Al's Garage, Inc.

Reviews

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

  Narayan Kumar
3 months ago
Al's Garage in Chapel Hill has proven to be a hidden gem when it comes to car services. My recent experience with them was nothing short of excellent.Expert Car Services: Al's Garage offers top-notch car services that exceeded my expectations. Whether it's routine maintenance, repairs, or diagnostics, they handle it all with expertise. The mechanics are skilled and thorough, ensuring that your vehicle receives the care it deserves. I left the garage with my car running smoother than ever.Sunny's Outstanding Service: Sunny, in particular, is a standout individual at Al's Garage. He is not only knowledgeable but also incredibly personable. Sunny takes the time to explain any issues with your vehicle in a clear and understandable manner. His dedication to customer satisfaction is evident, making the overall service experience highly positive.Transparent and Honest Approach: One of the notable aspects of Al's Garage is their transparent and honest approach. There were no hidden fees or unnecessary upselling. They provided a fair assessment of the work needed and ensured that I was informed at every step of the process. This level of integrity is truly commendable.In conclusion, Al's Garage in Chapel Hill is a great choice for car services, and Sunny's presence adds an extra layer of excellence. If you're looking for a reliable, honest, and friendly place to take care of your vehicle, look no further than Al's Garage. I highly recommend it to anyone in the Chapel Hill area in need of top-notch automotive services.

  Harry Grewal
6 months ago
They did a great job fixing my Honda, Service Engine light came on, I took it to a franchise repair shop and i was told I needed both catalytic converters replaced and oxygen sensors, cost would be nearly $2900 and just was not convinced, i got a second opinion from these guys and it turned out to be just 1 oxygen sensor & an exhaust leak repair ($650 fix) they did not try to upsell anything. Very impressed with their service. I highly recommend them!

  Tom Pasternak
7 months ago
Al s garage is fantastic. Their response to my phone call message and communication was world class. They communicated with me throughout my service and got my truck fixed and back on the road faster than I anticipated! They even identified another major issue while it was there and we were able to get that fixed also. As a small business owner myself, I understand how important communication, excellent service, and value are to the consumer. A special shout out to Darren, who was my point of contact and went above and beyond in everything he did. I would not hesitate to bring any of my vehicles back to them in the future.Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Jaskirat Sandhu
7 months ago
Al's Garage is easily the best mechanic shop in all of Chapel Hill. I've entrusted them with several of my cars, each with its own unique set of challenges and needs for the past 3 years. Without fail, every single time, their service has been nothing short of amazing.Sunny is not just an exceptionally skilled mechanic but also a genuinely wonderful person to interact with. What sets him apart is his transparent communication style. He doesn t just tell you what's wrong with your vehicle; he educates you on the problem, ensuring you re well-informed. And if you're working with a tight budget, he s always forthcoming with alternative solutions, allowing you to make the best decision for your circumstance without breaking the bank.Speaking from experience, I had the entire exhaust system of my Infiniti replaced here. Other mechanics quoted me for much higher prices and claimed there were a bunch of other issues that needed to be addressed, but Sunny and his team were super clear and honest. I recently needed new bearings, and even a rack and pinion replacement both tasks that require precision and expertise. Yet, in both instances, they helped me through this entire process.Trust me, as someone who has been to multiple places in Chapel Hill, Al's Garage is the place to go to get the best bang for your buck. After one visit, you ll understand exactly why I hold them in such high regard.Services: Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Engine repair, Oil change

  rico houston
4 weeks ago
I called to get a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero fixed and because it had a small electrical problem/check engine light They didnt want to take the car eventhough its running fine.I am guessing they only want easy fixes but we are living in the computer age of the automobile world and its their job as "experts" to be able to fix cars especially when my car really isnt that complicated compared to modern cars.

  AQ Hass
7 months ago
Fast and reliable. I had my car towed to Als a couple of weeks ago for some major mechanical issues. They made all the repairs in a timely manner and kept me in the loop. Overall a pleasant experience.

