B & L Automotive

I came in right when they opened for my vehicle inspection. Of course my expectations were low, because I knew that my chances of being out of there in a timely manner (or having it done at all) were slim to none, as it was the last day of the month (yikes!). The inspection gods were on my side. I was out of there in 90 minutes and they even did a courtesy inspection for my check engine light. The staff was great and made me feel like I was welcome, I am blown away after reading the other reviews. The customers seen before me seemed happy with the work done, too. They made me aware of current promotions and tips to help save a buck or two. I have no reason not to come back for further maintenance, plus their coffee game is on point.

I would not recommend this auto shop to anyone. Their prices are through the roof. The car over heated and they were the closest shop, they were busy and couldn’t take me right away, which is fine. They «fixed» a fan and then once we picked it up to take it back to Norfolk, the car broke down/​overheated on us again on the highway. Since this was on a Sunday we had to get a tow to our house, they did end up refunding us the cost of that tow. They said they were sorry and didn’t have time to test the car out after the repairs. Well then how can you say it was fixed? Well they towed it back to the shop, and then found another problem, that problem was expensive so we wanted another quote, they towed it back to our house, we had to pay for that tow, which was more than they quoted us for. They should not have charged us that tow since they horribly inconvenienced me and my family on a Sunday afternoon traveling through a tunnel in 95 degree heat. We Had the car looked at by another shop, they told us we were ripped off by B&L, the other shop saved us 72% of what B&L was about to charge us. I can only imagine what we would have saved if we never went to them in the first place.

Agree with previous reviewers. Came here for an oil change and inspection. I know my car needs a few maintenance but they made it seem like it was imperative I got them done ASAP. I didn’t and do glad. Never will return again.

Absolutely disgusted by this place. When I initially phoned to see if they could get me in the man on the phone made it sound life threateningly imperative that I get my car in RIGHT THIS SECOND. I took it down to them and after they’d had it on the lift a while they came to get me to show me the problem. (Or problems, as it were) I was told that I had a bad bearing (which I did, it was in terrible shape!) and that I was «Lucky the wheel didn’t come of since the only thing holding it on is the brake caliper!» Uh… Hmm. Then they pointed to a strut that was obviously leaky a bit and told me I needed two new struts. Without even driving the car. Uh huh. They also pointed out that I had a small leak in my transmission and that my passenger tire was in awful shape (and yes it sure was). I was just distraught! I cried my eyes out since I’d had my KIDS in that car! When a friend called to find out what was happening he was told an approximate estimate of 750.00 (I was sitting around the corner) for ONLY the bearing and an alignment. When my husband arrived the man never would give us a quote; kept saying it was on his computer. Well, they weren’t so busy that any person would’ve forgotten so fast. We never DID get a quote and he would not stop harping about an alignment. That was the LEAST of my worries. Hubs and I left and called a local, reliable place without the smoke and mirrors to go get it. They did and since that time I’ve been shown how the wheel was not and could not have ever been held on by the caliper, the majority of struts leak and after being DRIVEN mine were fine, and they even suggested a good place for a couple of decent used tires. All for 300.00 less.
In my experience this establishment is shady, has poor ethics, and will do whatever it takes to get a customer to pay… A lot. Steer clear. This place was shameful.

So i had a blow out on my RV. IIsac the manager had to order 2 new tires. So i said I’m brining kids to Busch Gardens, can i come back in the morning? He said NP. So this morning i came in early… 8 am. IISAC was not there. Darrel was. After 20 min wait. i drove RV into shop. The mechanic asked me what tires… i showed him… he had me jacked up and tires off in 10 min. heres is where everything turned… apparently the tire machine was too small to remove tire from rims. They had to bring to their «sister“company 2 min down the street. After an hour i walked into office, and Darrel said your set to go! i said no looking at my RV thru the window still jacked up with 2 rear wheels missing! So he went to bay and came back and made a phone call. He said it should be back in and hour! I said WHAT! you told me it was 2 min away? I asked darrel if it was indeed a sister company? he rambled on… i said its a yes or no question. he said yes it is not owned by same company… so i said that would be a no then! Then he trys to stare me down like I’m going away… nice try. so after more than an hour i was done. at 12 o’clock! Darrel should not be in charge, he could find his way out of a paper bag! DO NOT GO TO THIS COMPANY!

