McCully Union Service

Two weeks ago I came back to Oahu after being off island for about a month. After the first few days back I noticed my car was driving kind of funny and the throttle emission warning light on my car turned on for a while on my way back home from work. So the first thing the next morning I went to Kapahulu Auto Repair. They inspected my car and did a driving test on it and told me nothing was wrong. & it was probably driving weird since I hadn’t touched it in a month and it was still adjusting to me driving it around everywhere all the time. Since then the throttle emission light hasn’t turned on and my car has been driving smoothly. They also informed me about how my safety check was super expired.
I had to go to McCully Union Service for a safety check yesterday because Kapahulu Auto repair has been hella busy lately. I thought I would try this place since its closest to where I live and their main service is for safety checks. The mechanic that attempted to do my safety check let two other people cut in front of me. When it was my turn he kept on apologizing for the wait. In the middle of the safety check when he told me to turn my wheel he said my tire was at the end of it’s life. I didn’t have the right insurance papers to let them fix my car, but I’m glad I didn’t bc I would have paid for a tire change I didn’t need!
The mechanic guy was polite, I guess. He put a lot of effort making a map for me to locate the Geico offices so I could get the right insurance papers… They texted me later and told me I would have to pay $ 250 for two front tires including taxes and labor… which sounded like a good deal… Or not I know nothing about cars. But when I checked out their website I noticed they only do minor stuff, and advertised that they specialize in ‘tire sales and repairs’. So I decided that I should take my safety check services elsewhere.
Today I went to Palolo Auto Service and had a much better experience getting my safety check updated. It took about 5 minutes to update my safety check compared to the hour I spent almost getting ripped off at McCully Union Service…

Took my car here to get oil change and have a belt replaced. Synthetic oil change was about $ 15 cheaper than jiffy lube. Charles is the owner and he’s a cool guy, down to earth and he cares about his customers and the service he provides. Had a little unexpected event happen when my car was done being serviced but Charles was apologetic, realistic about the situation and compensated me for the inconvenience. Bottom line is the prices are good ($ 20 for a safety check) the guys who work there are good guys, they are honest and will take care of your car

***RIP-​OFF ALERT***
I should have read negative reviews posted here. They sound very believable based on my personal experience. Technicians here may be friendly in the beginning but please be careful. It’s all because they are trying to rip you off as much as they can. They examined my car and they explained that they needed to do this and that to check the core problem. They can only repair MINOR issues and they ABANDON when things are beyond their ability. Long story short, they couldn’t fix my car at all. Not only that, now I have to junk my car and furthermore they charged me nearly $ 900. The worst part is they didn’t even warn me the car was in the critical condition and my car got stuck in the middle of the road on the way home. All they care about is earn extra money from you, NOT YOUR SAFETY! Stay away from this place!

These guys are service gurus that just happen to work at a garage. There was a line, but they managed it well, kept everyone updated and moved the line right along for safety check. Carlin and Charles were hustling! They were even sure to offer any other available services. I will be back!

Good place

Great experience from start to finish. I had to get a safety check so I called and asked if I needed an appointment. He politely told me its first come first serve and to come on in. I got there and they were able to take me in immediately. The technician was fast, knowledgable and made it an easy process. Unfortunately, I only had the printed version of my car insurance and needed the real one from Geico. They were so nice and told me how to get to the Geico office and to come right back. I got back and he processed everything right away. I was thoroughly impressed how kind and helpful they were. He even took time to scrap off the old stickers, clean the area and put the new one on. It’s the little things that make a chore easy and awesome! I love supporting small businesses and this place is great! Highly recommend this place!

Excellent, excellent customer service in this family owned business. Glad I stumbled onto this place for my safety inspection. The service was impeccable and Carlin’s service and personality reminded me that there is still good old local Aloha on this island. I have never enjoyed getting my safety inspection as much as I did on the day I visited this location. Kudos for the A+ experience!

Carlin from the McCully Union Service was great! Carlin was helpful and very joyful! The line was expected but the customer service was the best I had gotten from a car servicing place in a while. I had to get a car inspection and it was done in about 5−10minutes. Choose McCully’s over Jiffy Lube!

So happy I found this place! Carlin and Charles are awesome! Needed to get my safety inspection done before registering my vehicle at the DMV and i’m so happy I took it to Union Service. When I pulled up the lot was packed! I already dreaded being there thinking that I would have to wait at least an hour, minimum, but Charles informed me within 5 minutes that I should be in and out within 20mins. I had passed and left within 15 minutes ;) Carlin is amazing, I didn’t even have to get out of my car to process the payment, he ran to the office, charged it, ran right back to me with the receipt. He even informed me that the Ala Moana DMV didn’t have too much of a wait at the time and recommended I go. Needless to say they exceeded my expectations!
** dont forget you need your registration and insurance card :)
they accept credit and cash!
Thanks guys!

