Shirlington Shell Service Center

Reviews

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

  Roman Abreu
a month ago
Very misleading hours for State Inspections, they state everywhere they close at 6pm (that they might close earlier depending on volume, understandable) so I got there at 5pm, and there were two cars but I was told they already closed two hours ago, so at 3pm .It's impossible to work around a business that may have a 3 hours difference between posted hours and "the hour they decide to close for that day", also the person that got there at 3pm was the one still waiting at 5pm? Crazy if true.My personal advice is avoid going to this place during the whole afternoon so you don't risk losing your time, they may be open but apparently take them 3 hours to get an inspection? Or they may be closed and ask you to go the next day at 8am. No, thanks.Response to the response: Never in my life an inspection for my car has taken more than 10-15 mins, if your average is that high something is off either here or the other many places, I've waited lines of up to 10 cars in ~2 hours on a busy Saturday morning in other places.In any case, maybe just post a more realistic closing time like everyone else does (usually 4pm), a 3-hours margin of error is simply nonsense and you're just playing with people's time.

  Kaitlyn Young
3 months ago
They were professional and kind. As someone who doesn t know cars and what was priority they kindly explained what was needed and the timeline to get it done. They stayed in constant contact and made me feel in the loop. Thank you and I will be back for the rest of my repairs in the future!

  Marcelo Abad C
a month ago
They broke my hubcap and didn t install it back. When I called to complain, they told me to return for the installation. Upon my return, they installed it with zip ties. When I spoke to the manager about the zip ties, they explained they broke the hubcap during removal. They offered no compensation, instead suggested I should purchase replacements from Amazon, stating those are cheap and break easily. (First, they did not disclose they broke it, second, they did not take accountability at all, their narrative sounded like it was my fault to put cheap hubcaps.)Last night, the zip ties broke, causing the hubcap to come loose on a two-way highway and hit a motorcycle from the opposite direction, causing the rider to fall off !!!! I trusted them with those zip ties ( they re the professionals ) instead they created a safety hazard and put me and someone else in a dangerous spot.

  Jamie K
a month ago
They list their emission testing hours until 4pm on Saturdays. However they stop accepting cars even before 1:30pm. Don t waste your time as I did, and try somewhere more reliable.

  Tim Moore
a year ago
A local body shop recommended this place to me. I called in the morning (without an appointment) and they got me in and fixed the same day. Phenomenal service; they even gave me a ride home so I wouldn t have to walk in the rain. The final bill was exactly as estimated. Our tailgate window was stuck partially down and the guys were able to fix the wiring so that the window functioned as it should (without bypassing the safety switch). We will be back with our other cars and will recommend this service center to our friends. Felipe was great to work with and communicated/explained everything clearly. Thank you again for the help!

  Brian Wendroff
2 months ago
I have been working with Shirlington shell around 3 years now. They all stay good care of me and provide the suggestions I I need to continue to run my car well. Very thankful for them.

  Coconutfay Wong
4 months ago
It's my 2nd yr to have car maintenance service there. 1st yr I was very satisficed, they had excellent service and took good care of my car in every detail. However, this yr I felt disappointed. I didn't check every item after the maintenance service due to the trust. First, I found out they didn't reset my car computer. My car showed Maintenance Required 1 month later. Then I figured out my coolant is less than min. 2nd month after maintenance service(only drove 534 miles in Sept-Nov.).I will find another auto service now(drove 672 miles. only 3-4 months from last time). Also, I checked recent reviews were not good. Hope it can improve.

  Melissa Wilkinson
5 months ago
I recommend staying away, especially if you re a woman who doesn t know much about cars. I went in for an oil change and was told I needed an alignment and new spark plugs as well on my 2020 Hyundai with less than 50000 miles on it. I didn t know any better and agreed to the services which they charged me over $1000 for. My mechanic brother informed me that in my cars user manual, it clearly states I do not need new spark plugs until 97500 miles and that the line they used about it s being manufacture recommend was a lie. So if you don t want to be taken advantage of and lied to, I d go literally anywhere else. I want to support a local shop and ended up getting screwed over.Services: Wheel alignment, Oil change

  Esra Nur
3 months ago
I recommend staying away from this place. They have communication and ethical problems.The first issue. They charged me more than they promised to charge. Even if you have a price in the beginning they put additional amount at the payment stage. For example they told me that the diagnostic fee is 80 but on the receipt it was 85. These things add up.Second issue. They tell you to change the things on your car which dont need any change. I took my car from this place and went to Honda Service Center. They told me that the rotors don t need change but this place were going to change the rotors in addition to other things. Which was going to cost me additional $400. I get the same service at Honda for $1000 and this place wanted to charge me more than $1,400.Third issue. They told me that I approved the service over the phone although I only asked the final fees over the phone. They told me that they woll get back to me the following day. The next day, they told me they already started working on my car because I approved it verbally. I told them to give my car back but they refused it without the payment of labor. They charged me more than $250 because they claimed that they worked on my car. I was planning to call the police to get my car but they told me that police can do nothing to get my car and they refused to give my car. I had to pay the amount and got it. I just didnt have the energy to deal with it at that point. They are terrible and the guy at the front dest was so disrespectful that he didn t even let me speak.In short. Ethical issues. Dont go there if you are not familiar with car repair issues and dont want to be rippedoff.