I’m not a car gal and know jack squat when it comes to maintenance, hell I can count on one hand how many times I’ve handwashed my car. So, I know nothing except the maintenace light means go to the mechanic.
Anyway, places like these thrive on people like me who don’t know anything about cars and take advantage of you. I went with my friend because she was getting her state inspection and we came unknowlingly 3 hours until closing. He didn’t mention it and I was oblivious to the sign outside but he decided to fit our vehicle in the schedule which in retrospect I think it was the best thing about the whole experience. The employees working there besides the two older guys at the counter looked miserable. The inside of the shop where the lobby area was is actually very nice-​or at least as nice as a lobby can be. There was plenty of chairs, a coffee machine and a t.v. We came in around three and there was like 3 soldiers and another civillian waiting. After waiting 45 minutes, we went out for some food. We came back like at 5 and waited another hour and 45 minutes. The car wasn’t service until 6 and it took them like 30 minutes to look at it which is kinda ridculous but I didn’t say much since it wasn’t my car. We watched the whole clean up process of the crew and they just looked pissed the whole time, throwing sales flags on the floor, speeding in the parking lots and slamming doors. It was pretty awkward to say the least.
In the end, my friend failed her inspection and the total cost to repair like 2 items based on B&L was about 350+. I asked my personal mechanic who said that the repairs would really only cost about 150-​maybe 200. I understand these places need to get a profit but considering the whole experience with the pissed off staff, the long wait time, and weird scheduling, the pervy receptionist and high prices there is no way I would ever go here again.

Took my car (BMW) in for a State Inspection, was told that i need front and rear brakes, along with rotors for both front and back. Was quoted $ 468 for the front and $ 498 for the rear.
Thought this was kinda high and took the car to Brake King for another estimate. Ended up getting new brakes and rotors for $ 297 for front and rear.

I used to take all my vehicles to B&L for servicing but not any more. The business was much better when Bobby ran the shop, even decent when his son Brad was there. But now that Darin is running it, they just take advantage of people.
I think looked back and realized that every time i took a vehicle there i never left with a repair less than $ 300.
Bye B&L.

Called B&L for a quote on aligning the front end on one of my vehicles — bottom line: their quote was 2x the quotes I received from other local shops.
Conclusion: too pricey and I recommend consumers find a more competitive shop for their automotive services.

I brought in my small SUV to get it serviced, get new tires, get my state inspection, and diagnose/​fix some engine noise (a high-​pitched whine).
At first all they did was «listen» to the noise and claimed it was the power steering pump that was going bad. They asked me for authorization to perform the repairs, and I consented. I got a call the next day saying that it wasn’t the power steering pump, it was the A/​C condenser. They never even tested the part they «diagnosed» as bad. They were ready to slap the part on my bill based purely on LISTENING to the engine.
I paid $ 1024 for the maintenance, tires, and state inspection. I had told them that the car was covered under warranty for 8yrs/​100k, so they asked me to bring in the warranty paperwork when I picked the car up for them to file the claim. The claim was denied because they didn’t ask for the warranty paperwork BEFORE «fixing» the engine noise, and they never actually fixed the engine noise. I don’t even have any proof that they replaced the AC condenser, because it sounds just as bad as it did before.
So now I’m stuck with $ 360+ in «ghost» repairs, which I have to hope my warranty company will reimburse me for after I file an unauthorized maintenance claim, and a high-​pitched whiney SUV.
Thanks B&L!
Edited to add: I raised the rating to 2 stars. After I picked up my car from the Honda dealership (to get it REALLY fixed this time) I called B&L to tell them that it WAS the power steering pump. I told them I was disturbed that they had let me drive it away in a dangerous state. They told me I wouldn’t owe the $ 360+ and apologized sincerely. While that did ease the negativity of the experience a bit, it doesn’t change the fact that they don’t seem to know how to handle newer Honda’s or their warranties properly.