The gentleman helped me with the smog test in a timely fashion and charged me a reasonable price. You need to call in and make an appointment, but feel free to walk in and check availability earlier. read more

great service. Angelo is a great mechanic! I have had their service for more than 15 years.

We are huge fans of Angelo and Plaza Auto Service. Angelo is kind, honest, and a great mechanic. We've been taking our family's cars to him for years, and wouldn't think of going anywhere else! read more

The guys here are always accommodating and do quality work. I have a 2004 Lincoln and they always find fixes for my problems.

Face it, having a car these days isn't cheap. I'd rather bring my 17-year-old Honda Civic Hybrid to a clean, professional shop like Plaza where folks are trustworthy, knowledgable, and above board about everything--and take the time to explain matters if you ask. Simply the finest auto repair shop ever. read more

I found this garage soon after I moved to the East Bay, and have used them ever since. Angelo is a man of few words but he runs a clean, ethical shop. Their service is quick, thorough, and extremely affordable. I can't recommend them highly enough! read more

Angelo knows everything he needs to know about diesel engines, modern electronics systems and general automotive technology. Been going there over 25 years and he fixes things right. read more

My fiancé takes his car here, so he recommended that I go there for an oil change for my old car. I made an appointment and dropped my car off in the same week. The oil change included a free check up on the car, which was very helpful and appreciated. Plaza Auto is also very convenient being located directly across from the El Cerrito Plaza BART Station. Drop off the car, take BART to work and back. SO Easy. When I returned to pick up the car, the recommendations were items that I knew were previous issues and upcoming major milestone work (100k) that needed to be completed. They were able to give me a ball park of what it would cost. In the end, I ended up selling the car to a friend who will work on the car and got a new ride for myself. Plaza Auto Service checked out the car for her and gave her a more detailed estimate of the work needed, which was not bad at all. It's hard to find places you can trust and that follow up with you on your maintenance instead of those shops that just fix it and forget it. I recommend Plaza Auto to everyone I know. read more

I've read some of the other reviews so I'm guessing Angelo was having a bad day. He gave me a quote that was 4 times what the other shops were offering for a service. For a job that I've attempted to do myself and YouTubed how to do. He stated that you HAD to remove a major part of the car to get to the fix. But I witnessed at least 5 mechanics do it on youtube with minimal effort and some ingenuity. He was also rude. Hung up with out saying bye. Then I accidentally called back and I didn't realize I was calling the same place. His tone was not friendly at all. He sounded irritated. Poor guy. I wish that dude the best. read more

I will never take my car (Toyota 4-Runner) to another place! Angelo and his team are simply the best. I called in the morning and he was able to check it out just an hour later. He estimated it would take 2-3 hours to assess and he called me within a half an hour. And the work he did was quick and his rates are very affordable. Plus he is kind and considerate and did a great job of explaining everything he did. I'll be taking my rig in for the 120K service soon - without hesitation! read more

Angelo and his team have taken care of my family's cars for years. Plaza Auto is reliable, honest, and convenient.

Took my pickup in for a smog check. It would be hard to find another place in the East Bay less expensive than Plaza for that. While he was at it, Angelo noticed that several of my hoses were disconnected, probably from the last place I had it serviced. He reconnected them. No charge. I had a sensor light on indicating low tire pressure so I asked him to check them. He did, including the spare, and all were fine. No charge. He recommended a place to get the sensor replaced, should I wish to do so. Thank you Angelo. read more

You can trust them to do a good job! They've been in business for years and know how to repair my older 1993 car. Clean shop and honest.

You have got to be kidding me. This shop not only embarrassed me but wasted hours and hours of my time. I took the VPs truck in for a 25,000 mile service. The mechanic incorrectly installed the oil filter, left grease on the inside of the truck, failed to turn the tire light off (after rotating), failed to fill the tires to proper psi, left muddy foot paper inside. The truck leaked about half of its oil out (4 quarts) all around the bay area and on my boss's driveway. Grease got on his suit. I took the truck back in and the same mechanic came out to drive it into the garage wearing dirty gloves and overalls. I asked him to take them off and he gave me shit until his supervisor yelled at him. Taking your vehicle to this amateur shop is a bad idea. They lost all of our business. read more

ITS NOT A CLUNKER, ITS A CLASSIC! Yesterday my car went in for maintenance. John (the owner) was able to fit it in on less that a day's notice and the bill for all of the work came to less that $200. Realizing that my 1998 Dodge Caravan would probably qualify for a "Cash for Clunkers" rebate were I not terribly frugal, I think the fact that Plaza Auto is able to keep it in running condition, passing all smog tests *and* get it done before our next run to UC Davis is wonderful....so four stars on this go-around. read more

Came in for an oil change and tire torque. They were fast, reliable, and reasonable with pricing.