  Ryan Page
5 months ago
Avoid this location for anything apart from fueling an empty car at all times. The folks here made my partner change the spark plugs in a relatively new car at about half the miles when that service would typically be required, and charged a ludicrous amount for it, along with an overpriced oil change. I wasn t there so I don t know exactly what they said, and they seem to be nice enough people. However my partner was speechless at the final bill and the amount they did to a car that was in really great shape . Safe to say they weren t forthright about the costs associated with their work. I d go as far as to say they were almost predatory, and their attempt to bilk money from somebody trying to support a smaller service station instead of a dealership should be noted. I would hate to cast doubt on anyones ability to feel shame for functionally deceiving a customer. That does seem to be a fair question though, given they hung up when we called about this. Either way, if they have that capacity for that emotional, my hope is this post will illicit it within them, and inspire meaningful change. To everyone else I d recommend another service center that treats people the right way for using their service and paying their employees.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Oil change

  Anita D
5 months ago
Had no choice but to use this service center, as they were contracted with the roadside assistance program I have. Although some of the employees seem nice, this shop has unethical business practices. With no mention ahead of time, they wanted to charge me close to $300 for a so-called estimate that they didn't provide, on my car they couldn't repair. Upon explaining this, they handed me an incomplete printout they could have gotten simply by plugging my car up to a code reader. I ended up forking over nearly $200 (they were holding my key hostage), which I was told the owner said he'd charge "if it makes you happy". No, what makes me happy is dealing with a service center that does not try to blaringly rip me off. I do not recommend this shop.

  Marcus Lee
7 months ago
I m new to the area and saw this shop had the best reviews so I decided to try them. out. I m SO glad I did because I had the best experience! Steve and his team were very professional and got my car back fast! They have great customer service/ mechanics! I can see why they ve been in business for 50+ years. I would highly recommend and thank you Steve!

  Brian Carbonelli
5 months ago
Terrible They seem to intentionally fail state vehicle inspections for petty non important/non critical issues that other places would not find to be a big deal. They fail you so they can charge you outrageous prices to fix whatever issues your vehicle has according to them. I would never go back here and would go to other places in NOVA for any car related issues that I have. Don t come to this scam of a place. They are just out to scam and nickel and dime you for whatever they can .The employees were rude and condescending as well .I will never come back.Service: Vehicle safety inspection

  Clayton Roberts
2 months ago
In and out, no problem I have used them twice for State inspection and both times were quick and easy.

  Samuel Bostrom
a month ago
They quoted me two major repairs to get my car safety inspected. I was suspicious and took my car to another mechanic I trusted. There was nothing major wrong with my car. Scummy

  Thomas Dickey
7 months ago
Great service center with excellent customer service. I felt welcomed as soon as I walked in the door, pick up was easy and SUPER convenient with their late pickup hours, and even the follow-up when I had questions was excellent. These folks care about their customers and I plan to keep going back.

  daniel keller
8 months ago
A bit disappointed. Took the car in three weeks ago, had spark plugs replaced and fuel injector service. Took it back today for rough idle and tire sensors. Engine diagnostic showed two cylinders with low compression . That diagnostic cost $180.00 w/ the fix replace engine . 2009 Toyota with 190k miles ah, don t think so. Concurrently had a different tech replace two tire air pressure sensors. That cost $230.00. I wish the oversight was better; given the engine diagnostic outcome, I would ve told them NOT to touch the tire pressure sensors. Quality control has gone down since Ron left. Feeling fleeced.Services: Auto engine diagnostic, Auto engine tuning

  Leigh Park
2 weeks ago
Shirlington Shell is listed as a full-service gas station. It is not the best place to take your car for inspections, and some of the staff have become reluctant to assist with filling tires. There are two nice people eager to help.

  James Bertine
a year ago
I replaced a blown-out tire. Shirlington Shell provides excellent service. I'm currently handicapped, and they picked up my vehicle to bring to the station for repair, ordered the tire, and returned the car. Very efficient and extremely friendly! Highly recommend using Shirlington Shell Service Center for all your auto needs.

