Shirley Duke Shell is the best! For ten years we've brought our cars here for inspections and mechanical issues, and every interaction is a pleasure. They are honest, friendly, and prices are fair. We're lucky to have them in the neighborhood. read more

I had a very disappointing experience at this location. I went there to ask a simple question about emissions testing pricing and registration renewal, and the employee was extremely rude and unprofessional. Instead of answering or explaining that they were busy, he ignored me and repeatedly yelled "go, go, we're closed.you close at 2 pm ? At Thursday??? I understand businesses get busy, but there is no excuse to speak to a customer that way. especially when all I needed was basic information. I also wanted to ask about tire repairs, and there was zero willingness to help or even communicate respectfully. Good customer service is about how you treat people, and this place completely failed at that. I will never return to this location and do not recommend it to anyone looking for respectful or professional service.- 01/22/2026 read more

Excellent customer service! Especially like Steve's daughter inspecting my car! Very attention to details and courteous!

I've been coming to this location for emissions inspections for the last couple of years. Always prompt and courteous. Today I went in for my first issue with my car involving an anti- brake system speed sensor failure. Steve investigated the issue and was able to easily explain it to me. Also giving me foresight on a future complication that may come up, but not urging me to pay more to get it done today unnecessarily. I'm so appreciative of the service that I was given. read more

How can a station that charges $1 a gallon more than other nearby stations and provides air at $2.50, which only lasts to pump two tires, stay in business? Robbers! read more

We have taken our cars here for everything from state inspections and oil changes to timing belt and brake replacements. Steve is great at diagnosing and explaining the problem, and the work is always done quickly. We appreciate having an honest, talented, and reliable person who knows all sorts of automobile issues. And if there isn't a problem with something, he will let you know. The entire crew is great to work with. Prices are very fair as well. Can't recommend enough! read more

I have used Shirley Duke Shell Center for many years. Steve is very knowledgeable and kind. This shop is known for its honesty and professionalism. My roommates in the past also used this shop. I recently moved back into the area and came right back to them. They are quick with repairs. I would highly recommend them for all vehicle services. Great service. read more

I had my truck serviced here several times and found them (especially Steven, the mechanic) to be honest without adding any extra unexpected repairs, very capable of a proper diagnosis and competent in conducting variety of maintenance works. I would recommend this shop to everyone for any automobile related work. Great place! read more

Kind service! All I had to do was wait for the mechanic in line for a safety inspection, and she informed me that the inspection would be done in 15 minutes. I had to get back to work, so I left the car with her and don't know if it was actually done in 15 minutes. That said, I came back at the end of the day to pick up the car, and there were no issues retrieving it. If you live in Foxchase Apartments, this is a good place to take your car to get inspected because it is walking distance from the complex. I had enough time to wait, drop off my car, walk back, and eat lunch before I had to be back at work. I also appreciate that the staff wears masks during the pandemic. Thank you! read more

We have gone here for many years (Toyota Prius) and have always received prompt service, reasonable rates and full explanations regarding the repairs needed and why. Steve (the dealer) especially tries to maximize your cost benefits when it comes to repairs and we really appreciate his professionalism, availability and great customer service. Highly recommend! read more

Horrible customer service. Avoid this place at all costs. They clearly don't want to work there or help you. Go somewhere else. It's not worth the haste. Edit: I don't know why the other edit didn't go through. I went to both gas stations today. Both gave me horrible customer service. the two guys I approached were dismissive when I literally had one question. I'm not going to call you cuz I don't want to waste any more time. I'll take my business elsewhere where it's appreciated. read more

It has probably been almost 7 years since I last used Steve's shop as I moved out of the area. After having several bad experiences with mechanics up here in PA where I live now, I really wish I could take my car to Steve again! I used Steve's shop for many repairs on several vehicles over the years. I always found him and his associates to be spot on with work estimates, and in explaining why things were recommended. He got issues fixed quickly and if there were any issues after the fact he always addressed them. His prices were always fair, and the one time I took a quoted repair to another shop to save $100 I really ended up regretting it and wished that I just had Steve take care of it. I probably used Steve's shop for all my car repairs over a 8-9 year period and I was always satisfied with the work. Personal note: Hey Steve, I'm no longer wasting all my money on old Jeeps; its old Volvos now, lol. I have a 98 V70 wagon and I love working on it. Thanks to YouTube, I tackled the PCV job on my own, but some stuff I have to farm out...If you know any foreign car guys in the Philly area let me know! I hope you are doing good, wish you were closer I would still use your shop! Happy New Year! read more

