Despite some of the 1-star reviews, I decided to give this shop a chance because it was close to home, appeared to have experience with Subarus, and had plenty of positive reviews. Unfortunately, my experience was consistent with a few of the negative reviews. I was able to schedule an appointment within two days for an oil change using the manufacturer-recommended oil, OEM brakes and rotors, an A/C recharge, and a tire rotation. When I arrived, the shop immediately gave me weird vibes. There were no other customers, and the office was dark, dingy, and messy. It didn't feel like a professional shop at all. When I picked up my Subaru Forester, I learned they had used 10W-40 oil instead of the manufacturer-recommended viscosity rating (SAE) I requested. Rather than addressing my concern, I received a long explanation about why the difference supposedly did not matter (it matters; look it up!). They also installed Akebono brakes and rotors even though I had specifically requested OEM parts. The A/C service was even more frustrating. Kevin told me he had performed a diagnostic and found no parts that needed replacing, so he recharged the system. However, the A/C still did not work. I returned to the shop after picking up my wife from work. Kevin looked at it again and told me the O-ring needed to be replaced. He asked to keep the car for several more hours or overnight, which I declined. Several other things raised concerns for me. I was quoted around $100 for the A/C recharge, but the invoice came to ~$160. After I questioned it, Kevin reduced the charge by $30. To avoid a 3% credit-card fee, I chose Zelle, but the shop's number did not work, so I was asked to send the payment to his personal phone number. I also received only a photo of the receipt because the printer was supposedly/conveniently out of ink. Every question is met with a long winded spiel, where it's made to be seen as helpful or knowledgable, and to affirm that you've made the right choice by picking them. To me, it's a waste of my time and it exposes their nonsense if you listen carefully. Kevin also told that my car's control arm bushing was cracking and needed attention. Because I had lost confidence in him, I took the car back to the Subaru dealership to undo his work (e.g. changed the oil with the manufacturer-recommended viscosity, a/c diagnostic and repair, exchange the brake fluid he added with OEM fluid, etc.,) and they also performed a multipoint inspection. They provided a video of the inspection and did not identify the control arm bushing as an issue. Overall, I spent nearly $1,500 and left with more concerns than I had going in. I should have paid closer attention to the negative reviews. By the end of the experience, I didn't want them touching my car again. I will not be returning. If you own a Subaru, I recommend looking elsewhere for a shop that knows these cars, uses OEM parts, and operates with professionalism and integrity. The shop offers no warranty for their work. Even if they did, I had already lost confidence in them and decided it wasn't worth wasting anymore of my time or dealing with the hassle. read more

Auto Headquarter - Auto Repair Near Me - Mountain View, California

Kevin did Valve Clearance Adjustment etc on my car. As the work are inside of the engine, I cannot testify how they were done. But I do feel that the acceleration increased obviously after the job. Kevin also spent time to explain what engine oil I should use. Although I do not agree with him on that, I still appreciate his effort trying to help his customers. BTW, I got stopped by police due to speeding a few days after the engine job. read more

dishonest , misleading, charged me over $12k for new replacement engine block, took 3months, i had weird flutter noise, he told me it was the exhaust, which it was not , even bought a new Cat. advised how to properly break in the engine which sounded correct to 1500 miles , which i followed to exactly, even continued to 2000 miles driving extra gently, had him do the required oil changes . Told me to use 10W40 oil, but the engine went out with Rod knock at 41k miles. So DO NOT use 10w40 !!! I called and left message, no reply. I texted , no response. read more

Had a great experience replacing the steering rack and front lower control arms on my Mazda 3. Vincent did an excellent job with the repair and took the time to point out a few things to keep an eye on. The pricing was also very reasonable. Highly recommend. read more

Kevin has been doing maintenances, repairs, and upgrades for my 08 Forester XT since I moved from Texas to the Bay in 2017. I only trust Kevin on touching my car. Kevin tries his best to educate the customers with the correct knowledge and ways about cars, which might be different from what people said on the internet or on books, so be prepared to step out of the comfort zone. I may not agree with Kevin on everything, but he always says what he sincerely believed and knew, and he has been working on these Subaru cars for decades. He is serious about cars and his work, and will be upfront with the customers with what he can or cannot do. Might not be a best choice for one prefers no-brainer and economic services, but the best for those who want to take best care for their cars. read more

