Mike’s Complete Auto Service

When I noticed smoke coming from under my hood one morning, I thought, «Oh maybe I’ll check that out later this week.» Then my boyfriend found out about the situation and put the fear of God in me. I literally thought my car was going to explode as I drove down High Street. I dropped my car off at Mike’s and walked home.
About an hour later, they had replaced my radiator and I walked back to pick up my car. They politely reminded me that when I dropped off the car the gas light was on and I needed to get gas immediately. I was obviously a complete disaster and they didn’t judge me at all.
Fun fact — I live on Congress Ave and i once saw a stray Manx sneaking out of Mike’s lot and I now call that cat «Tailless Mike!» whenever I see him.

My husband and I have been a customer since 1995. The work is solid, honest, and I remained on the road thanks to this auto shop.

I took my car here because it cut off while I was driving. He diagnosed the problem and charged me $ 300 to fix it. I left the shop and it cut off again. Then again the next day. I took it back and he said «oh i have to fix one more thing». He fixed that and now it just cut off again a month later. He didnt fix the problem, he covered it up but it’s still broken and still will cut off while I’m driving on the freeway with my 5 year old daughter and newborn baby. During that month that I THOUGHT it was fixed, I took my car there for a problem with it «jumping» a little. He diagnosed that and charged me $ 400 to fix the motor mounts. I drove my car and it still jumps. I took it back and said hey my car cut off again and it still jumps and now my check engine light is on as well. So far he has taken no responsibility for not fixing either one of problems but still taking my money. I’m pretty sure he didn’t know what was wrong with my car so he just guessed. His guess was wrong and put me and my children at risk. If he wasn’t sure he should have said that so I could go somewhere else. I want my money back so I can take my car to someone that will really take the time to figure out the problem and charge me when its REALLY fixed. My car has been there 5 times now for the same 2 problems and is still broke. Each time I have to get a rental car so I can still get around while he plays around with my car. So not only am I out the $ 700 for the fake repairs but also all the money for the rental cars. See you in small claims court Mike!

These guys are fantastic. My wife had a busted radiator and we were looking around the neighborhood. Came across these guys on Unilocal and figured let’s try them. Asked a couple of question and got some pricing, but we didn’t know how fast they would be. Normally my wife takes her car all the way to Tracy, but we didn’t have a choice.
Mike’s auto shop is the best in the East Bay and we will be going here from now on. Gotta get there early as it is a first come first serve basis.

There was a time where I had some pretty old cars. In fact every car I owned seemed to be on the edge of complete collapse. Now I have new cars and rarely have to visit him, but still drop by to say hello.
I’ve known Mike for so many years I can’t count. There have been a number of times where I would have been relieved to pay far more than I ended up paying, often thinking that I would need a «transmission» when Mike patiently explained «It’s not that big a deal, $ 25.»
I read one of the reviews that didn’t give Mike high credit and I’m sure it happened, but my experience has proven to me that Mike is honest, something a bit rarer in this world than it should be. I trust him. I’ve recommended him to so many friends over the past twenty years, at the risk of my own reputation if I was wrong about him, and hear the same praise from my friends.
I agree with the summation of many on Unilocal:
1) Bring your car early and leave it. Stay in contact with Mike by phone during the day. Don’t expect your car to be rushed to a waiting lift, in fact don’t expect to see your car moved at all, in fact you may not be able to see any evidence of a lift under the previous day’s work.
2.) Don’t plan on staying in the waiting room as the intake manifold on the seat may leave impressions on soft tissue when sat upon. If you must wait, wait somewhere else, walk a few blocks down to International Blvd and visit a Taco Truck.
3.) If you need a clearly written receipt it is vital that you explain that to Mike, he’s even let me fill out the work order clearly so I could keep it for my records… he once replaced an engine for me and I thought it would be good to have legible proof of said replacement.
4.) Count on an honest repair, no BS, nothing extra. In the one instance where a repair didn’t seem to take Mike was skeptical that his repair was at fault, asked to keep the car for a bit, called me and told me he had made a mistake and fixed it.
5.) When things are really tough Mike and brothers are entirely capable of repairing a 1986 Toyota Camry rear window lift with a coat hanger and a few bucks. Didn’t think the repair would last but I was wrong and it lasted forever. I’m still in awe.
6.) At the end of the day you can show up, and watch as cars that were sitting untouched are suddenly and miraculously repaired, yours included.
If you see him wish him a Happy New Year. Ask about his grandkids.
With firm handshake,
Raleigh

