Gulf Service Center

I took my car here for an inspection (and then re-​inspection) this spring.
The first time the car didn’t pass because the battery had died and the computer had reset. They explained what to do (drive it!), and told me to come back for a re-​inspection.
I did just that, and the car passed the second time. They were nice about the whole experience and generally seemed pretty friendly.

I just went here to get my state inspection sticker… never again.
They told me I had to remove the alumni plate from the back of my car so as to not obstruct the words «Spirit of America» (which upon checking with the state, is legitimate), but then charged me $ 10 without telling me up front for the «labor costs» of removing all of 2 screws from my license plate.
They then had the gall to say that they should have failed me for asking for the $ 10 back when I confronted them with their deceptive practices. Their shop was littered with many similar plates from various other cars of customers who they scammed.
I have been getting gas here for years but never again. There are other reputable service stations in Lexington that deserve our business.

During an inspection I was told that the driver’s side wiper on my car was bad. Instead of replacing just the rubber blade, which it turns out is simple and cheapest to do, he replaced the wiper assembly. This isn’t uncommon, except that he threw away what turned out to be a $ 75 original equipment Bosch air faired wiper assembly and replaced it with a cheap unstable Anco assembly, instead of simply replacing the cheaper rubber blade. A supplier later told me that Gulf’s mechanic knows better than that.

Went here for an inspection sticker last year. My tires were bad, failed, & the guy immediately wanted to sell me the new tires. Gave me some really high prices on tires w/​o really specifying the model names, & really hard-​selling & trying to intimidate me into buying the tires from HIM. (Note – *usually*, car dealerships, & gas stations, are the most expensive places, with the least selection, to buy tires).
Now, I already had a spare set of almost new tires at home, & told him that, & he then started trying to tell me that those were bad (having never seen them!).
Next day, I went to Auto Engineering in Lexington to have my other tires mounted, then back to Gulf Service Center for re-​inspection. When the knuckle-​dragging head mechanic there (I normally wouldn’t be that rude, but I think he deserves it) saw my almost-​new tires, that I hadn’t bought from him, he threw down his tools, stomped out, & the other mechanic had to pass my car.
This place should be on «60 Minutes»…& I swear I’m not exaggerating…

Stopped here today to get a tail light fixed and to get an inspection sticker. Where another place down the road told me it’d be about 45 minutes to do just the tail light, these guys took my car in right away and I was out in about 25 minutes. $ 10 per bulb seems kind of pricey, but it was convenient and fast.

Awesome automotive service and good prices on gasoline in the area. They are very helpful whenever you need them. Highly recommended and I’ve been bringing my cars to them for more than 10 years.