Auto Headquarter - 140k head gasket and engine overhaul, the destined fate of all Subarus. - Auto Repair Near Me - Mountain View, California

Amazing service! If you have any issues with your Subaru Wrx, bring it here. Kevin is super helpful and knowledgeable. He went out of his way and saw my car the same day when calling. He provided an in depth pre diagnosis on my car. Quality service from start to end. Will definitely come back and recommend this shop. Big thanks to Kevin! read more

If you're coming here to get your catalytic converter replaced, make sure they give you the EO number before ordering the part then verify it is the correct one on the Aftermarket Catalytic Converter Database website. They installed a catalytic converter with the wrong EO number on my Honda Accord and now it won't pass the smog check. read more

Had a great experience here, the splash plate under my car was coming off and i was able to be squeezed in last minute. Everything was explained to me well and thoroughly about some of the other issues my car had and I never felt once like I was being pushed to do any unnecessary additional service. One of the better mechanics i have been to and would definitely return for maintenance on my honda. Pricing was also very fair and they even gave me a discount on my first oil change which I appreciated. read more

Went there 2 times recently for CVT transmission service for a Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla. When calling around, Kevin was able to provide a quote with a VIN. Some places would not quote and insisted on bringing in the car. The Nissan had a check engine light and my OBD scanner showed DTC code. Kevin was able to explain what my options were and I chose the most inexpensive option (which he recommended). The fix did not work completely, but he confirmed the CVT was in bad shape after opening it up - so the recommendation was the right one. The Toyota Corolla was more straightforward and the condition was good. The Toyota CVT filter was replaced which required removing the bottom pan. This was more work than a simple drain and refill and Kevin did this for a reasonable price. Seems he is a great auto tech for Japanese cars, knows what he was doing, communicates clearly, and has fair pricing. Pics provided by Kevin which was great! And beware buying Nissan with CVT, effectively a total loss since replacing the trans does not seem worth it. Was aware of Nissan CVT issues, but there are folks with 100K miles and more who are doing OK - but guess we lost the lottery here. Please give him a try, he is a small independent shop that deserves your business. read more

Auto Headquarter - Nissan before and after - Auto Repair Near Me - Mountain View, California

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This is the first time my Mazda has the maintenance service at Auto HQ. Vincent explained the procedures with full details and got the job done in 1 hour. It is easy to make the appointment and cost is reasonable. read more

kevin is very knowledgeable and was very diligent. he gave us the best advice - thank you Kevin!

I had a major issue with a simple service at a chain and sought an alternative quickly. I tried Auto HQ based on the reviews here and I couldn't be happier. Kevin and Vincent care a lot about doing the right thing for the car and the customer. I'm really happy I found these guys and wish there were more like them! read more

I had an excellent experience at Auto Headquarter. I was urgently looking for a place to get my headlights fixed. Although they were actually closed when I arrived the technician offered to assist me. The work was done quickly and professionally and eased my worries about getting back on the road. The worker was also very friendly and knowledgeable. They checked my oil, refilled it with a higher quality oil, and answered all of my questions in a clear and easy to understand manner. I would highly recommend this shop to anyone who needs auto repair work done. read more

It's hard to find someone you trust with your car but Kevin and his team are definitely it!!! Trustworthy, punctual, honest pricing, and great location. Dropped the car off, walked to Castro for some good food and everything went smoothly. Bonus points for covering interior of the car with plastic sheets for cleanliness. read more

Kevin and team are the best for all of your Subaru needs. Knowledgable, trustworthy, and fair pricing - one can't really ask for anything more. I've taken my 02 Bugeye to him ever since he was at Carlsen, then when he opened AQ in RWC, and now in MV. While I no longer have my 02 WRX and 08 STi, if I buy a Subaru in the future I will be sure to return. read more

Been working with AutoHQ for almost a decade and couldn't have been happier. I get all 3 of my cars serviced here and have come to completely trust them over the years. Can't say enough good things about Kevin and Vincent's work ethic! Not only they are passionate car people who do their best work but also their pricing is more than fair giving how expensive the bay area service industry has gotten over the years. High recommend! read more

