Merlin Complete Auto Care

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Dan Melnik
a month ago
Great communication and quality service. Akosh really made me feel comfortable getting an oil change. I would only use a dealership but stopped in for an urgent oils change. I am thinking of having my breaks done now!

  Mary Nienaber
6 months ago
So sad. This place used to be good. New manager is awful. I had new rotors by them. A few months later I take it in for an oil change and also asked them to check breaks etc because my car was making a squeaky noise when I breaked. Additionally my car was making a loud clunk noise when I would back up and turn wheel.Upon their supposed 360 inspection they said i needed new roters. They said they also didnt hear any clunky noise on vehicle.I said excuse me why would Ineed new roters? Check history you guys just replaced them not even 6 to 8 months ago and they shouldn't need to be replaced this soon as he was trying to charge me for them again. The manager looked at my history in computer and said yes that was correct but he wasn't the manager at the time and he could only allow to replace parts for free but would still have to charge for labor. May I mind you the part was only $130 and the labor was triple that cost. I said absolutely not I shouldn't have to pay for something twice that should be covered under the parts warranty. I don't care if you werent manager then YOU represent Merlin. He refused to work with me. Oh also on their supposed inspection they completely missed that the clunky noise was due to a u-joint needing repair. They are also short staffed and things are clearly slipping through the cracks there. I used to be a loyal customer and get my oil changes here and address any other car needs but now I no longer trust this place to service my car for anything other then an oil change

  Connie Brown
2 months ago
Been taking vehicle here for almost 3 years. Besides the convenient location I've always been treated in a professional and courteous manner.

  Kevin Richards
2 months ago
Ace and the technician team was amazing at diagnosing the issue with my car and getting it fixed fast! Definitely would recommend!!

  Philip Lenz
10 months ago
I had originally posted a review from early 2021 and it seems to be that they have a new management taking over from what read , the old manager was outstanding and so honest it's ashame he not still working there , so sorry folks , another great one bites the dust ......

  Adolfo Vergara
a year ago
You can tell the people that work here know what they're doing. They took a look at my Nissan Titan and found the cause of a fuel leak in less than 5 minutes since it smelled liked gasoline in the cabin. I took it to the dealership right after and they verified it be true. Merlin never charged me a dime and recommend I take it to the dealership, honesty is always worthy of future service with them.

  Matt Hageman
8 months ago
Don't get your brakes done here. I don't believe a car should have it's brakes changed 5 times inside of a few years and the other car I brought here also needed brakes done and same ones re-done within' a year. They're not doing this service correctly.Services: Auto brake repair, Auto brake replacementServices: Auto brake repair, Auto brake replacement

  Muffaddal Burhani
2 months ago
Amazing service! Always on time and very helpful! Fantastic customer service. I will definitely be back

  David Devaldivielso
6 months ago
Great management! Excellent customer service. 2021Update: Since they went under new ownership, they no longer have that welcome home friendly feel. No recognition of a repeat customer like before. Back to an oil change/repair shop.

  Kelley Manges
2 years ago
As a female it is difficult to find places to service your car where people will be honest with you about what you need. The staff here has always made me feel like they could be trusted. True to form, they are still operating in a spirit of integrity! I thought I needed brake work but after my car was assessed, the manager came to me and said, "Kelley, why do you think you need brakes?" He told me I had a while before I would need them. They also found a tiny nail in my rear tire and repaired that. I love this place! I give the staff a 10 out of 10!

  John C
a year ago
Edit Nov 2022: Have to downgrade my review, unfortunately. It seems there's been another change in management and most recently they tried to soak me $220 for an unnecessary battery replacement because they couldn't figure out why a fuse was blowing and didn't know what else to do. Another shop (Carltons in Wheaton) fixed the fuse problem for $150 in less than a day. Battery is still fine.Original Review:Been using this location for many years. Change of management (1-2 years ago?) was a vast improvement. It's difficult for a shop to meet my expectations for recommendations of service without making me feel like they're just farming me for money, but this new management manages to walk that line very well. I don't leave here feeling like I've been talked into unnecessary service, yet I trust them to identify important issues.They've always been on time or early with my service estimates, and seem to care about saving me money where they can (Ex: lug bolt was damaged and I agreed to labor quote that involved removing a bunch of stuff to get to it. When I picked up, they admitted to being able to access and replace without quoted disassembly and had already taken that labor off my bill).Feels great to have a place I can trust with my car.

  Mel Magner
4 months ago
These guys were awesome & professional, friendly, courteous and prompt. I will be a returning Customer.

  James Holtrop
4 months ago
Always great service. Ace is so helpful. Never worry about being taken advantage of.

