I WILL NOT RECOMMENT THIS MECANIC!
Here is my experience:…read moreLast year, I had a brand-new battery installed, which kept dying every week. Due to the frustration that the dealership couldn't find anything wrong after they inspected, I was advised to take my car to a private mechanic. This shop is on my route, so I decided to take my car there for another check. They put in a new starter, but when I picked up my car, I noticed a sound when turning on the key to start the car right there in their parking lot. I went right back to the shop, and I was told to bring the car back for them to check. They did some repairs that seemed to resolve this issue of battery dying frequently. That was in August last year.
2 weeks ago, I took my car to the dealership for a scheduled oil change, and they advised me that a bolt was missing from that new starter and a drive plate due to its damage, which could help with the noise while driving. The rep at the dealership replaced the starter missing upper bolt as a temporary fix, and suggested instead of charging me, to first check with MasterTech, as the new starter installer must have a warranty, if not to bring it back to them for the repair. Luckily, the new starter did have a warranty. MasterTech replaced that starter free but charged me with the same labor of $540 they charged me last august. They also requested to have the car the week of Apryl 13 to 17 and put in a new flex plate, for which I was charged 12hrs of labor at $1620.
So, I asked to work from home that week. I called on Wednesday April 15th for a progress on the work, I was told that they received the piece and working on my car, that it should be ready by Friday. At midday on Friday, April 17, I followed up with a call, left a voice message. When I didn't hear back from MasterTech, I made a car rental reservation, so I can have a car for the coming days only to be called before their closing time, so that my car was ready. They sent me a courteousy driver, (which service is welcome, since it was last minute and I didn't expect to get the car anymore). When I arrived at the counter, I was told: "you will notice a noise when you start the car, as the battery is half charged", also we didn't have time to test the car", REALLY? My car was at the shop for the whole week for major work and you released a car without test driving it?
I asked if there is any issue found in the car, some questions I ask whenever I drop my car at a mechanic as well. I was told, nothing else. So I get in my car, and see the engine coolant temperature level all the way up in blue color; it didn't concern me, what do I know about mechanic, I drove about 500 meter from MasterTech parking lot on Navan rd, that the blue color changed to red, the temperature display started flashing, and right after the "Engine Overheating Stop safely" sign came up; I just turned from Mer Bleu to Wall rd. I stopped the car, opened the hood per the car manual and called MasterTech, but there was no answer. I managed to return to MasterTech, but it was closed. I managed to drive the car for about 2km back home; I had to stop 2 times while the warning was on.
Mr Lube was nearby, so my son took the car there, and took them less than 1 hour to do a radiator flush service, universe longlife coolant, hose clamp, Kleenfo rad flush, as there was no coolant in the reservoir and the radiator appeared empty. THAT FIXED THE ISSUE.
On Monday, I had to ask to work from home, as I need to return to MasterTech for explanation and request a refund for their service fee. I spoke to the main mechanic who worked on my car, explained to him what happened, with the pictures of the warning issue. His response: "you didn't bring the car for this issue" "your car is old" (the year of my car is 2014); "I will call you by tomorrow and let you know your decision on the service refund".
He didn't call as he said the next day. On Wednesday April 22, I called and spoke to the young man that released the car; he said the main mechanic did not tell you anything about my visit on Monday; and I told him to let him know that I expect the main mechanic to call me back by Friday.
On Friday, 24 Apil 2026. The main mechanic William, called to repeat again that "I spoke to counterparts, and they all say this issue is not my responsibility: "your car is old" that he will refund me half the invoice I paid to Mr. Lube( $259.88 for less than 1 hour labor it only took to fix the engine heating issue that he says he was not responsible for).
I am no mechanic, but isn't basic mechanic to check for all fluid no matter what issue the car was brought in; and most importantly do a test drive, such as replacing a starter before releasing a car to its owner? And if my car is old as he says, isn't that a reason to check for additional issues when a car is brought in?
I told William that I am not accepting his half refund for work done inefficiently and not acknowledging their oversight.
DISAPOINTING & UNETHICAL!
