Auto Plus Berkeley

I have been taking my car to Ali and Naim for more than 20 years, and have always had unmatched service. I have been to several other local shops in Berkeley and Marin and none compare. Several other repair shops charged me exorbitant amounts for small services but it seemed like little of substance was done. I’m usually ushered in and out like I’m on an assembly line. Conversely. I always feel like I get great care — and my car does too at Auto Plus. They communicate well, take their time diagnosing and explaining, and the service and workmanship is great. Furthermore, Ali and Naim tell me exactly what the issues are and what the remedy is. I also love their new location, and happily work on my laptop in the very nice lounge area they have. This is a big plus for me, as it is quiet, clean, and very comfortable. Kind of like being in a cozy room in your own home, and not the auto-​repair shop.
Once, when they were so busy they could not fit me in for several days, I went somewhere else in Berkeley, also a well known shop, and left having spent $ 900 plus on things I really didn’t need aside from an oil change. I won’t stray again as I know this would not happen at Auto Plus. Ali and Naim are very honest, have been in Berkeley for many years, and I know I can trust them when it comes to my car. Now that my kids are diving we bring all three cars to them — Mercedes, Volvo and Volkswagon. I am so happy they take such great care of us all.

I really wanted to give these guys a chance, seeing as how they are close to my house and I always see their place packed with cars (including Volkswagens). I wanted to trust the reviews on here. Beware of misleading consistent good work according to the other reviews. I was led astray by them. And I follow Unilocal for many parts in life. Unfortunately, after having my pcv recommended to be replaced after diagnostician said that was what needed replacing with the code reader. Wrong. Engine light came on again two days after the work was completed. I called Ali to discuss, however his response was more than disappointing. «When you fix something on older cars (2002 vw), sometimes other things break» and claimed no responsibility, however he did offer me to bring it back in for a mechanic to look at it (with the full fee to look). No thanks. I would rather not risk further misdiagnosis on my dime.
Story continues. My fiancé took his vw there as well. Thought it may have a different story than mine. Worse!!! Really disappointed in their shotty mechanic work. Especially when they deny and won’t own up to their own mistakes. I’ll leave the drama story for my fiancé to report firsthand.
Now that I’ve wasted my time writing this review, I hope at least someone will benefit from this and save themselves the trouble.

We recently moved to the bay area (hercules/​pinole area) and have been looking for a new regular mechanic to go to. I found Autoplus through the Berkeley Parents Network and went there for an oil change and a coolant leak. After promptly completing the oil change, Naim found the coolant leak and explained the cause and the expected repair. I left my car there and was given timely updates every time I called to check on it. They gave me an estimate before they did any work and there were no surprise costs at the end. I was overall very satisfied. We just bought an Audi that we are hoping to keep for a long time and having a local honest shop makes me much less nervous about maintenance and repairs!

I had a great experience at Auto Plus Berkeley. I had been borrowing a 2005 BMW from a family member, and I was about to drive it down the coast from SF to Orange County to return it. Problem was — I had a number of warning lights pop up recently, and though the owner wanted to take care of any repairs himself, I needed an oil change and to make sure that it was ok for the drive.
The experience was positive from the beginning, with them answering the phone at 6:02pm on a Friday, after they were technically closed (Weatherford BMW didn’t pick up the Service phone an hour before they closed for me to schedule an appointment!). They looked up what type of oil I’d need and told me to come by in the morning. When I arrived, they promptly got to work, changed the oil, and investigated my check engine light and other sensor issues at no charge (running the initial diagnostics on the computer alone was at least $ 80 at other places). Learning that the car was safe for my drive (despite a faulty ext. temperature sensor) provided great peace of mind for my drive.
I appreciated that Auto Plus Berkeley was open on Saturday when most shops weren’t, but I would not hesitate to go back to Auto Plus Berkeley any day of the week.

Took 2006 Audi A3 for a misfire. He immediately told me it was carbon build up in my valve. Showed me picture before and after and gave me a reasonable price for the repair. Very knowledgeable and friendly. I will definetly bring back my cars !

Kudos to Auto Plus for fixing our overheating Jetta as a «walk in» (roll in?). It was too risky to drive back to SF to our regular mechanic, so they took it in then and there. It’s ready to drive 24 hours later. Awesome!

Sorry to talk about any body’s els review but when you are use to taking your car to a poorly educated mechanic in there neighborhood, when you finally get a good mechanic who know what there talking about you usually tend to blame them for having to fix the problem vehicle that was put upon them. So if they weren’t to follow correct methods some other problem would of occurred and they would also blame them for that occurring issue to!!! You cant help every body who isn’t use to good service!

Since my initial review on December (now February) Auto Plus has been harassing me with phone calls. They must still be on denial! Nothing personal here, I don’t know none of the employees or owners of this place; therefore I have no reason to make up a story here. What for?
I wrote my experience, my honest experience! Both good and bad. Accept it or leave it alone.
Thanks for motivating me to write an update here. What a continuing experience. See you soon I guess!

