Hillmuth Certified Automotive

Billy and the Hillmuth team took extremely well care of me and my vehicle. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. I had them install new tires and alignment done and they started working on my car as soon as I checked in.
Complimentary Dunkin Donuts, coffee and wifi made the wait quite enjoyable. John at the front desk was very friendly.
The job itself was done to perfection and very reasonable time frame with a great, competitive price. They even have loaner vehicles if you need one. I highly recommend giving them a call for any of your automotive needs.

The first warning sign was that they said that a mere diagnostic, which is 50 $ at pep boys and 90 – 100 $ at a dealership, was 193 $. But, I figured given their fancy website and entire list of certifications (Hybrid master, ASE) that they might be knowledgeable and do top quality work (which they are, but read below)
Technical Stuff
When I entered the shop, I realized that the shop was just a pretty face with no substance. The guy I talked to was really friendly. I explained to him the problem I wanted to have fixed on my 2007 Prius– the replacement of a coolant valve, a very common issue with Gen II Prius’.
He insisted that the code I had gotten for free from Pep boys earlier was insufficient and that further diagnostics were required. I insisted that I would not be authorizing the diagnostic and that they should just look at the code. It was at this point that they actually did something useful, that is, their code reader identified a leaky water pump, which was something I noticed when I was looking at the coolant container– the coolant level was low. But, it was nice to have corroboration.
I asked for an estimate of the coolant valve fix (search this on Google, it is a unique Prius issue), and it was going to be 638 $ out the door. At that price point, I might as well go to a dealership! Even at the dealership, the average price range is in the low 500 $.
Moreover, this 638 $ figure didn’t include the diagnostic, meaning if the problem wasn’t fixed or there was some other problem, they wouldn’t be liable, pretty convenient. And of course, I didn’t even bother asking them how much to replace the belt water pump (typical pump all cars have), likely overpriced as well. I was at the Frederick Toyota and they charged $ 509 out the door for the valve, not cheap but given the uniqueness of the problem, not unexpected. I was able to get a free diagnostic too.
«Customer Service»
The way they lure you in here is by acting like they care about you. The guy there called the Toyota dealership for me to see if the water pump was on recall, they promise a loaner car if they do the work for you, and they talk about how they want to «build a relationship» with you. When I mentioned how they charge double for diagnostics compared to a dealership, he immediately sidestepped the remark and talked about «building a relationship.» Nice try slick.
They have a clean shop and look super professional, but again, it’s all looks. When you want your vehicle fixed correctly and for a reasonable price, those type of things are insignificant. Don’t be fooled into paying for shiny foil.
Furthermore, all they want to do is wow you with unimportant bells and whistles while they are charging you more than a dealership. I was hoping that an auto shop that is based out of Maryland and family owned would respect their customers and actually charge reasonably for their services versus some big corporate dealership. I guess the allure of profits is just too overwhelming in the auto repair business. I really like to support local businesses but when they pull stuff like this, it makes it hard to justify going out of my way to do so.
Bottom Line: Avoid at all costs, don’t fall for their coupons or free diagnostics or anything like that.

Tried to charge me 200 dollars just to look at my car. Um… NO, NEVER! The dealer doesn’t even charge me that much.

I started using Hillmuth after taking my Mini in for an inspection. I liked their service and I really liked how detailed they were. I do a lot of my own work and generally only end up there for things I can’t do on my own; which Hillmuth understands and was happy to work with me.
Ok, here’s the big one: They talk to me like… a person! I’m a girl, so I usually get pushed to get a headlight flush and new calipers with every brake pad change; but here? Got a brake inspection, they actually took it apart and checked the whole thing, not just a «visual» inspection. Then they told me what exactly was going on with everything and what they would do to fix it. From there I had them do some things, I did others; and everyone was happy.

I had same experience as Claude. It was 20 years ago, so they could be totally new management by now!!!
It was raining and my wipers stopped. They were inspecting to give me an estimate. It took over an hour. I decided against the estimate since the part was $ 250 and they had no cheaper options. So they insisted they’d taken off the wiper motor, and that it would be $ 75 to reinstall it.
Thing is — it’s easy to reach on that car since the wiper motor sits high and right against the fender, and is installed with all of three standard bolts. Since I wasn’t paying $ 75, I told them to leave the motor in a box on the floor, which they did after some debating (read arguing) with me. Then I drove to a used parts place, and proceeded, in a business suit and high heels in a light drizzle, to install a used motor I’d located, in about 5−10mins without getting a smudge on myself. It was that easy to reach this motor & work on it.
$ 75 for 3 bolts that could be done in a business suit & heels?
Insisting on not putting it back together on a free estimate job?
Taking it apart to inspect what’s easily visible?
Over an hour to diagnosis that the wiper motor was running & the attached rod had fallen off (easily visible)?
I never knew if they saw a woman coming, or this was standard for them. They had a great reputation, and boy was I surprised.
P. S. The replacement motor had the attached rod, but when it fell off a few years later, my father and I fixed the falling off rod, with a drill, and screw into the end of it. No need to replace the motor. Cost maybe 1 hour, and a screw. Not a professional job, but it worked for me!

When I moved to Maryland, I had to get my car inspected and based on the reviews on Google, I took my car to Hillmuth. They were a little pricier but I was hoping that they would then be better. After some expensive fixes, I passed inspection. But soon after, my car started leaking. So I brought it back in. They «fixed» it for a couple hundred more dollars and sent me on my way. A few days later, my check engine light came on. So I decided to bring it somewhere else. I was informed that a hose under the car had been unattached (almost 100% from my last «fix») which was probably what started my recent issue. Will not be going back to Hillmuth again.

