Arlington Autocare

I brought my Honda Civic to Arlington Autocare on 12÷27÷15 letting them know that there was a rattling noise happening when accelerating. They called on 12÷28÷15 letting me know that I needed new tires, wheel alignment, a fan belt, and transmission fluid change. I assumed that after a thorough check of my car, that their recommendations were what was attributing to the noise. On their recommendation, I agreed to new tires, wheel alignment, and fan belt (all in all a $ 970 change).
When I went to pick up my car on the 28^th, I paid for the services and they brought the car around. When I got in my car, I realized that the noise had not subsided at all. i went back into the office and let them know that the noise was still happening. They put it up on the car lift and found that they had missed the obvious fact that the muffler had become unattached. That, and that alone, was what was causing the noise. This was going to be another $ 250 to replace. So essentially after paying almost $ 1000 on something that did NOT address the problem, now I was going to have to pay another $ 250.
I was not please with the situation/​service and asked to speak with the manager. I was told that the manager was out and that I could contact them on the 31^st to discuss the issue with them. I needed my car back. I was really stuck between a rock and a hard place. I told them to go ahead and fix the problem, but that I planned to reach out to the manager.
I called on ¹²⁄₃₁ and spoke with a manager. He listened to my situation and let me know that he was happy to offer me a free oil change for the inconvenience. I let him know that after paying almost $ 1000 services that did not address/​fix the problem that I had initially brought the car in for, that an offer of a $ 30 oil change was not an acceptable solution for me. He said that he would escalate my situation to the owner of the garage and that I should expect a call.
I waited for over a week and never received a call back from he owner. I actually stopped in the garage on 1÷9÷16 to follow up and was told that I would receive a call later that day. It is now 1÷10÷16 and no one has followed up with me.
The technician at this garage did not do a thorough check on my car, which resulted in $ 970 of unnecessary charges. When trying to escalate this issue, I have received no response. This is unacceptable. I will NOT be visiting this establishment again, and I plan to spread the word on my experience there.

Came in for an emissions and safety inspection. There was one car ahead of me when I arrived and I was there for an hour total including the wait. No complaints about the service of staff but wasn’t expecting it to take so long. $ 28 for emissions and $ 16 for safety inspection.

Such a scam!!! Don’t ever go there. I will let you wait forever so that they can really look for a flaw in your car so it won’t pass inspection. Nothing is wrong with my car but they made up some shit. Never going to that place again safe yourself time and frustration.

I trust Arlington Auto Care so much– I moved here five years ago and have had my routine oil changes with them since I arrived. They never tried to up-​sell me on any services, tell me of any other issues, etc for about four years (until I actually had an issue). Nice guys and fair prices.

Took pickup truck in for safety inspection. They failed it for insufficient light from headlights (I.e., the headlights were dirty). They wanted to charge me $ 220 to clean the headlights. I said no thank you. Used baking soda/​vinegar paste and a rag (thank you you-​tube) to clean the headlights in five minutes for a cost of 49 cents. It then passed inspection. By any metric, $ 220 to clean headlights is a rip off. Had been a loyal customer for two years. Will not be going back.

My low tire pressure light came in on my car last week, and I found Arlington Auto Care when I was looking for a place close to home to get it checked out. I sent them a message through their website about the issue on a Friday afternoon, and they responded immediately saying I could come in and have it checked after work (awesome that they’re open until 8!). I brought my car in around 5:30 and was on my way home by 5:45. They checked my tire pressure and added some air free of charge. Very friendly and efficient service.

Had to purchase a tire and they did a good job on this. It was done pretty quick as well. I would use them again.

Nice place, but no concept of time. Routine inspection that was supposed to take 30 minutes turned into an hour, which turned into an hour and a half. No apology, refund, or acknowledgment that anything went wrong. Stay away.

If you read my Merchant’s review you’ll see why I asked Arlington Autocare to only perform an oil change if it needed one. I think these guys were pretty honest, because if they hadn’t been they simply would have changed the oil and charged me. They also referred me to a dealer for another complicated problem that two other shops couldn’t fix, saying that they didn’t want me to spend any more money on it, them being unsure what the problem was. Honest guys. They performed my emissions inspection quickly and did a great job contacting me when it was done.

I came here for a check engine light issue. They ran some diagnostic tests for 100 dollars and then proceeded to tell me the issue was due to an oxygen sensor. I should mention I got this checked at Advance Auto Parts previously who told me it was the oxygen sensor. I conveyed this knowledge to Arlington Autocare and they told me they still had to run tests… okay, fair. They then fixed the problem and quoted me in total 445 dollars. I said that was outrageously expensive for an oxygen sensor and the labor it takes to fix this (a 20 minute procedure). They reduced my price to 400 dollars. I drive away, no check engine light on. Life is good… or so I think…
As soon as I turn my car off and turn it back on at a new location, the check engine light is back on. Hmm this is interesting. I take it back to Arlington Autocare and they say they will fix it. They then tell me they looked to see what the «codes» were for what was wrong with it and now there is a new code besides oxygen sensor!!! This all took place within a 12 hour timespan. They told me it appears that it is a transmission issue and they must run another diagnostic test, again for 100 dollars. I refuse to pay 100 because they already did this 4 hours ago, so they reduce my total to 50 (it should be free). They told me if it ends up being a transmission issue, it will be close to 1000 dollars to get it fixed! I think this place is a serious scam… they will NEVER receive my business again.
I should have received second diagnostic test for free. These people do not know the first thing about customer service.

