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A-1 Auto Tech
Categories: Automotive Auto Repair Automotive Smog Check Stations Auto Repair, Smog Check Stations [Edit]
89 Pioneer WayMountain View, CA 94041
(650) 964-7844
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 5:30 pm
Bill K. said: "This is just a great place to take your vehicle for tires and general servicing. There was a few things which were wrong with my car, and they took care of it, even called me back when they said they would. And, when I didn't pick up,…" read more »
14 reviews for A-1 Auto Tech
14 reviews in English
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Review from Bill S.
Aptos, CA
11/11/2006
I honestly can't think of enough good things to say about the professionalism, quality of work, and honesty of the folks at A-1 Auto Tech. Frank Edelman is brilliant, and has surrounded himself with personable, brilliant people. Chuck Clements is extremely patient, and assiduous in following up on service issues, and Patty in their back office is wonderful for her humor and assistance in payment issues.
There are two caveats with A-1. Sometimes they take more time than they originally estimate, or than you would prefer to do their work. Your service results will be, in my experience, worth the wait. They will not rush a job to get it out of the shop before it's done right, and if there are any questions about the fixes they've performed, they're excellent about apprising you in advance of what to look out for.
The second caveat is expense. You may be able to find a cheaper price than A-1's, but you won't at a dealer, and you won't find their level of quality and customer devotion either. If you're throwing piles of money into a car to start with, you owe it to yourself to spend that money smartly. A-1 is a smart place to spend it.
Regular maintenance with A-1 is great because they can, and do, catch small issues before they become big-ticket ones. This isn't a level of service you'll find at a quick-lube or gas station.
They are very good about offering a continuum of possible fixes from band-aid level ones to full overhaul level ones, and educating you about potential choices such that you have power over your automotive service choice.
I realize that this review sounds exceedingly astroturfy and gushes much, but I've no professional or personal association with A-1, save as a customer. If I didn't live a hundred miles away over a mountain range, I'd not think twice about continuing as a client with them.. and even now, if I have a big-ticket service need, it's been worth my while to drive over the hill from Santa Cruz to get a second opinion. Do yourself a favor, and give them your business. I don't think you'd ever regret it. -
Review from Jasmine L.
San Jose, CA
5/27/2006
My air conditioning system broke down completely in the month of July and I had no idea where to go get it fixed. My colleague recommended this place so I checked it out. They were super friendly, super sympathetic for my loss and helped me work out all the details so that I could get my a/c fixed. I dropped off my car in the morning and they even drove me to work! Even though I wasn't pleased with the bill, I was very pleased with their service, their confidence and their willingness to make me feel comfortable with what they were doing. After that, they sent me a thank you card and a coupon for my next visit and a 12 month guarantee for their work. What I paid was worth it.
****Update****
I found a nail in my tire, and gave Chuck a call for some advice as I was just on the road and was panicking about what to do next. He took me in right away and helped me with my tire! He put a plug in it, something that he guaranteed would work for the life of the tire, and the cost wasn't too bad, something under $30. Again, another 5 star experience!!! -
Review from Annette F.
Sunnyvale, CA
9/24/2011
I found this wonderful auto shop in the daily paper. I have been trying to get my car fixed correctly for the last year. Frank, and his staff are very personable, and give great customer service. I am tired of getting ripped off from other auto places!!!! He found the problem in two days. I have my own business, and am on the road everyday. I have found my new auto repair shop. In addition, they will pick you up, or drop you off. Love these guys. Thanks!!!
Annette Follas
The pet nanny -
Review from Ryan T.
Mountain View, CA
6/16/2011
Came in for a brake and lamp inspection sign off for the DMV. Service was great, welcoming and completed in the time frame specified. I think I found my new shop to go to. They are also AAA authorized.
Comment from Patricia S. of A-1 Auto Tech 6/16/2011
Dear Ryan, Thanks for the great review, it was a pleasure… More » -
Review from Jim P.
Virginia City, NV
12/1/2008
I was in town over the Thanksgiving weekend and needed an a/c compressor replaced. No one was open on Friday, but I left a message via the A-1 website, hoping to get some service on Saturday.
In the meantime, I found that Al's 76 in Sunnyvale was open on Friday so I went there. On Monday, Patty from A-1 sent me an email saying they were closed over the holiday and asked if they could help now. I replied that I already took it to another place and thanked them anyway.
I didn't get service done there, but I appreciated that they took the time to call me back. That's a sign of someone who understands customer service.
