Advanced Auto Services

After moving here in Sept. 2011, I looked around the Monument/​Detroit area at different auto shops. I found Charlie and Advanced Auto Services when I went to a neighboring auto shop around 9 A.M. to find they were still closed and nobody was there. Charlie was actually reluctant to help me at first because I said I had gone to the other place, but I assured him that I wasn’t married to the other place. His prices were much cheaper and he educated me on the difference between his shop and the other and why his was cheaper. It was because he’s got the special tools that some of those other little shops don’t have. For example, he can machine the rotors, whereas the other place would have to completely replace them because they don’t have the equipment to machine them. Anyway, I’ve been going to Charlie ever since.
Charlie always gives you the truth, no matter if it’s which day of the week is best to stop by or about car problems. He always gives you all of the options, from the cheaper after-​market stuff made in China to the more expensive dealer parts, and lets you make the decision about what to put in your car.
Sometimes his daughter, Sophia, helps out with the place, making appointments, check-​in, answering phones, etc. Both Charlie and Sophia are very nice and knowledgeable. They will explain everything to you.
I’m very happy with my mechanic. Can you say the same thing about yours?

There’s usually only two reasons I drive to the bay: food and Giants games. Welp, Advanced Auto Care is now my third.
My 2012 Prius was experiencing some «clicking» noises from the front passenger wheel. Forum members advised immediate CV joint replacement before some serious injury could occur. After being burned from local shops one too many times, several friends recommended this Concord shop.
Sophia and Charlie were able to help me upon arrival. They took the car for a test drive and a few minutes later they told me my car was fixed. It ends up my Prius only had a few screws loose (like the owner apparently) on the control arm. They could’ve easily charged me an arm and a leg but instead they ended up saving me hundreds of dollars thanks to their honesty!
Well worth the hour and a half trek to Concord. Cheers to one of the last honest auto repair shops!

I have had Charlie work on my Mercedes for years. He does all the maintenance and has also done some repairs for me. He is honest and very talented when it comes to figuring out something that is an unusual repair. He has saved me so much money through out the years. He is the most honest mechanic I have ever met. I recommend him so highly to all my frinds.
Sally Richards
Lafayette

By far the best shop I’ve been to. ¹⁰⁄₁₀ in both the service and on the staff. I honestly never imagined I would be able to ever trust a shop… Especially knowing how money hungry they all are. I’ve been to too many and have been disappointed at every one of them. Some fix the problems that you specifically asked them to fix, and some totally misunderstand (or act like they didn’t understand) and fix the complete opposite of what the problem is or what they THINK it is so you would come back for what should have been done in the first place. I hate shops to be honest. But this one, is by far the most honest shop I’ve ever been into. If you’re there for something and don’t clearly understand what’s Bering done to your car, they’ll break It down for you so you would know for sure you’re getting what your money is worth. The level of hospitality they have towards their customers is unexplainable. They’ll fix every problem your car has that YOU tell them to unlike other shops that will fix one problem, then try to fix more problems without your consent then let you know once your credit card is out. They use genuine parts and not some cheap parts some shops get for cost them charge you 3 folds. I can go on about how great this shop is but I can only say so much. You just have to experience it yourself so for your next oil change or service, hell, even if you need a small screw checked out, head straight here. You wouldn’t need to stress over what shop to go to every service ever again.

I’m almost a bit hesitant to write this review as finding a trustworthy and awesome mechanic is a bit like finding a unicorn and who wants to share that? I want to keep it for myself! Well I guess I should start looking for a unicorn now…
Charlie runs this business and told me he’s been a mechanic for many years. He was able to diagnose my car’s problem quickly and the estimate for the repairs was more than fair. He uses quality parts, in part because they’re good for you, but also because they’re good for business: you not having auto problems means you tell your friends how good service was.
I showed up to pick up my car the next day and he gave me a run down of the problems and how they were fixed. I’ve been driving the car about a week now after the repairs and it runs great.
I plan to take my car back to Charlie for my standard tune ups and well, pretty much all future work.