Exceptional Kindness and Service I am from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and had to travel to Madison for an appointment with the VA Heart Transplant Clinic. Because of serious health problems related to military chemical exposure, being stranded away from home without a reliable vehicle would have put me in a very difficult situation. The owner of Budd's Garage personally took the time to check my vehicle, clean what needed to be cleaned, reset the engine sensors, and make sure the vehicle was operating properly so I could safely make the trip home to Minnesota. After taking the time to help a complete stranger from out of town, he did not charge me a single penny. There is a difference between simply operating an auto-repair business and genuinely caring about the person who walks through your door. I experienced the latter at Budd's Garage. The owner's kindness, integrity, and willingness to help me when I genuinely needed it will not be forgotten. If you live in Madison, or are simply passing through and unexpectedly have car trouble, this is the garage I would recommend without hesitation. Businesses earn loyal customers through competent work, but they earn people's respect through character. Budd's Garage demonstrated both. Thank you for making sure this Veteran could get home to Minnesota safely. read more

Ömar and group are amazing. Very willing to work with you. Always trying to find the best and cheapest solution. Very calm.

My car battery died today- huge bummer. I called a tow person to jump it and then called Budd's for the first time ever for a replacement battery. I was met with the absolute best customer service. Not only did they squeeze me into a tight schedule but they also did a quick check over on my car and made sure it was running as smoothly as possible. I knew I needed an oil change and they were able to get that done as well. I spoke with one of the owners in depth about their business philosophy of repair instead of replace parts when possible and always taking care of customers. They were super helpful and nice and took the time to explain everything. I will be going to this spot for all my car issues for the rest of my time in Madison. I felt like they really cared for their customers and I'm so glad I found them!! read more

I actually ended up taking my van to my cousin (who is a mechanic) but the owner here diagnosed my car correctly and gave a reasonable estimate. Would def use in the future read more

I was so amazed at tthe genrous service rendered by Omer, My elderly sister 84 was in the hospital and her daughter's car in the parking lot would not start and the hood was stuck. AAA would not get it open.Omer drove over to the hospital and got the hood open. This allowed AAA to come and jump the car. My neice had enough worry with her extremely ill mother plus having to deal with a dead car.This made such a difference to out family.I'm out of state and couldnt help. Omer showed kindness that is very rare nowadays. Thank you and God Bless. read more

Changed my oil, were very friendly and efficient. They also pointed out how worn my tires are, and I need to have them replaced.

The best service and friendly staff. Always has the best advice without pushing anything on you. Will not go anywhere else.

Really stellar work by the team at Budd's. Had an issue with my car, Omer was very easy to talk to, worked with me on the phone and was able to solve my issue within a few minutes of arriving to Budd's. The team is extremely friendly, helpful and prices are reasonable. 10/10, will absolutely continue to support this small business and would highly recommend it to others. read more

Several years ago I was referred to this shop by a few friends and I have found them to be not only good at repairs and maintenance but incredibly helpful. On several occasions I have needed help and they always said to just come on in and they would be there for me. After my car was stolen and crashed they went out of their way to inspect and make helpful suggestions. I was just there today with a minor issue which they just took care of right then. They are smart, helpful and trustworthy. read more

I really don't think I can ever thank Budd's Auto enough for all they do. They are seriously THE BEST and I trust them more than my own father with my car. Every time I go there, they go above and beyond to take care of me and make sure I don't have to pay any more than I need to; I seriously don't think they fully comprehend how much stress that relieves me from. I continue to recommend them and will be a forever grateful customer! read more

Fit me in last minute with an emergency need. Repaired my issue same day at a very reasonable cost. This is the best auto repair shop I've been to maybe ever. read more

Honest mechanics, fair prices and quick work. What more can you ask for? I've been here once and I can say I'll be going to Budd's anytime I need work done on my car. read more

I was on the way out of town and had an issue with one tire on my Honda CRV, so I went to where I purchased tires the last time, a national retailer nearby my home. They understood the issue and recommended Budd's Auto Repair (that action alone speaks highly of both companies.) So I went to Budd's and as swamped as they were, they took the time to listen, actually check the tire out and explain "why", and offered two alternatives. Because their recommendation was a set of new tires, I gratefully acknowledged my appreciation for their genuine interest in my safety on the road and the vehicle. Because both companies are so focused on what's best for the customer, I felt returning the favor to the national retailer was the "right thing to do." It bothered me to say that to Budd's because they were so great about it all, I feel compelled to praise their honesty, integrity, and customer focus (which is not easy to find nowadays.) As other needs arise, I will most certainly make Budd's my first call. You folks are great. From the polite answering of the phone to the timeliness of seeking solutions, you all are to be applauded. With sincere appreciation, Brad in Madison read more