I called before I came in today. I have received service from Shirley's numerous times. Always had a positive experience. Yes, I could let this one time slide but I can't. I'm always so nice and friendly to people. Even when I'm having bad days. However, I waved at the Ethiopian man (I think he's Ethiopian. He has light colored eyes.) who has serviced me several times before. He didn't wave and wasn't welcoming or friendly. I spoke to him first (I've always been told that you never let the customer speak first you speak before they do) and told him I wanted somebody to look at my tires. He told me to pull in a different car port and seemed irritated to have to say it. When he walked over to my car I told him I called and spoke to someone about getting new tires. That person told me to come up there, which is why I was there. The person on the phone said they don't sale them at the shop but they could order them. This man just flat out told me they don't sale them and didn't bother to mention that they could order them. However, when I asked the man was he the one I spoke to over the phone he told me no it probably was the other shell gas station down the street. Now before I came up there I did double check to make sure I called the correct gas station. But once he acted like he didn't know what I was talking about I second guess myself and left and I was just irritated by the interaction with him. I went to the other Shell gas station and was met with the same unwelcoming customer service and told they don't sale tires there as well. I double checked again to see if Shirley's was the gas station I had called prior to coming up there and IT WAS!!! My question is why was I lied to and told that they don't sale tires there when the person on the phone told me they could order them? I went to the Exxon across the street and the guys there was so friendly as busy as they were. Before I could even step out my car someone came to my window and ask what I needed. With that being said I will NEVER GIVE MY BUSINESS TO SHIRLEY'S AGAIN. To the lady that services me most of the time I've come to Shirley's I appreciate you and your genuineness. I wish that you had been there today. And maybe I might change my mind one day. But I am so tired of dealing with unfriendly people, prejudice people, and men when it comes to these kind of services either they don't want to help or they wanna take advantage of you. I don't know if this man was having a bad day or he just didn't want to deal with me. Whatever it was I really don't care. Nobody told you to work a job in customer service if you don't like interacting with people. And if you were having a bad day there is still no excuse. I've gone thru so many bad days in my life I'm surprised I'm still sane and have never acted like this to people. My job is customer service so you can't tell me different. Please do a better job with customer service because you all lost a good customer today!!! read more

I live in the city but drive out of my way to Alexandria in order to get my car serviced at Shirley Duke. Pricing is fair, always good and fast service, and Steve is very nice. I don't ever feel talked down to or like I'm being up sold which is common at other auto service shops. They keep a good record of my car and I trust they'll take good care of it! I drop my car off here then head to Dunkin Donuts across the street and the other stores nearby as an easy way to pass the time until I get the call that my car is ready. read more

This Steve guy is awesome. I brought my Mercedes Benz in for him to look at after exchanging emails with him on yelp. He had told me that it would probably be pretty simple and it was. There was water coming into the car through the sunroof, and the passenger's side kept flooding. I kept having to vacuum out the water every time it rained. He took couple of minutes to shoot air through a tube in the sunroof and it cleared up. This was a few weeks ago and the car is completely dry now. He didn't even charge me anything. Other guys were telling me to bring it in and pay for a "full diagnostic" or even quoting me for a few hundred and even close to a thousand dollars. Needless to say, I'll be going to this guy with any problems with my two cars any time I'm able to. read more

The only place I trust to work on my car(s). I have been taking my cars here for the last 9 years! Honest and reasonable cost for the work done! I have had one auto place tell me a bunch of stuff needed to be done and then taken it here to hear that no, actually you don't need all that. They are the best! read more

This is the shop for my car inspection, I have been coming for 5 years now. They have a new mechanic/car inspector, the one before was an older Korean guy and now younger Korean lady. Both of them are very nice and fast. I def. coming back here next year. I went there today Oct. 15 because I have a flat tire. The other Mechanic (I forgot the name, it is on his shirt) but he was an African and very friendly and fast. He explained to me about what cause it (a big nail) and he said it is from an accident (in case I wonder if someone put it in there at my parking lot) he checked all my tires to make sure they are ok. I was out of there in 10 mins and the price was $18 for tire fixing, I thought it was decent. read more

Untrustworthy and overpriced I went to this mechanic for a second opinion after the first told me he had only found a problem with the axels (CV joints). This mechanic drew up a list of five or six problems he had found with my car, and I went to a mechanic I knew I could trust for a third opinion. My trusted mechanic gave a diagnosis very similar to the first one. Further, his explanation suggested that Shirley Duke is either untrustworthy or incompetent. More specifically, for example, Shirley Duke told me the oil was leaking, when in fact it was just some residue from the recent oil change. And besides the faulty diagnosis, Shirley Duke's prices were out of line with what I got elsewhere. I got my timing belt changed, e.g., for $200 less than Shirley Duke quoted me. read more

