Hilltop Service Station

Took my car to get the brakes checked last month and they charged $ 50 for an inspection. They quoted $ 1686.70 for brake work, air filter, and wipers. They charged $ 73 for an oil change. I just brought my car to different place and they said no work needs to be done on my brakes. The brake pads are at 40 and 50% and will last 1 – 2 more years. This is appalling and unacceptable. They ought to be ashamed. Will NEVER bring my car there again.

I came here for a tire patch and it was quick and efficient. I called for a quote before coming and it was $ 20 plus tax.
Prior to this, I called Firestone which kept me on the phone for ten minutes to take down all my information and failed to provide a price. I had to asked for an estimate again and they said «30 something». It seemed a little odd to me that they prolonged the call & tried to avoid providing a price. Also, they said my car will have to be held for three hours.
I’m glad I came to Hilltop. It was honest, fast (less than ten minutes), and efficient. I also didn’t have to worry about them tacking on additional fees. I would definitely recommend this place.

I’ve had my cars serviced at Hill Top for many years. Mike, the owner, is first class and completely honest. He straight up tells you what it will cost and if they don’t know the full extent of the work going in, he calls you to keep you updated. Service is a top down characteristic and with a hands on leader like Mike, I know I can always trust what’s been done to my cars. I’ve had him tell me more than once that it was not worth it to fix my car, that it was time to start shopping for a new used car (I only buy used).

Just had my sons older car in to be looked over. Replaced the battery — all in all about 300. Oh yes, they called after we left and told us they undercharged us and there was another 55. Owed. They had Replaced the battery. «Everything else looks pretty good. Should be fine for awhile»
Son driving to Bellingham few days later. Car dies on freeway, in Burlington WA at 9 pm, dark pouring rain, Saturday. 2 hours later and plenty of stress the car gets towed to Firestone in Bellingham. Son rides with tow truck driver who seems to be pissed off to have a passenger.
Would’ve had to pay out of pocket for additional 10 miles past 5 mile limit due to this repair shop being the closest one open on a Sunday — but our awesome insurance provider came through!
It was the alternator. Had to be replaced. Another 500.
WHY DIDN’T HILLTOP FIND/​NOTE/​HANDLE THAT?
It was negligent, dangerous and lazy service. We would’ve been happy to pay them what was needed and there was no time constraint. Now we have to get it done on a Sunday after son being unnecessarily stuck on the shoulder of I-​5 on a dark and stormy night, in the middle of nowhere with cars whizzing by at 80 mph. Which is why we had it checked over on the first place — to keep him safe. And it interfered with my sons plans.
As we live on the hill we had decided to give Hilltop a try — what with their 4.5 star Unilocal rating and desire to support small local business. What in the heck is wrong with people? No more pride in their work? Really disappointing frankly. Just so glad we have good insurance and no one was hurt. Zero stars would be more appropriate.

These guys are the best. I the vast majority of the time I take my car there they decline to do anything to it and tell me I’m fine, don’t spend the money. My relatively new Mazda just had some major problems and they were so great in helping me figure out how to handle it with the Mazder dealership. Just a super community business with good neighbor kind of staff. When they have worked on my car the works been great and the price isn’t especially cheap but is always a great value and I feel super confident that the repair is needed and they’ve done a good job on it. 10 thumbs up!

Tire was leaking and pressure monitor light on. Called Hilltop. Told to come up and they would check it out. Two minute drive and 10 mins. later the screw was removed and I was on my way with tire repaired. Very pleasant attendant, quick repair and I am very pleased that Hilltop is in my neighborhood. I have never had major work done at Hilltop but I can say that my experience has always been excellent for the last 25 years. Thanks guys.

What are the criteria for a superb gas station/​garage? Great service, honesty, reliability, expert workmanship. They pump your gas for you, check your fluids, tire pressure, wash windshield. no extra charge. Sure, when you do pay, you don’t pay economy prices. Some things are worth the little bit extra and auto maintenance and repair is near the top of that list. HONEST repair is at the very top! Every time I have brought in my car for some sort of service, I am given the straight scoop. I’m given alternatives if I ask but I’m also given the pluses and/​or minuses that come with the alternative. I have never been sorry about any decision I have made here. As a wise consumer, always ask if what they recommend doing is absolutely crucial or if it can be put off. And always, before agreeing to any work, ask the cost. That is only common sense, isn’t it?

Never really had them done any major service, just oil change, but service is always good and timely. A nice neighborhood garage.

I’ve now learned the hard way that parking in Capitol Hill can be hazardous to your car’s health…
After finding that rare parking space the night prior, I hop in the car and drive around the corner… to find myself riding on a flat tire. Once you leave a spot on the hill, forget trying to get it back! Luckily a neighbor stopped by while I was (illegally parked and) inflating the tire, and found a huge screw. So I start to search all over the Hill for a mechanic — any mechanic — and find that many have closed. Not Hilltop. I called and they said to just pull on in.
Five minutes after (barely) making it up the hilll and one patch later, I’m out $ 20…and it was worth every penny.

