- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Wilson Bros Automotive
Category: Automotive Auto Repair Auto Repair [Edit]
5450 Shilshole Ave NW(between N 22nd Ave & N 24th Ave)
Seattle, WA 98107
Neighborhood: Ballard
(206) 782-1320
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Jennifer D. said: "I read many Yelp reviews for a few of the higher marked automotive places in the Seattle area and decided on Superior. I'm super glad I did and am very happy with their customer & car service. My manual car was having major issues…" read more »
36 reviews for Wilson Bros Automotive
36 reviews in English
-
Review from Ddd B.
Seattle, WA
1/4/2012
I've been taking my truck here for years now. The Wilson brothers are just what you were looking for in a mechanic. Honest, reliable, low key. Perfect.
-
Review from Dan P.
Hamden, CT
3/28/2011
Not a very impressive group. I brought in a 10 year old Jeep for an oil change. They broke off a bracket that stabilizes the muffler. Didn't tell me about it. I pick up the car, turn it on... monster rumble. Sounded aweful. I walked back in. They said that was strange because they test drove it and everything was fine ---- RIGHT! I'm sure they didn't notice THAT! Longer story short, they said it was just really rusty and broke off, they didn't fix it. I took the Jeep some place else, got the bracket welded back on.
I'm not upset because a bracket broke off. I'm disappointed that they tried to play that off as if it didn't happen on their watch. That's a character issue. Not some place I would recommend or trust with a new or old vehicle. -
Review from RowerRob C.
Seattle, WA
12/3/2010 1 Check-in Here
I first heard about this place from my friend who heard about it from another dude. My friend had his VW GTI repaired here and told me that their price is right. I was a bit iffy about trusting any mechanic (much less of the Mazda dealership) but decided to take my Mazda 6S here for a minor repair. That was several months back and the job was done correctly. Then I had another issue that came up recently -- code says "system too lean" and the suggested repair from CarMD was to replace the Mass Air Flow sensor (a good 200 buck just parts alone). The Wilson Bros diagnosed the problem and found some old leaky PCV valve and promptly replaced it ... which could screw up the MAF sensor reading.
Pretty happy about their repairs and now I'm a trusting customer.
Another reviewer sited pricey oil change -- yes a simple oil change is a bit pricey here. If you just need an oil change, go to some quick discount service place. Go to Wilson Bros for mechanical problems. -
Review from James R.
Seattle, WA
7/9/2010
Lame, they charge $95/hr for labor.
My experience with Wilson Bros wasn't necessarily terrible, but then I got the bill. My wife's car had never been serviced, and had 45k miles. It needed an oil change, and the battery was dead, and we have a baby coming in 2 weeks. Basically, I wanted to know whether anything was tragic, and to have that stuff fixed.
Wilson Bros named a bunch of stuff to fix, and did it quickly. There was a goofball mistake with a voicemail they supposedly left but I didn't get, and I lost 12 hours because they never followed up. Would they ever have called back? I don't know. Anyway, outside of their truly literally passive nature, the customer service was not a problem.
The bill was. It was a huge fucking problem. They charged me...
$160 for a new battery
$500 for front brakes
$51 for a simple oil change
...and nothing else was done. None of the perks of an expensive service were done, like vacuuming or anything else. With tax, that's $725 for simple repairs. I would love to have found a new permanent go-to guy for auto repair, but I was really disappointed with their pricing. The battery should dance and sing for $160, and two friends mentioned that they recently paid under $400 for brakes on the same make (Nissan). A $51 oil change should be fucking olive oil, I can't believe I paid this much. My first time with Wilson Brothers is my last time, I hope they enjoy the $200 I would have saved if I went elsewhere.
The thing that really fucking pisses me off is that I asked them how much they charge for the battery when I dropped off the car, and the dude said he'd have to look it up. If he said "one hundred sixty dollars", I would have said "I'll change the battery myself in the parking lot of Schuck's around the corner, and I'll be back in 20 minutes". Instead, they charged me $160. For a battery. A battery.
Bottom Line:
They're not scammers, but they're gougers, which is almost as bad. The service really sucks for the price they charge. Maybe they can breathe life into an almost-dead car, but you can buy a pretty nice craigslist car for what a day's labor would cost at this place. Each one of the Wilson Brothers can suck it. -
Review from Lola L.
