Murray’s Auto Clinic

I am a total procrastinator, and waited until the last minute to get my plates switched over from DC to Maryland. These guys are conveniently located down the street from a DMV, and it was easy to call and make an appointment for the State Car Inspection for the next morning. When I came in to drop off my car, they were nice enough to let me use their Wifi so that I could get work done while I waited. The two small issues on my inspection (a loose connection and an obstructed mirror) were taken care of for me during the actual inspection, which was very nice of them. I had a very positive experience, and would definitely come back with future car needs.
Oh, and after I finished up at the DMV I stopped back by to see if they’d be willing to change my tags over, and they did so immediately and without charging me anything, which was unexpected. Two thumbs up!

I have been going to Murray’s for at more than 20 years and have recommended them to many of my friends and co-​workers. They are so honest I have never had a concern taking any car there. As a single female who knows nothing about cars they have been a God send, a repair shop you can trust. Dennis and Chief are terrific. They have kept every car I have had humming along. They tell me if I can wait to replace a part but give me a head’s up that I will soon need new tires or my brakes worked on, etc. They are the best and everyone I have sent to them are still taking their cars to Murray’s.

Being from NYC metro area, there are tons of places to get a flat fixed, plugged, or even a used tire. They remove the entire wheel, diagnose the issue, fix it, have you out the door in less than 30 minutes and only charge $ 5 to patch it up, a little more for something bigger, but they are super reasonable.
With that said, I was charged $ 17 for a plugged tire at this place. REALLY!!! I saw the negative Unilocal reviews before I drove there but it was open at 7am, super close to where I live, and I figured a plugged tire couldn’t possibly be that much… well it was. The people were extremely nice, especially the guy who plugged my tire.

BEWARE! Do not trust! I took my car there to have emissions repaired to pass state test. First impression: person behind counter engaged in non-​work related conversation for 4 minutes with a non– customer before acknowledging my presence. Then, as if interrupted from his daily routine — he grumpily (yes, grumpily) checked my car in. I asked when to expect a call regarding the diagnostics and price (boy, I wish I hadn’t mentioned a 1PM appointment). I received my call around 3:40PM — explaining the results of the diagnostic test and cost.
My car was finished after 5PM. Cost more than anticipated, but I didn’t dispute. Besides, my car is fine now, right? I was told to drive it at least 100 miles before returning for an emissions test. Before I could drive the 100 miles, my engine started having problems. I called back and explained that now the engine runs funny, and that I hadn’t driven 100 miles since I drove away with their «clean bill of health.» I was told to bring the car back in for another diagnostic test!
This time a very quick diagnostic and call. First, another $ 100+ for a diagnostic fee (I paid this fee just 2 weeks ago). And, I guess that the initial visit wasn’t insulting enough — this time the guy suggested that I misled him my initial visit (Note: I’m no mechanic — I handed him the report from the emissions station, and asked him to fix my car), thats why I had to pay again. With a $ 1500 diagnosis this time (and almost $ 500 before), along with feeling disrespected, I had enough.
Rather than this trial-​and-​error garage, a visit to Google helped me determine what was wrong (for free!). Youtube helped me resolve the issue for under $ 300. This place has plenty of trophies. A friend told me that he used to work at a car dealership where the highly awarded service team obtained them because they brought in the most money per car. This place will take your money without fixing your car. I consider this as being dishonest.

My wife and I have been customers at the Silver Spring Murray’s for 15 years, and they are as trustworthy and reliable an establishment as you’ll find. Occasionally they’ll get something wrong, but they will acknowledge and take care of it. They are very consistent in discouraging unneeded repairs; they’ve got plenty of business based on their reputation and are not looking to take unfair advantage of their customers.
They do use after-​market parts, as I imagine most car-​repair shops do. If an insurance company is paying for a repair, make sure to ask them to use brand-​name parts and charge the insurance company accordingly.

Off the bat I’ll say I think Murray’s does good work that is mostly priced fairly. Have no idea where they get replacements parts from, but that’s where it hits you in a BIG BAD way. I had a dispute with them that was very unsatisfactorily resolved, which is to say not resolved at all. Repairs caused a problem, they aren’t willing to resolve. And then tried to give me a runaround with a crazy analogy. Granted maybe they thought they could because they just bent me over on the total price of the work I just had done (agreed to the costly repairs because it was a time sensitive situation), but it’s not like I don’t know a thing or two about auto work.
Well wallet much lighter, still some car problems, but lesson learned.

Too expensive and did not really fix my problem. Went there as my car had a check engine light and the technician at the VEIP center nearby recommended it. They charge 100 for diagnosing the problem; and although the estimate seemed high, wanted to get the problem fixed and was impressed by the recommendation (should have been suspicious). After fixing, in 2 weeks the check engine light came back onagain. Service manager said that they would charge me another 100 to re-​diagnose the problem as my check engine light may have been on for a long time. Did not want to go back there. It seems they charged extra by fixing things that really did not need fixing for solving the check engine problem.

Maybe they try to rip off everyone or maybe they go after females, either way they tried to tell me that an AC compressor for a ’97 Honda Accord cost $ 850. I researched the part and found that even at the high end it would only cost $ 300. I CAN’T believe they would even attempt to raise the price that much. I would recommend you research the parts they tell you you need before you allow them to go ahead with any repairs, because chances are they are going to over charge you an excessive amount. I’m never going back to Murray’s.