Parkside Foreign Car Service

Good service at a small shop, reasonably priced.
I had a problem that another mechanic could not correct; this other mechanic was giving me the «fix this for $ 400 and we’ll go from there» treatment. I gave Parkside my car at 4 p.m. and it was ready (and humming) by 9:30 a.m. the following day, for $ 180 (the other mechanic’s repair idea was completely incorrect, for the record).
They have the necessary gadgets, but also have actual mechanics that can diagnose and repair issues without relying solely on a computer print-​out. In my case, they were very understanding of the fact that I drive an older car and don’t need to fix everything that’s wrong with it.
Really improved my day.

For us this is the perfect place to service a European vehicle after warranty. We had our ML350 ’09 taken care of perfectly and on time. Also, at a lot more reasonable cost than what the MB dealer charged us before.
Thank you Jerry and team!

Although parkside couldn’t fix my trucks problem after a few hours of labor and new parts installed, I was pleased with the service I received there. I was expecting to and prepared to argue about being fully charged for all parts and labor without having my truck fixed but was more than satisfied with the personal exchanges and final arrangement proposed by the mechanic. I would recommend to someone with minor (non-​computer related) issues with their car.

Jason, although very busy, didnt make me wait. Helped me solve my problem and did a bit of preventative maintenance. I may have just got lucky with the timing but from the initial phone call to the time I pulled away, I was happy with my experience. If I need anything else that requires a body shop, this is the place I will go. Also the place I would recommend to my friends. Thanks again!

I brought my van in for a tune up and had the oil changed and filters changed out. The cost for those were pretty reasonable, unfortunately they do charge $ 120 for labor. I was also told my rear breaks needed to be replaced and would cost an additional $ 450. The original concern I had and brought up to him to take a look at was dismissed and the problem was still there when I picked up my car. As for my breaks, I called for a second opinion and was told that unless my breaks were metal on metal, I didn’t need new rotors as the owner of this garage suggested and he was probably trying to sell me extra parts… the owner of the second shop also quoted me for half the price for a break change.
All in all, I ended up paying $ 160 for an oil change and filter change which I could have gotten done at quality tune up on 19^th and Kirkham for a fraction of the price. My car problem still needs to be addressed and I will be taking it to a different shop. If you want to be charged with high labor fees and sold extra parts then come here.

They charged a lot to replace parts but didn’t actually solve the problem.

I had a great experience with Jerry and Vic. They were very helpful when my car kept failing emissions tests. the first time I showed the my numbers and they knew immediately what was wrong and suggested a shop that specifies in those repairs in Daly City. Sadly because my car is so old, when I went in for my second test the emissions levels were great, but some mechanical thing was broken. I took it back to jerry and they were able to find the problem. To add to the mess the part they needed to fix my car is not made anymore, but they used some ingenuity to fix it with what they had. It work great now, even months later.
Overall I had great experience with the shop and was able to pass my emissions test with their help.

I drive a 2004 Mazda 3 with over 150,000 miles on it. It’s been needing a lot of TLC lately. I’ve been bringing it here to parkside auto a few times. Last night I was driving and my car became super loud. I had a friend who is a mechanic take a look at it. He gave some suggestions of what was wrong. So, first thing this morning I called jerry and was able to get it in. I needed my car back today and with it being a Saturday I wasn’t sure if that would happen. He got it in and two hours lately she was purring again. The cost was reasonable and way better than I was anticipating. Thanks parkside!!!

Helpful. Honest. Friendly. Professional. Fast. They really got me out of a jam. Thank you Parkside!