After looking on Unilocal for a good mechanic, I came upon Mike’s. I had been passing by the place for years, but never thought much of it because of the way it looked. I had always taken my ’95 Mazda to aplace in Alameda but since the owner retired and the «son-​in-​law» took over the business, well you know where I’m going with this. I needed a new mechanic. Mike and his brothers are top notch. I recently had a problem with my car I had taken to my ex– mechanic three times. Took it to Mike n Bros. and they fixed it the first time. Very pleased with the guys n happy i’ve got a good place to take my car to.

Mike’s is the best. I was able to get my car repaired quickly and at a fair price. The thing that really impressed me, was to talk to all of the people who were in line waiting for service. All of them said the same thing. Mike is fair and honest, and all of them have been bringing their cars to him for many years. I am recommending Mike’s to all of my friends!

My brother and sister have been going to Mike’s for over 30 years. I finally took my car to them. Their prices are very reasonable and the work was excellent. They are very honest. The shop is not pretty and you can barely read their reciept, but job they perform will be excellent. They are way cheaper then the dealer.

I must say this place is great for what it is. If you have any problem with you car and can explain to them what is going on they are crazy fast! I do not know how they do it because it looks like a junk shop! I do not know how they find things this place definitely needs a women’s touch and even she might not want to touch the greasy grim of this place! This is not a shop that you want to chill in the waiting room for you car. But I must say if you give them you car in the morning you most likely will get it back by early afternoon. I think they have a secret flash gordan working at the shop I do not know how they do it!
Only thing is that I can say bad they will not tell you future problems since usually they are fixing the immediate but I must admit the prices are reasonable I will take my car for care to this shop again!

I have been going to Mike’s Complete Auto Service for quite a few years now and I cannot say enough how awesome and honest Mike and his 2 brothers are. On Saturday I received an estimate for repairs on my car to stop the oil from draining (gaskets, oil pan gasket, crankshaft oil seal rear…) which would cost me well over a thousand dollars. This quote was by a corporate auto chain. Instead, I brought my car to Mike’s today and they replaced the screws on the oil pan gasket and completely stopped the oil leaks for under a hundred dollars! On several occasions they have told me that my car doesn’t need work when I was worried, and they were right. I completely trust them and my 1990 Honda Civic runs well because of their work. They are excellent mechanics and fairly priced. I highly recommend them!

Update — In May 2011, I had the front bushings replaced, there was a bad rattle on the passenger side front. When he performed the work, I was told the drivers side bushing needed replacement as well because it was cracked. Instead of the rattle being on the passenger side — it was the drivers side AFTER replacement.(which although I was told it was cracked there was no noise from the drivers prior to having the work done). I took the car back and explained, we drove the car around the block and I realized it was going to be difficult to get him to take responsibility for a job poorly done and fix it, as I’d already paid him to replace the part which was either damaged in the installation or was not properly installed.
I got a runaround on what would have cost very little to properly repair. There is a serious communication problem and his receipts are illegible. Don’t have a problem, he won’t take responsibility for it.
There is another review of Mikes Complete Auto servie on Google reviews that says exactly the same thing about another customer.
Beware.

The guys are nice and my car got fixed in a timely manner.
It was a little more expensive than I’d been hoping, but I didn’t have time to shop around, so that may be my fault or my misconception.
Others don’t seem bothered by the way the place looks, but I have to say I was. The office was… a piece of work. There are drifts of paperwork everywhere, no seating, no signage… I seriously doubt that they do any kind of filing whatsoever. Which means that if you want a record of any paperwork associated with your car repair, you definitely have to keep it yourself. I do, of course, but still. The level of disorganization was pretty spectacular.

If you want a good mechanic that is honest, gives fair prices, and you can trust… go to Mike! My parents have been going to Mike since I was a little girl, and I have also continued to take my car to mike for everything! There isn’t anyone else that I would take my car to.

