Finding a good auto repair shop is kind of like dating. You usually have to try a fair number of places out, and probably get your heart broken a time or two, before you finally find the one that is meant to be forever. But once you’ve found the right place, there’s no describing the relief and happiness you feel.
The thing is, auto repairs can be scary. We’ve all had that moment when a little light on the dashboard sent us into a spiral of panic. Unless you know a fair bit about cars yourself, you really do have to put yourself at the mercy of your mechanic. So having an auto repair shop that you trust can make all the difference in the world next time that knocking sounds starts up under the hood.
Finding a good mechanic in Richmond can be tricky – not because they’re not out there, but because with the Greater Richmond Area growing larger by the year, there are a fair number of places to choose from. And if you’re new to your neighborhood, or have been fortunate enough not to need a mechanic for awhile, then you might feel like you’re shooting in the dark when it comes time for the next tune-up.
To help you ease a little of that auto repair anxiety, we’ve taken a look around at some of the top shops in the area. For us, a truly great auto repair shop will have the following qualities:
- Fast, reliable service
- Reasonable prices
- The ability to provide a wide range of services – from tune-ups to tires
The following five auto repair shops have been serving their clients with consistently great service for years, making them our top recommendations for auto repair shops in Richmond. We also know that there are many more great auto repair shops. Word of mouth can go a long way with something like auto repair, so if you have an auto repair shop that you simply couldn’t live without, let us know by dropping us a line at cs@richmondmom.com.
5. Paradise Garage
Imagine if a vintage service-station-turned-mechanic-garage also hosted music and an annual pumpkin-carving party. If it’s hard to conjure up an image, then you clearly haven’t been to Paradise Garage. When owner Greg McClellan bought and renovated the ramshackle Paradise Garage in 1999, he turned it into a one-of-a-kind place that not only provides stellar auto repair, but serves as a friendly, homey hang out for customers and members of the community alike. Of course, being “cool” isn’t enough when it comes to auto repair. So the fact that Paradise provides expert service makes all the difference. Time and again, customers have found that if Paradise can’t give them the best deal or do the work they need, they’ll recommend someone who can. In that same vein, they do their best to accommodate customers’ time and budget concerns, even if that means going out of their way. So while “cool” is cool, great service is what earns Paradise Garage a spot on our list, for sure.
Why we love them: In a word: extras. Staying late to get a repair done for a client that’s in a crunch. Only charging for the repairs that are necessary, rather than insisting on the ones that are optional. Providing honest quotes. Hosting an annual pumpkin carving contest for the community, simply because it’s a cool way to bring people together. Hosting bands to raise money for cancer research. And, of course, offering funky decor alongside vintage pinball machines and video games doesn’t hurt. But when it’s all combined, these “extras” make Paradise Garage not just a great place to get your car fixed by trustworthy mechanics, they make it a great place to be in general.
Contact:
Paradise Garage
14 South Allen Avenue
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 358-5902
4. JK Auto Care
JK Auto Care is well known for their friendly service. In fact, you’ll often have the chance to work directly with the owner, Jae Kim, himself. He takes a personal approach to his service, which goes a long way when it comes to trust. Likewise, JK Auto Care is consistently praised for their fair pricing, oftentimes coming in much lower than the competition. And while, some repairs will simply take longer than others, the folks at JK Auto Care do their best to make the turnaround as quick as possible. Even on those times where you find yourself having to wait a bit, they do their best to make your time as pleasant as possible with free wi-fi and complementary coffee and herbal tea in their clean, air-conditioned waiting room.
Why we love them: With services that include oil changes, electrical repair, tire rotations and alignments, engine repair, brake servicing and repair, transmissions and more, they offer a one-stop shop for most auto repair needs. But what makes them special is the fact that if they can’t do the work in-house, they don’t try to convince you that they can, running up your bill in the meantime. Instead, they are known for recommending another trustworthy place where you can get the help you need. Now if that’s not putting the customer first, I don’t know what is.
