Excaliber Autoworks

Going to Alan was really an outstanding experience. Extremely friendly and casual guy, but really professional in how he took time to talk with me and research the problem ahead of time. He kept me up to date and was totally transparent and open, so I always knew what he was planning and what he’d done.
Went in for an evap problem on a Mazda3, which he said would be tricky to diagnose. He worked on the areas he could, but was prevented from finishing the diagnosis due to some proprietary equipment. He had put in easily his shop’s diagnostic fee in time alone testing various components of the evap system, but because he takes such pride in finishing the job, it was on his suggestion we came to an agreement on payment (without discussing details, he fully pushed for my side of the bargain).
I’ll absolutely come here again next time I need auto work done!

Allan is the best! Every time that I have had a problem with my car he has been right on in figuring out the problem and getting it fixed. He will quote you on parts and service before he starts any work on your car. Alan and his team do a phenomenal job of getting cars fixed and he cares about his clients. This is just an awesome mechanic shop and he never disappoints. He is a mechanic that you can trust. He is not looking to jip you out of cash like other places but rather wants for you to pick up your vehicle in better shape than when you brought it to him. 7 years going and strong with this shop. # qualityservice

I can’t begin to say enough good things about this shop, so I will keep it short. After speaking to 4 different shops, getting the run around about prices, a Dishonest estimate from Mission tires I was about to call it quits until finding Alan! This place is honest, hard working, committed to Doing the necessary work not just trying to Sell you something and very professional all around. Thank you Alan & your talented crew!

Excaliber and Alan – Two words: Class Act
Hole in the wall shop but he’s a total pro, has saved me $$$$ on multiple cars.

I decided to try this place out due to their excellent reviews. Sadly my experience was the absolute opposite. I always request mechanics leave empty fluid bottles be left in my car so I know for a fact what they used, as I am VERY particular of what is put in my car. Alan, who was friendly, said that he would use Redline mt-​90 gl-​4 transmission oil, which I requested, in my car. Unfortunately, they used a gl-​5 oil, which is NOT good for my transmission. They did at least acknowledge the error and changed it, which required a considerable amount time out of my day, but would have earned them two stars, until of course they bolted their advertisement license plate bracket on my car with security bolts, which REALLY angered me as it took considerable time finding the right tool and removing it. I’m afraid that I cannnot recommend someone who cannot follow directions, and locks their advertisments to their customers cars without asking.

Excalibur and Allan are the best! A friend referred me to them 2 years ago saying he was incredibly trust worthy, fast and didn’t cost too much. That’s exactly what I get from them. Clear and honest communication, fast turn around and super non awkward interaction. Allan is awesome and we always share funny car stories. Don’t take my 2 cars anywhere else.

We continue to be impressed by Alan’s work and his warmth. It feels great to have a mechanic we trust and actually like!

Alan is wonderful– friendly, thorough, and professional. He always explains repairs in an understandable manner and shows the damaged and/​or fixed parts (when able to). I especially appreciate that he treats me the way i feel I deserve to be treated as a customer, regardless of my gender. This is so rare and so appreciated. What I also love about coming here is that Alan is a community member first, and a business owner second. Plus excaliber does great work, often going above and beyond. Highly, highly recommend.

I really really really love Excalibur. They are very friendly, reliable, and go above and beyond to offer exceptional service. You can trust that they will never overcharge you or do any unnecessary work. I have seen Alan three times for a variety of issues with my Subaru and every experience is better than the last. I highly recommend Excalibur.

Fantastic customer service, fair price, quick turn-​around time — what more can I ask for. I had an emergency fix (broken water pump), and Alan turned it around in less than a day. Car was returned to me in great shape, including a thorough car wash outside and vacuumed interior.

Alan is a great guy and knows his stuff. He’s worked on several of my vehicles.

Unbelievable! The best customer service I’ve gotten in the car shop in my entire life.
I brought a car I was going to buy for a check. It was checked really fast, the guys were friendly and were explaining what is wrong with it.
At the end owner didn’t want to take any money from me because the car I brought was junk :) They got a customer for life with that.

I went here because I live close by and the Unilocal reviews were great. I brought my car here thinking that I was leaking oil and Alan told me it was just water from the AC. Other guys could have lied and took me for more money but Alan didn’t. He’s honest and that’s all I want from my mechanic.

Alan is a heck of a guy; calm, composed, makes you feel very important. He even takes the time to explain to you various topics about your car; I feel almost guilty taking his time. His staff are top-​notch mechanics and overall the experience is very friendly.

My car feels brand new. Amazing. Alan came highly recommended by my co worker. I’ve never really done anything to my 2006 Scion XB that has 68k miles and I bought brand new 7 years ago. Toyota said they did a mini tune up but never replaced any real parts. So not much of a tune up there. They just called it a 50k maintenance to make it sound better than an glorified oil change and charge a couple hundred more. Well I did spend a nice chunk of change today, but i got VIP service, Alan dropped me off at work and picked me back up (I work nearby) OMG they washed my car, vacuumed. Who does that? Might be a small fortune I paid today but it was all well worth it knowing my car was having a «spa» day if you know what I mean. And she’s going to treat me well for another 60k miles before she gets one of these «spa» days. Just a quick mani pedi oil change till then. Thanks Alan to you and your awesome staff.