I’ve been taking my vehicles to Mike for years and he’s the BEST! He’s the most honest mechanic I’ve ever been to. I have a Nissan Xterra and I won’t take it to anyone else but Mike.

At first glance doesn’t look like much, looks more like a junk yard. But Mike is a fair mechanic and does a good job. Kept an old Toyota long bed truck running for me, now I take my 97 Jeta and he takes care of it.

Great bunch of mechanics. Very honest and won’t nickel and dime you. Prices are very, very reasonable. They even throw in random things for the heck of it (e.g., fixing burned out dashboard light bulbs, free oil change, etc.) I take both of my cars there (combined 300K miles), and they take good care of them, telling what I need, what I don’t need, and charging me a very fair rate (even though I like and trust them, my paranoid tendencies cause me to call around for estimates before any major repairs like a timing belt or brakes).
Just recently took my car there because I was paranoid about a minor high pitch sound and because my radio and cigarette lighter had crapped out and I couldn’t figure out which fuse it might be. They checked out the sound and said that there wasn’t any need to do anything. And they spent the time to check all my fuses and to figure out which one had burned out. I tried to give them a few bucks for helping me with the radio, but they wouldn’t take it.
No doubt (as others have said), their repair shop is kind of a mess. But they get the job done and they’re a pleasant bunch of folks.

I have been going here for 15 years!
They are HONEST and hard working. I had almost given up on finding an honest mechanic. I told Mike my experiences with other mechanics. He actually got upset! My mother even had her car towed from Tracy after she moved because she knows they are the only mechanics that can be trusted!
They kept my old second hand Toyota running to 230,000 miles. I bought a VW Golf in 2004 and he will actually tell you the truth about how often they really need to be serviced… LOSING money he could have charged for my ignorance!!! He even sends me to other places for some services if he knows it will be cheaper elsewhere… again…LOSING money!!!
It is obvious others feel the same way as they are always busy. Best to bring your car in right around 8:30 if you can to beat the crowd.
I cannot say enough about the people there, the service, and the fair honest pricing.

The most honest mechanics.
I only trust Mike and his brothers to fix my car!
This place may look like a hole in the wall and filled with junky cars but its the best place in town. Mike can fix cars with over 300k miles to run like new!
Mike has a great sense of humor and the best price!

Honesty, Integrity and great prices can best describe Mike’s auto repair. I been going to Mike for the past 10 plus years and have gotten nothing but great service. This shop is one of the few in my opinion that will tell you want you do not need to repair instead of sticking it up the ass to you on the repair bill. Don’t let the appearance of the shop fool you, they do great work. The mechanics (3 including Mike) are very, very competent. Mike himself has over 20+ years of auto repair experience.
Like most auto repair shop, there isn’t really a waiting area, so it’s best to drop it off and have someone pick you up. They have all modern diagnostic equipment, so no worries on that front. Either way, try Mike’s Auto repair, you will be in for a nice surprise.

Don’t let the «Sanford and Son» exterior fool you! The place looks like a run down shop, but these three brothers (not to be confused with «brothas») do great work. Mike and his two brothers run this «no frills» place. When I say «no frills», believe me, I’m not exaggerating.
The Good:
— — — — -
*They will fix your car for a reasonable price and unlike some repair shops, they actually fix the problem instead of tricking you into getting repairs you don’t need.
*You don’t need an appointment. Just bring your car in (the earlier the better). Most of their repairs will be done in a day or less.
*They will honestly tell you what must be fixed and what you can just leave alone (good for older cars).
The Bad (or needs improvement)
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
* Some times they take a while to get started on your repairs so drop your car off and come back when its ready (if you wait there while they work, you might end up waiting a long time).
* Their estimates of when it will be ready can be off (probably because they work on multiple cars at once). You should call them throughout the day to find out the status of your car.
* You must talk to Mike because its hard to understand the English of his brothers (this is not really a bad thing, just an FYI)
* There is no real waiting room
I have Nissan Maxima with 300K miles (yes 300,000) and it still runs great thanks to them.