A friend of mine highly recommended Shirley Duke Shell when I first got my car. This was seven years ago. I've since been taking my 2002 VW Golf to Steve for regular maintenance as well as problems i'd have along the way. The service that Steve and his guys provide is top notch. These guys are honest and will not sell you what you don't need. I leave my car there knowing that it will be taken care well and i can pick it up at the end of the day with peace of mind that everything is fixed properly. The gas station is across the street from some restaurants so if you want to grab a bite while you wait it's really convenient. There's also a bus stop right next to the gas station which makes it easy if i had to leave my car there all day. I highly recommend Shirley Duke Shell. read more

I'm just here to share my experience. My car's engine light has been on for a while, system has been running too lean. After the mechanic looked over my car he said he could fix the issue for $462. As soon as I get my car back the check engine light came right back on and I took it back to the same mechanic. Long story short, I took my car to this place a total of three times for the same check engine light issue and it has never been fixed. I approached the mechanic to express my displeasure of not fixing my issue and requested a refund, he declined. I advised him I would be filing a complaint. read more

This is not so much a review yet other than the fact that I've called multiple times today and can't leave a message because of a full mailbox and have even sent SMS messages with my phone number with no returned call yet but I'm sure that helps your company rack up the amount of daily storage fees for a car when a person is trying to promptly pick it up or retrieve their items!! But I'm willing to gI've you guys the benefit of the doubt right now and push my negativity aside until I can actually speak to hopefully someone decent in person tomorrow!! I've spent all day long trying to find my car after talking to my financing company and being given multiple numbers and getting multiple voicemails and leaving messages on all I'm pretty sure the last place has now directed me to you guys having my car towed there by being contracted with another tow company out of Ohio! So I'd greatly appreciate a phone call back as soon as possible please so I know for certain where my car is at and where I need to go tomorrow. Thank you! read more

Steve Chi is an honest mechanic with an equally reputable staff that has never told me anything needs fixing before it needs it. He knows how important it is for your car to not break down, so he's very thorough without being any kind of an upseller. I've trusted my car with Steve and his crew for years and he's never let me down. read more

Shirley Duke Shell is the bee's knees. This is my go to state / emissions inspection place, as well as any smaller things here or there I need done. My most recent visit was out of concern for a screw that penetrated the fat part of my threads. I wasn't sure whether or not it created a slow leak. Steve was quick to check it out for me (despite being slammed with larger orders) and was honest in his assessment that he didn't think the screw had punctured the tire. I once had a situation during an inspection where the inspecting mechanic noticed one of my brake lights were out, he pointed out the problem, and popped in a bulb. I never saw a charge. I've never felt like anyone at Shirley was trying to upsell me on anything. Very straight forward and honest mechanics. Anyone that asks for a recommendation for a mechanic from me gets told the same thing, "Shirley Duke Shell". read more

Steve, good response to Darwin's "review." He must have it wrong. When I come your way, I always get top notch service at a fair price. Haven't needed you in a while but no doubt will in the future. Keep ii going! read more

Excellent shop. Found via Super Pages (with a super pages guarantee) and Yelp. Stopped in for an inspection on a Saturday late in the month. Must have it hit at exactly the right time. The inspector/serviceman came out and pulled the vehicle in. Twenty minutes later the inspection was complete and provided a detailed report of findings, including service recommendations. No feeling of nickel and dime fixes or trying to make money. Clear cut service. read more

Steve and his team are great! They do quality work, quickly, and at very fair prices. They have given me great advice, even telling me that I don't need work that another garage was trying to charge be $500 for, and making a minor adjustment FOR FREE and sending me running smooth down the road. Scheduling my 60k service shortly! I've sent friends and neighbors to Shirley Duke Shell and have heard nothing but good things back from them all. read more

Great customer service. Fast and professional. Quick safety inspections. They have a full car service as well as gas. Located off of Duke Street across from Foxchase. read more

They quoted the lowest price to fix my headlights, and stuck to that. No added fees, no surprises. The work was done quickly and I was on my way in under an hour. I'll definitely be back for other service needs. read more

First time ever having any exhaust work done for my widebody scatpack. I tell you Mac is the place to go and I promise you they won't disappoint at all. I will be going back getting more work down to my car. Thanks alot!!!!! read more

