really helped out my dead car battery nearby as a good samaritan let us borrow jumper cables initially then came over later when that wasn't working. I got my car battery replaced quickly without any pressure to do so. thank you :) and great energy read more

THE GOOD: This small shop is ran by a guy name Earl. Seems to have been in business for quite some time. I go to him on a Monday 10/20/25 for a smog diagnosis that he charged $95, about the standard price. He was able to complete the inspection and gave me a diagnosis back same day (approx. 4 hours total time). He offered a free throttle body clean because upon their inspection, the throttle was dirty and had a lot of carbon build up. I was notified the vehicle would be ready for pick up at 4:15PM, I told him I was going to be there 4:30PM. When I had arrived, earl was nice enough to wait around after they had closed for me to receive my vehicle. THE BAD: After I paid him for the diagnosis, he told me what was wrong and gave me the keys, then promptly left with a friend that was awaiting him. Right after I pulled off in my car, something was awfully wrong. The idle RPMS was sitting at almost 2K RPMS on a cold start and would come to about 1500-1900RPMS the entire time. As I was driving while hitting the gas you could hear what sounded like was a vacuum leak somewhere and car has some minor lost power. I call Earl immediately after, but he was already gone from the shop; Earl told me to just bring it in first thing in the morning. I bring the vehicle back to Earl on 10/21/25 a day later and present to him what had sounded like a vacuum leak. He was quick to check into but also VERY QUICK TO DENY RESPONSIBILITY. I told him that the vehicle was 110% not like this when I had brought it in and they definitely may have knocked a hose or two loose or something. They first told me they would not doing anything like that, and wanted to run a smoke down test in-front of me to check for vacuum leaks. I was told by Earl, they only took off the air intake boot to access the throttle body to spray carb cleaner and there's absolutely no way they caused any of the issues presented. They run the test, and there shows no leaks from the smoke. They also run a brake clean spray to see if it will choke the RPMs down (another method to check for vacuum leaks). We go for a couple of test drives back and forth, the mechanic that Earl has working for him, poor guys age is catching up to him and cannot hear a huge vacuum leak for his life. Earl claims to hear it as well, but cannot figure out what it is. Earl first blames the brake booster, and is adamantly asserting that he or his shop did not cause this. ***Earl THEN DISCOVERS A MISSING connection on my VSV, but the old mechanic claims it won't cause any vacuum leaks or noises and just caps it off.***. They then proceed to say the noise and high RPMS is an exhaust leak and show me where it is leaking. You can see exhaust smoke coming out the pipe right below the manifold but I wouldn't say it was sufficient enough to be causing such a vacuum leak noise. They adjudicate the issue is an exhaust leak, therefore, they did not cause it and cannot fix it anyways. It is worth mentioning I am not by any means a mechanic. I am what you call a garage monkey. I understand some concepts, but no way am I to be at the SUPPOSED level these guys are at. I have my doubts so I go home and take apart the air intake boot and further inspect the throttle body. There it is, lo and behold a vacuum line disconnected from the throttle body that was suppose to be connected the VSV. To summarize everything , Earl is a truthfully a honest guy it seems, but is seemingly incompetent on the work and guys working for him do rushed, shoddy, crude, messy work. It's not hard taking off an air intake boot and reconnecting all necessary hose lines back. Paid $95 for some problems they claim they didn't cause and don't believe the customer, ONLY to take it back home and undo the bad work they did. Crazy stuff and would not go back. Be wary of what you're doing here. read more

Mizuki Auto - Earl myopically still did not claim any responsibility or wrongdoing even after being told what was wrong. - Auto Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

Earl and his team are what I call CAR WHISPERERS. They brought my 2001 Toyota Solara BACK TO LIFE! You need not look any further for a trustworthy and skilled mechanic -- I highly recommend Earl and Mizuki Auto Repair. This review is long overdue. I have a 2001 Toyota Solara, and unfortunately, another mechanic in Richmond seriously damaged it by messing up the catalytic converter. I reached out to several mechanics for quotes, and Earl was by far the most responsive and reasonably priced. What really stood out to me was his thoughtful approach. He doesn't just fix what's broken -- he takes the time to understand the car's history and how it's performing, and then works from there. Even though my Solara had about 310,000 miles on it, Earl never once told me to just give up and buy a new car. He understands the value of having a reliable, affordable vehicle. He worked on it in stages, carefully replacing parts as needed, and now -- incredibly -- my most loved car is running great again. I would not have gone through with fixing my car if I didn't fully trust the mechanic and the price I was given. Thank you, Earl! You felt like a dear friend when we talked about my car. I truly appreciate your genuine care for people -- and for cars. God bless your business! read more