Seattle, WA
8/25/2011
My 8 -year-old Mazda just passed 80K miles and on comes the check engine light. On recommendation from a friend I take it to Wilson Bros. to see what's causing it and 45 minutes later get a call telling me i had a "major leak in my emissions system" (i.e. i had not put my gas cap on all the way). Needless to say, I felt like a complete ass but the Bros. did not laugh at me nor did they charge me for wasting their time. I'll definitely go back when something is actually wrong!
-
Review from Kathleen K.
Portland, OR
7/21/2011
Matt and Adam are the best! Incredibly honest and very mindful of those of us who don't have unlimited resources. I've been going to them for years and have always been happy with their service. They'll be candid about what is necessary, what can wait, they're very professional and responsive...I just moved to Portland and I'm so sad that I now have to find another place I can trust. Not an easy thing to do.
-
Review from izzy w.
7/15/2008
This is the first time ever that I've had my 11-year-old Subaru checked out without having to shell out big bucks to replace parts. Why? Because, according to the Wilson Bros, my car was fine and just needed the basics: oil change, new air filter, tires rotated (at my request) and some new light bulbs - that's it! And this is after over 2 years of no maintanence. I was so incredulous that I ended up feeling more than a bit concerned about driving my car into the wilderness of E. WA. Well, the car performed beautifully over several miles of rough mountain roads and the desert heat.
Thanks, Wilson Bros - both of you - for your honest work! -
Review from Katie S.
San Francisco, CA
4/3/2007
Give it up for Matt, Adam, and Travis (the dog)! I first went to Wilson Bros Automotive because they were the closest mechanics I could find. When I went in to see them, I was pleasantly surprised to see how friendly, honest, and down to earth they were. I had some work done, and when I returned, they explained to me exactly what they had done and why- and actually took me out on the floor and showed me too.
I've gone back several times since to get work done, oil changes, and am always met with great, efficient, friendly service. Their prices are good, and they work on almost any make. I've told many friends and colleagues and they swear by them as well. Highly recommended!
Gotta give them two shorted out spark plugs up!Listed in: Miscellany in Seattle., Car Talk
-
Review from Rebekah B.
Seattle, WA
12/29/2006
This is by far the best mechanic shop I have found. Adam and Matt are so friendly, do a great job on my car, and are always so honest about what I should be paying for and what can wait.
I've sent several friends there and they've all come back with rave reviews as well! I have a Subaru, but I'm pretty sure they can handle most any car you take to them.
And they're in such a good location, you might as well go shopping or grab a bite in downtown Ballard while you're there! -
Review from Drew M.
Seattle, WA
9/12/2008
I received a very high quote for a laundry list of repairs from Honda of Seattle when I just took my car in for an oil change. Something about it didn't feel right, like they're trying to make up for selling less cars with selling more services. I wanted to get a second opinion.
I found Wilson Bros. on Yelp and called up Matt. He was easy going, friendly and sounded honest from the start.
I gave him the list of the repairs Honda of Seattle said I needed and he explained in detail why some of them were not necessary until I hit 90k and 110k and one wasn't necessary at all.
In the end he quoted me a great price for the repairs I would need at 90k and didn't charge me for checking my car out today.
I like honest mechanics! I'll be back... -
Review from Sharyl B.
WA
4/5/2007
Finding a new mechanic is about as fun as getting teeth pulled (and usually about as expensive). I had just moved to Seattle when my car became due for its 60,000 tune-up. I went to Wilson Bros. based on some online reviews (Citysearch--hadn't discovered Yelp yet) and was so happy to find a mechanic I knew I could trust. For example, they called me to see if I really wanted them to change my oil, since it appeared it had been done within the last three months. (I knew that, but I hadn't said anything about it because I figured it was part of the package, and it would add on--what, 20 bucks? It's nice that they weren't thinking like me.)
FYI, my car is a 2000 Honda Civic, but I see a variety of makes there whenever I go.
The prices are right, the mechanics are friendly and knowledgeable, and there's a dog on the premises. What more could one want? -
Review from Stephanie H.
Seattle, WA
7/11/2010
I brought my recently purchased used car in for its 100,000 mile tune-up, expecting to fork over a chunk of change. I was shocked when I got a call mid work day from WB telling me that my car had already had it done, and they would only be charging me the time to put my car back together.
