Sadly, this place has gone downhill big time. I recently brought my vehicle here for usual maintenance work such as a tune-up, tire rotation, wheel balance, and headlight cleaning. Of course, in typical mechanic fashion, while doing these things, they found that one of the tie rods needed to be replaced, so I permitted them to do this as well. Upon picking my car up, this cost me $1,206; sadly in 2026, everything is overpriced. However, not even 20 hours later my car was driving rough and making a clunky noise. I drove it one place and had to pull off into a parking lot, called Sargent's and let them know that the car was unsafe to drive and they needed to get it towed back to their lot. Within one hour the tow truck came. About 3 hours later Sargent's calls me to inform me that my transfer case was cracked and would need replacement and of course this would cost an ADDITIONAL $1,160 to fix! My car is 13 years old, I do not expect that it is in perfect condition but what I do expect is for people to do their due diligence and thoroughly check my car over before releasing it to me. The transfer case was leaking, this should have been a telltale sign by a trained mechanic that there was an issue PRIOR to releasing the vehicle to me in the first place. However, because my car was already there, I decided to go ahead and get the work done there despite the fact that they pissed me off due to their negligence and lazy work. I picked my car up yesterday evening after six days of them having it and on the drive home, I could tell that my car was still not driving properly but knew I was taking it to a mechanic friend that I actually TRUST to thoroughly look over my car. I drove it to said mechanic friend today in Waukee and decided to take the interstate to test drive it at higher speeds, and yet again loud clunky noises and a shaky steering wheel. After my friend drove it with me in the car, after 2 minutes he confirmed that there was an issue and that he would be taking my car to inspect Sargent's shoddy work. Come to find out, these lazy bas**ards did not even bother to tighten the lug nuts on my wheels, this was the reason for the sound and shakiness, my tires were coming off!! This is an extreme hazard and safety issue and I could have been hurt while driving on the interstate!! Needless to say, I will NEVER return to this awful place and neither will anyone I know. The customer service is also nonexistent here as Graham could not even be bothered to call me with updates half the time, he would just text them to me and then he acted like I was a bother to him when I made him arrange for my car to be towed back to his lot once I deemed it unsafe to drive. Take your car here at your own risk but you have been warned that they do not do basic things like tighten lug nuts nor do they test drive after "fixing" the cars. read more

Honesty, integrity, fairness. After feeling slighted at multiple other repair shops in the Des Moines area I found this place and it has exceeded all my expectations. I now use them for all the repairs to all of my vehicles and have always been satisfied. Thank you Graham and Tom for all you do. Keep up the good work. read more

I started using Sargent's Garage several years ago, after a co-worker recommended it. In fact, all 4 of my co-workers use it. I've always found the prices fair and appreciate it when Graham tells me what should be fixed now and what can wait. Highly recommended! read more

I have been taking my vehicles to Sargent's for over 12 yrs; started with a pickup that probably should've been put down before i got it, Graham and his mechanics brought it back to life with a new rebuilt computer and didn't pay anywhere near what other places' estimates were! A few months later had an emergency with the brakes seizing up, (actually seized up in their parking lot driveway). The guys took it right in and had it fixed the next morning; again, for a really good price! Now with two newer vehicles, they are keeping up on the needed PMs to prevent such issues again! They are up front and honest before doing any work, and the oil changes are simply the best! I've seen people walk in the door and ask for an on the spot oil change, and the guys can usually fit those in at that time. They also do tires now, which i am looking into at the moment! 5 of 5 stars, definitely recommend Sargent's to anyone I hear talking about vehicle maintenance! read more

I love coming to Sargent's. Not only have their prices always been more reasonable than other reputable places, they are professional and respectful, but also friendly. They remember who I am and can usually always get my car in within a day. They are the first and only place I recommend when people ask. read more