Stopped by for a service and they caught a slow leaking water pump before it left me stranded on the road.
This is by far the best shop I’ve dealt with in the Berkeley area. They take their time inspecting for any problems and lay out options. Unlike other shops who just want you in and out without fully explaining what’s going on with the car. They also show you the old failing part as well as the new one installed in the car for peace of mind. Not many other shops take the time. Their prices for parts always end up cheaper than other Volkswagen Audi shops I’ve gotten quotes for in the SF Bay Area. I’ve been to Auto Plus dozens of times throughout the years and it’s always been a pleasant experience.
There’s also a waiting room with a TV to watch with cable and WIFI, plus a new Phở restaurant across the street if you need to kill some time :) mmmmm

I have been having problems with my car for weeks. The VW dealer in Oakland said my 2003 Jetta needed new throttle body and catalytic converter costing $ 3,000. I didn’t have the money I left. A friend changed the throttle body but there was still problems with my car. I saw the shop and drove into Auto Plus on a Saturday and even though the shop could tried to charge a arm and a leg they didn’t! The mechanic, a very nice man, took time to really look at my car and find the real problem was a broken wire and he made an a adjustment to the new throttle body. A super small charge vs. what the dealership would have had me pay. They are honest!!! And Good!!! Wow, I never thought I’d live to find a great auto shop that doesn’t cheat women because could. THANK YOU AUTO PLUS! You are the best!

Nice people but how many times do you have to call to get a call back?
I must have wasted hours calling and being promised that I would get a call back, only to call and be told that the person with the information had left for the day or that they had to call the dealership and it was already closed and that they would call tomorrow and call me back. Never happened.
Called again, we’ll call you back, never happened and so on.
This must have happened at least 7 to 8 times and I finally just gave up, it would have been a lot better if they had just said we don’t want to help you, thanks!
Maybe if you have a car with a lot of damage and they know it will be a high $$$ fix they will actually call you back but don’t count on it.
–S

Walked in on a super rainy day because my car wouldn’t start the morning before. They were so incredible kind and honest. I don’t live in the area, but if I did i would most definitely go back if I needed to.

Took my car in for a diagnostic. Felt that they treated me fairly and honestly. They were a little slow getting the diagnostic done, but not too bad. Didn’t end up getting the work done (but not because of the shop). Would definitely return.

I wouldn’t hesitate to refer anyone to Naim. I found him very professional, informative and was surprised at the cost — I was expecting it to be higher. I took my car in for brake service and everything went smoothly, no surprises and completed on time.

Great honest mechanics. Take my s4 here. Naim, Ali, and Miguel Are superb mechanics and very nice when fair when it comes to repairs. Compared to other local Audi shops they usually charge much less.

Dear Sir/​Madam:
The reason for this e-​mail is to inform the excellent service provided by Auto Plus located in Albany in my BMW 1987 and Toyota Pick Up 1989. The honesty of the mechanics is unparallel specially now in days; consequently I will continue to take my two vehicles to Auto Plus and continue recommend friends to them.
Sincerely,
Hernan Barron

I took my son’s Subaru to Niam and Ali for major service — timing belt, water pump etc. They completed the work on time and the car runs great. Highly recommend; fair pricing as well as excellent work.

I’ve been bringing my car to Naim for several years. Being a woman, car maintenance can make you feel a little vulnerable and you don’t really know who to trust. Naim has always been honest and his prices are very reasonable. I don’t take my car to anyone else. Highly recommend Naim/​Auto Plus.

Got a flat tire? Well, I had a flat tire, and called in and asked if they could try to fix the flat tire (b/​c of a screw on the road), and they said they could try fixing it, but they don’t sell new tires. Since my sister recommended me to go to Ali and Naim’s Auto Plus, I went to their shop anyways and Miguel, one of the mechanics, helped fixed the flat tire, took out the spare tire, and reinstalled the fixed tire to the car in just 10 minutes. I have driven the car around and the fixed tire seems alright!
I also asked Naim about my car’s brake pads, and then he drove the car around, then told me what I needed to know and the things I needed to be wary of. He told me to come back to the shop if I hear squeaky sounds when I brake. Hey, I ride bikes and I know what he meant. Overall, he was very kind and honest with his opinions about the status of my car.
Lastly, I talked to Ali and he was patient and explained to me the things that I asked. There was no pressure from any of the mechanics to do any services with them. They really provided fair and honest opinions of any services for the car. They are great people! I highly recommend them.
P.S: I paid less than $ 20 for the fixed tire!

I’m extremely grateful for the fair and kind customer service that I get every single time i service my Passat with Naim and Ali and co.
This brother duo has kept my car far out of trouble and in good condition. I appreciate the time taken to explain clearly the details of what work will go in, the fair prices, and the convenience to El Cerrito Plaza for the downtime distraction.
Just finished an oil change there – bought my own synthetic upon their suggestion, which reduced the price. tired of paying $ 80 for oil changes.
My major servicing is almost due and they’re sure to have my business. Been a customer for over a year; in doing so, have come to know them more personally and love their work ethic. Reliably referred to me from a coworker. Naim, I will come and pick up the bolanis next time!