DO NOT GO TO THIS MECHANIC! Last summer my engine light came on and I took it in, they gave me a written quote saying it would be about $2,500 to fix, something wrong with my cylindar...I don't know much about cars, but I needed it fixed, so I said ok. Then once they took my whole engine apart they then told me it would be more than $4,000 to fix! I said I didn't want the work and I just wanted my car back (it had still been running before I took it there). But they told me they would still charge me almost $2,000 for the "labor" they had done. So I had to pay the $4,000! I should have known they were not that honest then, but I believe the best in people. I should have found a new place, but I took my car back there to get an oil change and they charged me $140! I know I have a mini cooper, but it shouldn't be more than $100 for an oil change! And on top of that they told me I needed new brakes. I said I didn't want them, and I took my car back and took it to another place that does brakes and tires. I specifically asked them if I needed new brakes, and they could have totally told me yes, and instead they told me, no I don't need new brakes right now. They said they would check them again when I came back in 4 to 5 months, but right now I don't need them. Oh, and remember when I had to pay $4,000 for a new cylander head, or pay $2,000 for nothing? I forgot to tell you that after I had paid the $4,000 they hadn't even screwed my battery back on correctly, so for a month after that my car kept losing all power whatsoever. I had to carry a wrench around with me to tighten the battery every time this happened. (usually at night, so I had no light). Finally a friend of mine put it on correctly. Again. DO NOT GO HERE. I should have learned that last summer! read more

Several months ago, I had service done to one of my vehicles. It's an older truck and to this point the repairs have lasted. I feel very secure driving it. In addition I brought another vehicle that was too far gone to fix. Once again it was an older vehicle. Angelo treated me as if I was bringing in a Mercedes or BMW! I got first class treatment all the way. The second vehicle needed to be towed out of his yard by Pick n Pull. He was gracious enough to allow me a couple of days to make the arrangements to have my vehicle towed. I have been treated so well by everyone there. I appreciate having a local business that I trust, and that didn't judge me based on how old my vehicles were. read more

John and Angelo are the best. I have been going to them for many years and they have always been honest and helpful. Their work is excellent and they have kept my cars running far past the 100,000 mile mark. When your car is in need of repair it can be such a stressful situation, thankfully I know I have a mechanic and a shop that I can trust. read more

I've been going to this shop for years now and trust them completely to take care of my old 1994 ford Taurus. Went away a couple days and dropped it off to do all that was needed. Angelo called me and told me all that needed to be done and I told him to do everything including parts needed. When I picked it up it ran like a new car again. We've had PG and E and EBMUD working on our street almost a year and our street was torn up. There were holes you couldn't see until the car hit them. I knew I really needed shocks and alignment but wouldn't do it till they paved our street finally. The owner, Angelo and all the workers are so honest and kind and do great work. I will always go there for any needed work on my car. Linda read more

As honest, friendly and helpful as possible, great service and informative! read more

Needed a smog check for my car and not only was the service fast and excellent, the total cost with certificate was only $ 40.00. Would highly recommend Plaza Auto fir a smog check.... read more

So, brought my old truck in for some work. Turned out that replacing sparks.......had to be a lot more. Anyway, they did a lot of work for a reasonable price, AND: I forgot to tell them that there was no key for the door and they locked it.....and drove to my house to let me know. They handled it. Truck ran out of gas and they put in 5 gallons for me. Did a great job overall. Been there 28 years for a reason. Angelo is just a very trustworthy guy and I'll be going back. (Unfortunately, probably soon since......I have an old truck) 5 Stars! read more

I needed to get my car serviced and they were able to get me in within three hours and had me out the door in 30 minutes at a better price than Jiffy Lube back home. Thanks guys! read more

I take my MINI cooper here for service, they are great. Good prices, they keep me posted on what's going on (phone calls with estimates, when it's done, etc). I've been here 3 times now and always happey with their service, fast and professional. Last time I thought I needed all new brakes and it was a simple "low fluid" problem (and I swore that couldn't be it because I had just taken the car to Jiffy Lube for all the fluids, but Jiffy does not include brake fluid in the pkg I bought) they topped off fluid and checked the brakes. Very nice team, good prices, take good care of my cars. read more

When we say "Going the extra mile", we don't meant it literally. But in this case it is true. After having my car fail the smog test three times, Angelo drove my car from his gas station to smog test to make sure the car passed the smog test. The actual distance was more like 2-3 miles. I didn't expect Angelo put in the additional effort. But I am grateful that he did. read more