I was in the hunt for a local auto shop that had the capabilities of adjusting my coilover springs since my ride height on my Honda Accord Sedan was a little too low for the wife's liking. I contacted many other shops around my general area and settled with Kevin at Auto Headquarters. He was responsive to my Yelp messages and provided me a good price to get the work done. The added bonus was that his shop was less than 2 miles away from my home so going to there and back was perfect for me. When I brought my car to the shop, I was greeted by Kevin's associate, Vincent. I can tell right off the bat that Vincent was very knowledgeable about cars. He pointed out some of the issues I could run into after adjusting the coilovers and I just told him to adjust it as high as he could but also keeping the vehicle with a modest ride quality. I was also deliberating whether or not to go back to stock height by reusing my old suspension parts. When I brought over the old OEM parts to their shop, Kevin and Vincent inspected the parts and advised me not to use them any longer since they showed signs of rust on the threading and most importantly they had been sitting out in my backyard for the past 3 years. Kevin explained that leaving parts out like that compromises their ability to work properly and could cause some grease to leak-out of the shocks. So with this in mind, I told him that I just wanted to keep my aftermarket suspension on the vehicle and leave it as that. Kevin is also a master at his craft. He took the time to patiently explain to me the pros/cons of my current setup and advised me not to pour anymore money into the vehicle. He's really concerned about you making the right decision about your vehicle that is reasonable and cost-effective. He also has a good eye for noticing things, like when he pointed out that my minivan which I used to travel back and fourth to his shop, had a damage that was repaired and repainted by the body shop. I recommend sending them a message and explaining what your car needs. He is very responsive and I have no doubt he will take care of your car needs if you live around the area. They specialize in Subaru's and I heard they are legends in the JDM arena, but also know how to fix any other japanese import car and other cars as well. They are very honest and knowledgable of the services they have to offer. When they service your vehicle, the steering wheel, gear shifter, seats are covered in plastic (maybe because of COVID). read more

AutoHQ was recommended to me by a friend, as a professional shop with experienced crew (they do everything from oil change to rebuilding and tuning the engine to win a race). I'm real happy that I gave them a shot. I needed brake service on my Mitsubishi. When I called my dealership, they asked for insane amount of money and would only put stock brake pads. After talking to Kevin at AutoHQ, he offered to do the job for less than a third of the price and would use higher quality ceramic pads. And what is the best, he did all the service on the same day. I was amazed--my dealership would always keep the car for the whole week! Looking forward to come back for the next project. read more

Auto Headquarter - Cars in the lot. - Auto Repair Near Me - Mountain View, California

Short Version: Two humble honest guys trying to make an honest living. I paid 1/3 of what Kevin's auto repair quoted me and I still can not believe it. Just give them a shot...you owe it to yourself. Long Version: I was looking for some serious maintenance not a simple oil change. To be exact there was a noise from the rear left of my car (Infiniti G35 Coupe). I would not trust any mechanic work on the car except dealership, however, they completely shut down the infiniti dealership in NorCal before Covid-19. I looked on Yelp and found "Kevins Auto Repair" to have the best rating. I took my car for an oil change and gettin a quote for fixing the noise. Kevin was rude (verbally and he decided to throw my key in front of me...I'm not exaggerating) so after the oil change I decided not to leave the car there. Meanwhile their staff had looked into the noise and told me that it is the left rear wheel bearing and hub that needs to be replaced. They quoted me $900 ONLY for the rear left one (Screenshot attached). I looked up the parts online and clearly they costed significantly less from $80 to $200 for OEM. I decided to buy the parts and request a quote for labor. I used the "Request a Quote" button and asked for only labor. Multiple auto shop in Mountain View replied some stating they can not gurantee the work without them buying the parts but almost everyone gave me lower quote than "Kevin's Auto Repair". The Auto Headquarter was the most methodical and lowest labor. They were also too transparent which made me suspicious since all the communication was happening through yelp and I had never been there. After communicating back and forth, I decided they know what they're doing. I asked them to give me the quote for replacing both left and right rear wheel bearing and hub including changing their brake and rotor on both sides. In less than a day my car was ready, I got discount on the already low labor and fixed the car issue and then some. I was quoted $950 for replacing one wheel bearing; these guys charged me ONLY $450 for labor of replacing both rear bearings and also brake+rotors. They also advised me to get high quality brand ceramic brakes which I love. Amazing crew, will go back to them before I even take my car to certified dealership. Thank you, Thank you and Thank you read more