  Katherine Brown
2 years ago
They were able to take my car in within 24 hours for brake work. The brake job turned into a much larger task than expected... Both front and back needed to be done and also the calipers had failed on both. James kept me informed along this repair journey and completed all the work in the same day. The garage was packed with customers cars too. The car is running great no more bumps in braking, smooth... And, the repair cost was fair and reasonable. I've been going to Al's for about 10 years and they've never let me down.. (Mercedes and Honda CRV work)Services: Brakes, Oil change

  Absolome
a year ago
Do not go here. I went to get my power steering belt replaced, and was quoted a need to replace the entire power steering system pump as well. I was told that they knew this because (paraphrased) you can still feel the power steering not working properly sometimes, or working slowly Went to a trusted mechanic and had them take a look to see if k could get a better price on the punp, and they told me the pump was just fine and that it looked like the belt (which Al s garage had *just installed*) was loose. He tightened up the belt and the car has been turning fine for months now with no sign of any issues with my power steering.Whether due to incompetence in installing the belt, or an active attempt to scam me into a full new power steering pump- I would avoid this garage at all costs.

  Danielle Deschamps
a year ago
Great place! James at the front was super friendly and went out of his way to make my experience amazing! I will be using them again and again and I highly recommend them to anyone in the area looking for work on their car. I have a diesel truck and it can sometimes be hard to find diesel mechanics specially in larger cities.Service: Oil changeService: Oil change

  James Corde
a year ago
Charged my friend $300 for an hour of work. Her car broke down less than 24 hours later and then they charged her an additional $350 to fix "another part" for 3 hours. All in all $650 for four hours of work and seems like a scam that takes advantage of college students unfamiliar with cars.

  Katuisha Mannanov
4 years ago
Al's Garage was great. I think it was Gary that helped me- he was wonderful. I called them late in the afternoon, not expecting much based on my other phone calls to other places, but he matched my lowest price right away and said they can fix my car that day. And they did, very timely, honest, and friendly people. I highly recommend.

  Nacrokill
2 years ago
Al's Garage workers did not confirm that a part that they ordered (and put $350 down on) for my car. Actually. Fit. my car.The part did not fit, the junkyard it was ordered from had a no-return policy, they were not getting their money back and so they told me the junkyard just sent them the wrong part. They charged me for it...Al's Garage makes a mistake and it is on the customer to pay for it.0 stars if I could.

  Mika Will
8 years ago
Finally, a trustworthy shop. A big thanks to Al's garage, I found them to be respectful, honest, prompt, affordable and skilled. I recently had a car issue which caused a lot of headache when I tried to deal with a different shop. When I took my car to Al's for a second opinion they correctly diagnosed the problem and fixed it within a couple hours of me bringing the car in, and at a much lower cost. Having dealt with many shops that hike the price for women it was a HUGE relief to find Al's, which had honest pricing and skilled mechanics who resolved my issue quickly. I cannot speak highly enough.

  David Perry
5 years ago
We have been taking our cars to Al s since at least the late nineties, and the guys there now, Sonny and James, are carrying on in the great tradition of the place. We just had a major service done on our Honda Accord, and I could not be happier with the result. Prices are competitive. Service is personal and honest.

  Robert Lesher
a year ago
Great shop in my experience. They realigned my axis but the car still wasn't driving straight. I took it back and they fixed the wheel alignment too, seem to care about quality of service. Prices aren't too bad for the area.Services: Steering & suspension replacement, Wheel alignmentServices: Steering & suspension replacement, Wheel alignment

  Susan Keller
5 years ago
I went to Al's garage for years when it was owned by Al, and for a number of years after it was sold, and never had a problem. But from now on I will never go back. We had two experiences under the most recent ownership which were bad enough that I feel obligated to warn others. We took a car in that was having a problem with its exhaust system. They recommended that the whole system be replaced and quoted us $2,200. We took the car to another mechanic who said we only needed to replace one part --the bill was $250. We were going to give an old car away but first wanted to have it inspected. This car had a standard transmission and the clutch was working perfectly with no sign of wear. Three different people had driven it through all of the gears in the past week without a problem or any weird sounds. The first call from Al's garage said the car was running fine -- just needed an oil change. Hours later a call came saying the clutch had "snapped", the car was un-drivable, and would need a new clutch coting hundreds of dollars. We went to inspect the car and it was indeed un-drivable. Without having the car towed, it was impossible to get a second opinion this time.

  Chabad of Durham
3 months ago
Al is very honest and caring. I always get great results.

  Cj Hoke
a year ago
These guys are the best in town. Long time local business that has reasonable, non-predatory practices, a sense of humor, and very down-to-earth, realistic staff who will listen to what you need and won t try to upsell you for something you don t need.There is no better auto shop in town. If your shade tree mechanic can t handle it, these guys can.