I’m not a car person. Which means, I don’t know s**t about even the simplest engine out there and I own a 1972 VW Squareback that I LOVE. Alan is the first out of many, many mechanics that I KNOW I can trust and he treats me with respect deserving of someone who really knows their stuff, which I don’t. He is super honest, really fun, smart and kind. You can trust him and his work. Couldn’t recommend him more. #1. Thanks Alan! (:

Greenhearts Family Farm relies on its Ford truck for everything– our CSA deliveries, farmer’s markets, commuting, daily driving. No truck, life stops. Can’t work. Bummer.
So, when the clutch went out on my 2008 F150 I headed to Unilocal and found Alan. His consistently high reiews made the decision pretty easy. And I have to say– he’s everything people say.
Alan is just a good guy. His small but busy shop got me back on the road under budget and in good time. He showed me the worn out parts, dispensed with good advice, found the best deals on replacement parts and didn’t do any unnecessary repairs. No shenanigans!
Our truck is the single most important tool we own, and I think Alan appreciated that. Overnight I went from a very worried, desperate truckless farmer to a confident dude on the road and back in business. what else can I say? Thanks Alan and the team at Excaliber Autoworks.

After literally searching for 4 years, I am happy to announce I am in love?! Well, I don’t know what the correct term would be but I do know good service when I get it!
The attention to detail is unsurpassable at Excaliber. Alan the owner was recommended to me as I am extremely finicky about my little buggy.
I did some research here on Unilocal!Checked out his website and finally stopped in to chat with Alan himself. He took time out to answer all of my many and varied questions.
I told him I would bring my car in for an oil change and to inspect a few concerns of mine. When I picked my car up Alan had complete details and a few cell phone pictures of key areas to illustrate his findings!!!
Are you kidding me? I can’t wait to take my car back there, how wrong does that sound? Yeah, EXCALIBER AUTOWORKS is that GOOD.

Alan (owner of Excaliber) is GREAT!
I’ve used his shop twice now, once a few months ago and then again today. The first time was just for just an oil change, which was comparable in price to other independent shops in the area (though a little more than the big chains). He and one of his workers did a VERY thorough check and top-​off of the fluids and basic engine whatnot. My battery was almost dry, so he filled that up for me and gave it a good charge (all for free). He even let me use his ShopVac to clean out the car! (My girlfriend had been asking me to do that for a while…)
Now, a few months later, that old battery died (leaving me to push my car over half a mile home in the middle of a rainy night, but that’s another story). Since I couldn’t drive there, Alan just sent one of his workers over to put in a new one. From the time I called to the time my car was ready to drive was less than 30 minutes! Granted, I live pretty close to his shop, but still – that’s great service!
Highly recommended!

One name to remember:
Alan Takeshita
The only reason why I took my car here was because he came highly recommended by a good friend of mine plus her boyfriend either knows him or has taken his car there before. I’ve heard/​experienced too many horror stories about mechanics sabotaging or screwing one over with high costs and pulling my leg thinking I don’t what an alternator is as opposed to a starter. Well looky fu**ing do, but I do happen to know the difference.
My experience started out as thus:
Car has issues starting but nevertheless, starts, after feeling the harpies of my anger come swooping at her V-​6 with venom. I merge onto the 101 south and am headed out to Foster City when I notice a vat of white smoke billowing out from my back as I attempted to make a left transition.
I pull off on Paul Ave and thank god for the empty space. Not to mention street cleaning had already finished. My car would not start and there was no way in hell I’d start it. What happened if it blew up on me?
White smoke meant several things to me and I was not happy with any of them. A possible blown head gasket. A possible cracked head. Or worse, my engine melted. All bad and lots of bucks. I had it towed (thank the gods for my AAA membership) and the tow truck dude told me I was screwed. Hahaha. Thanks Dale.
At Excaliber I walk around the oil stained grounds and every staff person asks me if I need any assistance. Wow, talk about customer service. Alan comes out and I am on the verge of tears, telling him about my predicament. He takes down my info and when I leave, I felt as if my car was being placed in good hands (wait, did I just recycle a State Farm commercial?) I dropped it off yesterday and this afternoon, get a call from Alan.
Apparently, my case was a strange one. The starter had engaged itself during my commute, which explained why it literally blew up, hence the white smoke. He replaced the starter and did a test on the coolant system. Did not notice anything there. In addition, he charged up my battery (which was low and now I know that I should invest in a good battery such as a Die Hard) and told me other things I should keep an eye on. And here is the ultimate customer service compliment I was shocked to hear:
«We can deliver it to you.»
What. Dost my ears deceive me??? They delivered my car to me, at my house, within 20 minutes. They even vacuumed the interior. WOW.
I was and still am wayyyyyy impressed. Granted I had to pay for the starter repair, but for all the other things he made sure to bring to my attention at no cost was admirable.
I’ve found my new auto mechanic in SF and you better believe I’ll be referring everyone to him: honest, competitive costs, and trustworthy.

This place is different. I came in to get a oil change for my 93 Civic, and found myself waiting, and sitting with Alan Takeshita, and feeling lucky for it. Alan sounded like a PhD of Auto Science when he described why I should keep my gas tank no less than ¼ full. He succinctly and expertly explained with hands and clear words, what happens when you don’t. As a chemist, I appreciated the real story, and felt totally confident that my car was in good hands. He knows his cars and has spent years in high quality shops. Quickly, I found myself driving home and the car felt, well, great. (In a clean car too– It was washed as a surprise courtesy!)
The oil change wasn’t cheap, but it was more full service and complete than some tune ups I have paid more for. I am coming back.
–Hear that civic! I will take you back, to take great care of you. So quit your whining.