  Jenn Yang
a year ago
I went to Merlin for car work regularly, but I think management recently changed. This week, I went in for rough idling on my car. They charged me over $900 to replace the ignition coils, spark plugs, and oxygen sensor only then to turn around and tell me the engine was going. That would ve been helpful to know $900 ago when I repeatedly asked.Services: Auto engine diagnostic, Auto maintenance

  Cesar
4 years ago
I received amazingly great customer service from the time I entered the shop until I left. Mo and Peter were really helpful. The best part was they helped find a noise my SUV was doing for some time now. I had previously taken it to 2 different Ford dealerships in hopes they would find and fix the problem but failed to do so. Helped save me as much money as possible on my bill and my SUV drives much smoother than before. I am a new loyal customer and highly recommend other people to have their vehicles serviced there!

  debbie m
3 years ago
I have used Merlin's for years and can not say enough about how much I appreciate the fantastic service they provide. My car is my baby and they take very good care of it. Mo and his crew are honest, trustworthy, fair and knowledgeable. They have gone above and beyond for me on many occasions and for that, I am forever grateful. For me, it's like visiting old friends when I bring my car in. I enjoy talking with them and learn a few things as well. I highly recommend them and will never take my car anywhere else.Services: Transmission, Air & cabin filter replacement, Tires, General repairs & maintenance, Brakes, Battery, Oil change

  Michael Forbes
2 years ago
No complaints. Just gratitude.Best place around for quick, quality, affordable oil change. Competitive prices.Got a flat tire, and they swapped it out for a new one that day. Carry a good inventory, and parts come in quick when they gotta be ordered.

  Christina Stimson
a year ago
Service was just OK. I called to make an appointment and when I arrived the manager was INSISTENT that I hadn t made an appointment even though I know I talked to him on the phone hours before. I asked if he could check a leaky tire and he said they couldn t find anything . Tire pressure light went on upon leaving the store. Told me everything else about my car was falling apart.. probably won t go back :/ New management was hard to work with.Service: Oil change

  Jay Yamagata
4 years ago
Very friendly, courteous and professional staff. The waiting room and shop area was very clean. Went there to get my exhaust system swapped out. (The old exhaust was purchased online but was being replaced under warranty . I brought in the replacement system that was shipped to me) The work was completed quickly, and I was asked to make sure I was happy with the alignment of the exhaust tips. Since it was a warranty swap, they even boxed up the old system for me. I haven't had a chance to have any other services done, but will definitely keep this shop in mind when I do!

  Tanner Musson
2 years ago
Out in the Wheaton area for business. Got a piece of metal in my tire. Took it to Carl and his team during a snowstorm and they fixed it right up for a very reasonable price! Great conversation with Carl, he truly cares about his work and his customers. For as long as I am in the area for business, I will be taking my car here! Thank you again for the amazing service!

  Rebekah Haworth
4 years ago
I highly recommend this Merlin. Moe and Dennis have repeatedly given our 4 vehicles great service over the past year since they started at this shop. Moe is a great manager. He makes accurate estimates of how long a repair will take, and works with us to schedule the repair for a time that is convenient for us. They have done maintenance & repair work for us at a reasonable price. They are honest men, and they won't rip you off. They have frequently given us a shuttle ride home and back for repairs that take a while.

  Alex Washkowiak
2 years ago
I usually don't like other people touching my car but when it's a stand up group of guys like Carl and his boys I can't recommend them enough. I got rear ended a month ago and they were by far the best part of the repair process. I had to daily drive my car still before the repairs and they fixed my tailpipe enough so that I could drive it prior to getting the car fixed, all at an excellent price.Thank you guys!!Services: Exhaust, A/C installation & repair

  DragonEditsTV
a year ago
The new manager Ashok Bhimani is a con artist and the whole crew at Merlin is very shady. I came in for a simple oil change and came out with 3 calipers leaking brake fluid. They also added brake fluid to my car with out asking. Previously before this I had a Toyota Corolla and they left the oil plug loose and from that I almost lost my engine since the oil was draining out. Please do yourself a favor and don t come here.Service: Oil change

  Ross Kronenthal
2 years ago
This post is overdue. I don't usually write reviews but I had to this time.Carl & Kurt at Merlin just saved me almost $3,000 in unnecessary repairs.I took my car over to Merlin due to failed emissions. There was some front end noise going on too. They changed the sway bar bushings but said the car needed cycle time to reset the emissions codes. They discovered a nail in one of my tires that was not fixable. I took the car to Firestone where I got the tires a year ago. They changed the tires but when I picked up the car it was making all sorts of noises.I took the car back to Firestone, they told me it needed new shocks, new control arms, a new axel and they said the bushings just installed were the wrong size. I smelled a rat instantly because I had just changed the struts and the control arms less then 2 years ago! When I told them that, the customer rep just shrugged his shoulders at me and said these things happen.I took the car back to Merlin and explained to Carl what happened at Firestone. They took the car right in and put it up on the lift. After a short examination, which I could see from the waiting room, they took me into the bay and showed me there was NOTHING WRONG! And showed me the noise was coming from damaged caused by Firestone when they changed the tire!I will not only be bringing my car to Carl and Kurt from now on, I'll be bringing my wife's car there as well.Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Christopher Hack
4 years ago
I cannot recall a better retail experience i have had in recent years. Mo at the front desk was absolutely incredible and fun to talk to. Zero pressure, quick service, and no judgment at my lack of mechanic skills! Absolutely love this place and will take my car to this location going forward. Thank you for your fantastic work and attention to detail!