Great service, I was in for a checkup on my truck that I just purchased. Earl is quick and did a good job. Definitely going back when I need more service for my vehicles. Pricing was fair. Communication was very good. read more

These guys are great. I needed a belt changed on an old Toyota pickup so nothing major, but when I called in the morning they said I could bring it in the same day and had it diagnosed and fixed in an hour or two. Overall, they do good work, are super polite and accommodating, and charge a fair price. read more

When my girl's car started to stall, her Rav-4 needed immediate attention. From word of mouth, she heard about Mizuki's. Brother Earl was the first person to speak with her. He was friendly, responsive, and honest about his prognosis, only needing a few hours to check the car. He was able to find the problem and so replaced her brakes and rotors, all in three hours. When I picked up the car, Earl was there to shake my hand and send me on my way. This place is small but mighty! read more

Mizuki Auto - Outside the shop - Auto Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

Had a car worked on, I was told that it needed a new oil pump by another mechanic. Earl went through the entire filtration system for the oil going into the motor. Solve the problem very efficiently both labor and parts. Very honest mechanic would recommend to anybody. Thank you again for a great job. read more

The best service I could have expected as someone new to the area! Someone hit my side mirror and within a day I had an appointment for repair. The service was so fast, the payment was reasonable, and the entire process was effortless. Highly recommend this place for other students! read more

I rolled into this place without an appointment and my car making a screech. Within an hour I was driving away with it all fixed. They popped the hood and took a look on the spot. It was a loose belt. They suggested replacing, and it was easy to access, so I approved their estimate. it seemed fair. In about 1 hour, it was all fixed up. Done deal. read more

Professional quick tire repair. Found a good time to drop-in. Earl quickly work-in the tire repair with Gary/mechanic among their ongoing major work. Informative professionally completed. Really happy to go to local mechanic shop who can work in this small job focused only on the tire repair; and not the worries from the replacement tire shops. Will consider taking auto repairs to Mizuki. read more

Came in here for Toyota maintenance. Great, prompt service and very reasonable pricing. Would highly recommend.

Fair, trustworthy, and friendly service in a pinch! I was out and about running errands in North Oakland yesterday. At one point, I was getting gas at an Arco. After I filled up, my car wouldn't start! So bizarre. We eventually got a tow truck to take us to Mizuki Auto - I'm so glad I happened upon this place randomly! I called to check availability before the tow truck brought my car in. Earl sounded really friendly and was available to take my car in. Some car shops book up and aren't available to take you - so make sure to call a shop to make sure they can check out any emergency issues. The car in tow got to Mizuki before we did. They were already evaluating my car by the time we got there. Earl and team needed some time to check out the car - and hey, this isn't the worst area to be stranded in lol. 5 min walking is Triple Rock - a classic Berkeley establishment! We snacked in their outdoor parklet and had a beer as we waited for the car diagnosis. Lol at that point, I was pretty confident I wouldn't be driving home. Earl called maybe 30 minutes later and said I needed a new starter. He gave me a quote, and I gave him the green light! The part would arrive in the morning and he would call me when the work was done the next day. I later Googled what a fair price was for a new starter, and to my pleasant surprise, Earl's quote was on the low end of that range that Google search came up with! I felt good know that I wasn't being crazy overcharged - I always struggle to trust these dang auto repair shops always tryna upsell!! And I'm confident that I'm not alone - I see other reviews mentioning the fair, reasonable rates here! Also, Earl was so friendly- my phone was going to die yesterday and he let me borrow his portable charger and cable! The homie right here! Overall, it was a pretty seamless experience and I definitely recommend these guys if you have any car troubles. read more

Drove up to Berkeley from SJ. Got a flat when I got there. Dudes fixed it on the spot. Like 5 minutes and I was out. Best $25 I've ever spent read more

Earl is very straightforward and upfront with his work as mentioned many times in these reviews. I definitely think the shop is a solid option to get a quick oil change or smog test done, but I personally would not recommend them for more complicated repairs or installations. There is only 1 two post lift in the shop as it is part of a gas station. That being said, the Mizuki's work quick and they do not overcharge for their work. I had an oil change done for $60 and had my clutch cable tightened by them as well. I believe their 99 and older smog machine is currently down for maintenance, so if you have an older vehicle you may have to take it somewhere else to get it smogged. They take card or cash and Earl will make sure you are satisfied with their work before you leave their shop. read more

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You will be serviced either today or tomorrow. Super responsive, super nice. Fair prices given an auto shop.