I am from out of town and my car ran out of gas a few blocks away from Hilltop so I walked over to see if they had a gas canister I could fill. I asked if they accepted checks (my credit/​debit cards were stolen) and they said usually not but they politely obliged immediately. I think they could tell I was desperate. They also let me borrow their gas canister without charge. Super nice, super accommodating. I’d give them my business anytime.

These punks charged my spouse over $ 60 to change her headlight’s lightbulb. This is DESPITE her provided them the lightbulb. They did not tell her it would be a $ 60 charge before they did it. Not only is it excessive, it’s borderline theft. I’m reporting them to the Better Business Bureau.
DO NOT GO HERE — they will take advantage of you if they think they can.

We were at the station at 3.10pm on a Sat. The guy said he was closed. We said we think we have a tire that has a leak and we just need air. He said «Ok, I have not shut the compressor yet, so I can take a look at your tire for you.»
He was awesome. There was a nail in our tire and he fixed it right there and then. Took no more than 10 mins and was just $ 20.
Now that’s customer service at its finest and we support the station in every way. Everyone should buy their gas here and pay a little extra for a full service staton.
Thank you kind man, we did not even get your name since you took care of us so quickly and swiftly. Thank You!

I have lived in this neighborhood forever and somehow this was my first time going here. I pulled in for gas but mostly because I needed air in my tires and am lame and cant do it on my own. They were so helpful and friendly and efficient. The gas is a little more than at AM/​PM BUT they clean your windows, check your oil, fill your tires if you need it etc all the while engaging in a nice little chat! I seriously appreciate the dedication to excellent customer service and will absolutely go back for gas etc and repairs if needed. HOORAY!

my van’s battery died, the guy who came to jumpstart advised a full battery replacement. I called hilltop – they immediately checked to see if they had my battery in stock, green lighted an appointment. long story short – these guys did a comprehensive check, didn’t find any probs w my battery AND fixed a leaky tire while they had my car! I’m not used to an up-​sell free auto place… will return!

I got a screw in one of my tires. I had to be at a meeting in an hour. CRAP! I pulled in to the station. Was greeted by a friendly lady who got me set up for repair and even told us where to get a drink in the neighborhood while we wait. 30 minutes later I had a fixed tire and even pressure on all of my tires. Super friendly, super fast and super affordable. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Love these guys. They can fix any problem. They are can-​do and matter-​of-​fact and always get the job done right. Very knowledgeable group.

I met a wizard.
My tire was losing air pressure, and fast. Given that I need my car for my job, I was not happy about the prospect of losing it for a big tire repair. I called a few service stations to see who could squeeze me in to get my tire checked out. Hilltop gave me the green light, with the warning that I may have to leave it for the day, and I sped (er, drove very safely and carefully) over there.
The corner lot was full of cars when I arrived, I wasn’t sure where to park. One of the service men (I wish I had written down his name, he was so nice!) came over and I explained that I had just called about my tire and he had me drive to the very retro gas pumps in the middle of the lot. He poured some soap mixture on my tire and had me turn the wheel and there in the middle of the tire was a giant bolt I hadn’t seen! I felt very foolish but the man was polite and reassuring as he pulled the bolt out of my tire. He then took some sort of foam piece, wedged it in the spot and filled all of my tires to the correct pressure. He then assured me that the insert he put in would last the life of the tire. Astounding!
All of this took ten minutes and cost fifteen dollars. I was mystified and am so glad the issue got resolved quickly and amiably!

Unusual to find a full service gas station these days.
Ricky gassed us up, checked tires, fluids and added half quart of oil.
$ 1.50 above the gas price. Nice.

I always trust Unilocal for car servicing, so when it seemed like Hilltop had inconsistent reviews, I still decided to take a chance.
Unfortunately, it was somewhat disappointing. We took our car in for a simple tire rotation and oil change, specifically having the conversation of keeping costs low as it is a leased car. After picking the car up, we were charged $ 100+ for something that should have cost ~$ 40. We were charged with synthetic oil, rather than the standard, and they didn’t reset the maintenance reminder.
I ended up resetting the maintenance reminder myself as the trust was broken. It’s frustrating because while I showed up in business clothes (because I was coming from a meeting) I didn’t expect to be overcharged for a simple service.
The one thing that I did love, were the people that run Hilltop. While it was after the fact, the staff were warm and helpful, and promised to make things right if I return.

My truck Dan is almost 230,000 miles old now, and that means every time I take it to a shop, mechanics notice hideous problems that may need immediate attention — depending on how much I want to invest in a old, cheap, tired truck. Some mechanics get cranky when I decline 9/​10s of the repairs they suggest. Hilltop does not: they are cool people.
Luckily, the people at Hilltop understand the delicate cost/​benefit calculations an old crappy truck owner must do when faced with repair decisions. Once, when Dan would barely start and had no torque; they fixed the collapsed vacuum hoses and told me about other concerns that may need repair at some point soon. At no point did they try to sell me services beyond what I needed to get old Dan running again, and that is so rare! As long as I’m in Seattle, I’ll be a loyal customer of Hilltop.
Note: they are a good shop, which means they are busy, which means I do not expect to get an appointment right away when I need their services. Waiting for repairs is worth it for me when I know I can fully trust the shop doing them.