Who does that?
An honest mechanic, that's who. -
Review from David M.
Dallas, TX
11/11/2008
If I could give these guys six stars, I would. Adam and Matt are laid-back and funny, but they're also conscientious and f-ing sharp. I'm generally a skeptical, cynical bastard, but it didn't take me long before I could see clearly that 1) these guys are honest and 2) they really know their sh$t.
There had been a burning smell coming from my car whenever I'd get stuck in traffic going up a long, steep hill close to my home in Queen Anne. They took it for a test drive and could tell immediately from the smell that it was a clutch issue.
But there was no real safety issue: even though the clutch felt a little weird, it wasn't slipping and the car handled fine. They could have easily told me I needed a new clutch, but they didn't; they told me that, unless I couldn't deal with the smell, I was better off holding off on dropping any cash.
And they didn't even charge me for the diagnostic :)
Also--just to comment on their general level of competence--it was cool listening to Adam talking to the guy ahead of me about some issues he was having with BMW. Apparently Adam had spoken with shop professors at multiple universities to make sure that he was absolutely sure he had the right information.
Let me put this in nerd-speak....it's like someone took a rock-star surgeon and the proverbial "honest mechanic" and morphed the two together. -
Review from Kristin C.
Puyallup, WA
6/8/2010
I had an aging Ford Escort - the only car I had ever owned - that I had serviced here multiple times and they always gave it to me straight, right up until their straight talk was "time to get rid of your car." In fact, they didn't even charge me for checking out the transmission fluid leak that was the eventual death of my car and took the time to explain what was going on and why it wasn't worth it to fix.
Wilson Brothers' labor isn't cheap, but you well and truly get what you pay for. Expert, honest advice and really good work.
I'm about to purchase a used Saab - which I had pre-inspected at Wilson Brothers - and I feel confident in their assessment of the vehicle. It's nice to feel like your mechanics are your ally instead of your opposition. -
Review from Sarah H.
Seattle, WA
2/5/2009
Nothing special, just went in for an oil change and general diagnostic, to make sure everything looked ok. They squeezed me in on short notice and I got my car back later that afternoon.
Very relaxed atmosphere, and I'm really happy they didn't push any other services on me. Jiffy Lube (up on 15th in Ballard) pushed additional services based on mileage only--it was my first time there and they had no other car history. Simple as this job was, I appreciate the honest service I got here. -
Review from Nathan R.
Seattle, WA
3/8/2009
Probably the only place I have gone in Seattle that didn't do everything they could to take everything I own including my soiled undershorts. I went in with some suspicions of what was going on with my car they took time to inspect everything and call me with answers to everything. They even fixed my leaky radiator hose for free.
Their quote was accurate, the work was done quckly, and the car is running great months later. Assuming I still live around here and these guys don't move I will be a customer for a long time.
See my other reviews on Midas (Belltown) and Dean's Transmission to hear about some serious crap holes. -
Review from Jason P.
Seattle, WA
2/5/2008
WILSON BROS. SAVED ME MONEY!!!
I have a 2005 Subaru and have taken it to the dealership (Carter) for all repairs so far. But when I called to schedule my 30k service, they told me it'd be $680! That seemed crazy, so I decided to make some calls.
I called a few independent service centers, based on reviews here on Yelp, and decided to go with Wilson Bros. Not only did they give me a competitive quote of $450, but they go great reviews here and were very nice and quick on the phone. I brought the car in, was told they would call me when they figured out the exact price, and that I could pick it up after 5pm.
Well, they called at 3pm to say they were done, and not only that but that they checked the spark plugs, which are supposed to be changed at 30k according to Subaru, and found that they were probably good for another 30k. They left them where they were, which saved me almost $100! The total price of the repair was HALF what I was originally quoted by Carter.
Wilson Bros. has won a new customer. I have found my shop, and I will never go back to the dealership.
Give the boys at Wilson a call...you won't be disappointed. -
Review from Annie L.
9/10/2008
There is such a thing as honesty in this world. I took my car into the dealership for a simple oil change, to leave with $1000+ worth of "needed replacements". Are we talking politics here? Needless to say, I believe in democracy and refuse to shell out that much money because I am car illiterate.