These guys were amazing. I helped an elderly friend get her car repaired. They were patient with her, great communicators and got the work done so fast! Honestly, everything about the experience was great. And life changing for her to have a working vehicle again! read more

Earl and his team were so helpful and kind after I caught some thugs sawing off my Prius' catalytic converter. They fixed my car up way faster than expected (1 day!) and charged a very fair rate. I was kept up to date via texting + photos of their work. Earl even offered to pick me up so I wouldn't have to walk over in the rain. I'm really excited to have found a fast and trustworthy shop in Berkeley :) Thank you, Mizuki Auto team! Appreciate having you in the community!! read more

I was overdue for an oil change. I reached out on Yelp message and received a response in less than 20 minutes for an appointment the next day. Great service. Oil change took no time at all. The folks here are very communicative. Will definitely return! read more

How in the world have I not reviewed Mizuki Auto yet?! They're a small family shop situated in the gas station on the corner of MLK and Hearst. Convenient location, easy to get info/coordinate service by calling the shop on the phone, super friendly, and totally reasonably priced. I haven't been in for any significant service - mostly funky headlights, but they're in my top 2 service spots I call when I need some car help! Every time, I've been able to set up a time to come by over the phone, and have been in and out in under 20 minutes. What's not to love about that! read more

My window regulator was fully broken & my window was stuck open during a bout of rain. Within 24 hours of reaching out for a quote, it was fully repaired! Earl was very communicative and professional throughout the whole process & price was reasonable. read more

The only good thing about this place is Earl can usually get you in right away. I went to him for years and had a lot replaced on a used car, and now I don't trust any of the work he did. I stopped going to him after having to redo a few of his repairs that were done incorrectly: one time I had a big engine oil leak after I had replaced a filter myself. I had used an aftermarket part and learned it was a bad fit. Instead of replacing the filter with an OEM one, Earl put *orange silicone* all over the aftermarket filter, and the solenoid valve it led to--all over inside my engine. And it still leaked after that! I ended up replacing the filter with OEM myself, which fixed it, and then later when I had the money took it to another shop to clean out all the orange silicone from the engine. Everyone I've mentioned this to said to never take my car back to him, so I didn't. Ever since I bought my car, I struggled with mysterious engine problems that didn't present themselves on the test drive. It was a real pain. Later, after trying several small repairs myself and taking my car to other shops, one place found the *wrong spark plugs* were in my Honda. They were spark plugs meant for a VW or Subaru... I had had the wrong spark plugs in my car ever since I bought it, because I'd taken it straight to Earl for a tune-up. For YEARS afterward I dealt with mysterious misfiring and loss of power that resulted in a number of attempts to repair whatever was wrong, some of which I paid Earl to do! I've probably wasted thousands of dollars with this guy. The problems disappeared after the correct spark plugs were put in. I could tell more stories. But I think my point is made. Don't go here. read more

Quick responses on yelp, prompt diagnostic, quick quote, and had me home before 3pm and I dropped my car off at 11am on a Monday! They made it all very quick and easy , very satisfied with their service today! read more

I saw the amazing reviews for this place and another shop. I told both of them the same thing: I'm driving cross country and need an oil change and a diagnostic as I want my car to be running well, and that my brakes have been making noise. The first 5 star place (with 150 five star reviews) quoted me 240 dollars, which I thought was high. He said he would be doing oil change, inspection, and brake pad inspection. I googled brake pad inspection and it's super easy. So I was sketched a bit. Then I called Mizuki Auto. He just said "hey will give you an oil change and if see anything we will let you know, it's 80 bucks." Obviously it was an easy decision on where to go lol. When I pulled up I was confused as it's a gas station, but you take your car to the section that says Mizuki Auto, and drop your car off. There's a great cafe just down the street, Cafe Etolle or something. They did an amazing job here, and told me the honest truth about my brake pads, that they still have life in them. Great service and fair price. I highly recommend!! read more

I was yelping all auto shops to get a today thermostat replaced on my 2016 dodge caravan, I saw Mizuki and called and earl picked up and said come right over, I was sketched at first and thought right away I was gonna get got , but when I saw earl and his nice smile and I felt at ease , got out explained my problem , he gave me a fair quote and it was fixed in less then 2 and a half hours . Thank u earl read more

