Purrfect Auto Service

I used to really like this place a bunch when Lew was the manager. Never felt upsold. The last time back for an oil change and there was a new manager, I don’t remember his name. And now for some reason there’s ANOTHER new manger, and currently I’m waiting 45 minutes for them to reassemble one of the front brakes after being told my oil change was done, and he’s sitting in my car up on the lift. Why? No idea. Also was told about a bunch of other work that needed to be done. I would’ve believed Lew, but now I’m not so sure. I’m also really worried they’re messing something up with the brakes after simply inspecting them.
Update: I took my car to another mechanic who was recommended by a friend, and over half the work these guys recommended was not necessary, including completely replacing the rear brakes. Interesting.

I came in for an oil change and a new headlight. Plus labor it came out to be $ 90. I’m not sure what a good price is supposed to be, but I’m guessing this was decently good pricing.
Anyways I loved how they had a computer you can use while you wait, WHICH I’M USING NOW! Haha, there’s also a TV so you can be oh so entertained while you’re car is getting all fixed up. It’s convenient because I forgot to bring like my iPad to play with.
But anyways, so far so good. My car was taken in right away for service and the guys are working very efficiently. And from what I can tell they are nice guys. Since they didn’t have the headlight in-​store, they someone come drop it off right away which is great.
Finally, I appreciate the free brake inspection, air in the tires, etc. If you want an overall checkup on your car in addition to the oil change, these guys will do it for free. Definitely worth it to pay a little bit more to get an oil change here.

Had a brake Job done some 10 months ago. Noticed the drums had become rusty and heard an uneven braking motion whilst coming to a stop. Took it back in.
Upon inspection they found they Drums their supplier had provided previously were of poor quality. Ordered new Drums, fitted them, tested, back on the road in a matter of hours. No charge.
Thanks!

I usually do my own auto work. I had a coupon, though, and thought I’d give Purrfect a shot. I’m glad I did. The staff was friendly, the waiting room was pretty nice (chairs a bit hard but wifi helps) and the work was done quickly. Oil changed, tires rotated, fluids topped up. If you go to some shops in the area, you’ll get your car vacuumed & your windshield washed with your service. I didn’t get that here — but I did get quality service at a low price. I’ll probably come back.

I was surprised to see all these positive reviews. Don’t support these snakes. They claimed to be fixing my friend’s car but just lied about the work that she needed to get done and tried to take advantage of her. They used the wrong lamp in her headlight and melted the socket.
They also told her that her brakes were at 1% and that she needed everything replaced for about $ 500. She took her car to a real dealership and they told her that her brakes were at 40% and didn’t need to be fixed at all.
Their untrustworthiness ended up costing her a lot of money and causing extra stress, not to mention a ticket for her headlight which didn’t even work. Keep this in mind when looking at auto shops…

These guys squeezed me immediately in for an acute overheating situation with my car. To be totally honest, I had no prior experience with them, and chose them because 1) their ratings were good here, and 2) they were close enough to limp my car to before it completely overheated and destroyed itself.
I am somewhat car-​literate, and I had planned to change the thermostat the night before, but just ran out of time. They diagnosed this problem differently, as that primarily of the water pump (and of course changing the thermostat is a no-​brainer inclusion in that procedure). At first, I was skeptical, as the costs between just changing a thermostat vs. pump + thermostat is substantial. But I eventually relented to just pay for a solution of a problem.
It needs to be mentioned that I didn’t cave right away, as I called around to get pricing quotes for the same procedure in the local area. Purrfect had the lowest price, and the overall reasonable-​ness of that price was borne out in my later, more thorough searching of the ‘net for the same procedure with my vehicle model.
The quoted time was 2 hours, and in reality it took about 4… which is totally normal and par for car repair.
So I got my car back, and indeed the problem was solved… and then some. The car had other, non-​urgent problems which I had planned to deal with myself, relevant one being a sloshing sound in the glove compartment. I thought there was an accumulation of condensate from the climate control unit, or a blockage of some drainage… but it turned out that it was air in the heater core.
Basically, my water pump had been failing for some time, and it wasn’t exhibiting any drastic symptoms save for letting air into the system, and an engine that was not running at full-​optimum (probably retarding timing as the head wasn’t being cooled right). The latter is subtle and easily-​missed in an older car (one just attributed it to being older), while I totally mis-​diagnosed the former. Purrfect’s spot-​on diagnosis 1) solved the overheating problem completely (as expected and required); but also 2) eliminated the sloshing sound in the glove compartment (no more air being let into the cooling system); and 3) brought the engine back to full performance, meaning more power and smoothness.
In short, they did a great job beyond what I could do, without wasting any time nor money. I will be returning to them next time should I need more repairs.