OK, I admit: I was unfaithful. After a ten year fabulous relationship, I cheated. I moved to another neighborhood in SF and threw another mechanic a bone by having him change my brake pads… he was closer and helped me one weekend to close my stubborn sun roof. Well, my Jeep’s break pad repair ended up with a rotor repair ($ 1400.00) then after my breaks kept squeaking (worse than when I brought it in) I was told I needed to change my break master cylinder: $ 450. UPSET?! I called Jerry, Parkside, and said I needed a 2^nd opinion. Well, he not only diagnosed that I DIDN’T need to change the master cylinder but that the pads this mechanic put in should have semi metallic pads… OK, lessoned learned and if this mechanic doesn’t give me a partial refund, I’ll write everyone a negative note on his business via Unilocal.Jerry, I will never be unfaithful again… unless I move out of the Bay Area! 2001 Grand Jeep Gal

Despite some of the bad reviews I still like to try places for myself. I’m glad I did because what I experience was far from what others Unilocaled about. I came here because my car hood was off alignment and wouldn’t close. My estimator Jason was super friendly and informative. He told me what needed to be done. He was honest and said the parts are cheap but what’s going cost me is the labor. In order to get to the hood hinges they would have to remove a lot parts. Which was understandable. Dropped of my car Friday and got it back Monday. Everything looks good! I’ll def be back if anything else goes wrong with my car.

If you need to keep your old car on the road in this terrible economy, Parkside is the place to go. My old car now runs great at a very reasonable cost. Parkside is thoughtful and honest about your car, and doesn’t overdiagnosis or overcharge. Very professional and polite, and the shop is neat and organized.
When I had an axle & wheel bearing go, I just showed up at Parkside, and they had my car fixed and back to me the next day, including replacements for my paper-​thin brake pads. I asked about a tune-​up, which they do, but Parkside explained that wasn’t necessary and they wouldn’t take my $. They will show you the parts, and explain what they are doing in a way you can understand. Parkside even fix one of my turn lights they noticed was out as a bonus.
I had been told by another SF shop that I would need a new motor for my ’87 Toyota Tercel, and to junk it. But Parkside explained I only needed a $ 150 gasket to keep her running fine. Right on an L Taraval stop, so very convenient, especially with opening at 7:30. As a single mom of 3, I am really thankful for Parkside.

My regular SF mechanic recommended Parkside when he was going to be out of town when I needed some work done. First visit — the main mechanical work I needed was done, but some of the smaller things I requested were forgotten. And, they left the check engine light on (obviously didn’t clear codes or even check them, probably — even though this was specifically requested by me). So, I figured that they’re a bit sloppy, but I’ve been spoiled with great mechanics, so I forgave it mostly because their location is close to my house.
The second time I brought my car in was for a door handle replacement. They made an absolute mess. They punched a hole in the interior door panel to get it off (and left it unrepaired and didn’t give me the chunk back so I could repair it myself), they were so sloppy that they got epoxy all over the exterior of the door around the handle, and also broke the internal sensor that connects the door lock to the other door locks. The also left my airbag warning light on (didn’t reset it). I brought this to the attention of the owner and he was very nonchalant about it — as though this is the way a handle repair is done. He told me to bring it back so that they same people who trashed the job could «fix» the airbag light issue. This damaging replacement cost me ~$ 400. Terrible workmanship and a job done very poorly.
When I brought the car to my trusted mechanic to fix the work (no way I’m trusting people who punched a hole in my door panel to get the panel off and made such a mess), he opened up the door and my fears were realized. He said it was a wreck inside the door. Broken sensors, wires unconnected, missing parts, and the incorrect handle was installed. It never would have worked properly. The «repair» from Parkside, which should have been fairly simple and routine, was so damaging, that it cost me quite a bit to undo their disastrous workmanship.
This is not an issue of personalities. This is about not having pride in your work. Lesson learned.

Jerry and his team work on all kinds of cars (mine’s a ’96 Ford Explorer), and have always done a great job for me. I’ve been taking my cars to Parkside since ’93 (yep, last century). Jerry is an incredibly nice and forthright guy, something you don’t see a lot of these days. For the few negative Unilocal reviews it sounds like they were due more to communication issues than anything else. If a customer doesn’t receive the service expected at Parkside, I know Jerry would make it right.

It appears that they did adequately good work, but the owner is very difficult to work with, and I did not like some of his business practices. I would never bring my own vehicle here for those reasons alone. There are plenty of other places in this fair city to have work done on your vehicles that have owners that I would rather give my money to. A sour personality can ruin a business.

