great place. they were so nice. called in for a new battery they had it and replaced it in 15 min. made my dead car battery ordeal not so bad. make sure you go to telegraph in berkeley not oakland. whoops maybe thats just me read more

Awesome customer service Good prices Fast/Thorough Polite/courteous This place is excellent. Way better than O'Reilly and the like. read more

Had to buy a new battery. Price was very reasonable, staff was extremely helpful and responsive. They take the time to explain things to you. I was very pleased. read more

I would like to start by saying that I had been using Berkeley Auto Care for over year and always had great experiences when dealing with the owner. He was friendly and found him to be honest and fourth right. But, the manger/new front desk guy at Berkeley Auto Care doesn't believe in integrity. I shouldn't have gone back after my first encounter with him a few months ago when I got an oil change and he charged me 25 dollars to screw on a license plate (which they did in front of me in only a couple minutes). I figured it was my own fault for not asking how much it would cost. I made the assumption that they wouldn't charge me since it only took two minutes and I just paid for an oil change, but I was wrong. I accepted it and thought they still did good work. My car broke down on the Freeway over the weekend and I had it towed to the shop on Monday morning when they opened. I told him that I had no idea what happened. He said that they were busy and may not be able to fix whatever was wrong with it until Tuesday, but they would look and see what was wrong with it by the end of the day and let me know. They didn't. The next day, I had to call to see what was up. They said they hadn't gotten around to looking at it and to give them 10 minutes. I got call back saying that my timing belt blew and it destroyed the engine. I needed a new one and they could do it for $4000 some dollars. I don't know much about cars, but I knew this was BS. My car had gotten a new engine and timing belt less than 20,000 miles ago. When I went down to the shop to tow my car away, I was charged $120 for 10 minutes of BS labor. The manger got upset when I told him that the engine and belt were new and he said that it was blown and I needed a new one. Guess what; he was wrong! I took to another shop and they found that water pump blew and one of the engine valves needed to be fixed. Less than $800 for parts and labor. Drastically different than what Berkeley Auto Care said. It is shame that Berkeley Auto Care has decided that they are no longer going to be a place of Integrity and instead, have turned to highway robbery. I have spent over $1000 in the last year there and would have been happy to keep giving them business. I would seriously consider coming here. The service has really gone down hill. And Berkeley Auto Care, next time you try ripping someone off, maybe start with something smaller than a brand new engine. Just a thought. read more

Very disappointing experience. As a result of their poor diagnosis of a problem, I had to go back multiple times. At the end of it all, I ended up having to replace a number of parts, not all of them necessary. Of course they didn't mind adding a diagnostic charge each time. Even after all of this I am skeptical that the problem has been completely fixed! Not going back there again. read more

I've had two very bad incidences with BAC. Both times, the estimated price I was given from them was two or four times more expensive than what it cost to repair the car. read more

I was visiting from out of town when my alternator needed to be replaced, and the great reviews about this mechanic persuaded me to go there. Unfortunately, I have reason to believe that people were paid to leave such reviews. The diagnostic that was performed did not reveal any other issues, but LESS THAN 24 HOURS LATER the serpentine belt broke causing $1,500 in damages (believe me, I wish I were exaggerating that number). Following up with them would not have done any good as I was already 4 hours outside of Berkeley. Who knows, maybe this place really does earn the great reviews and I just had some really bad luck, but it's pretty apparent that a major mechanical error was made at some point while my car was in their hands. read more