(I wrote a review for another company who responded after I already had the work done, thinking that no one else would respond. Now this is the 3rd review I've entered just for companies that responded. I'm really surprised! I didn't plan on reviewing auto repair places on their customer response abilities!) -
Review from Michelle D.
Mountain View, CA
11/23/2010
Professional and friendly--great energy!!!
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Review from Adelina R.
San Jose, CA
5/17/2007
Great service and they guarantee their work. I recommend this shop to everyone!
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Review from Jason O.
Sunnyvale, CA
3/2/2010
I have been going to Chuck for years, and he is quite simply the best mechanic i have ever dealt with. Cheap? No, but not expensive either. He charges a fair rate, uses quality parts, and gets the job done thoroughly and correctly the first time. Pay somebody else to fix something twice, and see what a deal A1 really is.
They have solved problems the dealer repeatedly couldn't figure out and saved me a bundle of money when there was a cheaper solution. They fixed an electrical glitch no one could locate and rebuilt my electrical harness for half of what a new one would have cost. The dealer told me my timing belt was shot, and A1 just tuned the engine back to purring like a kitten.
Chuck is also bluntly honest about when your car needs expensive repairs and he is simply unwilling to take the "cheapo" quick fix route that will either cost you more money down the road or leave your vehicle unsafe. He explains what is involved, and asks you how long you wish to own and drive your car. I much prefer to have someone just tell me straight up what I'm in for, and gives me options about how to proceed.
And their work is clean, done on time, and done right the first time. Highly recommended. -
Review from Tom B.
Mountain View, CA
9/15/2011
I was treated well, over 3 years now, no complains...
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Review from J G.
Simsbury, CT
8/18/2009
I've never had anything but great service from A-1 Autotech. Chuck and Frank are very interested in your car, even though neither still does the actual repairing. Patty, the receptionist, is friendly and calls you if anything is wrong. These guys are great at preparing cars for towing, and nothing went wrong when I drove to Yellowstone and back with a 24-foot trailer.
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Review from Todd P.
Los Altos, CA
8/16/2010
I've been taking my cars here for 10+ years. They are not cheap but, they are the best. Extremely professional, highly competent. They do fantastic work and are very honest and trustworthy. If you need a smog check, there are cheaper places to go. If you need reliable service and maintenence, this is the best in the bay that I've found.
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Review from Umang G.
Santa Clara, CA
1/19/2011
Honesty is the real keyword while searching for a mechanic and these guys are way beyond your expectation. I have a Toyota Camry 2000 and I took my car to these guys based on recommendation. They took care of it charging less per hour labor rate, giving genuine suggestions too.
After a couple of weeks, my car stalled and I took it back to them and they checked and confirmed that it was their error and would take care of the car free of cost including towing.
It is very difficult to find such honest guys. They are my mechanic for life.
In fact my friends are even considering switching their mechanic.
Frank, the owner has been very friendly, professional and good to talk too. He explained me in detail about what was wrong in the car (he even drew diagram on paper ex planing me that :) )
Henry, the shuttle guy has been very friendly.
All others whom I met there had a very friendly approach and a great energy.
You will never regret going to these guys. -
Review from Carter B.
San Jose, CA
7/17/2007
Good service but expensive. Several years back after several jobs with them was quoted $1000 for a tune-up (and other service), and immediately afterward the car failed SMOG. I ended up having to pay them ANOTHER $280 to get the car serviced to pass SMOG. In addition, when they replaced my radiator a year earlier they failed to replace the thermostat and the car eventually overheated due to failed fluid circulation.
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Review from Mike H.
Silicon Valley, CA
8/2/2007
This shop claims to know Hondas really well. Unfortunately - Not. Front desk people were quite nice, but the techs in the back were terrible. Unfortunately, I took both of our Hondas to this shop and here's what happened. The first Honda , a Civic, had to have its clutch replaced 15 months after this shop replaced it (it took them two tries and they still didn't get it right!). Before the problem with the Civic's clutch popped up, our second car, an Accord, overheated after they replaced the cooling system hoses and couldn't get the new coolant /H2O mixture in the correct proportion (duh); fortunately we caught the problem before the engine was damaged. They also way overtightened wheel lugnuts, and didn't show us that the rotors were scored (after spending nearly $3K for them to go over the car and replace engine mounts, timing belt, etc.). Finally, they misdiagnosed an air conditioning problem requiring Freon replacement that was eventually fixed by a Honda dealer who adjusted a simple cable. I figure we threw away well over $1.5K due to their inexperience with Honda autos and incompetence. Expensive to boot. My recommendation: take your Honda elsewhere.