Theme of the Month of September — Trying Something New: Safety Check
Soooo… I was a bad girl n didn’t get my safety check done in time which therefore put me behind on my registration. 12 days after it expired, I got a ticket for both expired safety check n registration… $ 70 each BTW. So with my upcoming family reunion n possibly needing to get on base or anywhere, for that matter, without always needing to look behind me for blue lights… I finally got it done!
I want to first say, in my defense, that I attempted to get my safety check twice before it expired at the Chevron on Nuuanu as it sooo close to my job. I was turned down the first time because my tires were bald. Got new tires. Because I can b a little prideful, I went back to Chevron… Even though I knew they werent gonna remember me, it was jus to put my conscience at ease. Then got turned down again from them as I didn’t have my actual insurance cards (they didn’t come in thru mail yet) but I had them on my phone thru my Geico App. Well I got told that they couldnt use the app because they needed to take a picture of it. Then without even saying one other peep or even giving me the opportunity to question or respond, he turns around n leaves. Kinda rude! Sooo… To my defense, I did try.
So I normally go to Jiffy Lube n they only do appointments now =(called around n other places were by appointment only or open after 9 or 10. I remembered that I went to the 76 on king (moiliili) before n called. The guy who answered referred me to the McCully Union Service on Beretania. They’re open from 7am!!! N since it was 7:30 when I called, it was a win win for me.
Location. McCully Union Service is located across from Casablanca Wedding Gowns on Beretania, right before Mini Garden on the left hand side.
Service. I came n was greeted by the famous Carlin. Super friendly guy that told me how n where I should wait. Carlin told me not to worry, as I did seem a little anxious, n reassured me that it was his job to do the work. He quickly went from each side of the car like a stealth ninja while calling out what he wanted me to do… «Right blinker» «left blinker» «horn»… U know the drill. After checking everything, he informed me that I needed to change my battery and that I may have a possible leak in my axel on the right side. He prioritized things for me all while doing what he needed to do on his iPad. I never had to leave the comfort of my own car as he even processed my payment for me. He cleaned up the white gunky sticker stuff from my bumper n made it all nice n pretty. He reassured me to jus relax n let him worry about things as he «loves helping people» =) he was very helpful n apologetic for the line (as it was busy!) as well as thankful for coming to patron their garage.
As another Unilocaler mentioned, it’s awesome to have such service n I can agree that it’s a «breath of fresh air» to have people who actually care as Carlin does at McCully Union Service… Go check him out!!!

The service here is awesome and the owner Charles is very personable. I’ve had my car inspected and had a safety check done; both of which were pleasant experiences. I recommend this place because of its convenient location and courteous staff!

The Best Service Ever! Super nice people! Owner Charles helped us. He was so nice, funny and polite.
The owner was answering phones and talking with staff and working on my car and others. Very quick with service but had time to talk and laugh through it all.
I went in because my car was making a noise. He explained what it could be and checked everything. I needed an oil change and he found that my oil was at 0!!! Empty! Like sludge, not oil. He put in a cleaner and a lot of oil. The noise went away and we laugh and made jokes. Lol! The last time I did anything with the oil, it was in 2013! Oops!
We sat in our AC car during the service. I also felt bad because we were eating ONO Hawaiian food in front of them.
So happy to found an honest place to take my car. Come and experience excellent service! Also we called the day of and got in and out fast. Love it!

Needed to get a safety check but lately this is getting to be a hassle! Anyway called McCully union (gas station) and i was referred to their shop on Beretania. Carlin, the techician was very busy but took the time to pop my bumper inplace, checked everything but informed me that the front tires were BALD! Strongly suggested i get new tires and come back!
I was impressed with the service and concern that was shown me.
Probably because cunsumers are more likely to be treated with POOR or just as bad INDIFFERENT service! Not here. Will return for other car things!
The reason why Carlin (and the station) impressed me was I just left a bookstore at Ala Moana where the cashiers treated a long line of customers by barking «NEXT», not even «next inl-​line» but just yelling out next!
So good service or concerned service is a breath of fresh air!