  Randy Mullis
10 years ago
We've been going to Al's for about 30 years. They have never *once* in that time disappointed or failed to provide good service. They have gone beyond the call of duty many times, such as when my father-in-law was visiting for Thanksgiving and they took care of the problem with his car not starting on very short notice. First Al and now Mike have always been willing to give a patient explanation for any issue, including making an effort to keep any defective parts. For anyone interested, this is a great educational opportunity. We owe the longevity of our cars (many over 200K miles) to Al's Garage!

  Amanda Winstead
11 years ago
I used Al's for several years while I was in the Chapel Hill area and they've been nothing but wonderful to me. When I was researching what type of car to get at my last purchase, Al took about 20 minutes to talk over what things were important to me and give suggestions - all unasked for! I ended up with the best car I've ever owned. I wish I could still use Al, but I'm on the other side of the Triangle now. I would absolutely use his business again if I lived in the area.

  phaze d
5 years ago
I needed to find a good mechanic shop that was not looking to rip me off. Sonny and James did a fantastic job on my car, gave me a fair price without trying to upsell me on items I did not need and they walked me through every step from beginning to end. They only have a staff of 4 but they are Hands Down the Best Place to take your vehicle in Chapel Hill. They are my guys from here on out!

  Ina Therese Falkeid
5 years ago
I got ripped off by Lavish Auto Sales in Raleigh buying a 2002 Honda Civic. It didn t take me long after the purchase before I noticed something was very wrong with the car, even though the owner of the dealership had given me written documentation on maintanence that supposedly had been done.After the purchase I took the car to Al s, and it turned out that the car was not safe to drive at all. Obviously, there was a lot that needed to be done with it. Luckily, they told me what was urgent and what could wait. I discussed what they told me with my father back in Norway, who confirmed that what they recommended made good sense. They also spent time researching which parts to get in order to save me money. I checked with other work shops in the area and learned that Al s did not overcharge for labor nor parts at all.I was present at Al s to see how bad shape the car was in when they took out the broken parts. Eventually, they transformed the car and took it from being a piece of junk to being in excellent condition! Before I sold it, the potential buyer s mechanic performed a prepurchase inspection on it, and everthing was well done. The mechanic recommended he buy it, so he did.During the time I had my car, both Josh and Kevin run Al s and later on Sonny and James. They know each other well, and are all very honest, knowledgeable, and reliable people. They are also very kind and even drove me home when I left the car there to be repaired. I needed new tires and an aligment, which they couldn t perform. However, they gave me advice on where to go and I got two great deals! I am so glad I went to Al s! I would absolutely highly recommend them to anyone!

  Shahab Shawn Siahpoosh
5 years ago
This shop has been there for many years. I've been their customer for at least 11 years. I've noticed the whole staff and very likely the management have been changed 3 times during the last 3 years . The original owners were very knowledgeable and respectful. The guys who worked there 2 to 3 years ago were yoiyoun, but still looked like they know what they are doing. The last time that I went there to get oil change and transmission fluid change for my car, they told me the car will be ready in 2 hours. I returned in 3 hours, and after lots of confusion they told me the car isn't ready. I sat there till they finish the job and they told me it may take a little too long. I found out they hadn't started to work on my car and for some reason they wanted me to leave and come back. I ignored them and sat there. The guy in the office had to argue with 2 very young guys, who were supposed to be mechanics to send one of them to work on my car. In less than 20 minutes, they said my car is ready. I have no idea, how they opened the transmission pan and changed the internal filter and put it back and filled it up in 20 min.The other very disappointing point, while I was sitting at their shop, I could hear the 2 guys in the workshop part arguing and fighting and using very rough language very loulou. I don't expect a mechanic shop to be a college lecture hall, but the environment of the shop is not what it was before. Very disappointed.

  Dylan Russell
5 years ago
Gary and james at Al s garage were great. Very honest and professional. and a quick turn around for a big fix. Less than 2 Days! Would highly recommend this garage for anyone with car issues in the Chapel Hill / Durham area.