I found Wilson Bros. on Yelp and thank the (insert your idol here) I did. Not only did they offer a quote almost 60-70% less than the dealership, but they called during the day of service to let me know one of the neeeded parts was unnecesary and a waste of time/money. I don't know about you, but I like saving hundreds of dollars on my car insurance--I mean car repairs.
I am putting these dudes on speed dial.
Did I mention they have two cute border collies at their location? That was a nice surprise :) -
Review from Justin I.
Seattle, WA
3/3/2010
Yup. Five stars.
My experience is not interesting enough to rehash here, but suffice it to say you can take your car here with confidence that you will be treated quickly, competently, and honestly. They deserve every bit of their excellent reputation. -
Review from Susan F.
Seattle, WA
8/17/2009
I took my Audi here based on the Yelp reviews and I gotta tell you...These guys are AWESOME!
They don't nickel and dime you...they repair ONLY what needs to be repaired and that is refreshing! They are extremely talented in their art and they explain every detail which is so great. They are fabulous and SO congenial and laid back and their dogs are gorgeous!
Listen up folks no need to look any further really... I have been there...STOP now and go see the Wilson Brothers you will not, I repeat you will not regret it!!!
This is the only place for me now... Thanks Matt and Adam you have proven that honesty still exist in the world! -
Review from Marshall T.
Seattle, WA
7/23/2009
I took an older Camry here for a tune-up (230,000 miles... woo!), and was really pleased with everything.
Like people have said, it is a very relaxed atmosphere, no high-pressure sales or the feeling that they are cramming everything they can onto the invoice. They let me know what needed to be changed, explained some issues that they noticed, and let me decide which I needed to do, after explaining the pros and cons.
The price was extremely reasonable, and the car is running better than it has in a long time. -
Review from Stan F.
11/28/2010
All I had them do was an oil change. What they did was an oil change. Sounds simple but every one else wants to scout around to make the job bigger or check fluids and such and then break something that was previously working. For me, simple is better and Wilson Brothers did exactly what I asked them to do. They weren't the cheapest, but I was happy with what they did and I wouldn't hessitate to go back again for another serivice issue.
-
Review from Chani J.
Seattle, WA
9/10/2009
You can REALLY trust these guys. We brought two different cars there and they've treated them equally well. Lots of communication about what they think doesn't need to be done so you don't waste your money. And also excellent service on what you choose to get fixed.
And I'm pretty sure they UNDERcharged us last time we went in there. Seriously. Awesome. -
Review from Brendan W.
Seattle, WA
10/24/2009
I"m more stoked I finally found a place to take my VW then anything else. Yelp is a cool site and yes I did get the oil change I was looking for, but I have found a garage I can feel confident in.
I have had my share of unsatisfactory experiences with other garages and after moving to n. seattle, the task of finding a new garage seemed daunting. But fortunately, Wilson's took care of the job and even changed one of my headlights for free (fortunantely I had an extra light in my car, but trying to replace that thing by myself seemed more daunting than trying to find a new garage for da dub).
Check out Wilson's Bro, you'll be pleased. -
Review from Jon B.
Seattle, WA
1/30/2010
I had been looking for a quality garage to take my BMW to for almost 3 years and finally found Wilson Bros right in Ballard. Previously, I had been taking my car to the local dealer (you can guess) and I always felt that they weren't being quite honest with me and that they were recommending work that didn't need to be done. The biggest problem was their labor rates.
Then I found Wilson Brothers and they are awesome! They were able to look at my car immediately, and even though during the first visit they could not get the problem to reappear, as soon as it did, they were again able to squeeze me in right away, fixed the problem, and for a very reasonable cost. They even put my existing belts back on, since they were only a few months old. The dealer would have put new ones on and charged me an extra $100. I'll be telling my friends and family about Wilson Brothers! -
Review from Scott S.
Seattle, WA
11/13/2010
These guys are honest, reasonable, and perform great work. Highly, highly recommend Wilson Bros.
-
Review from C. B.