  4.6_ Lovos
4 months ago
Good customer service , got new tires on my vehicle & im overall happy I came to this location

  Hieu Vo
a year ago
They neglected to tell me that the inspector was going to take his lunch break after inspecting the car before me. The front desk guy only told me it would take 1 hour, it was at 2:15 pm. So I called back after 1 hour 30 minutes (3:45 pm) only to know that nothing has been done. Whoever answered the phone even had the audacity to blame me for not asking about the inspector s lunch break (3 to 4pm). HOW THE HECK WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHEN HE TOOK HIS LUNCH BREAK? Or did that front desk guy not know exactly how long your service should take? Your team member messed up and you tried to put the blame on the customer? Is it because I m a young woman and you think I m a pushover? Learn to take responsibility, empathy, and have better customer service, including ACCURATE communication about how long it takes so people can make an informed decision. If he had told me it would take nearly 3 hours for my car to be done (not 1), I would have taken it somewhere else OR accepted it and found a way to spend 3 hours. This is a complete disregard of people s time and schedule.

  Julie Novak
a year ago
I ve used Shirlington Shell several times for safety and emissions testing. They operate on a first-come, first-serve basis, so there a wait is. It unusual, but their time estimates are accurate and they do a good job of notifying you as soon as your car is ready. I ve always been pleased with their customer service otherwise as well, for such things as help with tire pressure.Services: Tires, Auto emissions testing, Vehicle safety inspection

  Naomi Ulmer
a year ago
Staff at Shirlington are very kind and helpful. They explain things clearly about how my car was failing inspection and gave me options on how it could be fixed. Also presented a clear itemized list of what they did and any estimated repair costs. Straight forward and worked quickly. Even stayed late to make sure they could get my car in because I came from an hour away in Maryland; that way, my trip was not a wasted.Services: Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Vehicle Inspection, Vehicle safety inspection

  A. Solarz
a year ago
I used Shirlington Shell years ago with my old car, and know them to be both trustworthy and competent, so went straight to them when the check engine light came on in my 2006 Honda CR-V instead of trying to identify another garage. They may not be the cheapest in town, but you can be confident that they will be honest about what needs to be done, and that they will be able to do what is needed at the price they quote up front.I very much appreciated their working to get my car in early to accommodate my need to use the car to meet up with family members before they flew out of town. Although the job ended up taking a lot more time than I had hoped (I opted to get the A/C fixed), I still appreciated this consideration (and, we relocated the family reunion to Shirlington, so all was well.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, A/C installation & repair

  Heather Urban
5 months ago
The service at Shirlington Shell Service Center is great! They take the time to thoroughly explain everything to you and check-in with cost estimates before proceeding. I always feel taken care of every time that I have taken my vehicle to this location.Service: General repairs & maintenanceService: General repairs & maintenance

  SSM S2K
10 months ago
Had my 2014 Tesla Model S85 safety inspected for the first time ever for Uber and Lyft. These guys did the inspection with no issues. Got there at 7am. Second in line. They opened at 8am. And finished my inspection by 9:30am. Placed sticker on lower driver side windshield. Cost $20 exact. Over all professional folks. I will be returning here for future safety inspections. I would recommend them if you have an EV and need a safety inspection to come here.

  Lisa Kirschner
5 months ago
Great service, good communication, we will keep bringing our cars for maintenance, tires, and the State isapection.

  Andrea Carballo
2 years ago
I had an incredible experience here! They assisted me so quickly and had my car up in the air in no time. I had to replace most of the exhaust system and they did a great job explaining everything to me. I spoke mostly with Ron who did research trying to find the most inexpensive part for me. Both him and Timmy were great to work with very kind! I don t think I ll be going anywhere else for any car maintenance it would be hard to top their great service.

  Danny Callaway
a year ago
BEST SERVICE EXPERIENCE EVER! Thanks Mario!!!I never post these but felt compelled after my recent experience. I was having issues with my car battery and could not figure out what was wrong. I was helped by Mario and to say he went above and beyond is an understatement! He got everything working and got me in and out of there in no time.I cannot stress how impressed and thankful I was or I would have been stranded! I will definitely be going back in the future for all my service needs and will send everyone I know there too!Service: Auto battery maintenance

  Roman Cortes
2 years ago
Great local shop!! Went there with a slow tire leak. In less than 2 minutes my car was up and the wheel off. I needed a new special order tire. Had to wait a day for the new tire to arrive, which was expected and more than reasonable. Next day, they called and were more than accommodating. Arrived there after 10 minutes my car was already off, old tire off, and a brand new tire waiting for the rim. They took extreme care on making sure the rim was not scratched. This place is about 40 minutes from my house, but definitively worth the drive.Service: Tires