This review is overdue! I thought I already reviewed this business several years ago when I first started coming here. Omar and his team are the best. I truly feel like I can trust him. He understands our situation and desire to maintain our older (2009) high mileage Jetta without spending money unnecessarily. He doesn't make us feel cheap for "keeping an eye" on issues in lieu of fixing. Despite being busy (and I suspect short staffed like many other businesses) he makes the time for drop ins and thoroughly explains issues in a way that makes sense to a non-mechanic. I really appreciate this small Madison business and the people that work there. read more

My car had a major cooling problem and I just happened to be in front of Bud's when it happened. Omer came right out when he saw me pull in and immediately started diagnosing the problem. After spending about a half an hour he suggested a second opinion. My usual service provider gave me a ridicules estimate and charged me way too much. Omer never charged me for his valuable time. I made an appointment with him, and I'm pleased to say that he spent a full day going over every possible reason for my car's problems. He fixed them and I am beyond grateful for his expertise. Hopefully he will be my advisor for a long time to come. read more

The catalytic converter was stolen from under my Prius, parked out on the street. (If you've got a Prius, watch out. This has become a thing, as you may already know. I did not.) The folks at Budd's were and are absolutely awesome to work with. Professional, honest straight-shooters, but also just very, very nice people. It wasn't a pleasure getting my catalytic converter stolen, but it *was* a real pleasure dealing with everyone at Budd's. And it's nice to support a small, local business. Highest marks! read more

Went to my car, hopped in, drove 3 blocks and knew something was WRONG. oh NO! a FLAT tire. Made it back to my house and called Budd's. The owner says if I can get the car there he can fix it right away..... Luckily for me, Budds is 4 blocks- the other way- from my house and my hubby was able to come home and pump the tire up for the trip downhill. As promised, 2 hours later the tire was fixed and the Nasty looking screw that was the evil culprit was taped to the invoice. THANKS for same day, no appt needed, no BS, local service! read more

I set up an appointment over the phone with their receptionist, who was very patient with me while we tried to find an overlapping open time. I got my car in just before Christmas for an oil change and a look over! My 14 YO car's belts were all new, yet I had a terribly loud squeak coming from one of them. Fortunately they found the issue and tightened my belt so I didn't damage it further. They also provided me with quotes and a general time frame to get any future replacements done. The mechanic was super great at explaining issues and costs, and kept within the timeframe that he said he needed for my maintenance. I've read that this shop has reasonable costs and fees compared to others in Madison, and after talking to other shops (and trusting my step dad's judgment) I was really relieved by the cost of it all. I'll definitely be returning there for my next servicing and repairs! read more

I'm visiting from VA. My Honda Civic's tail lights got stuck on about half way through the drive. I took my car to Budd's since they were one of the few mechanics in the area open on New Year's Eve. I wasn't disappointed. They diagnosed the issue (a part came off of my brake pedal assembly, which is a common issue in older Civics) and offered me two fixes. One, to order the part from Honda which would come in on Wednesday, or two to glue a washer and bolt to correct the issue in a more makeshift way. I opted to go for the Honda part. On Wednesday I called and was told that they attempted to order it, but the order didn't go through until Wednesday (Tuesday was New Years Day), which they didn't expect, so it would be Thursday before it would arrive. I asked if they could do the makeshift correction instead and they were fine with that. I got the car back today and it is working great! They charged me only a half hour for labor and nothing for the parts which is excellent. I thought they were very honest and professional and the charge was very good considering the extra time they likely spent dealing with Honda's system. I would go back if I lived in the area! read more

Everything a (my) neighborhood auto repair shop should be. Helpful, fair, gives you alternatives at a range of prices and honest about it. I've had my 15 yo (yikes!) Honda in there for routine stuff and some tricky work and was super happy each time. Deserves all 5 stars. No bull! read more

My mom came in from out of town and said her car started making a rattling noise on the way here. We took it to Budds and they found time to look at it even though they were booked all day. Knew what was the problem the second they heard the noise. Fixed it and we were home in 15 minutes. Every single person was nice and very knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend taking your car here. read more

I had an excellent experience with these guys yesterday. I originally had scheduled to bring my car in on Friday morning for an oil and filter change and radiator/coolant flush. But I thought I had heard the tech I spoke to say Thursday, and accidentally got the days mixed up (I'm guessing they were pretty booked Thursday, which is why they were expecting me to come in Friday). However, they managed to take care of my car anyway on Thursday, and did a full inspection on it as well. Faysal was the tech I spoke to when I brought it in and picked it up. He was very clear and easy to understand in explaining the work they had done. And the receptionist, Amanda, was very friendly and helpful in detailing the services they performed and costs associated with each. Overall, it's a great shop. I suppose going somewhere a bit further off the beaten path over on the east side might save a few bucks on labor. But Budd's is worth the sightly higher cost for the convenience of the location being where it is, and the quality of the service you get. And even in cost, they're very competitively priced. I know my girlfriend took her car to Valvoline up on University recently and paid about the same amount as I did at Budd's. And Valvoline didn't do a full inspection, they had a pool of coolant they drained around the car that we had to carefully step around so we didn't get it on our shoes, and there was even some coolant and water on her driver's side floor mat when we got in the car (and it looked like Budd's even vacuumed out the floor mats in my car!). Also, the tech wasn't very clear in his communications. And although my gf had mentioned she had a coupon from the web, he forgot to ask for it when he rang her up. And then after doing so when we asked about applying the coupon, said he couldn't do it because he already ran her card. So I guess if you want the best, go with Budd's. If you're in a hurry and want to save a few bucks at the risk of a lower quality of service, one of the other shops in town may work for you. read more

I heard great things about Budd's both on Yelp and through a friend, so I decided to check them out. They're always pretty busy, but I was able to squeeze myself in to get my door handle replaced. My friend also took her car in that day to get something fixed. While we waited for repairs, my friend and I went to lunch. We were told they'd call when the repairs were finished. We waited and waited for a phone call about the repairs, but ended up having to call and ask about the status of our repairs. It turned out they'd gotten done (hooray!), so we went to pick up the car. When we got back to Budd's, we discovered that instead of replacing the outside door handle (which was clearly broken -- there was basically no handle there), they had replaced the inside door handle. The inside door handle wasn't actually broken, albeit a bit loose. They apologized and told me they would put the old door handle back. They also recommended that I replace all of my door handles, since they were all "about to break." I went to the car to check and there was only one loose handle -- the one they had replaced and then re-replaced! They also quoted me a pretty hefty price for replacing all four handles. Then, they also told me it would be difficult to order an outside door handle. I decided to give up. Ended up going with another place and couldn't have been happier! The whole scenario, though, was more hilarious than anything else. Because they are so swamped with work, they have a receptionist working there. She's super friendly and helpful, but since she can't always answer questions about how long something will take, it adds some time to the interaction. And my friend, who got a lot of work done at Budd's, has also moved on. Despite all of this, the folks there are pretty friendly, so you'll certainly have a pleasant interaction if you go! read more

I had a sway bar which needed replacement and my normal mechanic was shut down for the pandemic. Thankfully Budd's was open, Faizal and Omer worked their magic and got me back on the road quickly! Highly recommend their shop. read more

I thought I had a flat tire and so I called Budd's auto repair to see if they could fix it on the same day. They were fully booked for the day but said I could drop by in an hour. When I arrived they took my tire in to examine it and within 15 min told me that it wasn't punctured so they inflated it and switched it on to my car and put my spare int he trunk. The whole thing took LESS THAN AN HOUR, everyone on the staff was very gregarious and the office was very well heated in this cold wisconsin weather! The best part was they did it all for FREE, I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking to get auto repair from some super friendly guys for fast service! read more

Took my poor car to Budd's for repair and they were nothing but nice about everything! I had gone to another place for a quote and I wanted to see if Budd's could give me anything lower, of course they did. The gentlemen I spoke with over the phone was honest and informative when giving me the run down on my vehicle. I didn't end up getting my car fixed at Budd's but I do recommend their services to anyone in the Madison area looking for an auto shop. read more

Dropped my car off with engine light issues. After assessing the problem with the engine Computer they determined that I needed a factory update, which can only be archived at dealerships. Ended up not charging me a free. They were always supper polite on the phone, never me with anyone face to face. Very helpful. read more

This place is ridiculously amazing. I was getting ready to embark on a long distance trip and my tire pressure light came on. It was in the middle of winter and it was pouring snow.I wasn't about to inflate my tires myself. The service was ridiculous. They got to work as soon as I got there. I didn't have to wait. They inflated my tires, checked my pressure and reset my light while I waited in the car. The most ridiculous thing was that they did it for free. FREE. Amazing. Great people. Amazing service. Use them for your tire needs! read more

They are the best, hands down. Courteous and responsive. They always discuss what needs to be done, offering options. I've been going to Budd's since 1984, continuing when it changed hands. I'm so fortunate to know Omer, Faysal & the crew at Budd's. read more

These guys are great. I've never had a bad experience and they've always dealt honestly and fairly with me. They're trustworthy and will do a good job, you should absolutely go with them when you need a mechanic. read more

Budd's is a great neighborhood place to get your car fixed for an honest and fair price. The staff is very helpful, knowledgeable and will work hard to get your repair done quickly. Once again, they always have great and fair prices on parts and labor! I will definitely take my car here again. Mason read more