I have two cars. One is an older car so it’s just starting to get problems. took it to one guy and he messed it up. So I took my car to Gerald after some other mechanic messed it up and he got it back in order. Not only did he get it back in order but because I had to work and couldn’t get to the shop to pick it up before they closed he delivered it in person to my work!
Now if that isn’t great customer service what is? I like his work ethic which seems to rare these days. I’ve been recommending Gerald to all my friends. He won’t give up on your car until he finds the problem.

I saw a bad review for this place and had to report it. I have only brought my older German car here a couple of times but I came here on the advice of a long-​trusted technician who recommended him as a guy who could do a better job tuning up by bug than he could.
This guy is incredibly good, very reasonably priced, and quick on the turn-​around.

I went to NPR’s Car Talk website to find a well recommended place to fix my car. My car had lost power and shook as I drove. I did what I often do — at first ignored it and hoped it would fix itself. But I couldn’t take it on the freeway because it had no oomph so thats when I turned to Click and Clack, the Tavaret (sp?) Brothers for advise. (I looked at Unilocal too but the reviews seemed so mixed for most places.)
When I called Parkside and told the owner my problem over the phone, he immediately guessed it was the ignition cable and told me to bring it in. Simple and fantastic story from here — he was right, set a very fair price, fixed it in a day, didn’t charge a dime more than he promised and.. .. ta da! My car has the oomph it had before. Love happy endings!
I raved to my mom who happened to have her car at another shop for a big job. She had the opposite experience — two weeks in the shop, lying awful owner, ridiculously expensive price, then problem not fixed. I sent her to Parkside Foreign and the owner was again, kind, efficient and fair — he even called the other shop to intervene. Wow! AMAZING.
Thank you, Parkside — you make me want to make cookies for you and your crew!

I took my car here after I ran over something on the freeway and my oil pan came off (it was a huge mess). They fixed it, but then when I went to get my oil changed a month or two later at Penzoil they basically told me «this oil thing was not put on correctly– you need to take it back and have them fix it. We can’t even properly change your oil, it’s dangerous». They even showed me the situation, and it looked pretty bad.
So I call Parkside and tell them the situation, but the guy I talked to got all offensive on the phone «we fixed it– it’s fine. What do you mean it’s not right?» almost in a «you’re-just-a-girl» kind of way.
I was so put off by that phone interaction and their unwillingness to even take a look at it that I have taken my business to Euro Motocars, where I have been very satisfied with the level of customer service. Its a bummer because I had taken my car to Parkside several times and was a regular there! I may be a little blonde girl– but I know there’s a problem with my car when I see it!

They have a cute, retro wooden sign — looks like it’s from the 1970s and I don’t dread going here because the amount I owe is always less than I expected.
I kept hearing a strange noise while driving, so I pulled into Parkside Garage one day. The owner (Jerry) offered to come with me on a short drive, so that he could hear the noise. Well, of course the car stopped making the noise in his presence, but he was very patient, had me try different things (slow down, speed up), asked me questions to assess the problem, and didn’t charge me for the consultation. He must be good if he can make the noise stop by his mere presence.
Later, the sound resumed, and I went back to Parkside. They gave me an estimate and promptly called me when they were finished.
Jerry is professional and matter of fact. He acknowledges you the moment he sees you, even if he’s on the phone. They couldn’t squeeze me in the same day (they’re busy — lots of return customers). For my scheduled maintenance I only paid $ 60 which included the tire rotation, new cabin air filter and inspection of brakes, belts, etc. Very reasonable!
I can’t really judge the quality of their work but from what I can tell, they seem honest, reasonably priced and extremely courteous.
One of the regular customers mentioned that Jerry had been mentioned by Click and Clack (I didn’t know who they were — they have a radio show just about cars) multiple times (
). Customers, most of whom must be car enthusiasts, called in to say good things about him. Car Talk maintains a database of recommended mechanics:
Jerry and Parkside received only praise from customers: