Auto-Tec (Campbell, CA) Mechanic(s): Tony, Tuan
2885 Winchester Blvd. - #A , Campbell, CA 95008 408-866-8366
Features and Specialties:

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Survey results:

They are always honest
They are competent
The repair price is always reasonable
They fix the problem the first time
They complete the work in a timely manner
They respond well when they screw something up
They take the time to explain the problems and necessary repairs
The shop is located in a safe neighborhood
The hours of operation are convenient for customers
They treat male and female customers in the same manner
They are near public transportation (or provide loaners, shuttle bus, rides as needed)

Reviewers Comments:

This place is wonderful for owners of Japanese cars. Tony always comes in under estimate, and it's always done on time. Ann, who answers the phone, gives me a ride to work if I need it; I work in Los Gatos. I am never talked down to because I'm female. I have been happy--heck, ecstatic--in all the years I've gone there. They never, never, never try to blow something past me. I LOVE THIS PLACE!

Same as before

I have had almost all of the work on my '87 Maxima done at Auto-tec, and have overall been very happy with the service. They have always been very honest and never overcharged or tried to repair anything that wasn't necessary. A couple times the work that was done failed immediately (once was clearly not their fault); they promptly repaired it at no cost. I strongly recommend them.

I thought I had a starter problem but both Tony and his wife Anne did not think so because my 95 Toyota Camry had only 80000 miles on it. She said Camry starters last 150000 miles anyway. They said this before even seeing my car. Tony asked : How many clicks when you try to start it? 1 click is the starter, multiple clicks constitute a battery problem. Sure enough it was the battery. They had a new battery in the car in no time. Instead of spending $300 on a starter which I did not need I got a new battery installed for less than a $100.

I'm living in Washington, DC; my son is at school in Silicon Valley and living in Los Gatos. I found this shop via the Cars.com site, and choose it based on their speciality in a variety of Japanese cars and the favorable comments on their work. I was very pleased with my interaction -- both Tony and Tuan (Ann?) were great to work with over the phone. When I called, the car was broken down on US 101 in Mountain View. Tuan recommended a towing service and we got the car towed to their shop. Tony paged me the next business day and we had a detailed discussion about the problems and discussed a plan for the repair (replace radiator, water pump, clutch -- I have had a harder time getting this much discussion with some of my doctors). Tony kept in touch with me during the repair, actually suggesting that the water pump replacement could be postponed as it did not leak after he replaced the radiator and could test the engine at normal operating conditions. (As I was 3000 miles away, I was completely dependent on his telephone description. I had already authorized the pump replacement and I take it as a strong indication of his honesty that he suggested delaying the work.) If I need further work on our Honda I will definitely direct my son to take it to Auto-Tec.

I discovered Auto-Tech through cars.com about a year ago and I have been going back to Tony ever since. I have had great experiences with the level of service I receive from everyone in the shop, and if there is a problem, Tony is quick to fix it. I can depend on Auto-Tech to inform me about the work that is necessary to get my car working safely, with good recommendations for future repair needs.

I was looking for a trust-worthy car mech in the San Jose area. I've been ripped off before. My car is in relatively good shape, just needed a tune up and a few nicknacks fixed. Various points: - Auto-tec was pleasant on the phone. They were happy to be refered to by this web site. - realigned my steering when I did not ask for it :) - was not able to fix my squeeky speedometer but informed me of that and that they had tried several approaches. Happy with the honesty. - I asked about a couple of areas of my truck that a sneeky mechanic could have taken advantage of and tagged on some extra $$ (timing belt, clutch, ) BUT auto-tec did not. Instead he informed me that I had a chain timing belt and that would not need changing. Also tested my clutch and felt that it was grabbing fairly well and to wait for another 30000 to check. - I had a problem with eceleration dragging and suggested that it could have been a clogged fuel filter. They corrected me and found that it was the spark plug electric line (one of them) that had a break and prevented it from firing, thus only 3 fired and degraded the exceleration performance. Again, honest. Very happy and will be going there as long as I'm in this area. Thanks for this web site CAR TALK. :) Thomas

After getting a quote of $600+ to replace my plugs, cables and distrib cap at the Nissan dealer my wife favored, I checked here and found Autotec highly recommended. I had my car towed there. Their est. was $250! After making the repairs the owner notified me of a couple of other ~potential~ problems to look at later. The total price: $250!! My wife picked up the car and was likewise impressed with Autotec. Micah Burke

They have not charged me anything on a few occasions when it was a simple repair. They have solved problems that the dealer repeatedly was unable to fix. I tell all my friends, relatives and coworkers about them because they do such a great job and are so honest.

Found this shop on cartalk and used for scheduled maintenance on my Nissan and Suabru, Easy to work with and very reasonably priced.

They printed out the maintenance schedule of my Subaru so I could see exactly what they would do and itemized the pricing so I could pick and choose if I wanted. Felt very confident in their integrity. I felt that pricing was reflective of skill and did not mind paying a bit more than if I had just taken it to a gas station/auto shop running a deal.

This was by far the most pleasant auto repair experience I've ever had. My Toyota Avalon was not starting regularly (it required an increasing amount of "clicks" of the ignition. Tuon explained the difference between a battery problem and a starter problem, and unfortunately, I needed a new starter. I dropped off the car at 10:30, walked home, and got a call at 1pm, saying it was ready. The estimate was exactly what he quoted, plus tax. I plan to have him do all my Toyota maintenance;honest, fast, reasonable, competent. What more could you want?

This was by far the most pleasant auto repair experience I've ever had. My Toyota Avalon was not starting regularly (it required an increasing amount of "clicks" of the ignition. Tuon explained the difference between a battery problem and a starter problem, and unfortunately, I needed a new starter. I dropped off the car at 10:30, walked home, and got a call at 1pm, saying it was ready. The estimate was exactly what he quoted, plus tax. I plan to have him do all my Toyota maintenance;honest, fast, reasonable, competent. What more could you want?

I found Auto-Tec on the Car Talk website and decided to give them a try after reading all of the positive comments. My 1990 Toyota Corolla (which usually runs great) was running really rough. They determined that the battery was loose and the misfiring was being caused by the battery bumping up against something else. The charge for the diagnostic and repair was reasonable. I also felt that they were very friendly and professional. I plan to have them handle the service on the Corolla (and my wife's 2001 Camry) from now on.

Tony is just a nice friendly and knowledgable guy I feel I can trust, as opposed to the dealerships ....

I found this shop through this site, and I'm very glad I did. I saved a lot of money and time over having the work done at the dealer, and the folks I talked with there are very pleasant. I have a strange problem that the dealer has never heard of and wasn't even trying to solve, and Tony seems to be regarding it as an interesting puzzle that he's going to solve if it kills him. So far I've enjoyed working with them.

I have had my old Acura and our new Nissan Murano repaired here for several years. My initial visit occurred when the Acura dealer recommended $2,000 of work to get rid of several small oil leaks. Auto Tec told me one $85 repair was enough, and it was true. Our new Murano periodic maintenance has been priced at 1/2 of the dealer's price and has been well done. Auto Tec is highly rated on the Bay Area Checkbook surveys (a Bay Area equivalent to Copnsumer's Reports).

I'm very glad we started going to Auto-Tec this year for our '99 Toyota Camry. They are fair & honest, highly competent, and very pleasant to deal with. You can depend on them to differentiate what is necessary to repair, and what can wait. So far we've had two oil changes, a front brake job and a 90K service including new timing belt, water pump & engine seals. At the first oil change, Tony, the owner, also took me for a test drive to discuss my questions about the state of the car. At the brake job, Ann offered to check the fluids for free when she learned we were about to go on a trip. After our 90K service the oil level seemed high; technician Van then showed me the proper way to run the dipstick. Right after our 90K I noticed new engine noise. Auto-Tec solved the problem right away. Also, even though the pulley bearing had deteriorated in a manner impossible to discover during the timing belt work, we were only charged the nominal cost of the part. I highly recommend Auto-Tec.

I was referred to Auto-Tec years and years ago by a coworker. I love dealing with them, and I keep going back. At this point they've worked on something like 6 different cars for me and nursed me through everything from minor nits to major repairs on both Japanese and American vehicles. They are honest to a fault (I've been known to leave them signed, blank checks to fill in when the repair was done), and the work is always done well. In a nutshell, these folks are good. Really good. And they take care of their customers. I'll keep going to them as long as they are around.

I went to Auto-Tec based on their reviews from this site. My check engine light came on over a year ago and my car is up for a smog check. They were great. Easy to drop off. Called and told me what the problem was, how much it would be, and fixed it that day. When I picked the car up they also showed me the broken part, recommended that I drive around a little while before the smog check because of some sensor/computer settings.

Been going to Autotec for years, through several cars...followed them from Los Gatos to Campbell location, even bought a (reliable) car from Tony. Maybe 15 years ago, we found Tony, and started enjoying the luxury of no longer worrying about cars--and we drive older models. He's just completely reliable, competent and honest. And hilarious. I always leave laughing about something. I'm so grateful he's there. I just hate thinking about car problems, and am so glad I don't have to any more. Sometimes I bring Tony donuts but Ann says they're not good for him. I'm trying to think of something more healthy that he would enjoy. If only there were more places in the world like Autotec.

I have been going to Toan/Tony for about 20 years now. I started with him when he had his shop in Los Gatos. He has always without exception treated me fairly, honestly, ethically and honorably. His estimates on repairs invariably have come in at less than what was originally quoted. He explains what the issues are in a clear and concise manner. To find an honest mechanic in this day and age is a rare find indeed. I have recommended him to anyone I know and will continue to do so. Ann, who has been with him as long as I have known him has been very pleasant and friendly in her operations of the front office. They both have become fairly good friends over the years. I will never take my vehicles to anyone but him.

Honest and competent. Give good advice.

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