These guys have kept my 91′ Chevy Camaro alive. And at times when i had to take it to the other shop that screwed it up they pushed my car to my house!
From oil changes, broken shocks, melted censors, and brake overhauls Purrfect has an overall dependable, friendly, reasonably priced and knowledgeable service. Not to mention the owner is a nice guy always down to shoot the shit. I highly recommend them.

Update: Word on the street is that some new buy-​in manager/​part owner has totally co-​opted the integrity of the old manager by quoting work that doesn’t need to be done What a shame. This WAS one of the better places in Berkeley for integrity work. Now Ray has apparently changed that due to personal greediness. This chain better start looking at who they sell franchises to. Avoid. Caveat Emptor.

First, they gave me a lead on a place to find good used parts for my car that is my baby. Second, I went here for service to my daily driver. All I needed was an oil change (loooong over due) and diagnostic b/​c of the check engine light of doom was on. They gave me options according to price, let me know I could wait on a more expensive service, but that another part that was broken (melted really) needed replacing sooner rather than later.
I liked that their prices are reasonable, and the people are wonderfully nice. Also, with needed repairs on this particular car I have been reprimanded by mechanics in the past. Hey man, you’re not my real dad! At Purrfect they didn’t reprimand me, in fact one guy said I had a pretty face… so hell yea I am going back here, this old married lady likes compliments just as much as the next chica. And it was a genuine compliment and not lechery.
In review: Extra Nice, Straight Talk, Great Prices, things explained as needed.

Walked in and asked for an oil change. There were a couple cars ahead of me so they told me it would be about an hour. We offered to move the car to a different spot, but he told me he could move it and sent us on our way. We mused around Blick for a while to pass the time and when we came back about 40 minutes later, my car was almost done!
He was super nice to us, let me know what was happening with my car, and when it was time to pay, he let me know everything that could possibly be a problem in the future and told me to come back if I had any issues and to look out for oil leakage because my filter was a little old.
I really appreciated that they were so willing and happy to take my car and that they were quick and even put air in my tires and cleaned the windshield.
I chose to go here because of the awesome reviews and my expectations were well met for sure.

I called in to make sure my car could get in for an oil change. Was in the shop 40 minutes later, they took my car right away.
It was super sunny and they let me take a chair from the office and read outside on San Pablo while I waited. It only took 20 minutes and cost under $ 35 with tax on my little ’98 corolla.
Extremely friendly service. I’m such a sucker for good customer service.

Things That Are Awesome /​Not Awesome
It is Not Awesome when you park your car on your way to a meeting and the hood is smoking.
It is Not Awesome when you open the hood and notice green gunk gunking out all over the place.
HOWEVER —
It is Awesome when you use your magic phone and see that Purrfect Auto Service is a few blocks away.
It is Awesome when the guy who greets you does so with a very encouraging sense of humor and a can-​do attitude.
It is Awesome when he gives you a few tips on how to get back across the Bay Bridge in one piece so you can make it back to your local body shop.
It is Awesome when you rather wish you lived in the neighborhood so you could give them your car every now and then.
They clearly rock.

Love this place, despite the cheesy name and the fact that it’s a chain/​franchise.
I drove my car to CA from NY, so it was in need of some TLC by the time I made it out West. I came here for an oil change and tire rotation, both of which were fast, easy, and well priced. The owner also suggested I change my air filter, after having driven cross-​country through the desert, etc., and even showed me my air filter to prove how dirty it was before I ok’d the service.
They have a shuttle in case you need to leave your car (the owner even offered to let me *drive* it to my house in case there was no one around to drive me to where I needed to go), they also have a computer with internet in the waiting area to amuse yourself while you wait.
They don’t balance tires (they don’t have the technology), but they have a deal with Midas which is next door. The owner drove my car into Midas for me while I waited, and was able to get me a pretty good deal.
I went back recently because I thought they also did body work (I had a few scratches so I wanted an estimate), and although they could have easily just sent me on my way, one of the mechanics took the time to look at the scratches, see if one of his guys could buff some of it out, and recommended a place to go for body work.

In the east bay area, this is the auto mechanic I trust. The manager’s name is Liew.
Car inspections are $ 75, and completed in about an hour. They’re very thorough and will walk u thru all details. Patiently explaining any important issues or concerns they might have with future car problems.
They also have reasonable rates for regular maintenance, oil change, etc. Otherwise the hourly rate is currently $ 95. I got really great friendly service.
If u want to eat something while u wait, there’s a Mexican restaurant next door or Popeye’s fried chicken at the corner of the next block.