Used to be that Hillmuth was the place to go for honest, reliable service. Not any more. Was given a quote for an oil change that somehow increased to $ 60 by the time I came to pick up my car. No explanation given, but no keys until paid. Very bizarre customer service. Use extreme caution when dealing with these guys, as they come across as personable and knowledgeable.

I went for an oil change, and that is what I got. This is my second visit to their business in Gaithersburg and I will return. I got an appointment when I needed it. They worked on it promptly. Everyone was very polite and the facility was clean. I will note I was the only customer in the waiting room. They found nothing additional wrong with my car.
They are promoting an offer, for $ 170 up front, they will change the oil on your car for the life of the car. The deal is transferrable if you sell your car. Plus, 5% discounts on service, parts and labor on routine maintenance. They are AAA rated, if that means anything.

Like the previous reviewer, I have also been raised with an innate distrust of mechanics, but I always try to go in with an open mind. I was especially hopeful in this case because I noticed that this is a family operated business. I’ve been struggling to find a good mechanic in this area, and unfortunately this was another fail.
My check engine light has been on and I had one of their coupons to do a «free» diagnostic test. They accepted the coupon, but only to give me a general code that indicates the many things that could be wrong with my vehicle. They were very insistent about running a full diagnostic test (which would run from $ 125-​$ 175). I told them that I didn’t think that was necessary because I suspected that my vehicle’s flex pipe was the problem and asked if they could just check that out. The lead mechanic assured me that the code they got from my free diagnostic would not indicate the flex pipe as the source of the problem. I authorized the next diagnostic check and after waiting for an hour and a half, the lead mechanic came back out to tell me that indeed, my flex pipe was the problem and that I had been correct. He made the excuse of, «usually the code they got doesn’t mean its the pipe.» Now I have to say, as a young female it is the sad case that mechanics usually underestimate my car knowledge. I’m not a pro, but after owning used cars (and once being asked by a mechanic if I needed time to «call my husband» to discuss a repair estimate — seriously true story) I have taught myself some of the ins and outs of the trade. After the flex pipe debacle, I was starting to suspect that I wasn’t being taken seriously. Already livid about paying $ 150 for something I already knew, I asked what estimate the would present to repair the pipe. After quite some time, they came back with an estimate of a whopping $ 746 for the part and labor. (Mind you, this was just for the pipe — the total estimate of all the work «needed» on my vehicle was over $ 6,000.) When I asked about the breakdown of the expense for the pipe, the lead mechanic told me that the major expense was the part and that wherever he tried to find it, it was over $ 600. I asked about finding my own part and if I could just pay them labor. They said that was against store policy because they warranty the parts they put it. All in all, after three hours I was left with a $ 746 dollar decision. Needless to say, I did not authorize the repairs.
In addition, I had asked them to please re-​set the check engine light, because I was interested to see if it would come back on even if the flex pipe was not repaired. The service employee I was working with said that this could be done and assured me that they would re-​set the light. After three hours and the $ 746 estimate, the light was still not re-​set. I inquired multiple times about the light and they kept telling me that it would be done. When I got my car, I asked one last time about the light. The rep I was working with offered to do it himself, because the other mechanics had left for the day. I was pleasantly surprised by his dedication until he asked me, «what my boyfriend thought of all of this.» He then asked for my number in case my light needed to be re-​set, assuring me «I’m not trying to hit on you.» I was disappointed because I had already complimented the staff on their friendliness and this rep in particular was very helpful. But I guess maybe he had other motives.
Overall, I was disappointed by this place. I felt as if they didn’t take me seriously and definitely tried to overcharge me for repairs. I felt uncomfortable as a female and wondered if their friendliness was dedicated customer service or if they had other motives. Who knows. Well Hillmuth, I may just be a woman … but that pipe you told me was $ 606.85 in parts? I found it today myself for $ 159. Apparently my womanly brain knows how to shop around. And use the internet.

I don’t know if they’ve improved, but a few years ago I took my car there for a checkup (second opinion), just a cursory inspection (supposedly free). I called to check on status, they said they thought there was something wrong with the tie rod, but that they hadn’t done anything or taken anything apart yet. I told them don’t do anything, I’m coming to pick up the car. When I arrived not 5 minutes later, the young guy there told me that they had taken (something) apart and would cost me $ 60(?) for them to put it back, otherwise the car could not be driven. I told them I had specifically said not to take anything apart, but it fell on deaf ears. Basically my car was held hostage until I paid for them to undo whatever that they had supposedly done in 5 minutes.

I need to preface this by saying I have an innate distrust of mechanics. I haven’t found one in Maryland that I like. I I had hoped that this one would be «the one». I decided to start out small, an oil change for my to the metro and home piece of junk car.
I really like the guy (Ron) who I talked to, very personable, knowledgeable and whatnot. About 20 mins after I dropped my car off I got that call, you know the one, that they «found some things». So immediately I went into the «how much is that going to cost me mode». Any ways I ended up getting half of the things they recommended and decided to do some price comparison after the fact to see how much I got ripped off.
This would have been the end of the story but… when I went to pick up my car the service guy was chatting with me and I mentioned that I was trying them out and that I had heard about them from an advertisement that I got in the mail. He then gives me a card for me to refer someone and that person would get 10% off all services on their first visit! I was all like what the… I’m a new customer why don’t I get 10% off? Especially since 90% of my $ 600 bill was for «service charges». So anyways I don’t know if I got ripped off yet but I’m not happy at how stupid it was for him to tell me about the «new customer» discount and not give it to me as a new customer.