I've been going to Max's Auto for last twenty years. Always had a great experience! Highly recommend!

When my Toyota's engine light came on and it wouldn't pass the smog test, I knew it was time to call Max. I've trusted Max with my cars for years because his team does great work, they offer options that fit my budget, and the customer service is always warm and friendly. Max diagnosed the problem in detail and laid out my options, carefully explaining the costs and what each choice would mean for my car. I appreciate being informed about my car and knowing the costs upfront--it builds trust. At Max's, you can tell people take pride in their work. They know cars inside and out and work hard to fix every issue. But what keeps me coming back is the fun, welcoming vibe in the shop. I always leave in a brighter mood than when I arrived. Since I choose to drive 15-20 year old cars, I know they need a little extra care, and having a repair shop I can depend on is incredibly important. Whether I take my car to Max's for a routine oil change or something bigger, I know I'll leave with my car running smoothly and a smile on my face. If you're looking for top-notch service, skilled work, and a friendly atmosphere, I can't recommend Max Auto Services enough. They're all about making sure you're confident in their care and that your car is road-ready. I've been a customer here since 2017 with three different cars. read more

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Our family has taken our cars to Max for a while now. My last visit was amazing. I feel like I have a brand-new car after the regular service, rotors, brake pads, an axle replacement and brand-new tires! So great having them as our go-to shop for whatever our cars need. Super trustworthy, honest, caring and very reasonable! I highly recommend Max and his shop. We wouldn't go anywhere else! read more

Max's auto service has been in my neighborhood for years .! Always willing to help me ! Very good Quality work at reasonable prices! He's serviced my ford fusion for basic services & even helped me with my jaguar that had more complicated issues! So happy with his work that i even recommended my father ( transmission replacement Volvo ) & my mother ( immobilized because of key fob on a Nissan) . Zero complaints!! Max's auto service is my very 1st choice when I have ANY car issues!! read more

Took my work truck in to have my engine replaced/repaired end of last year. Been having some issues so took it in to a different shop. The mechanic told me my engine was not even installed properly. On the driver side alone he showed me 6 bolts that were only being used as placeholders, not even bolted to anything to keep it secure. Never again will I trust him. Second time he's made mistakes with service that I've had to take in elsewhere. read more

I had a very disappointing experience with Max's service regarding my TPMS replacement. On April 21, 2023, I visited his shop to have my tire-pressure monitoring system serviced. Max replaced only two sensors, saying that the other two were still working. Initially, my dashboard light went off, but after a few days of driving, it returned. When I brought the car back, Max then claimed that the remaining sensors needed to be replaced. Not long ago, I went to Costco to replace all four tires. I mentioned the TPMS issue to their technician, who, after inspecting my car, informed me that all four sensors were old and needed replacing. He explained that once one sensor is replaced, the others would eventually start failing, and that TPMS sensors are designed to last between 5 to 7 years. At Costco, each sensor costs about $50 (plus taxes), which is a far cry from what I was charged at Max's shop. Overall, I feel misled and overcharged by Max's services due to a lack of transparency and inconsistent information. I would caution anyone who isn't very knowledgeable about car maintenance to get a second opinion before proceeding with his recommendations. read more

After a recommendation on Nextdoor I had a need to visit a mechanic for a scraping noise on the underside of the car. He put the car up on the lift for no more than 5 minutes or even less. He couldn't find anything but charged me $50.00 anyway. I was also charged $79.00 plus $50.00 for an oil filter. Seems excessive also. I am a senior trusting woman who should have asked for quotes before. Lesson learned. Women especially beware! read more

I had to get my oil changed and after the dealership quoted me an insane amount, I turned to Max's and I'm so happy I did. Daniel helped make sure we were using the correct oil and had me in and out in an afternoon, despite having plenty going on at the shop. Great service and work at great value with ethical people who are locals. Hard to beat when looking for a mechanic! read more

I would rate this place a zero if I could. Max cuts corners and overcharges everyone he encounters. My friend told me he was trustworthy and a family friend so I went to him. I traded in my old car for a used car and paid 3,000 for a used car and it broke down within days. He wouldn't give me back my money until my family hounded him for weeks about it. He supposedly fixed my brothers truck near the same time & it broke down as he was driving home. He is actually a stereotypical scammin ass cars guy! Don't go here. read more

