Northwest Automotive

Raoul fixed a botched oil change for me in less than 24 hours after I had my car towed in. I run a cleaning business, and rely on my car quite a bit. Originally I was told that it would be a couple days til he could get to it, but I think he saw my situation as I was taking my supplies out of my car, looking dismayed I’m sure. I got a call much sooner than I expected with good news. He also pointed out a couple wiring/​light issues and fixed them for me. I spent most of last night worrying about how I was going to run my business with no car, but Raoul’s call was a huge relief! Turns out it was just an overfilled oil reservoir; I was fearing the worst. I now know who I will be taking my car to from here on out for oil changes and whatever else comes up. This business does honest work for a fair price with no games or up selling. Thanks to Raoul, I now have a car to go to work in for the rest of the week: saved me on a rental. I would highly recommend this mechanic!

Quick turnaround!

These guys are serious about quality, don’t overlook a thing, and provide the best service I have ever received. I’d be a customer for life if I hadn’t moved away.

Raoul the Manager was very helpful, he took his time with me and that seems to be rare these days. I had seen several other mechanic shops before stopping in to see Northwest Automotive. He explained in detail exactly what my BMW needed, the other shops told me to take it to the dealer. He fixed the issue and I am very happy with the service!

Long time customer that’s losing trust in them. A quick, online search reveals I could have bought the parts for ¹⁄₃ what I’m being charged. Worse, if you give me a quote, honor the quote.

The shop manager takes his time with each person and really explains everything in detail and even will go out to the car and point out each little thing that was fixed and why. This is great but sometimes means that you need to put your patient hat on if you’re not the person he’s helping at that exact minute. Don’t come here in a rush.
I have spent about 2,000 dollars here in the last month. YIKES! I am hoping that I won’t have to go back to this place anytime soon. The cost isn’t their fault… I think that you get what you pay for. I wish it was cheaper to own a car and I wish that there was a way to be car-​less in Seattle but the public transportation system isn’t high enough.
The Lake City Bus routes make it relatively painless to get here although I heard that the hours are changing so they won’t be open so late in the evening… this will make it MUCH more difficult for me to come here after work to pick up my car.

In today’s busy life having a mechanic that you can trust and you know they are looking out for you is always a relief.
Raoul and Doug at Northwest Automotive are just that. I’ve been going to them for over 9 years now and I am always pleased when they call to talk to me about the services needed on my car. I have never felt like they were pushing service on me. In fact there was a time when I needed a tow package installed on my car and they referred me as where other places might of be opportunistic to make a buck to do something that wasn’t anything they specialized in. Not Northwest Automotive. I thank them and so does my car.

I’ve been around a long time and have had my fair share of car repairs. NW Automotive is my fav. They have gone above and beyond on a number of occasions.
Not only that, they were recommended to me by another mechanic.
My ’98 Mercedes C280 is having a number of cosmetic issues in addition to regular maintenance. The gas cap lock sticks (used to), the passenger door lock popped out (did), and trunk lost it’s…juice? and would free fall and slam shut. Can you say, watch your fingers/​head? Doug and Raoul ‘hooked a sistah up!” at little or no cost.
The really big issue was no working windshield wiper. From all my research, a $ 1000 idea. Doug said, «let us look at». «Nah, windshield wipers are for wimps», I said. «My Rainx and I are doing okay.» He asked me 3 times before I reluctantly agreed. Less than $ 200 later, I’m whole again. Not only am I telling all my friends but anybody else who will listen. They do stellar work at a fair price. Now if I could only get Doug to renew his NFIB membership…

I wonder if these people are tired of NOT getting my service (keep that in mind when considering my rating). One time I had an appointment set up for an oil change, but then someone gave me a coupon for jiffy lube. Which then brings me to the next experience.
Now the people here seem really friendly, but not entirely sociable. I brought my car in to get an estimate/​repair on my driver side mirror and people were this way and that, looking at the car, running in/​out of the garage, without really talking to me or looking at me. Then I was told I’d be called back. Well, «when» I asked?
Anyway, I called another place and got an estimate that sounded reasonable (as this is a repair, for some reason, I have to have often!). NW hadn’t called me back yet, so when I called and told them to compare an estimate, they said they hadn’t found anything yet, but that the price I was offered at the other place was really good! Good to know, and on top of that, the other place found the part and gave me an estimate immediately, and I did not even have to bring the car in (for the estimate, of course. They aren’t going to come to my apt. to fix it! Wish they would!).

My car over heated in Bellevue, and wouldn’t hold coolant. I had to have it towed home to Seattle the next morning. Ouch, $ 200 out. I decided to take it to Northwest Automotive because they are literally 2 blocks from my house. I called ahead of time to try and see how busy they were and if they could take a look at my car to see what was wrong. The first time I called, I got an answering machine with a greeting that made it sound that it was after hours (it was 3pm)? And the 2^nd time was the next day where whoever was on the other line was courteous and told me that they would be able to fit me in the next day. I dropped my car off and 2 hours later was able to pick it up. Unfortunately the repairs were going to be about $ 3100 (ouch! The car isn’t even worth that much!) so I couldn’t do anything but pay the $ 49 for the diagnostic and take the car back up the street to go rot in the driveway. (I then proceeded to just purchase a new car). So I had a sour taste in my mouth from all of that. I mean $ 3100 is a little over a whole month’s paycheck for me, and you know these places don’t let you make payments. Anyway. So after being disgruntled for nearly a month, I get a letter sent to me from them, welcoming me and thanking me for their business, and it was hand-​signed. An auto shop sending a thank-​you and welcome letter? Unheard of! I immediately changed my tune. Auto shops don’t give a #$@! usually, so if these guys can take the time to send a letter and sign it by hand they gotta be a good place to take your car. So if I ever need something done with my new car, maybe I will take it to them, or at least ask their pricing in comparison to the dealer.

I’ve been going to NW Automotive for about 4 years.
As a women, I’ve often dealt with inflated bills at other shops for items that I did not order — I have never had to deal with that here. I have a trusty 2000 Corolla, and it rarely has problems — unless I take it somewhere else, and suddenly there is a litany of issues to resolve.
It has been clear to me in the time that I have used them that they have never pushed for any extra work. Ever.
They also have coupons online for their oil changes.

My friend Ashley just got a quote from this place for $ 800…maybe not so bad if it wasn’t for the fact another place did the job for $ 198.86 (with tax).