Used to go their gas station side for my safety checks for the past 8 years and always passed. They stopped doing the checks at the Gas Station but I knew from that side that they had this garage here on beretania street so decided to go there.
All I can say is, the guy that I talked to was very polite to me, that was about it (A+ for that part). He really couldn’t find anything wrong with the vehicle except for nitpicking, like 2 tires are almost at the wear indicators and a leak on the valve cover, again something wasn’t right, never seen an inspection like this before and I am a mechanic and know the business for over 35+ years. Massive oil leak yes, very light seepage, not really, depends on oil leakage and not small amount of blowby for the past 15 years of running.
Didn’t grumble as I could sense something wasn’t right and just decided to go to another place where they did actually drove my car and test the brakes and went over it with a fine tooth comb and passed it without any safety problems which I knew I didn’t have any. The car itself proved what the condition it was in.
What I was rejected on was something that shouldn’t had been a reason, close to the wear indicators on 2 tires, isn’t on them yet? The tires are suppose to be judged at the time of the inspection and not down the road in the future? Although I could see that there was still enough meat on the tires to not even say that (I have 5 years working in a tire shop also). Valve cover leak, so minor, don’t use even 2 oz’s of oil if that in 5 months and don’t even leave a drop on the ground until maybe a month (a drop if that). Full synthetic oils will leak easier than a petroleum based oil and on a 15 year old car, I say that’s very damn good.
Something was wrong that day as I say, you could sense it but the guy was polite to me and fail others before me also, so I was polite and knew just go somewhere else and get it passed which I did and that was a fuller inspection with a short drive also. I ordered my own complete valve cover gasket set the other day since I wanted to look inside the valve cover one day in the future and was aware of the blow by a little, so I will change that out myself when I have the time. It’s a very simple job so I will have an idea how the top of the valve train looks like after 15 years and to check my timing chain upper guide with the rubber pad for wear, I only have 65,000 miles on the vehicle, so it still runs like a gem.
As I was saying, I worked in garages in the 70’s to the 90’s and worked outside after that. my family also have their ASE certifications (mostly book work) but they did move to Oregon for better jobs in the repair industry being heavy equipment mechanics.
Done many inspections back in the day and also PUC inspections, so again, I could sense something was up but not with my car. My car probably runs better than most of the cars out there that are only 7 or 8 years old or half of what mines is and looks better than most of them also at that age.
Well enough said, not a repeat customer anymore because I really don’t like a place that does fishing around type of inspections and then give reasons that really don’t have merit to them? When you sense something is wrong, you’re probably right and it’s better to leave as I did. My father never practice this type of customer service with his repair shop in the Kakaako area side and I guess that’s why he had all the repeat customers. I was brought up with the same principles and morals.

I’ve never been treated with so little empathy.
I was 6 blocks away and my car overheated in the middle of the street.
I managed to push my car a block to a safe parking spot before I started to walk toward this shop and when I arrived drenched in sweat I was ignored for half an hour as a shop technician talked with his friend.
I politely tried to get the guys attention but he was willfully ignoring me so I eventually popped my head inside the shop where a man and a woman were working on a car.
I asked if they had time or space to take in my PT Cruiser (Yes I know it’s a silly car.) And the two laughed right in my face. «Sorry… we don’t fix those.» Then they laughed again and turned their backs to me.
I’m sure I looked a little dejected and to console me the guy just said «The engine is just too hard to get to. I’d throw the car away.»
Thank you.
You’ll be glad to hear that Kaimuki Auto was happy to take my $ 700 bucks for the repair.
So rude.

Just had my safety check done this morning. There was 2 cars ahead of me so I had the time to observe & let me tell you, these guys take their job seriously. Very professional yet approachable. The safety check itself wasn’t more than 5 minutes however the wait time was longer, but seeing their professionalism, I didn’t mind at all. My car is good for another year! And best of all, the old sticker was taken off with care

I stopped by Jiffy Lube to get a new safety check today and was told that we are now required to make an appointment. Apparently Jiffy Lube has been cited twice for issuing too many safety checks in a day, so they no long do drive-​in checks.
Needing to find another place, I used
to locate another safety check station. Unilocal came through for me. It showed me McCully Union which was just a couple of blocks away.
Wen I called a nice young man answered and told me I could just come in, so a few seconds later, I was there.
Charles came out and did the safety check for me. He was very polite and professional… I will be using them from now on for all of my safety checks!
Thank you Charles!

While I was at the Island Club this morning, some very thoughtful person left a note on my car saying my safety check was expired. I couldn’t believe it because as part of my current job I actually check about 20 applicant’s cars every week for their registration, safety check, and other things. My safety check was over four months expired.
I headed to my usual place, McCully Union Service, and the friendly staff conducted a fast and efficient safety check in about 10 minutes. They were were very amused by the note that someone left on my car. Their parking is very congested and they are a little hard to find but they are strongly recommended for their superior service.
I plan to return! Be sure to check in and use the Unilocal check-​in offer for a FREE fluids top-​off and tire pressure check offer.

While parked and waiting in a ridiculously long line at the 76 Station for a safety check (on 12^th & Harding), I checked my email and saw that the Gina, the owner of McCully Union Service, had responded to my email inquiry.
As soon as I read that no appointment was needed and that they were even open on new year’s eve, I was sold.
I put my car in reversed and headed right on down to McCully Union Service on South Beretania.
— Open Mon-​Fri, 7:30am-5pm. Closed on the weekends.
— Located on the left hand side of South Beretania, across from Casablanca bridal boutique.
— Safety check inspection cost $ 25.33: I gave them $ 30 total, he deserved it.
When I arrived, there was no car before me. Owner Charles ran right out and started inspecting my car immediately.
No wait, no lines. This has to be the fastest service by far!
— When I checked my Unilocal check-​in, I saw that only 8 mins had past, by then I was already gone and passing the Humane Society on South King.
–My safety check inspection took no more than 5 mins! How freakin’ awesome is that?!
Don’t forget to check in on Unilocal for a free «hood and tire pressure check»!
Thanks Charles and Gina, you guys are the best!

This Business is fantastic!
I needed a Vehicle safety check and they got me in and out in 10 mins or less.
Of course they didn’t find any problems or it would have taken longer.
Super happy!