After I failed the evap part of my smog test, I took my car to Plaza Auto to have it repaired, on the advice of my regular mechanic. Plaza told me I needed a $1500 repair, without volunteering any specifics as to what they had seen or discovered about the problem itself. I decided to seek a second opinion, and ended up at R&R, which is virtually across the street from Plaza Auto, near El Cerrito Plaza. R&R replaced a few O-rings and fixed my smog problem for $200. So, my advice is: R&R may not look like much from the outside, it's full of old cars and smells like gas (it's also a gas station) but unless you want to pay $1300 extra for your smog repair, avoid Plaza Auto. read more

Do NOT take your car here. This guy ripped us off big time. And he's our neighbor (we live up the street). NOT cool. We took our car in for a full brake job. He returned it to us with a flat tire, and the brakes sounded and felt worse than when we took it in. We immediately took it back to him, he helped us out and plugged the tire and told us that the brakes needed to 'break in'. Every day since they brutalized our car, as soon as we'd get in the car and depress the brakes, it would make a horrible sound. That noise that he said needed to break in never went away. Two years and less than 3,000 miles later, we finally took the car to the dealership. The dealer recommended that we take the car back to Plaza Auto to get what we paid for, because he RIPPED US OFF. He did not do the full brake job that we PAID for. He merely slapped new brake pads on (and did not resurface the rotors). We paid for a full brake job. I told the dealership the same as what I am telling all of you - - I never would I let these scammers touch my car again. We've never had any issues with our car until they touched it. Nice way to treat a neighbor. read more

My mom used this place when she had a car, so I knew of this place long before I needed them. My 2011 Lexus is no longer under warranty with the dealership and I knew it would be hella expensive to return to the dealer for service, thus I needed a new place. My tires needed rotating and, since I was there, asked for a general look over. I was not surprised to learn I needed brakes. So, new brakes I got. After leaving the shop, a knocking noise began and I returned the car to be looked at. I was told that there was a small rock somewhere in the brakes and it was removed. Well, that wasn't it and the noise continued. I returned the car for another look over and this time it was fixed correctly and to my satisfaction. My point is: when the work isn't to your satisfaction, this place makes it right. I don't think I will be taking my car to anyone else ever again!! read more

The best service in town. The owner and the technicians and mechanics make sure you are safe in your vehicle. I would recommend these guys highly for the locals. read more

I was in a hurry to keep the dmv appointment. It took ~15min to complete a smog check and costed me $40 for everything. Professional and quick!? read more

My car got its first physical / Smog Check, been procrastinating on this for too long. Who knew it'd be so easy?? Friendly staff, in and out, $40 Bing, Bang, done. read more

Awesome experience today went to get a smog check and the very nice professional team at Plaza auto got me in and out and they only charge 40 bucks best price I have ever seen. great job Plaza Auto you guys are the best. read more

Easy quick reasonably priced professional smog check, I'd go back.

Been going there for 30 yrs. The last real honest shop in town. Very fair and reliable.

John and Angelo have been fixing our cars for two generations. We've always been treated with respect and honesty and gotten a good price for services. They are really fast and accomodating with schedules. I just couldn't recommend a better shop and am thankful they are so close to us. read more

Thank you Plaza Auto! Received brake service & car drives/handles like new! Paid great price, thank you Angelo!! Shop local, shop E.C. Bring your auto to Plaza Auto Service!! Suzie at the counter is the Best! read more

I personally started my Ron's Muffler business in 1962. I was very close to Maggini Chev location, and I met John when he worked there. John, when I knew him back then was a top notch mechanic and I knew he was a very capable young business man. Angelo was also very experienced and also a remarkably good person. I am sure all the 5 star comments attribute to their knowledge and honesty. I cannot recommend them highly enough and their reputation shows how they operate their business. I just wanted to make this comment about their business. RonHulse, owner of Ron's Berkeley Muffler read more

Plaza Auto Service is the BEST! They have quick and easy service, the prices are right and Angelo, the owner, is a brilliant mind. If you want good service (smog station too!) good prices and really creative mechanics check out Plaza Auto Service. read more

DO NOT USE THIS GARAGE. I brought my car from Washington State to give to my daughter. We didn't pass CA emissions at first, though we always had passed in Washington. I brought car here, and my daughter was given an estimate for $1,700, including new catalytic converter. I spoke to my Washington mechanic (and others) and was told that a new catalytic converter made no sense, that this garage was trying to "upsell" us. Even for the work proposed, another mechanic would have charged us half as much. I went elsewhere, had minimal work done, and passed emissions test for $120. I repeat: DO NOT USE THIS GARAGE. read more