Liberty Service Station

Would like to give these guys a better review but…
I have been taking my 1994 Honda Accord with over 200K miles here to get VA safety and emission testing for a few years. They do get you in very quickly for the inspection and have never waited longer than 5 or 10 minutes for the inspection. Personally, they are all very nice.
The last inspection a few months ago, the car didn’t pass and I was shown why immediately. They were correct on the front end tie rods being very sloppy and needing replaced. Needing the car for work and not much time to spare, I had them do the work without any other estimates. Later in the day, the call with the estimate came with cost estimate of $ 1,100.00. They had found other issues with the front end including ball joints. The car was there and seemed like best option time wise was to just get the work done without taking somewhere else for estimate. The work was done and is fine at this time. No complaints there other than the cost at the time seemed high but again, I needed the car and the convenience of having the work done there was the best option in my mind.
Took the same car in yesterday for a muffler replacement which had rusted off the rear hangers and a hole was in the side of the muffler where the hangers once attached.
The shop determined the muffler needed replaced as well as a small 10 – 12 inch intermediate exhaust connection between the engine and the exhaust system. They showed me the two pieces while the car was on the lift. The muffler and the small intermediate piece of exhaust. Also noted it would require gaskets and mounting kit.
I left thinking they would price the job out and get back to me with estimate.
Got a call in the evening telling me the car was ready for pickup. I asked for the price and was told $ 720. This was much higher than I actually anticipated and I was a bit frustrated I didn’t receive an estimate for the work. I had just assumed that I would have been given a call with a price estimate.
I picked up the car today and the Labor Description for the job on the bill was:
«Diagnosed the vehicle and replace exhaust intermediate, replace 3 exhaust mounting kits, replace 3 exhaust gasket donuts.»
I estimated early the job would take two hours labor max roughly around $ 200. The labor costs were actually spot on. I was charged $ 190 labor for the job.
The problem I see was the price of the parts for the job.
Rear muffler-​$ 265.00
Exhaust intermediate-​$ 99.18
Exhaust mounting kit-​$ 59.58
Exhaust Gasket Donuts-​$ 49.66
Shop Supplies-​$ 32.27
Last night, after getting the price for the job, I immediately pulled up
and checked on replacement muffler parts prices online. I realize the prices service shops aren’t always competitive with online parts suppliers but nearly 100% markup on price from parts like mufflers from local parts houses like Autozone is hard to believe.
A basic no-​frills replacement muffler at Autozone is around $ 130.00.
Turns out the rear muffler replacement part used by the shop for this car was the Bosal rear muffler and the autozone price is $ 139.00. The price for the muffler charged by Liberty Service was $ 265.00. That is nearly a $ 126 mark up in price for the one part. Nearly 100%
The price of the Exhaust intermediate kit was $ 99.18 and that seems to be the full retail price at places listing the part online. If the part was purchased from a place like autozone or other distributors it looks like actual price is $ 45. I understand this is an online price and not from autozone but still seems like a bit of a mark up.
The exhaust mounting kit seems to be about double in price again.
The three gaskets look to be around $ 6 – 8 dollars each but I was charged nearly $ 50 for all three. About double the price from Autozone again.
When I picked up the car this morning, I did question the high price of the muffler and other parts and the shop did knock off about $ 70 on the rear muffler bringing that replacement muffler price down to $ 195 saying they would only make about $ 20 on that part.
The overall total cost of the job with the $ 70 deduction of the cost of the rear muffler was $ 649.90. The original total was around $ 720.00.
Overall, the work seems fine, quality work.
The concern that I have is the lack of estimate and what I see of overcharging on replacement parts.
Locally, Liberty Service is very convenient to me but in the future, I will take my repair work to shops like My Mechanic in Sterling which always provides an estimate and has always worked to find the lowest cost on replacement parts. It is a drive for me to drop the car off but I value the savings more than the convenience.

My go-​to station for years, gas prices are always competitive AND service is wonderful, also personalized, good job guys!

I really like this gas station. This is the only place I go to when I need to fix something on my car. I never feel like I am getting jipped. They have fair and reasonable prices and knowledgeable workers. One time I was looking into buying a car from craigslist, so I brought the car over to Liberty to get their advice and Chuck and Mike looked over the car and gave me great advice and assured me of the quality of the car. The cashier, Bashal is really friendly too. Whenever I buy gas their he remembers me and says hi. Chuck, the owner, is a very friendly guy. He is always there and works hard! I would recommend this gas station to anyone.

My husband had his car inspected here and had a great experience. They seemed genuine and fairly quick. I decided to take my car in. I knew it was due for the transmission fluid to be changed and I’ve also been hearing a sound when I turn. One of the mechanics approached me immediately and was super nice. I said transmission fluid and mentioned to check the sound. Went in to leave my info and signed. 4 hours later he called to say it was done but no rush on picking it up, they were open until 11. Nieve me thought great, expecting maybe $ 150 for the work. Went to get it, gas station open but mechanics were long gone. Rang me up with out reviewing the bill. I asked to see what was done. Break pads on front and rear and transmission flushed and fluid added… $ 595! I’m still in shock. My biggest issue is they never called to tell me what the noise was and warn me about the cost. I won’t be returning because I feel taken advantage of. I admit fault for not being a diligent consumer but no mention of the work they did when I went for transmission fluid makes no sense.

Went there to get an oil change and inspection, service was amazing; friendly and welcoming. Took no time at all to finish. Gas price is always the best around town. The only gas station I go to now. Everyone should go there.

Took my 2011 Kia for an oil change. I asked for synthetic oil, and a tire rotation. Ended up with a bill for $ 108, which is a rip off. He charged me $ 67 for the oil and filter, and added another $ 18 for the oil change, plus $ 20 for tire rotation.
I have no issue with the rotation cost, but to charge me for the price of the oil and add on top of it the oil change charge is something unheard off! Even my dealer did not dare do that. Normally, the oil change will include the price of the oil, filter, and the change, and having to pay for each item separately in not the norm for me!
One thing good about the place is the speed of service, he finished the service in ½ an hour. Otherwise, it is a rip off!

This is my one stop service station. Gas prices are pretty much the best in town. Service is excellent. The owner is very involved with his customers. Everyone is friendly. I take my BMW here for emissions and safety checks. Service prices are reasonable and the owner is a phone call away for questions. I refer my friends and family to this place because they do solid work.

Can’t talk to their actual «service» but their gas prices are great. Always really well priced and for someone who is saddled with buying premium it’s a welcome change to see prices under 3.60 a gallon.

Took my car here in August 2011 to get a lot of work done and to pass emissions. Got the serpentine belt replaced. Work wasn’t bad, check engine light came on within a week. I just recently took it back to get some brake work done and I was told I needed a new Serpentine belt (which are changed every 5 years). This means 1 of 2 things. Either they didn’t do a good job to begin with, or they are trying to rob their customers. I won’t EVER go back here again.