I'm a transplanted New Yorker who did not drive until I moved to the East Bay. My knowledge about cars is below elemental so having someone I can trust to take care of my car is essential. Max is that person, I've been going to him for almost a decade and he is one of the most honest, thoughtful and caring people I've met here. He has always been there for me for any auto problem, big or small. I can trust him and his staff to do a great job at a fair price. Thanks to Max and his crew my car is well-maintained and in good condition. Max's Auto Service is truly a neighborhood treasure........ Good quality and fast service is their calling card...... read more

Happy Accidents - This is a term I use for a problem that turns into something completely unexpected and wonderful. Yesterday, having just finished my 2 week supply run at Sprouts, I returned to my car only to find a dead battery. All that milk !! Called AAA - told the wait time would be 1.5 hours. What ?!! (Service in the time of Covid apparently) So I look for the nearest mechanic - and there was Max right across the street. I walk over, tell Max my problem, he grabs a couple of chargers, I hop in his backseat (yes, he allowed me inside his car) and we drove back to the Sprouts parking lot. He gets my car running, I follow him back to his garage, he pops in a new battery and I'm on my way (with my milk) in less than 30 minutes. It was just one of those very human moments when someone is willing to help another in need, without the arrogant, aloof , self-interested attitude so many of us are taking right now. Thank you Max. I will remember this small act of kindness for the rest of my days. read more

Took my car with a few issues Max diagnosed and was able to fix it at a fair price and relatively quickly. I'm new to the area but am happy to have found a mechanic that knows what he is doing and is fair. read more

Max is the man!!! I brought my car to Max shop to see what was causing all this loud sounds in the back. Found out that the bearing and tires were misaligned and could not be driven in this condition. He qouted me a great price to get it fixed with other repairs needed later and would be completed this Saturday. The repair was done on time and the car was dropped at my work for easy convience..what service!!. I will bring my car for a smog check and new tires next month. This is a very reputable repair shop and I highly recommend them to anyone. read more

Honest and reliable! My neighbor who's got 3 cars and raved about Max all the time recommended him when I needed a repair. He got me a fair quote, got the part and fixed it quick. I now recommend others to go to Max. read more

I took my 2016 Nissan Maxima to Max after dealing with the dealership and the problem returning after less than a year of me spending thousands of dollars. Max was highly recommended and he owned up to everything that I was told about him and his work. He's an honest, trustworthy, and professional car mechanic interested in truly helping people find out what is going on with their car. Max kept my car for a couple of days and diagnosed what the problem was repaired it and my car is running great now. I was so appreciative of Max and the work he performed on my car. Thanks Max my car mechanic for anything now. read more

I took my car to the dealer then I took my car to maxs and he quoted me more I told him he's funny.

Max's Auto Service is located where two old Albany repair shops used to stand: Albany Transmission and Nickson's Brake Service. Max used to be an employee of Albany Transmission and when the owner had some health problems Max purchased the business. It's pretty much your classic immigrant success story and in the early years the old owner of Albany Transmission used to even come and work for his former employee. In the early years Max used to do good work. In the early years Max used to do the work himself instead of relying on unsupervised hired help. I had my car brought here for an insurance repair following an accident because I have family members who have had good work done here and I wanted to patronize a local business. Unfortunately Max wasn't familiar with how to deal with insurance companies and I ended up having to play middle man when the adjuster did an incomplete estimate. When things were finally worked out and the repairs complete I went to pick up my car. I turn the key on the ignition and as the car starts the first thing that greets me is an error message "SERVICE TIRE MONITOR." My car has pressure senors in my tires, so I walk out to inspect the sensor in the wheel Max changed out and instead of the metal OEM air connection, I see a plastic head that indicates the tire sensor is missing. Not exactly an "oops" -- when you scrap the old wheel you take out the pressure sensor and you either decide to buy and install a new one or you decide not to. I bring this to Max's attention and he promises to fix it, and several days later I pick up the car. When I get onto the freeway I immediately notice unusually high vibrations. Working with some friends, I figure out that the tires weren't balanced properly -- Max had put on a new tire in his shop and he doesn't have balance equipment. I bring the car back, and ask him to make sure he balances all four tires because I was in an accident. I return several days later at the time Max tells me to, and he apologies but says my car is still at the tire shop so he drives me down the road and we pick up the car. The next day I'm back on the highway and the vibration is a lot less, but still present. I take the car back to the tire shop and ask them "did you just balance the tires on my car." The salesman looks up my record and says "yes, we balanced the front two tires." I end up paying out of pocket to have all four tires balanced and next time I'm on the highway the vibration is gone. My father also had his brakes changed out here. Several weeks later his brake pads fail due to faulty installation. Max offers to install them at no labor cost, but insists on charging for the materials. read more

I've been bringing my cars to Max since I moved to the bay and I must say.. he's awesome. They're always friendly and have great prices!!! Come check them out. You can even call in advance to you don't have to sit and wait a long time which in my line of work works wonders!!!! read more

They have a great service, very helpful, great prices and will do what ever it take to make you fill welcome and satisfied. They finish my car as promise , with a high quality work, with a very competitive price. This is definitely one of the best places read more

I have been to Max's auto in the past few years. Two years ago he fixed the oil leak problem of my car, but my car is having a major oil leak again now. Months ago my car couldn't pass smog check, he promised me to fix my the problems with cash. I waited so long and go back to his shop for about 20 times. The problem is still not fixed. Putting aside his skills, I think he is not a very honest person. He lies about what he fixed and what will be done. He does not keep his promise. My worst experience is that every time he told me problem is fixed, I have to drive 2 hours on free way, and then come back check the car's computer. This has been done for 5 times and it never worked! Big waste of my time and money. I will never go back to Max's auto again even if I have to throw away my 2004 car. read more

I was involved in a car accident and Max was able to repair my car which was considered total for a fair price. The service he provided was fast and reliable, not only that but he went the extra mile to fix other parts in my car and provide a repaint. This is my first car and I plan on keeping it, when it enter his shop it was wrecked, but when it came out it was like déjà vu at the dealership when I first purchased my car. Everything was working fine and ran smooth and looked great. Also the Peruvian man who cleaned my car did a superb job, my carpets and interior came out fantastic, great guy, I didn't catch his name but he helps out with driving and cleaning. My experience here was a 10/10. Thank you guys!! I'll Definitely come back for future repairs to keep my first car for many years to come. read more

If you value your safety, your car, or both, you will not take your car here. I like Max as a person, but either he or his mechanics (or both) are incompetent to the point of being dangerous. I had taken two separate cars to Max on different occasions - one for a brake job on my girlfriend's car and one for some engine work on mine. I could write a novel on the f@!#ups, but here's the gist of it: On my car, I had to bring it back in no fewer than 5 times for the same repair. I finally gave up and took it somewhere else. They immediately pointed out that he was using the wrong parts, the wrong bolts, and the wrong nuts. They showed me where one of the bolts had already broken, and where another bolt was on its way to sending a litter of car parts down the highway. After telling my girlfriend about it, she mentioned that her brakes were feeling a little "funny". So, we took it to another mechanic near her, and their first question was, "Did you try to replace these yourself?". They pointed out where the brake job had gone wrong, and where it could've gone much, much worse. Rather than trying to scare us into giving them our business, they said that we should take it back to Max's to have them do it right. But at this point I had zero confidence that Max could do anything right, so I just had the other shop do the job. When I confronted Max about it, he was defensive (no surprise) and refused to refund any of my money. I think I have a pretty airtight court case if I wanted to pursue it, but I don't want the hassle. So Max gets to keep my money, and this review along with it. read more

I have been going to Max for 10 years. The job is done excellent, and very reasonable. I once had my car towed to him, and even the AAA driver knew his garage and spoke well of the work. I was impressed being they did not know eachother. As a woman, I am never nervous he will tell me things are wrong that are not. His work and ethics speak for themselves. read more

Max Auto was recommended. Car broke down, had it towed to Max. Told him what happened, he said it was the battery.$140. Left the shop, got to the gas station, car didn't start. Back to Max's. He said it was the fuel pump, relay, and filter. Never heard of the relay again, but he changed the pump & filter. $320. Left the shop, and my car died at a stop light, and wouldn't start again. Back to Max's. Then he said it was something else, but because of the trouble, he wouldn't charge me for labor (just the part), Thanks Max! $60. I leave the shop, and guess what!! Car DIES at a F**KING stoplight and won't start AGAIN. Back to Max's. I tell him to check the CPS. 2 more days later, I get my car, drive it for a day, only to get in it and have it not start AGAIN. Needless to say I'm beyond frustrated, and will not be going back. The only reason I'm giving more than 1 star, is because he went to get my car on 2 of the occasions that it died, and didn't charge me for the labor the last 2 times. Then again, being that it was misdiagnosed 3 times, I spent over $500 without getting my issue resolved, AND I have been without a vehicle for a month in total, he kinda owed me that much. read more

Finding a mechanic is all about trust - and Max has never steered me wrong. I've gone back to him about 5 times for things large and small & he always shows me what he's doing, gets the job done right. I've got a Jeep and a BMW, and both are running great with his help. He's never charged me for anything strange or anything I don't understand. I've also recommended him to friends, who have also been happy. read more

Great service. Speedy. Great prices. Straight forward answers and diagnostics. I have had no problems with my car since I brought it in to get fixed. I had an emergency problem with my car not running properly and my AAA insurance agent recommended Max. He was quick to look at my car and worked on it himself. I got my car back fast and didn't have to pay nearly as much as the dealership wanted to charge. I'm definitely a happy customer and would recommend this place to anyone I know with a car! -Jackie R. read more

Quality service and quick work. Fair prices too. I have been bringing my car for maintenance and repairs for over a year now, including routine oil change, brake pads replacement, tire change. And will continue to do so. read more

Great service, fast & professional. I wen't there to change my radiator and they took care of my car the same day I brought it in. A friend of mine recommended this place and at first I was kinda reluctant to bring my car there since I saw some of the reviews. However, my experience with them was excellent. I would recommend Max Auto to anyone with car problems. read more

Max and this team are GREAT. I own a Jaguar and I would not let anyone work on it. They do a wonderful job, take the time to find out your trouble, have reasonable rates. I would highly recommend them. read more

Our car broke down near Max's and he fixed it quickly, efficiently and at a fair price. Couldn't be happier, and would certainly come back again. read more

I will review this person in Spanish, is for all the spanish speakers. Esta persona hace negocios ilicitos y es estafador. Les contare el caso de mi esposa. Ella fue alli porque le comente que quizas su Honda necesitaba cambio de la correa del tiempo (timing belt). La cosa es que esta persona le dijo que si y como la chocaron por esos dias esta persona dijo Perfecto todo lopasamos por la aseguranza. Punto numero uno cambio un timing belt segun esta personas aun CARRO QUE NO NECESITA CAMBIAR PORQUE USA CADENA!!!, si asi como lo leen el auto es un Honda Accord del 2003, cualqueir mecanico sabe eso. Dos engano a la aseguranza haciendo un trabajo de arreglar bumper y de luces y le cobro extra a mi esposa diciendo que no tenia aceite de transmision el carro, cuando yo lo habia cambiado no mas de 4 semanas atras. Como puedes confiar en una persona que trata de enganar a una aseguranza haciendo otros trabajos, enganar a los clientes diciendo que tienen un problema en su carro el cual no existe. Lo mas graciosos de todo es que mi esposa sin saber no hizo mas que pagar, cuando llego a la casa le dije qu queria ir a ver a esa personapero nunca me dio la informacion de este sujeto hasta que lo encontre hoy en Yelp y decidi informar como es esta persona. No lo recomiendo y depues de esta anecdota espero que ustedes saquen su propia conclusion, Gracias. Javier C read more

We've been taking our used '88 Plymouth minivan to Max ever since we bought it 3 years ago and he's made several repairs big and small. A few months ago it started acting up, stalling and bucking in the morning but the problem would clear up later in the day. We left the car with Max for about two weeks and he systematically checked everything, finally figured out that it was some dirty wires to the the computer. He cleaned the connections and put in a new battery and now it runs better than ever. The bill didn't break the bank either. Max is very thorough and fair and I highly recommend his services. read more

For those foreign people like myself or local people looking for a trustable mechanic, here is my experience with Max's Auto. When I just came, I wanted to buy an used car but I was afraid about the real car conditions. Since I didn't know any mechanic here, I decided to try Max because the shop was close to my home. He gave me an excelent and accurate advice without high rates in the diagnostics, and quickly enough to take advantage of an excelent deal. Today, one year later, I still drive my 2004 car and I haven't had any single thing to repair. It was a great advice. Recently, I had an accident and I went there for the repairs. I had to replace and paint almost all forefront of my car, including bumper, fence, lights, radiator, etc. He did an excellent job in only 4 days and for a very reasonable price. The car looks brand new now, even better than before. Every time I have a question, I ask him and he has an easy understanding answer for me. I know I can trust him. I hope this experience can be helpfull for others. read more