Auto Headquarter - This is the quote from "Kevin Auto Repair" which are the highest rating auto repair in Mountain View. - Auto Repair Near Me - Mountain View, California

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In short: They know the shit, they care cars and their drivers. Long version: I found a bad condition STI, and I took it to Kelvin. He was mad about the car, this madness some how made me feel relieved- This is not a smiling face which not knowing the car, and most importantly, the passion about the Subaru. He's able to tell everything behind the clean title, from the rust at bottom to the print at the surface. He's able to tell what can I do with the car and what I shouldn't. Not afraid to tell am new on manual, and I shut downed couple times in their parking log; Shigenori always wait till I am done, that saved my small self-esteem and it's one of warm things they do. When I bother them with noob questions, I always receiving detailed answers along with their patience. Coming here is more than a car service, it's embracing the culture. read more

Kevin and Vincent amazing / honest people. First time took my car here for parts install. I have a Subaru that needed exhaust, mud flaps installed. I also had them remove my hitch. They did amazing job installing my parts and I can't be any happier with the pricing too. Very honest / passionate about their job. Definitely recommend Auto Headquarters to anyone who has Subaru and wants regular maintenance/ parts installed. I am super happy to have such a amazing shop near me. Thank you guys! read more

I trust my Subaru to the team here. I'm done with dealership service departments! Kevin and Vincent take the time to explain their recommendations and do what's best for the car, whereas the dealerships just do the bare minimum required and don't care if their practices reduce the life span of the car. Although they don't have much of an on-site waiting area, Castro is a short walk away for a snack, shopping, or getting some work done. read more

Great honest mechanic shop. Needed some coolant because I was running very low and they really hooked me up and were super helpful. Highly recommend and will be going more business with them in the future. Genuinely nice and refreshing feel for a mechanic shop. read more

Stopped by to have a splash guard removed, and appreciated the quick and friendly service!

They will work in detail. Give you the right advice on your car. Very knowledgeable. Will definitely bena go to mechanic.

I got my 4 brakes replaced here around sept, and so far it works great! Highly recommended read more

Simply the best Subaru mechanic in the Bay Area, there's really no competing with Kevin. I used to go to his shop in Redwood City; however this new location is bigger, better located (I live in Sunnyvale) and looks as professional as can be. And as a Subaru owner, how can you not like pulling up to 10-20 WRX/STis at any given time? Highly recommended. Don't settle for mediocre work on your prized possession. Give your Subaru the TLC it deserves. read more

I read the reviews and was happy to find out for myself what a great shop it is. Honest and not wanting you to spend money you don't need. Extremely knowledgeable and they thoroughly explain and show you everything so you feel confident your car is getting what it needs. I was from out of town & I wouldn't have made it home without them. read more

I have taken my Subaru Impreza to Auto HQ for about a decade. Kevin has done just about all the servicing, tuning and upgrades for my Subaru, over the last 100k miles. From replacing my alternator, radiator, brakes, flywheel and clutch, to performance mods and tuning for track events. Over the years he has talked me out of wasting thousands of $$ on useless products or mods for my car, giving me the hard truth which you won't get from forums ;) He is extremely practical and knowledgeable on every subject regarding a Subaru, he's also just an honest and dependable guy. Thank you Kevin and Vincent! read more

One of the few shops I will trust with my STI. I've only been here a handful of times, but have been really happy with the service I've received. The owners have been working on Subarus for a very long time, so you know your car is in good hands here. I've only had minor work done here, but for any service or performance installations I do in the future I'll be taking my car here. A fine establishment, I'm super impressed. UPDATE 5/1/15: I've been coming to Auto HQ for over a year now and am really impressed at the attention to detail and quality of work. Kevin is an incredible mechanic and I've referred friends to AutoHQ because I've been so impressed with his work. In my eyes, certainly the best Subaru shop in town. read more

Kevin, Vincent, Shiggy, and the rest of the team at AHQ have been the most helpful and dedicated group of individuals who have worked on my WRX. I originally came in for a simple boost/oil pressure gauge install and quickly came to learn how much passion drives Kevin to do the work that he does. He, as well as Vincent, have walked me through many processes of fixing and tuning my car so I never feel like I'm out of the loop. They all strive for perfection, and I couldn't be happier with their work. I haven't taken my car to anyone else since meeting everyone at AHQ despite living In San Francisco, I don't trust anyone else! read more