4.5 Stars My brakes at the time got pretty bad and I had to get them repaired or I'd risk killing somebody. I didn't make an appointment but I still took my car there since I live so close to this autoshop and my brake situation became an emergency at that point. My goodness, the professionalism and kindness of the head mechanic took me by surprise. Since my visit wasn't planned, I expected the repairs on my car to take quite some time. My engine emergency light was also flashing so I opted for an engine diagnostic as well which costs around 100 dollars for them to check. On the same day, the head mechanic called me and listed all the problems with my car and gave me a detailed explanation of how the problem occurred. As it turned out, I needed new break pads and also needed to get my standard 30k tuneup which would cost a good amount of course. He told me to think about the quote he gave me and asked me to call him back if I decided to go with his recommendations. He told me he already had all the parts required to fix my car and that he could finish everything by the next day! Very surprising. Given that I was a broke college student at the time, I just wanted the brakes repaired, and I told him I'd get a tune up at another time when I have a bit more cash. He understood completely and even took out the engine diagnostic labor charge! He told me he was happy to take it out in exchange for me to suggest his shop to friends or on yelp. I told him I'd gladly do it so here I am. The main thing is that he didn't list all the BS that you'd hear from other shops and then be asked to pay for them all. The mechanic got right down to the problem and tried to give me discounts wherever he could. Excellent service and I will be coming back again if I have future car problems! I deducted a 0.5 stars because at one point, I broke a piece off my side mirror and they insisted the whole thing needed to be replaced when I thought otherwise (but then again I got this recommendation from another mechanic and not the head). Overall, great place to take your automobile! read more

ok- so car stuff isn't my strongest skill and I admit to asking my guy friends all things car related. so when a buddy of mine told me that the weird sound my car was making occasionally was due to bad brake pads, I headed straight to yelp and found these guys. I called and was told if I could make it down there by 1:30 they would have it done for me by 3 and quoted two possible outcomes without looking. After dropping it off I got a call about 20 mins later saying that they looked at all the pads, checked everything else and test drove the car and told me that nothing needed to be replaced at that time. Talk about honesty- they could have totally exploited my lack of automative knowledge but did not. For doing so they have totally earned my trust and future business. I ended up getting an oil change for 25 bucks with no charge for all the inspection. Kudos to you Ricky and your team. I most definitely will be seeing you guys in the future! read more

I rarely write reviews for either good or bad service, but I had to write one for my experience today. I went in today because I'm driving down to Vegas (a 10 hour drive) tomorrow and needed my car checked because there was a piece of plastic hanging down from under my car. I called in and was told to come by right away to be checked because I was doing everything last minute and they were great about it. They immediately put my car on the lift and checked out not only the broken piece of plastic but everything else as well. The plastic was unimportant so he cut it off and then because I told him I was driving a lot tomorrow, he decided to do a thorough check of the rest of my car. He checked my air pressure in my tires and then checked the fluids under my hood. I was impressed by the care they put into making sure my car was in good condition, and I feel so much better about making the long roadtrip tomorrow. In the end, they old me no charge because it was an easy fix, and as a broke college student I really appreciated their great service even though they weren't planning to charge me. I had to write a great review for Berkeley Auto Care even though I have a billion things to do before my trip tomorrow! read more

They were able to fix the initial problem I brought the car in for (door/window issues, which was an expensive fix) and then weren't able/willing to fix subsequent issues they had caused with the alarm. Huge disappointment- don't bring your car here! read more

The people are very courteous, and they take the time to tell you exactly what is wrong with your car. I feel like they are honest as well.

I've been going to Berkeley Auto Care for about a year now and they have made sure 99 VW old car runs like new. They are knowledgeable and very efficient. Ricky and Cesar are kind, sympathetic and really work with your schedule. Their pricing is very fair, you can even cross reference this services and you can't find a more reliable place to take care of one of your best assets and as a recent college grad, that is so important! read more

Took my rice burner there for a major tune up. The job was OK, and the cost was not as expensive as dealer for sure. 10% discount applied to the job before I even showed them the coupon I downloaded on their site. It would have been nice if I got a courtesy call when the job was done though. read more

I will never go there again. The sign says oil change $20, I ended up paying $35. When I asked what the deal was, I was told that was for Honda's only. WTF? Also, got a list of things that need to be replaced, including my one year old battery. This place is not to be trusted. read more

I went there to have them repair a flat tire -- they were super quick (about 20 minutes), friendly, and it only cost $25. Can't beat that!