Contact:
JK Auto Care
9016 Heisler Ave
Henrico, VA 23228
(804) 266-0335
https://www.facebook.com/jkautocare/
Remember how we compared finding a good mechanic to dating at the beginning of this article? Well, we’re going to take that analogy just a bit further. Just like you can tell a lot about a person on a first date from the things they choose to talk about, you can tell a lot about a company from the traits they highlight in their own advertising. At Hall’s Auto and Tire, the themes you’ll see over and over again are integrity, honesty and customer care. And while most companies will say they have these traits, they can’t always back up their claims. Hall’s can. Hall’s has earned their reputation by never upselling for unnecessary repairs, providing fair pricing for every service and getting the work done with same-day service whenever possible. And considering they’ve been in operation for more than 70 years, it’s safe to say they’ve been earning their customers’ trust for generations.
Why we love them: When Hall’s first opened in 1946, their goal was to serve the Richmond community. Well, as you can imagine, a lot has changed since then. Richmond has grown by leaps and bounds. National chains have moved in. And cars have gotten more complicated. But one thing hasn’t changed – and that’s Hall’s commitment to giving every customer the best service possible. Hall’s shop has gotten bigger and they’ve kept up with the times, serving nearly every make and model of car. But they’ve stayed true to their roots. And that goes a long way in our book.
Contact:
Hall’s Tire & Auto Service
2111 Dickens Rd
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 285-3717
www.hallstireandauto.com
2. Edward’s Auto Care
When we go to a mechanic, we want to feel like they aren’t just providing service for our car, but they’re actually considering our needs, as well. When you take your car to Edward’s Auto Care, you’ll notice the difference right away. Edward’s stands out from “big box” competitors because they treat every customer like family. From their friendly staff and quick service to the fact that they go out of their way to call around for the best prices on parts, Edward’s provides personal attention from start to finish. They’ve even been known to call a customer down the road (no pun intended) to make sure all was well. You won’t find a lot of bells and whistles at Edward’s, in fact they don’t even have a website (although you can visit their unofficial Facebook page). But what they lack in online presence and fancy marketing, they more than make up for in top-quality service.
Why we love them: We just mentioned the importance of “time” when it comes to auto repair. With work, kids and the general craziness of life, few of us can manage very long without our car. Getting repairs done quickly is essential to our livelihoods, and often, our sanity. Edward’s Auto Care understands this and will do everything in their power to get you back on the road as soon as possible – even if that means meeting you at the shop after hours, readjusting their own schedules to fit you in, or simply getting the job done when they say they will. Simply put, if quick, reliable service is at the top of your priority list, then Edward’s Auto Care is the perfect place for you.
Contact:
Edward’s Auto Care
2915 W Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 355-0259
For more than 55 years, Broad Street Auto and Tire has been making it their mission to turn “first time customers into lifetime customers.” Which sounds nice, but what does it mean? At Broad Street Auto and Tire it means a lot of things. It means that they guarantee their work. It also means that they take a personal approach to every client, getting to know their individual needs. It means they are part of the Be Car Care Award program with a commitment to high-quality repair service at fair prices. And it means they recognize that by doing their job right, they are helping to keep you safe on the road. And with hundreds of happy customers who have made Broad Street Auto and Tire their go-to mechanic, we’d say that they’re achieving their goal time and again.
Why we love them: At Broad Street Auto and Tire, they provide the best of both worlds. As a family-owned and operated business since 1960, they have never lost their focus on the customer. Every one who walks in the door is made to feel at home. The end result is a shop that feels like a neighborhood hangout. But, they’ve also made it a point to stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and changes in auto mechanics, meaning that they can work on both domestic and imported cars, have all the latest equipment, adhere to the latest safety regulations and keep their shop in tip-top working order. So at the end of the day, you’ll receive a world-class repair with a small town feel, which creates the winning combo for us.
Contact:
Broad Street Auto and Tire
2120 Lake Avenue
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 269-8806
www.broadstreetautotire.com
