James Madison Shell

Low tire pressure warning sent me to James Madison Shell — was glad to find the air was still free. (Yesterday stopped at another place that had a new automated monstrosity that charged $.75) Kind gentlemen saw me at the pump and immediately came out to offer to help. Then I spotted the nail. Urg. My heart sank as I imagined my morning blown and a hefty bill. But the guys pulled out a kit and fixed it right there on the spot. With my tire plugged and a very modest bill — I was on the road in no time. Wasn’t even late for work. Thanks James Madison Shell.

I have been coming here since I moved up here (6 months) and I’ve only gotten oil changes and my tires rotated here. However I think they do a great job especially when it comes to time. They never take more than an hour when doing the oil change and tire rotation. Very kind and hard-​working.

I’m mind blown about the negative reviews listed but from my personal experience so far has been great! Been going here for about 3 years (oil changes, inspections, etc). and they’ve been nothing but friendly and professional to me and seeing how I’ve only gone during my lunch breaks at work, they get me done and out on time, always!
My last visit was today to get my emissions and state inspection done and of course, once again, my car was done and good to go in 15mins, and passed without question! and this is AFTER I made the huge mistake of trying to save some time by going to some place closer to work, taking my car to the Sunoco (102 W Maple Ave, Vienna, VA 22 180) yesterday for my inspections and they were the worst! Definitely NOT knowledgeable… and resulted in FAILING the inspection! (SEE MY SEPARATE REVIEW FOR THE SUNOCO and you’ll know why).
Learned a valuable lesson this week hehehehe… JMS is worth the trip =)

I went in recently because my car was misfiring. They ran a lot of diagnostics, replaced spark plugs and coils, and then when it didn’t fix the problem, they took out the replaced items and didn’t charge me– for the parts OR for their time. I even got a loaner car while they worked on it. Granted, it was a Saturn with a tape deck, but I was pleasantly surprised by it. I think they are honest hard-​working guys.

My car needed an emission inspection and they took care of it! It failed three times and everytime I brought it back, they saw me in line and brought out the sensor so I wouldn’t have to wait. Finally four guys worked on it and it passed the inspection at NO CHARGE! Thanks to Chris, Mohammed, Dan and Marcus.

Been coming here since I was 16 and I’m 25 now, and they have never been up to speed with what they promise and I still do not trust them. Just brought in my car for a oil change that took over 4 hours… And they aren’t doing anything to make it right. Screw these guys and go somewhere else, they don’t deserve the work you’ll give them.

It’s funny this is a very friendly, almost a neighborhood gas station. I like that we can use the Giant points there. Lot is clean and always busy. :)

I’ve attempted to go here about 3 times, and the same thing always happens. James Madison Shell — Not recommended for inspection or emissions test. Management is disorganized, and staff is not properly trained. As a result, you sit in your car and wait in line forever for state inspection and emissions testing. Customer Service is not a priority here. I watched one staff member fumble around like they had no idea what they were doing. Please stay away from my car! Here are two other places just down the street that I have been to and recommend: Vienna Gas & Auto — The Korean fellas on the same side of the street, but further up across the street from Anita’s New Mexico. #2 is the Thai fellas on Lee Hwy next to Best Tailoring across from the big Pan Am Micro Center shopping strip. I can’t remember the name of it though. It has a gas station in front of it. Both of those will take inspection/​emission walk ins, and can usually do it really quickly (my car is only a few years old though).

Heads Up. Do not get your car inspected here. I made the mistake of coming here two years in a row and every single time, on all three of my vehicles, they made me buy a new gas cap to pass inspection. They would give me a cheap, crappy gas cap to replace the one that worked great. Three cars, multiple gas cap fails. Then in talking with a neighbor, she had the same thing. It’s a sleazy practice and obviously a revenue stream for them. Makes me think that if they can’t be trusted on the small things, then I would not take my car in for anything else, including gas.

I bring my car here every year for routine updates & inspection. Typically I have disliked doing this in the past as I feel taken advantage of, knowing very little about cars. At James Madison Shell I always get fantastic service. I am greeted warmly when coming into the shop. The gentleman at the service desk are always friendly and I don’t feel like I’m getting had. Great place– highly recommend.

Waited nearly 2 hrs for vehicle inspection and not once did an attendant come out to inform me of hold up. Car before me was in the garage for an hour!!! Wasted time!

These folks are very customer friendly. I am giving them only two stars because their repair cost estimate was 2/​3rds more than it cost me to get my vehicle repaired at another very reputable garage. Stay away from this business for vehicle repairs unless you don’t mind paying very high prices. I am sure they are fine for fixed priced items such as advertised oil changes.

Wanted to update, although keeping my review at 4 stars. Really the cost and some of the presumptions they make are the only thing keeping them from 5 stars. But don’t get me wrong, this place is top-​notch and a very rare find in northern Virginia.
I went back for what I think is my fifth time this past Saturday. My last time in was for major work, but this time, I was just getting an oil change. I made an 8 a.m. appointment, was promptly greeted by a friendly fellow and quoted a 45-​minute wait time, to which they adhered. They also fixed a clanging noise I had underneath the heat shield caused by a loose clamp, free of charge.
The only issue was they gave me the more expensive $ 70+ synthetic oil change without asking me my preference. SO SPECIFY UP FRONT, because they otherwise presume you want the top choice stuff. They also are very thorough with their look-​over of the vehicle during the oil change and noticed my battery charge was critically low and that my air filter was beyond worn out. They didn’t try to upsell me, just told me those things needed addressed as soon as I could get to it. I ended up buying a battery and air filter cheap at Advance and installing myself because those are no-​brainer, five-​second fixes.
I really, really, like this place and can’t recommend them enough. As I’ve said before, you won’t save money here, but you will save a lot of time and frustration. Other places I’ve had to go back several times, even after simple oil change type stuff, to get fixes to things that weren’t broken before. Most mechanics in this area seem incompetent and can’t convey in plain English to you anything about what they’re doing (and I think half of them just make up vague problems to upsell you on). Tom and Chuck don’t do that, and they seem very honest.

I’ve been coming more often here for my maintenance needs… Good service and friendly attitude.