Hillmuth Certified Automotive

Once again, these guys come thru with shining colors. Very pleased to have found them. Extremely courteous and understand the customer as people, not just complainers (like our previous shop). Willing to work hard to get the car fixed while still controlling the bill (they searched for parts suppliers with the best prices). Willing to keep trying till the problem is really fixed. Love these guys. I’d strongly recommend them, no matter what kind of car/​truck you drive. They’re a family run operation, with several locations around Columbia Md. Find one and go see them.

They do a great job. They seem to be really honest and have competitive rates for the amount of experience these guys bring to the table.

I didn’t check Unilocal about this place and so regret it. Very nice people but make sure you ask the cost of labor. I paid $ 115/​hr. for brakes. Fool me once, shame on me… I was told the price is because the mechanics are college educated and have lots of certifications. I got the wrong degrees.

Had a complete brake job done by a shop in Laurel and several weeks later as I was driving home from work, smoke appeared from under the hood and something smelled like it was burning. I was able to drive the car to Hillmuth the next day where they determined that the brakes had malfunctioned and had to redo the brake job. I haven’t had any issues with my brakes since. Hillmith auto is reasonably price, knowledgable and provides good service.

Always a great experience with them, accommodating, nice and will work with you on price if you are on a tight budget although it took me awhile to get used to the high prices for everything that is charged here in Maryland after moving from Florida, they still were kind enough to work with me. I had to leave the car for a few hours and they drove me home so I could work instead of wasting my hours in the waiting room.
I highly recommend them even if they are slightly higher then the other guys but if there is a problem, they will fix it, guarantee it and with a smile.
Thanks guys, you rock!

My review may be tainted by the mere fact that I’ve spent weeks figuring out which shop I wanted based on pricing and if they could give me the right answers to the service they will provide…
I was originally looking for a quote for parts and service that they would provide, vs. service for parts that I would provide (i.e. finding them cheaper online and having the shop install them). From the start, the gentlemen at the desk said it was always going to be cheaper to find them online, but gave me the expected «the only difference is that we can’t warranty the parts» (which I didn’t mind cause I had a warranty from the site I bought them from. He gave me a quote that was very competitive with the other shops that I visited with less the hassle. I had the tires and parts dropped shipped to them directly and took the vehicle to them the next day. They remembered me and was perfectly aware of what I was expecting and performed the service expected as quoted. Great customer service. At no point did I feel as though I was being taken advantage of, and at no point did I feel as though this was just another guy trying to make a quick buck. As a matter of fact, I had asked a question about changing a particular part that would have cost a significant amount and they were upfront and honest telling me that while they would be happy to do it, it was a waste of money to do at this point in time, and explained why. That doesn’t mean that they didn’t call me up and try and up sell a service, but that’s to be expected in today’s marketing environment. When I said no, they said OK, and went back to work, there was no hard sell on other services or story’s of doom if I didn’t have a particular service performed. They respected what I said and moved on. Well done!
I will update this review if something all of a sudden goes awry that shouldn’t have as it relates to this specific experience, but unless that happens, I was really happy with the shop and so far wouldn’t hesitate to return for additional work.

Here is my Hillmuth experience
My car dies on the side of the road so I have it towed to Hillmuth. They tell me it’s the alternator (makes sense) $ 1000 dollars
Two weeks later
My car Dies on the side of the road again. Have it towed to Hillmuth because its should be under warranty. They tell me alternator is fine its you battery (ok I can except that when the first alternator failed maybe it fried the battery) $ 150
One week later
Battery light comes on. Bring it back to Hillmuth only because my whole charging system is under warranty with them now. They say it’s the battery again
One Week later
Battery light again. Got to bring it back to Hillmuth again… hey at least everything’s under warranty right? Nope this time they says the fuse box another $ 150. Guess what that’s all that’s was ever wrong with my car!!! I didn’t need an alternator or a battery. Will never deal with them again

Are you frickn’ kiddn me? $ 46 bucks for a oil change ($ 15 dollars labor)? $ 28 bones for labor to change a fog light? Dude are you serious? And then the nerve to say happy holidays on my way out. What did Spicoli say to Mr. Hand in «Fast times At Ridgemont High?» «You DICK!» The mechanic called me and said «Theres a nail in your tire that I cant remove so your gonna have to buy a new tire.» SHure Bob! That about sums it up with this place. Please for your sake go elsewhere. Oh. and to boot they said I needed my trans. fluid flush yet it was done in August… hmm. At least grease me up with my old oil! Total 1970s car scam joint!