never needed to have any work re done. He is honest and very skilled. read more

Here's the thing, do you ever feel TOTALLY vulnerable at a mechanic's garage? Do you just come there expecting to not have the upper hand and hear them speak to you about something you know absolutely NOTHING ABOUT?? Well, at SK, you can let your guard down. They may talk to you about something you know nothing about, but Sam is HONEST, does great work and understands what it means to build and KEEP his clientele. With Sam, I feel like I have a family member in the auto business. I have 2 cars, German and American makes. A friend talked me into trying another ALAMEDA garage to fix my BMW (one block down from SK, on Buena Vista) because they purport to be foreign car exports...well, yada, yada,yada, my BMW is with Sam, AS I WRITE THIS fixing the work of that other garage. I will never stray from what I know is the best again! SAM IS YOUR FAMILY MEMBER IN THE CAR BUSINESS -- oh, and by the way, he knows EVERYONE and can give you referrals on just about EVERYTHING you need. Try SK, you will not be disappointed. read more