Writing reviews isn't my thing except when the review is exceptional. I usually only address poor service as good service is expected. I, like many people have dealt with many mechanics and repair shops. This place was outstanding. I am only writing this because they were so professional, quick, and priced very well. My car was there for 2 days due to MY neglect (you really should change the transmission fluid a few times in 80k miles) They far exceed the normal "good" work that I expect from any service business. I recommend people I dont know along with those I do. I hold my word to be the ultimate so if I tell a friend "go here.." its understood they are the best! This place is one you can put your name on for a recommendation, that says more to me then any "they did good/bad work" comment. -As to the "30 year experienced" customer below me that talked about not reassembling the car completely, you might want to mention that YOU brought the car in apart to them and didn't ask them to reassemble the botched heater core job YOU started and then asked them to fix when you realized you were in over your head. IF you did the work in the end it makes no sense why you brought the vehicle there to begin with, or why you paid the bill. You didn't all of a sudden get a garage. You don't sound like someone who goes around paying for things they didn't get. -As for the customer below who talks about their license plate being removed, come on. My license plate could have been replaced (it wasn't) and Id be happy that a new shinny one was there. Most places do that even the dealership. Not to mention you go for an oil change and if they see something that needs attention are you really suggesting they don't mention it? If your fluids are low or you need brakes it would be reckless for them NOT to mention it. Stop crying and grow up, they didn't do the work and demand payment, they merely suggested it, by your own admission. Get the work done or don't. People similar to you is why there is a need for NEW car dealerships. I am a full fledged customer, you can contact me and I can surely prove it. Bills and rebates from promotions available. All the while my passion has not led me to use profanity and show an immature age. Seriously BERKELEY AUTO CARE is where you want to go for your auto needs!!! Thank you see you soon.... read more

I know NOTHING about automotives. But when I go to Berkeley Auto Care, I'm not at risk. The owner Ricky is a gem and priceless resources for consumers like I. I am absolutely certain (1) he is NEVER interested in over-charging or ripping me off and (2) the work his shop does is excellent. Over the past 18 months I have needed some major work on a '99 Toyota Corolla and each time Ricky's price has been a fraction of other similarly situated shops. In addition to unbeatable prices, the customer service is superior: Ricky takes the time to explain what's going with the car, what my options are, and he is sensitive to the fact that many people, like I, do not have a bank account full of money waiting to be spent on auto repair. When I couldn't do all the work needed at one time, Ricky was really helpful and kindhearted in taking the time to sort it all out and help me prioritize repairs. I have never had a single problem with the work from Berkeley Auto Care, even though some work was major I have never had to bring my car back once it left his shot repaired. His staff is delightful: friendly, good humored and professional. A few friends have recommended this shop to me when I asked around for a referral to a reliable and quality mechanic. Today, I do the same; I unconditionally vouche for Berkeley Auto Care and intend to keep giving them my business for many years to come. read more

These guys are highly reliable & very nice. I have been getting oil changes from them for 4 years now, with no bad experiences. They just repaired a tire for me for the standard $20. No complaints! read more

I'm new to the bay area and was in desperate need of a mechanic that I could trust (I'm VERY picky with mechanics). I researched Yelp and also ask for recommendations from friends. After reading the reviews and comparing various auto repair places I decided to visit book an appointment at Berkeley Auto Care. Ricky and his whole team are great! The level of service and professionalism lived up to the reviews. Ricky made sure to call me to inform me of the work that needed to be done and amount it would costs. I really appreciated that he was upfront about the work that was necessary. He went above and well beyond my expectations to make sure my car was all set. I highly recommend Ricky and feel very comfortable taking my car to his shop for any work because I feel he's an honest business owner. read more

It's okay for some things but don't just take their word for it; get a second opinion to be sure the work they recommend is really needed.

Awesome awesome car shop, the staff is really friendly and the price is reasonable. The best carshop experience I've ever had.

