The best auto shops in the area

The best auto shops in the area

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Story Published: Jun 24, 2008 at 7:26 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 10:10 PM PDT

By Connie Thompson

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A survey of the Puget Sound area suggests many local drivers are paying more than they need to, for maintenance and repair work on their car.

We're talking about a difference of hundreds of dollars for the same service, depending on where you go.

The folks at Consumers' CHECKBOOK magazine surveyed local consumers, checked complaints at the State Attorney General's Office and then went undercover.

Editors with Consumers' CHECKBOOK checked out nearly 500 auto repair shops throughout King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, Skagit and Whatcom Counties.

They surveyed customers about their actual experiences and went undercover as customers themselves. They asked customers to rate the quality, price and overall performance.

Lioe's Automotive in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Seattle is one of the relatively few local shops to get CHECKBOOK'S top ratings for both quality and price.

"There are some terrible auto repair shops and there are some wonderful auto repair shops," said CHECKBOOK President Robert Krughoff.

The magazine's undercover price check found a huge price difference for the same work

For example, the low prices quoted for replacing the water pump and timing belt on a 1999 Ford Contour SE was $393. The average price was $603 and the high price was $950 -- nearly a thousand bucks!

When CHECKBOOK called around for quotes to replace the alternator on a 1999 Volvo S80, the cost ranged from a low of $140 to a high of $755.

"There's no relationship between quality and price," said Krughoff. "So you can get top quality repairs at very reasonable prices if you choose the right shop."

The survey also includes ratings for proper repair work, on-time performance, advance notification of costs, advice about service options and consumer complaints.

Consumers' CHECKBOOK gives top ratings to shops with got the highest numbers for both quality and price.

Here are more shops that got top ratings:

  • Automotive Incorporated in Seattle
  • Doug's Auto Repair on Vashon Island
  • Redmond Automotive in Redmond
  • Mac 'n Jack's on Bainbridge Island
  • Midland Automotive in Tacoma
      Of the 474 shops rated in this survey, 114 got a rating of "superior." Only 54 got top ratings for both quality and price.

      While there are hundreds of great repair shops out there, the most common complaints continue to be improper or unnecessary work, bad customer service and unreasonably high fees.

      So shop around, talk to friends and neighbors and know your rights.

      State law gives you the right to a written estimate if the job costs more than $100.

      The repair shop must get your authorization in advance if the charges exceed the estimate by more than 10 percent.

      The shop must give you the old parts if you ask, and they must give you a written detail of all the work performed.

      More information:

      Who Rates Best (& Worst) in the Seattle Area? Now You'll Know

      Taking the Scare Out of Auto Repair

      What kinds of things are considered
      violations of the law

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