I’m obsessed with this place. Midas was all booked up for the day so I hopped over to Purrfect since I read such great reviews here on Unilocal.I got the standard oil change and had my tires rotated for only $ 30! To top it off I asked about my breaks and getting a maintenance (my car hit 30k miles) and they went above and beyond to make sure I knew what was going on with my car and what I did and didn’t need. They even went so far as to take off my wheels –AGAIN– just to be even more thorough about my squeaky breaks.
I loved that Liew wasn’t out to «cheat me» like many mechanics/​auto places are and just wanted to give great and honest service– something that’s hard to come by these days. I will definitely be back for any oil changes, maintenance, and anything else I ever need for my baby Altima.

VAT EES THIS?! Only 28 reviews?
They are the bomb. They’re like my extended family. They care for me, nurture me, serve me water and internet –both necessities dangit– and most of all, take care of my baby’s baby, his car.
Oil change $ 30
Car maintenance $ 49
Replacement air filter $ 20
But what did HE have to pay? Only $ 50.
My Purrfect family decided «you know what, this maintenance thing was an easy fix, ya know? so we’re only going to charge for the replacement part, not for the maintenance check itself.» After which the owner remarked, «Now you can write about this on Unilocal.»
*ponder ponder*
Erm yeah… might have been a plus that we mentioned we found out about this place on Unilocal and would write a review on it too…
Yay for incentives! Now… if only Unilocal Elites had a t-shirt…oHoHo.

OK GUYS. OR GIRLS. Or whoever. If you’re looking to get an oil change or any light maintenance done, STOP RIGHT NOW. I –mean– it. STOP. I see you over there. STOP typing. Don’t do it, buddy. STOP moving that mouse, pal. STOP breathing, friend. Ok, maybe not that. But seriously. This place is where you WILL go. You are passing up on too much awesomeness if you decide otherwise.
Amongst all the huge-​mongous mess of auto shops that litter San Pablo Ave, this place is probably the only place i’ll ever return to. I came here for a routine oil change ($ 30 by the way for a incredibly quick, easy, and painless experience). The check engine/​maintenance light was also screaming at me from the dash, so I asked to get that checked out too. The diagnostic usually costs ~$ 50, but if you get the work done on location, the amount is waived. I thought, what the hell, and opted to get it done here. I had enough time staring at that stupid light and trust my fellow Unilocalers on here.
Out we go to the car to get some basic information. He lets me know about the options for motor oil I had and that honestly, my car can actually get by easily using the cheaper stuff. Awesome. On my way out, he reminds me if I need to get my brakes checked or tires rotated (included in the service by the way). I actually needed to do both but had forgotten about them. Double awesome.
They estimated somewhere around 40 – 45 minutes for the oil change, tire rotation, engine diagnostic, etc. They did it all in 25. Triple awesome. It turned out that the problem was that during my last oil change (at some other San Pablo Ave location), they forgot to reset the sensor that was making the light go off before. They said it would be really stupid to charge me just to reset it, so no charge! Quadruple awesome. In the process, they suggested I change my air filter (which I honestly don’t even remember how long ago I changed it, its been that long) and showed me the old one. NASTY. Didn’t think twice about getting a new one.
As with all auto shops, I’m skeptical of the bullshit (pardon my language) they might put me through for their profit. Not here. Fast service, complete honesty, and GREAT customer service. Plus, they have free complementary internet access there which you can use while you wait. Quintuple (?) awesome. I think that makes 5 awesomes = 5 stars.

I dropped in here on a Friday morning to get a quick oil change. They had room for my car and went to work right away.
During the course of the oil change, the manager had me come into the shop to check out an oil leak. He was concerned that it could be a part that needed replacement, but told me he’d have the technician clean everything off, replace the oil, and run the car to figure out the source of the leak. Ten minutes later he came back to me to let me know that the problem was that the last people to change my oil didn’t tighten the filter enough. It was great news because nothing was wrong with my car and even better, they were being honest and helpful! They also didn’t charge me for checking on the leak.
All in all, I was in and out in about 15 minutes. Friendly, honest, and quick service. Decent price too-​$ 35 for a 3.0L engine. I will be back.

$ 30 oil change + top off all fluids.
I always get my oil change done here, their service is quick and easy. They even have a computer for customers to browse the internet on during the wait.
Highly recommend.

I took my girlfriend’s Scion tC to Purrfect for an oil change and a lookover before we went on a road trip to southern California. Liew was incredibly friendly, and it cost me a mere $ 25 for a filter, change, and have everything else looked over.
While doing the change, he noticed that the transmission fluid was black. We looked through her service records and found that it had never been changed in almost 70,000 miles! Purrfect is the first shop to ever notice that this needed to be done. I returned the next week to have it done, and they were quick, friendly, and the car drives like new!
Liew and his staff are excellent, and I will continue to take my girlfriend’s car here.