CVS--Carmichael’s Volvo, VW, & Audi Service

You know those mechanics your parents warned you about? This is that shop. This place is buyer beware. They charge you for their time, not for the job, and they break more stuff than they fix, and oh yeah, still not fixed. BEWARE. Zero stars. This place has no clue what they are doing and will make you pay through your teeth for it, after they kick in your teeth. I WILL be lodging a formal complaint with the bureau of automotive repair (BAR) here in California. They are sheisters of the highest order.
Read my engine codes, said had some misfires and an odd starting issue. Took it in to have them figure out what was going on. 110 to diagnose, figuring that would go towards doing the work too like every other shop, not a chance! They told me I also had a leak in my gas line, but didn’t bother to find out where. For 110, I expect way better than reading the codes which I already did. Nothing my code reader didn’t tell me.
Had to replace a simple engine coolant temperature sensor. Takes about 30 seconds since it sits on top of engine and it plugs and unplug easier than an iPhone. But, also needed new thermostat or replacing sensor doesn’t do anything. Again, simple job. Looked it up on YouTube to see how hard it was, 15 minutes, less than 30 in parts. However, in all the instructions, it said be careful when removing thermostat, parts behind it are delicate and break easily. So I asked how much: 90 minutes at 110 an hour. I balked, but decided I needed an expert to get it done right. Bad decision on my part.
I come by the next day to pick up, they say not done, AND they WONT replace thermostat because bolt is too tight. How about they do just the sensor for 160, they ask (lol, for the 30 second replace part!) I told them no. Finish the job I am paying them to do. Surprise surprise, he wants 55 to remove the bolt and finish the job. Again, I balk. He explains it is locked and they cannot proceed until they drill it out etc. Told him fine, make it happen.
Well guess what, they got the bolt out, and while they were at it, they not only dislodged the gasket behind it, they may have cracked the housing too. Yep, they SURE did. Not only that, but they wanted to give it back to me like that, with a leak I didn’t have when I went in with! When I asked how much for the thing they broke and why they were not taking care of it since THEY broke it… Another 90 minutes at 110, even though it’s a 20 minute job now that they were already in there.
I wait a day to consult my legal options against this obviously fraudulent shop. Exasperated and realizing that they could break something else if I was not polite to them, since their liability is ZERO according to the back of the work order I signed at inspection, I had to play ball if I wanted a working car this year… oh boy… He told me he would give me part for free, but 90 minutes labor. After inspecting the bolts, I felt I had no choice but to agree since I could no longer get it to another, more competent shop without paying the same to a tow truck driver.
Not only did they not give me the part for free that he said he would, but they charged me extra for the bolts they destroyed. Don’t that beat all.
600 to replace a sensor, that they themselves busted while «fixing» it, that I could have and should have spent an hour and some patience with the bolts, doing myself. 500 of that labor at 110 an hour, 4+ hours work, 30 minute job… Sound like an honest shop to you?
WAY better shop on Fulton, who, despite overcharging for things, at least doesn’t break more than they fix. Avoid SVS of Carmichael like the plague. They exist to rob you.
I was thinking this was an easy job to see if they were more honest than the other place. Needless no say, this is the least honest business I have ever dealt with, bar none.
If you think I exaggerate, then, by all means, have them «fix» something for you. You will find out, you would have been better off covering it in gasoline and roasting some marshmallows (or hey, grabbing a chiltons repair manual and doing it yourself) than letting them touch your car (they charge $ 110 to touch your car for you, «fixing» is extra!). They are THAT shop…

I have taken my Volvo to Julian on several occasions for repairs and oil changes. Every time I found him honest and fairly priced. He takes the time to explain and show you what is wrong with your car. I have never felt like I was being sold or swindled. I will continue to take my car here for service and repairs.

I love this Volvo service place. Julian is honest and price is very reasonable. Another Volvo place told me that I needed an expensive part replaced ASAP, Julian @ CVS Volvo looked at it and told me that there is no rush. After getting overcharged from SVS Volvo and Dealers, I really trust these guys.

This is the most awesome repair shop! I made the noise over the phone that my Volvo was making, and Julian immediately knew what the problem was. He repaired it for a very reasonable price. One time, I brought it in asking to replace a part, and he looked it over and told me the part was fine. He could have made a lot of money replacing a part that did not need replacing, but he is WAY too honest! I will never go anywhere else!
Patricia from Orangevale

WORST EXPERIENCE EVER.
My car stalled intermittently. I paid $ 100 for a diagnostic. Told me my MAS was bad so had to pay several hundred to fix that. My car continued to stall. Took it back to them. They charged another $ 100. Told me my spark plugs were bad. Charged me $ 45 to replace them but said they were doing the labor for free. $ 45 for spark plugs??? Really??? $ 9 a spark plug??? WOW…
Still, my car continues to stall. So, several hundred dollars later my car still has the same problem I took it to them for. I told them that they keep charging me diagnostic fees but they don’t find or fix the problem. They said to bring it in for another diagnostic fee and they’ll keep looking.
I was talking to another Volvo owner who took their car to them and they complained about the same thing. They said they took their car to them 3x and they fixed everything except what was wrong with the car.
Just another typical dishonest mechanic. Paying their bills by making it hard for you to pay yours.

Always HONEST and trustworthy! Best Volvo service around :)

Excellent service, honest and knows what he is doing with your Volvo. Prices are good and he doesn’t rip you off with unnecessary work that needs to be done so I will add trustworthy. We will definitely be taking our Volvo back for service from Julian.

Julian the owner is very trust worthy. He lets you know what you need right away & what you can wait on.
We have been going to him for eight years w our volvo & we are very satisfied w their service.
Wish they were open on Sat. but you can’t have everything.
Jonathan is also very honest & knowledgeable about volvos.
If you own a used Volvo you know that you will be dropping a few bucks every time you see the mechanic– I recommend you seek CVS out as they will make sure all of the work is necessary.

I am very happy with the service that I have received from CVS. We purchased a used Volvo three years ago. When first purchased we took the car to Turner Volvo. I often thought I was being sold unnecessary service using some scare tactics (but if you need to go here, make sure you see Marty), and being a dealership — charged an arm and a leg.
Finding CVS has been fantastic. They are not pushy about services, and will be upfront if they feel that there is something that can easily wait, or if it should be done sooner rather than later.
They seem like very trustworthy guys, and I will be taking our Volvo there as long as we own it. After initially thinking that our Volvo was the worlds worst puchase (after the first year), we are now quite happy with our car and the service we are receiving.