I live in the neighborhood and noticed my tire pressure light was on, so I drove into Mizuki Auto to see if they could help me check the pressure. I was in and out in 5 minutes and the mechanic also reset the warning light/message. Super helpful and knowledgeable for someone like me, who knows nothing about cars. Thank you to the awesome person who helped me out! If your vehicle needs attention, I highly recommend this auto shop/gas station. read more

Brought my 2004 MIniCooper in for oil change and general check-up. I was late for my appointment and when I saw all the cars lined up I thought I was in for a long wait. Thankfully, the service was completed in less than two hours at a very reasonable price. I have an oil leak, apparently, but the mechanic noticed that I drive so little that it was not an emergency. No hard sell on getting it fixed. Also told other pointers about how to cope with it. Very helpful. I will go again and highly recommend! read more

Highly recommended place to go to if you run into problems with your car. I got an issue with the battery and the car wouldn't start. I called Mizuki Auto, explained the problem and he came over very fast and helped me get the car started right away. It may not be a serious problem, but it could mean a lot to get such a quick support and super service. read more

The very best oil change and mechanic. Earl is very responsive and offers the best rates, I won't go elsewhere!

Came without an appointment for an oil change on a Monday morning, was in and out in 20 minutes. Competitive price for full synthetic oil. Would have liked them to do a full inspection but for the convenience I am happy and will come back. read more

Quick service, friendly employee, and reasonable rates, what more can you ask for? The owner of the shop is easily approachable and does great work on my cars. I brought my car in for quick maintenance work and there were a few hiccups but the owner was able to find ways to fix it. The place feels very friendly and definitely convenient in the heart of Berkeley. If you want your car worked on and have very specific ways to do it (for those with modified cars) then you can direct the mechanic and he will do it the way you want it. The best thing about this place is flexibility. Get in, get your car fixed or smogged, get out quickly. read more

Mizuki Auto - Got my car on a lift to do some work - Auto Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

I came here almost 2 years ago now for a rusted through exhaust pipe, and I just wanted to leave a positive note. They were quick to respond, reasonably priced, quick to fix, and two years later (after a drive across the country and a Boston winter) their weld is still holding together just fine. And given how rusted out the thing was this is actually quite impressive. Thanks for the great work! read more

I brought my 09 Accord for an oil change and tire rotation. It totaled $80 and work completed in 45 minutes. The owner remained cordial throughout all of our interactions. Seems like a decent enough place. read more

Went there for an oil change on my 2009 BMW 335i, it only took 20 min! The price was also amazing - $80 for 7.5 qts synthetic oil. The guy was so friendly and helpful, he checked other fluids and brakes and even topped off everything at no extra cost. Definitely worth a visit! read more

Earl is great! Super down to earth and reasonable guy. He's taken really good care of our 2003 Subaru that has 200,000 miles on it. His rates are very competitive, he has very quick communication with you and fast turnaround to get your car out of the shop. He tells you exactly what the issues are with the car is and tells you the priority of the things that need fixing. All around great guy, and I don't see myself going anywhere else in the future. read more

My customer made the appointment to get a car checked out by them I dropped the card over there the very polite and nice they did the job read more

My daughter takes her car here and I often talk to the owner Earl about what he recommends. Earl and Mizuki Auto are honest, affordable, smart, quick, helpful, and awesome! read more

Super helpful with me changing my license plate. Sounds simple but it's not when your screws are stripped. Super appreciative of their service and friendliness. Will def be back for bigger services! read more

Earl is a wonderful find. He's very knowledgeable about cars, honest, and fast! He is reasonable in price, and Mizuki Auto is conveniently located. While waiting for a tune up, there's Trader Joes and numerous cafes nearby. Earl phones when he's done, so no time is wasted. We recommend Mizuki Auto!!! read more

Highly recommended! I requested a quote via Yelp for maintenance services and a tire repair. Earl got back to me right away with a reasonable, flat price. When I brought my car in, all went smoothly. They provided excellent and quick service and stood by their quoted price. Earl and his team were kind and professional the whole time. I will certainly be returning for future car maintenance. I'm so happy that I've found this place! read more

Seriously the nicest guy working there. Got my oil change in less than 20 minutes for $60. Trader Joe is just a block down so I just did some grocery shopping while I waited. And he even helped put my groceries in the car! I usually hate getting my oil change and prefer to do it myself. But this was easier and quicker AND you get to support a local business. read more