Two miles up the road, you'll find another Shell station with gas rates at ~$0.20 cheaper/gallon. Whaaat??? So messed up. But, that said, it was quick and easy and conveniently located. Also, there were no issues using my Giant card at the pump, which has not always been the case at Shell gas stations elsewhere. Still TWENTY CENTS only two miles away!?!?!? Booooo! read more

I don't usually write reviews unless I am compelled to write one. This is an absolute case where I have to retort to this one jerk Harry D. from Springfield who wrote a lie. I happened to notice this guy's post about how dishonest Steve is. That is an insult Harry! He is the most honest man I ever met and he diligently works on everyone's automobiles better his own. I know this, because I know his character and he has been working on mine and my families cars for 30+ years. I bet this guy Harry is an owner of an auto shop not doing well and trying to discredit other auto shops. Yelp, I would take his post down immediately even though it was written in 2012, because it's a lie! This is not a review, it's a lie! Steve is best there is and I know he got a professional training in Auto Care after he finished his college. He is knowledge in automotive is equal or better than any dealer mechanics and he won't charge dealer's price. Get off it Harry. You owe him an apology! read more

Have been using them for my car safety inspections for 6 years. They are very helpful if there's a technical glitch on the inspection such as burned out license plate bulb (lights must work to pass inspection). They simply changed the bulb for me and charged a very fair price to do that. I recently had them evacuate and recharge my air conditioning system and they were fast and fair on price and extremely honest about extent of work required. I like this repair center. Fast, reliable, competent, honest and fair pricing. Highly recommended! read more

My wife and I recently moved to Arlington, and started having issues with our car. Being new in the area, we had no idea where we could take our car to get trustworthy service. My Acura is my "baby", and I am always very nervous about where I take it. We took it to another auto shop and got a quote for $450 to replace a power steering hose, then we took it to Shirley Duke Shell and got a quote for $350. Steve the owner is extremely helpful. I mistakenly told him I needed a new power steering pump, and he took me back to where they were looking at my car and told me I don't need a new pump, but I need a new hose. He was very honest, and I felt very comfortable with them working on my car. I will be using this shop for all my repairs in the future. If your new to the area, I would recommend this shop. The owner is nice and helpful and you'll feel comfortable leaving your car there, and it will be done for less than other places. 5 stars! read more

Went here for my car inspection. The mechanic or tech person was super nice and informative even though my car failed at first. They are open for inspection M-F 9-5pm. I was thoroughly pleased. read more

I don't throw around five stars lightly. I've been bringing my cars to Steve at Shirley Duke Shell for 10+ years. I used to take them to dealerships for repairs, but they always told me I needed thousands in work. Steve would explain what I needed to do, why it was important, and what I could put off if I wanted. I got second opinions on multiple occasions and never received a better offer or felt Steve was misleading me. BMW Alexandria recently told me I needed to spend a ridiculous sum of money fixing my car. Steve told me the car probably wasn't worth fixing despite the fact he knew I would be buying a new car under warranty and he would lose business. I'll continue bringing my wife's car to him, because I can't imagine a better mechanic. read more

Steve is very low pressure and wants to do his best for you. He's working thru some issues with my Cadillac with me step by step

I cannot say enough good things about this place! While on vacation we cracked a wheel on our car. Based on all of these great reviews, we headed to Shirley Duke Auto. They really went above and beyond to help us find the wheel we needed and get us back on the road on time! Our final cost was even less than their quoted price. Seriously, a great experience. If we ever break down in Alexandria again, we'll be heading to Shirley Duke! read more

I found this place through Yelp, and have to say they are SO honest! They could've charged me $1000 for a new stick shift, but instead it was just a $300 flush that was needed... SO thankful for them! read more

I've been using Shirley Duke Shell for several years. Yes, for me they are 5 star. Steve, their main mechanic, is great. Very knowledgable, but also honest and easy to talk to. Sometimes will tell me not to spend money on a repair since the situation isn't serious. How often do you get that? Repairs are done fast. Never had to return for a followup. There is also a female mechanic there who is good. Sorry, I've forgotten her name, but knows her stuff, too. I lost a good garage several years ago when they started to charge outrageous prices, but in Shirley Duke Shell I've found an even better replacement. Highly recommended! read more

I had to get an inspection done here. Dropped the car off and walked across the street to the pub and grabbed lunch. By the time i finished, the car was ready and i was on my way. Quick and efficient! Thanks read more