  Sean Bickford
6 years ago
Sketchy. Despite our explicit request to ask us before conducting any work that we would be charged for they tried to charge us $70 diagnostic fee. This was only after we refused their incredibly overpriced estimate for work---work to fix what they failed to repair the first time we took our car in. Avoid at all costs.FOLLOW UP: Al's quoted me $1400 for the work I needed done. I got the same work done at another local shop for only $600. Don't go to Al's, guys.

  Sunshine Spraypaint
5 years ago
Every women s nightmare!!!! They totally ripped me off. Called me to tell me a tone of super technical stuff. I told them I had no clue what they were talking about and if it was important that it needed to be taken care off. $190 later I realize they replaced my gas cap. Then I googled the parts they replaced.... none of it was necessary! I had driven for a week without a gas cap and it made the light come on. All that needed to be done was replace the gas cap and reset the light... I had bought a new gas cap an hour before I dropped off the car and MENTIONED that to the man I made arrangements to do the diagnostic on my car.... then when I called I was offered for them to look for the old gas cap and they would exchange it, if they could find it. I couldn t even believe my ears when he said that! Ladies don t go there! They will tell you things you don t understand and take your money smiling!Update: They refunded me $192.70 for their mistake.

  Kalyn RoseAnne
6 years ago
This will be wordy, but if you are considering Al's I hope you'll read it and save yourself some hassle. When I first took my car there, they were under different management or ownership and most of their positive reviews seem to come from that time. I had a positive experience with Craig but he's no longer there.I took my car in to get a blower motor replaced and was quoted $390 for that and an oil change. The previous estimate I had from Craig was $189, and they now said that's only for the part and the rest is labor. I said I couldn't afford it and asked them to just do the oil for now. I found the part online, new, for $36 and found that I could repair it myself in about 5 minutes.I had my boyfriend's car in for an estimate on the same day because of the left, rear brake sticking. When we first took his car in last July they replaced the rear brakes that had just been done 8 months prior. Now their estimate was for FRONT brakes despite the fact that the caliper on the rear needs replaced, causing the rear brakes to wear unevenly (as I learned from another shop who said the front brakes are fine). With that and the other work the estimate was $1,400. I told them we'd have to budget for that and to please just change the oil.I then had the pleasure of arguing with the mechanic over the phone about who last changed the oil. At first, he wouldn't believe me that it was Al's because the work was shoddy. He proceeded to tell me that "either the plug or the pan has to be replaced and I don't know which and the pan could be much more expensive." So I told them to just stop working on the car and I would come get it.I had a lot of questions when I went in, namely about why the brakes were wearing out so fast and they offered no real explanation. I then reiterated that my boyfriend and I are college students and just can't afford the lump sum and would be driving my car for now--since they told me his wheel would fall off if we didn't fix it, which I later learned was not true. I then asked, "If we have to prioritize something, what should it be?" And instead of walking me through that or even just explaining that everything was equally dire, the mechanic said, "Well do you want brakes or steering?" like a true smart alec.They then expected $70 for a diagnostic fee which they didn't warn us we would be charged, and still tried to convince me to leave the car.Moral of the story: do not waste your time or money at Al's.

  hana sacek
5 years ago
I have been taking my car to Sonny for mechanic/ bodywork for the past year in Durham and am so excited he is now the owner of Als Garage in Carrboro! I recently brought my car in to get my AC repaired. He was thorough, honest, fast and reliable and had my car fixed in exactly the amount of time he said it would take. The price was fair and my AC works great! I will definitely continue to bring my car to Als garage

  Teresa Hammersley
8 years ago
30 years of great service and never had to take a car back for the same problem -- they always figured out what was wrong, called me if the repair was over a certain amount, and had the car ready when they promised! I recently sold my 15-year-old CRV and the buyer's mechanic (Greenville) said he'd never seen a car so well maintained. And now they do inspections!!

  Jennifer Carman
6 years ago
If I could give zero stars I would. Took my car to get looked at to replace clips on the plastic bit underneath after it came loose (sorry not tecnical speech). I asked him to take a look and let me know how much it would cost.. No he fixed it without consulting me or informing me about a price. Almost $50!! Since it was only the clips this was something my husband could have done. Then when he went to charge my card he snapped it in half.. dismissed it and said i could just get a new one at my bank. His employees thought this was hilarious. Not me! I called back after gathering myself and explained how inconsiderate and inconvenient this was for me. Very unprofessional and untrustworthy. Would not recommend to anyone. They are just looking to take advantage of people.