Des Moines has plenty of courteous, reputable shops with friendly professionals who take care of customers and their cars. This is NOT one of them. First, it took eleven days to get my car keys back after I paid my bill in full (without receiving so much as a smile or thank you for my business). When I attempted to collect my keys, I was met with complete apathy: Graham Gormley told me he was too "busy" and "forgot" after changing his story several times about where my keys were, what he had done with them and when. He truly did not care while I made multiple phone calls and return trips to Sargents ~ until I demanded the return my keys or pay to re-key my car, when Graham Gormley responded by yelling at me and calling me names. It gets even worse: After I paid Sargents $273+ for front end work, my car handled worse than ever! I brought the vehicle to another NAPA Auto Care Center, where I was told the car was unsafe to drive and would cost $1,060 to clean up Sargents' mess ~ the second shop even apologized twice for Sargents (something I would have preferred to hear from Graham Gormley)! So it's tough to say which is worse here, the appalling lack of customer service, or the incompetent service work. I wish I would have skipped Sargents and gone straight to the other shop instead. It was a very expensive lesson; one I share to help others avoid making. read more

This is the most honest mechanic I know. I have brought my car several places before and the last place told me alot of things I needed that were making noises to fix them. I went to Sargents and he replaced one part (less than $100.00) and told me the other noise I was hearing was more nerve raking than the worry, I can't remember what it was but he said I could wait at least 6 mo to fix since it wasn't that major of a thing. Nothing fell apart on my car and it ran fine. I brought it in to have the other noise fixed and he was very reasonable. Car ran great until someone totaled it. Now I have a new car for him to take care of. You really trust your life on a mechanic fixing your car right and I have every faith in him. read more

Great business. They are honest, provide good work, and charge reasonable prices. I always use this shop if I need work done while in the Des Moines area. read more

Sargent's Garage - Sargent's Garage - Auto Repair Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Of all the shops I've used in Des Moines over the 10 years I've lived here, this is the only shop I'll go to. Graham is very knowledgeable, is very timely, and is great at communicating while your vehicle is being worked on. I will not waste my time with any other shop in town. read more

7I have been taking my two automobiles to Sargent's Garage for approximately 10 years. There is good reason for this. Graham and his mechanics operate with honesty, integrity, knowledge, and skill. Sargent's Garage is also extremely accommodating if you have an urgent need (i.e. your car breaks down). In these respects, Graham's shop is miles ahead of anywhere else I have ever taken my car for service. He has a VERY loyal following, for good reason. The shop is a problem-focused shop and will not do or recommend unnecessary repairs or work just because your odometer reads "30,000" or "45,000" miles. In other words, Graham will do what is necessary and desirable, but not what is extraneous or superfluous. As a result, this is an outstanding shop for a value-oriented consumer who values the integrity and honesty and hard work of a small business. I work at Mercy Hospital, so I typically bring my car in the early AM and pick it up in the afternoon (4-5PM). The shop is generally very busy, so I recommend calling Graham if you have any questions/concerns and before you pick it up to make sure it is ready. He will contact you proactively if a major repair is required-otherwise, the work will be done smoothly, seamlessly, and correctly. The billing is appropriate and honest. In short, I strongly recommend Sargent's Garage. Try it-I can almost assure that you won't be disappointed. I have recommended his shop to a number of people over the years, and all of them have been beyond satisfied. read more

I took my car there to find out what was wrong with the A/C. They said it was the fan so they ordered the fan. It cost me $386. They took almost two weeks to get the part and when they finally installed the new fan, my car started shaking. I asked them why it was shaking because it wasn't shaking when I took it in. They said it was something else that must need to be fixed and wanted to charge me for fixing it. When I protested and said they should fix whatever it was for free because it wasn't shaking when I took it in for the fan repair, they threatened to call the police on me! Beware of this place and take your car somewhere else. My car still doesn't run as well as it did before they installed the fan. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone! read more

Been going here for many years. I trust the work and the estimates I get and that's about as good as it gets when looking for a mechanic.