My Toyota Highlander had a bearing problem but the mechanic I have used in Walnut Creek was not ale to identify the problem. Since I was in Berkeley on a business trip, looked up YELP reviews and found this place. The gentleman who I dealt with is Ricky, and what a pleasure to deal with such an honest person. He took time to explain to me what I need to get fixed and what parts I should not spend more money on since my vehicle is getting older now. His service cost was below all the other quotes I have received.The work was done on time as promised and the ""bearing" problem has since gone. I was surprised to receive a follow up call from Ricky that evening to see how the vehicle was running, and if I was happy with his service. Wowwwww. I highly recommend Berkeley Auto Care to anyone seeking a place to care for their vehicles and remember to ask to speak to Ricky. Well done Sir and keep up the good work. read more

I live near Berkeley auto care which for me is convenient,but it is an great place to take your car. Their service is both timely and very good.I took in my 1997 Geo Metro and not only did they do a great job but they provided great advice about possible future problems. For me Rick and his team are the greatest. I will recomend the place to all my friends. Charles T. read more

Ricky is the owner, and I am glad he is! He is awesome, so is his business. Knowledgeable, reasonable, friendly, helpful. Didn't try to sell me (a female) a lot of shit I don't need, didn't assume I know nothing (I know a bit about cars) and his rate is competetive for the area ($90 an hour for labor.) This time my business was repeat, and I will give him my business in the future. I also really like that he's *nice* which I can't say about the people working at or owning some other mechanic shops in the area. ((cough, Mike at Benner in Oakland, cough.)) He's also got nice people working for him. And the work is guaranteed, which is always a good thing... When I got my oil changed there earlier this year he pointed out some work I would need done in the future, which I appreciate, because it's actually stuff that needs to happen that I need to know about, not just them trying to make money off of me. I got my car tuned up this time and it's purring like a kitten, I can tell the difference! read more

Not knowing much at all about cars, I went to Berkeley Auto Care to get an oil change and get my check engine light sorted out. Ricky was the absolute best! He changed my oil, did a diagnostic, and then did all the necessary repairs (turns out there was ALOT wrong) in less than an afternoon. He explained everything so that I could understand, and I don't feel like I got ripped off in the slightest. I'm definitely going back the next time my car has an issue. Ricky and the rest of the crew rule. read more

great service, reasonable price. they are taking care customers very well. i went there many times during my stay at berkeley. They are highly recommended if you need any thing for your vehicle, i am sure they will take good care of you!! read more

Berkeley Auto Care was great to me! I went in with a check engine light and had a horrible time trying to figure out whether or not it was covered under my warranty when I called my car company. Since I couldn't figure it out, I gave the info to the guys at Berkeley Auto Care and they handled it all for me with the warranty company. They got my $870 charge down to a $50 deposit by figuring out that it was covered under warranty. They always called me back right away and were very patient in answering my questions since I don't know much about how my car works. They also gave me a complimentary wash and vacuum when I picked up my car. I highly recommend them, they are very friendly, honest, and efficient. read more

Cesar is very honest and they charge very reasonable prices. They were able to get the job done on the same day for the things I took my car in for: replacement battery, and replacement front rotors. read more

Stellar customer service! Very reasonable prices. You know an auto shop is good when it's always busy busy busy there. will come back for oil changes and such. read more

Very good service. It was my first time getting oil change so I was afraid they would try to rip me off and offer me unnecessary upgrades that I've heard so much about from other auto places. But they did nothing of the sort. They were straight forward and just did what I wanted them to do and it took about 20 minutes. They were also nice enough to reattach the rubber strip that's been dragging in the front of my car cuz the nails been missing. I'll definitely revisit this place again! read more

I've been going to the Berkeley Auto Care for a couple years now and I really appreciate the personal service I have received from Ricky and his wife. They are honest and will only recommend needed repairs. read more

I called Berkeley Auto Care to replace my battery. I talked on the phone with a really helpful guy named Ricky. I had called a couple different mechanics but I came to Berkeley Auto Care because of Ricky. When I got there he was very friendly and extremely helpful and I felt very comfortable leaving my car with the shop. I left my car there and very shortly after Ricky called to update me on the progress of my car. He explained everything very clearly and his promptness was very impressive. I had a great experience here, and really felt taken care of. Thank you Berkeley Auto Care, and especially Ricky! read more

For the past 4 years I have turned to Berkeley Auto Care for my car repairs. I just had more work done yesterday. As expected the work done was great and the customer service was excellent! I would highly recommend Berkeley Auto Care! read more