Great auto repair shop - these guys are honest, good prices, and have very flexible hours. Location is a bonus too - convenient for people on the west side of Madison or even downtown and if you are waiting to get your car worked on - there are shops and restaurants with in walking distance. read more

Not impressed with this place at all. Major disappointment. Going here for repairs or service other than a oil change is a complete waste of time! The heat in my car doesn't work properly, they ordered a small part they thought may fix it, so a half hour labor job turned out to be 3 hours long because the young mechanic didn't have the experience others do to fix it. They only charged me the half hour labor plus price for the part, but returned it to me still not fixed! They/I thought it was the HVAC control module, but never heard back from them in 7 days, so they lost my business forever. There is a reason why they're the cheapest labor in town. You get what you pay for in life and you have lost my business forever! Stop using dishonest, unethical Zimbrick for parts, instead call Bergstrom!! You guys owe me an apology! read more

They were super diligent and accommodating with my service! Budd's got me in and out the day of and my car is in amazing shape!

Budd's is rock solid, to the untrained eye, some of their quality may not be noticed. I've taken my vehicle there twice now and it is quickly becoming the only place I will take my vehicle. I've intentionally taken it to various shops around the Madison area to test out customer service, quality of work, and thorough work jobs. My first visit was one of these. Heard a clunking coming from the suspension on the front passenger side. Took it in, turns out I needed a new control arm. Pretty hefty bill, but could have been worse if the control arm were to give out. Doable. They also took the time, since almost everything on the car is original, to check out the passenger side to see its status since it was probably ready to go. It was. They didn't pressure me at all to do both sides but said that it would be cheaper overall to do both and then the alignment instead of doing one, an alignment, then taking it in again and having it aligned again. So one trip instead of two, and in the long run was cheaper. They also noticed (although it was pretty obvious) that I had an issue with the exhaust. Simple flange fix. I opted not to at this point because the car is 17 years old and the noise didn't bother me. Later on, I was checking fluids and noticed they fixed my hood latch that was acting up without me asking or them telling me they did it. Was probably a simple fix, but whatever they did, it worked. Most places will just tell you you have an issue (no duh) but then want to charge you. This place just took the initiative to do it. A couple months after, the drive on my car kept driving more and more rough. I also was having issues with the heat not working while the car was idling. Finally had enough. Took it in to Midas because the muffler was under warranty. They wouldn't touch the flange and said I needed a new cat converter because it was original. Quoted $682 to do. Called Budd's. They got me in quick and said they could beat the $682 quote. Took it in and told them about the heat issue. $475 later I had a new cat, the heat works, and I just found out they went above and beyond again and put some corrosion preventative on the battery terminals and also re-hooked up the windshield washer lines that had come off (I was going to do it myself but now I don't have to). They definitely have earned my business as they do the right thing. If they notice an issue and it's a simple fix, they just take care of it. Most customers may not catch this attention to detail but I did and I am appreciative of it. read more

We had just arrived to Madison on a Friday afternoon for a wedding when our car broke down. Everyone else we called said they could help us on Monday. Budd's said they were pretty busy but when we explained the situation they said to come by and they would help us out. They did a temporary fix that got us to the wedding on time and allowed us to travel home to order the needed part there. We were so grateful!! read more

Beware -- they tried to sell me $$$ of services my car didn't need. Said that my belt was old and cracked and needed to be replaced, when in fact it was a brand new belt in great condition. Offered to take the belt off my car and show me what it looked like -- I suspect they have an old belt lying around the shop to show customers for this purpose. I also paid them for a used car inspection, but it is doubtful they took off my wheels to look at my brakes because another mechanic I consulted shortly after taking my car to Budd's had an extremely hard time getting the wheels off (were rusted on). This is disappointing and concerning because I asked them how much life I had left in my brakes and they told me number of years straight to my face. Wondering what those numbers were based on. The mechanics at Budd's are super friendly and come off as very knowledgable (like to explain everything to you in detail), and that unfortunately fooled me into trusting them. read more

Great local shop with old-school mechanics that won't rip you off. I brought in my Toyota Sienna, not sure what to expect, and left very happy -- with how quickly they fixed it and with the price. I swear it would've been twice as much if I had brought it to the Toyota dealership. read more

Decent business. The owner and his buddies are professional, honest and friendly. I wish these young men can keep their pureness in nowadays business environment, and have a very prosperous new year! read more

Couldn't recommend this place more. Car was leaking coolant. Had no clue what was wrong or why. Could've easily been ripped off for hundreds or thousands of dollars. Budds diagnosed the issue and fixed it in a day. $140. Go budds. read more