Auto Headquarter - I got a stock tune done at AHQ, could not be happier with the results. Kevin, Vincent, Shiggy, and everyone else know what they are doing! - Auto Repair Near Me - Mountain View, California

Amazing service, honest, and reliable. Kevin and team are the best Subaru gurus up North in regards to inspection, repair and performance. I scheduled ahead to bring in my car to diagnose a smog failure--the car was running too rich. Upon arriving, I was met by Tony and Kevin. Kevin went straight to diagnosing the car. I also asked him questions on performance upgrades, and he provided me sage advice on how to proceed. With a quick look of the engine bay, Kevin explained in detail, the issues I faced and what I could do to fix them. I was humbled and enthused by Kevin's passion for cars--the unique thing about Auto Headquarter is that Kevin is a knowledgeable mechanic but backs that knowledge with performance experience. 5-stars read more

Auto Headquarter - Front of Auto HQ - Auto Repair Near Me - Mountain View, California

These guys are great! Very honest and very knowledgeable. I appreciate their dedication to safety and professional service. All these positive reviews are accurate. read more

Kevin has vast experience with Subarus and Hondas and no corporate/dealer BS.

Highly recommend. Kevin will not let you leave with any questions or concerns. He will make sure you leave fully satisfied.

AHQ is an exceptional auto service place. They are the Subaru authority in the South Bay/peninsula area. Recently, I sent my wife's Mazda 3 for services and suspension replacement. Kevin talks to me on what I need, not what I want. He tries to understand the driving style of the owner(s) and recommended the replacement. Excellent job on the services too, washed the engine bay without me asking. What a nice treat! read more

I was recommended to Kevin here at Auto HQ when I bought my 07 WRX about 2 years ago. At that time my car had about 94k miles so Kevin recommended a Major and Timing Belt service. The work was timely, honest, and done with a superior level of expertise. I have been coming here ever since and the team there is currently keeping my WRX, Subaru Baja, and my 87 Toyota MR2 in top shape. This review has been a long time coming but lets just say that I trust the team here, their work, and trust that they will do right by me. read more

I have got 60k service done here and also got my clutch plate replaced for my Subaru wrx and numerous other services like brake and oil changes. Kevin has always delivered and my car has no issues so far. Great place for Subaru repairs. read more

Did 30,000-mile factory services here. Kevin is knowledgeable on cars and very patient to clients. Will recommend to my friends definitely!

This shop hits all the right chords: * Excellent, attentive customer service * Knowledgeable staff * Honest estimates * Extremely competitive rates * Excellent follow up care I've taken my Fiat 500 Abarth to these guys twice. Even though Kevin's team specializes in Suburu and other Japanese vehicles, they worked on my Fiat and did the research necessary to make sure the job was done right. Trip 1: I wanted to get a blowoff valve installed because I like the cool noise they make. I wasn't aware it could affect engine performance. Kevin explained that the change in air pressure could cause the engine to run lean or rich, and that it wasn't a good idea to have it installed. He made a special trip to meet me at the shop to talk to me and explain the role the BOV plays in a turbo engine's performance, and said he would install the aftermarket BOV if I really wanted it, but he wouldn't recommend it. How many mechanics will advise against something you want done that they know is bad for the engine? I was really impressed. Trip 2: I wanted to upgrade the suspension in my car, so I talked to the staff at Euro Compulsion, the guys who provide the tuning maps for my ECU to find out what suspension components they recommend, bought the components, and asked Kevin's team to install them. Kevin talked with me over email. He verified I had all the right parts and scheduled a time to bring the car in. He let me drop the car off before the shop opened and drop the key for them in the mail slot. As he was working on the car throughout the day, he kept me updated via email and asked me about options for setting the coil-overs. At the end of the day, my partner, who is a CEO, didn't have time to take me to pick up the car. Kevin again made a special, late trip after the shop had closed to give me the key and follow up with useful information after the install. Kevin advised me that an alignment needed to be done right away to prevent tire wear, and recommended a shop in Milpitas. He explained how each of the suspension components work together and why it was important to get the alignment. The next day Kevin emailed to ask about the ride quality of my car. The level of service and quality of work Kevin and his team do is unusually good. read more