I received incredible service from Cesar and Ricky at Berkeley Auto Care. I brought in my clunker 98 Saturn on a Saturday with a cracked radiator and they replaced it the same day. The pricing was affordable and transparent. The next day, my starter went out (totally unrelated to the radiator) and they sent out a tow truck free of charge and again gave me a great deal on replacing it. I'd definitely go back to Berkeley Auto Care for future repairs. read more

I just came home from a repair done at this amazing auto repair shop. I saved a lot of money, time and headaches. The best experience I ever had with any repair shop in the last 42 years as a driver. I was in a jam this morning because my car was making some funny noise and I had to go to Marin for a meeting by 1:00 P.M. and also I will be making long trips this weekend. I read reviews on Yelp and this shop sounded good, so I called the shop. Ricky talked to me patiently and informatively for a long time trying to figure out what to do. He then squeezed me in at 11:30 A.M. for a diagnostic service, and recommended that I do a timing belt replacement right away before taking too much chance on the road( If a timing belt snaps, the engine could be ruined, and I already had a scheduled appointment with a Hyundai dealer next day to change the timing belt which needs to be changed every 60.000 miles, and mine was over 74,000 miles). I was in a quandary to take a chance to drive over to Marin for my meeting, or miss the meeting and leave the car to be fixed. Ricky came to my rescue by lending me his own car (because the loaner car was already taken), so I could make my meeting. Incredible! He then didn't charge me for labor on changing 4 other belts, water pump, a leaky valve cover gasket. a bypass hose, and few other things. All of these repairs were recommended by the dealer and other shops I have gotten estimates for before. So I knew that Ricky was not overselling any service to a desperate customer. So I must have saved between $150.00 to $200.00 and also the drive to Santa Rosa Hyundai dealer( I was going all the way up there because it gave me the least expensive estimate for a timing belt replacement) and who knows a much bigger repair bill if the timing belt snapped during my planned trips. Ricky was very professional, courteous, informative, super helpful, just simply a nice person. I am glad I read the reviews on him, and went to him. All the good things others wrote were true. He just goes the extra mile to be helpful. Although the initial estimate seems similar to other shops' estimate, I ended up really saving a lot on money and time., because Ricky would be creative about combining services and dropping many labor charges( just parts), One more thing I want to say is that this shop has a lot more flexibility on their working hours. First of all, they are open on Saturdays. Also I get the feeling that they are willing to be open longer to finish your job. Other shops that I went in the past would need to keep my car an extra day to do a major work, if I get there after 11 A.M. without an appointment. Ricky couldn't promise me that my car will be done, because I brought it there so late, but I felt confident that they are going to do their best to finish it, even if they have to keep the shop open longer than their stated hours. Sure enough they finished it. My car was washed and vacuumed when I got there. What more can I ask for. Thank you, Ricky!!!! read more

It is so very difficult to find someone wonderful to take care of your car, and these guys are it. We were recommended to them by a friend, and I couldn't be happier. They are straight up with you, and explain everything that they think should be done but never push, which is really nice. They are also really kind and were extra nice to me on my birthday :) I would recommend them to anyone. read more

Ricky and Cesar are just awesome when it comes to their job... And to add to that, they are very helpful and honest... It's always been an pleasure talking to them... I have been going there for years for getting my vehicles serviced and the 30+ miles of drive from Fremont to Berkeley is well worth it! read more

These guys are great. I'm auto-mechanically inept, so I'm glad these guys didn't try to scam me. Brought in my Mitsubishi at noon and they fixed my transmission issue in less than 3 hours. I definitely recommend this place. read more

A few weeks ago my old Honda Civic's clutch cable broke, LUCKILY one block from Berkeley Auto Repair! The guys pushed the car to the shop, the clutch was repaired in about two hours and I was back on the road again! Very friendly service, and NOT full of unwanted and unsolicited suggestions about more work. I definitely will take my car there again; after all, it's right next door to my favorite cheap laundromat Bing Wong. read more