Seattle, WA
7/30/2011
A friend recommended Wilson Bros but after reading the reviews here I wasn't sure what to expect and was nervous about being over charged. My old and crappy car was in need of a new ignition, the cost of which may have been more than the car itself is worth. Rather than installing a brand new ignition system they came up with a creative fix and took care of it at NO cost, they didn't even charge me for their time. It was so refreshing to talk to a mechanic that understood that I didn't want to put money into it and that I just needed the car to work. I know nothing about cars they could have easily replaced the whole thing and charged whatever they wanted for their time. Pretty amazing.
-
Review from Pete G.
Seattle, WA
8/8/2007
Honest, efficient and helpful. 3 things that are rare in an auto shop. I appreciate it when I am told that there is work that I don't need to worry about for the time being on my car rather than getting the hard sell. Heck, Matt even helped source a part for our Jeep that wasn't available on the after market and when we couldn't find it suggested some wrecking yards that might be worth looking into in the interim. Keep up the good work Gents, you are doing Ballard proud!
-
Review from Vanessa F.
Seattle, WA
8/11/2008
Really laid back bunch. They made me feel really comfortable leaving my car in their hands. My car was ready sooner than I thought it would be and the cost was lower than I thought as well. Good deal!
-
Review from Whitney S.
Seattle, WA
9/17/2010
These guys helped me out a lot when I had a mess of a problem. I only gave 4 instead of 5 because it is a bit pricey... but really they do great work!
I bought a Passat with a salvage title... Yeah I should know better but I didn't. After having it a few months it started running really hot when it was a hot day or I was in traffic. We could not figure out what was wrong for the longest time. They did a lot of work on it and only charged me for some since the problem was so baffling. They were great sports about it all and I really appreciated all of their patients and understanding. It turned out to be something with the transmission I think.
Anyways my whole family and I bring our cars to these guys and will continue to for as long as we live here! -
Review from Kirsten F.
Seattle, WA
6/12/2009
They were extremely helpful in figuring out what was going on with my car. I had taken it to another place (twice) to get a problem figured out and not only was it not fixed, but they had done a more expensive repair that is also now broken.
Wilson brothers fully diagnosed the problem, explained everything to me and were really pleasant the entire time. Very relaxed experience, I'll be going back. -
Review from Cam C.
Seattle, WA
2/13/2008
I pretty much agree with all the reviewers that gave these guys high marks. My subaru 65K inspection ended up costing me money, but sometimes cars do need repairs. they were honest about what needed to be fixed now and what could wait- and what the consequences were. i will def. be going back when i need repairs.
-
Review from T n K.
Seattle, WA
1/22/2009
Went for an oil change to check them out based on Yelp reviews.
They must be writing their own reviews or paying people for it. Their attitude was horrid, it's a hole-in-the-wall shop and they didn't perform all of the services promised -- spare tire wasn't checked, wiper fluid wasn't topped off, and their laid back attitude seems more that they don't care. It wasn't friendly or funny. So for the service (or lack there of) they performed, the price they charged was way too high. -
Review from Jon J.
Seattle, WA
11/4/2010
Took my 12 year old Toyota truck in for some issues with the drive train. They correctly diagnosed the problem (bad U-joint) and had the truck fixed and back to me in less than 24 hours. The price was much less than I would have paid at the dealer. I will definitely be back.
-
Review from tracy d.
Seattle, WA
5/16/2010
I was so pleased with the Mechanic/Owner sensibility and honesty. I brought my car in with an idling problem and since it was only a fallen hose, the service was free. This was unexpected and because I wasn't taken advantage of, it has gained my future service and I'm bringing another friend along for the great service. Thank you.
-
Review from Steven E.
Seattle, WA
2/2/2010
Great place! We have a sporadic random issue with our car... It dies sometimes and then after a couple of minutes it will let you start it back up. My wife got stuck downtown and it wouldn't start so the nice police man called a tow truck Lincoln towing was nice too! And I had he have them take the car to Wilson Brothers because of Yelp. They spent a week off and on trying to figure out what was wrong. The computer has no codes - which I knew. And they could not get it to die. They said it runs great! They said that they would have to start replacing things until it quit. Computer, Fuel Pump, Injectors... Etc and I know all that too. So they did try and did not want us to spend an arm and a leg randomly replacing things that could be the cause. Good. Honest. Nice! And they decided not to charge her either! We will definitely be going back for all the repairs that I do not want to do myself! These guys are safe - and honest!