  CAC _
9 years ago
I was in town visiting family over the Thanksgiving weekend and my vehicle progressively started making noise after our long haul. I spoke with GM on the phone and he happily answered and assured me that they could have it looked at same day. I brought it in and spoke with David the Service Manager who was not only extremely competent, but professional and understanding of my situation. I was given very reasonable expectations given the circumstances and they exceeded those expectations by having my vehicle diagnosed and serviced same day. Price was very fair and work was completed right the first time. Even with my automotive background I was overly impressed with the cleanliness of the facility, professionalism of staff, and the quality of work that was preformed. Could not be happier!

  Jessica Prewitt
2 years ago
Carl and the entire team here are simply amazing! They are thorough, professional and most importantly they are HONEST! Carl not only tells me what is going on with my car but he shows me and I appreciate that he takes the time to do that when there are a million other things he could be doing with his time. I m so grateful to have a shop like this here in town!

  Emily Langworthy
10 years ago
I took my car in on Tuesday for an oil change and to have vibrating brakes checked out. They took me into the garage and showed me what was wrong with the car, called Enterprise for me and arranged a rental for the day. When I picked my car up on Wednesday, the vibrating brakes were worse, so I took it back early on Thursday. I was really upset because they had been so friendly and helpful the day before and I felt taken advantage of, especially after reading the negative reviews online. Dave seemed sincerely apologetic and got the correct part (my steering column) fixed the same day. The General Manager drove all the way out to my home, which is about 45 minutes from the garage, to pick me up himself after the repair was finished, and they didn't charge me for the second repair they had to do. Dave had the old part from my car on hand and, again, showed me what had been going on.I've never felt so comfortable at a car repair place. We all know car maintenance people like to take advantage of us, but I didn't feel this was the case at all at this location. All of the mechanics I saw were clean cut and professional, and seemed to actually care about me and my car instead of just their bottom line. I doubt I'll ever go to another location as long as Marcelo is the General Manager.

  Terri Wilhelmi
3 years ago
My family and I were on our way out of town to go on vacation, but first we had to stop and get our oil and head to an orthodontist appointment before we left town. We scheduled our appointment at 10:30 AM, when scheduling it we asked them if we would have ample amount of time to make it to a orthodontist appointment at 11:30. We only needed to have our oil changed. We showed up early for the appointment. We set up the oil change. Selecting the type of oil change we needed. We needed the full synthetic oil change for our vehicle. They asked us if we wanted to have a tire rotation as it was included in the cost. We can question them if our vehicle would have time to be finished in ample amount of time as the appointment was only six minutes away from this location. We agreed that if they didn t have the time that it was fine we were just pay for the oil change. We were told that we absolutely had time To get the oil changed and the tire rotation plenty of time we were told. We left our number with them and walked across the street to Ace Hardware. at about 1108 we showed back up. The car was still up in the air. We figured maybe they were wrapping things up. At about 1115 1120 I asked the lady behind the desk if she had any idea what was going on. She told us two more minutes. I said OK again assuming things were being wrapped up. At about 1125 I questioned her her. She said that they were working on it. I asked her where they were at on it she said that there was no oil filter on it and there was no oil in the car. So at this point essentially an hour in the only thing that the mechanic has managed to do is pull the oil plug after putting it up in the air and fill out the sheet of paper telling us that everything was fine on our car essentially. There is absolutely no excuse for this. I have grown up around cars and changed my oil many times. Even in my own garage has it not taken me over an hour. We did this as we have recently moved, and this is a new car. We don t have the tools to do anything right now.I asked him again what was going on I was told two minutes again. I told her that I was told two minutes 20 minutes ago we have now missed our orthodontist appointment. 20 minutes after the fact we still don t have an oil filter and we don t have oil in the car. I drove away and on the highway we realized the car is now shaking. So when they rotated Art tires something is either off balance now or they didn t get them on appropriately. We are going to have to check that. We went on our vacation and downThe highway we realized the oil light is still on. I don t know if we re low on oil as he was rushing at the end? If there s an oil pressure issue? Or if he just simply didn t reset it. At the end of the day I would ve appreciated some honesty coming from the staff. I would appreciated being told that we were running late because they didn t plan ahead of time I was told that the person that did it was a new employee and was a little bit slower and they should ve put a season mechanic on it that could ve accomplished it quicker. But I would ve really appreciated honesty about what was going on. By The time we were finding out that they were not going to be able to deliver what they had promised I was unable to even order an Uber to get my child to her emergency orthodontist appointment as we were leaving for Vacation and she had some issues. Had we known all this we wouldn t have scheduled or stopped to get our oil changed. At the end of the day they need to show some more professionalism, honesty, time management skills, as well as forethought. If they can t deliver, don t make appointments.Service: Oil change

  Sijo
2 years ago
Scheduled an 1130 oil change and got in early. Fortunately I was serviced promptly and the work was completed within the time stated. They even took me to the car and showed me some of the things I should address on the vehicle. No pressure sales, just felt like some honest feedback. Will definitely return.Service: Auto engine diagnosticService: Auto engine diagnostic