I walked in without an appointment on Sunday and needed new tires and an oil change. The gentleman at the counter was very helpful and respectful and told me he would attempt to fit me in as they were extremely busy but had the tires I needed in stock. While waiting for the car I realized they were under new management by over hearing some phone calls. I was a bit wary with the new management since you really don’t know how a new place will take care of your car. Nevertheless within 2hrs my car was ready to go with new tires. Excellent service and great work, haven’t had an issue with my balancing at all and I will continue to use them in the future.

NEAR FATAL MISTAKE. FAILED TO TIGHTEN LUG NUTS ON TIRE. Thursday, May 28^th, I brought my Subaru into Arlington Autocare to have my left front tire changed. Two days later on Saturday, May 30^th we were driving home on the highway doing 65 mph when the car started to make a loud banging noise. Since it was 8pm on a Saturday there were no garages open, fortunately we were able to make it back to Arlington. The morning of Monday, June 1^st Joyce Motors inspected my car. When Arlington Autocare changed my left front tire on Thursday, they failed to tighten the lug nuts and they were all loose and my tire was close to falling off. I stopped by to tell Arlington Autocare what had happened with copies of both the receipts. The counter guy was genuinely shocked and agreed that this was a huge error and took it seriously. He got his manager. The manager not only didn’t take this seriously he refused to pay for the repair and then had the gall to blame me, saying I might have an enemy or someone might have tried to steal my tire. He stated that since I didn’t bring my car back to them to fix they couldn’t take responsibility (they can’t even change a tire, they will never touch my car again). He was rude and combative. NO APOLOGY. NO RESPONSIBILITY TAKEN. As I was leaving I talked with the first guy and he was disappointed the manager treated me horribly and said he would talk to the owner and have him call me the next day. I’m still waiting to hear from the owner. This is by far the worst customer service I have ever had, rude, uncaring and incompetent. At that high rate of speed their mistake could have caused us to have an accident resulting in serious injuries and/​or people getting killed.

Very inconvenient system. If you need quick efficient service they are not the place. 4 attempts at getting my car in for an oil change and still no success. I tried weekdays (morning and afternoon), Saturday and Sunday. There is always «1 – 2 hours wait before we can get to your car» and they refuse to hold your spot in the line, preventing you from doing something useful with your waiting time. I’ve had that same response when they seemed busy, and when the garage had only 1 car on a Tuesday noon.

The $ 266.61 Oil Change
I recently brought my car to Arlington AutoCare for an oil change. This turned out to be a big mistake. I usually take the car to my preferred mechanic, Joyce Motors, for oil changes, but they are not open on Saturday which is when needed to get the oil changed so I decided to try this place instead.
The day after they changed the oil I had to drive up to Philadelphia where I spent two nights. The next day as I was driving back down to Arlington I noticed that the oil pressure warning light on the dash kept turning on and off. Given that I had just had the oil changed I knew that this didn’t make sense. When I got back home I immediately called Joyce motors to see how quickly they could take a look at my car, and they let me bring it in that day. A few hours later they called me and told me that when the oil had been changed that things had not been sealed up properly so that oil was leaking and being sprayed out onto the engine. They had to do another oil change and it was also necessary for them to clean off the sprayed oil from the engine. If the oil had continued to leak much longer there is a very good chance that permanent damage could have been done to the engine. Fortunately, this didn’t happen.
The bottom line is that in addition to the $ 43.46 that Arlington AutoCare charged me for the original oil change I ended up having to pay another mechanic $ 223.15 to do another oil change and clean up the engine. Grand total cost = $ 266.61. Needless to say I will never, ever bring my car again to Arlington AutoCare. You shouldn’t either.

Good experience here! Brought my car in for a new battery at 7AM; got a call at 8:20AM saying that it was ready. They told me that they wouldn’t start working on it until 8AM, so my expectations were managed. $ 166 later, I drove out. Totally painless process. I also interacted with 3 employees while I was there, and all 3 were friendly, courteous, and helpful. Dealing with a dead battery is a usually a total pain in the ass, but once I got to Arlington Autocare, everything went better than expected.

Be prepared to wait.
A. Long. Time.
I came here to get a safety inspection and emissions test on a Saturday morning. I planned my day around this, expecting to drop off the car in the morning and pick it up in the afternoon.
When I got there, I parked in a normal parking spot (of which there were many). Instead, they told me to park in line. I was second in line. The «line» could only fit two cars before spilling into the street. After moving the car, I got out. They asked where I was going — apparently, they needed me to stay with the car. Huh?
Ok, forget leaving the car there and picking it up later. (Isn’t this normal?) Can I just go inside and wait in the office? Nope! Stand outside in the 90 degree heat, sucker! (They didn’t really say that but that’s how I felt).
After baking in the sun for 45 minutes, they finally took my car in. I was directed to the office. What?! Basically, the only reason I was outside was to move my car 10 feet every 30 minutes. Sorry to the three cars behind me, you still have an hour or two before you can enjoy the wonderful A/​C.
When I was so privileged to sit inside, the guy before me was paying for his inspection and was trying to give them «friendly advice» about their car intake system. An older gentleman, who appeared to be the owner, argued with him. Apparently, they have been doing things this way for 15 years. Eventually, he pulled out his wildcard.
«Are you American?»
What?!
«Are you American? Then be patient and wait.»
Case closed!
Besides the odd queuing system, it was OK. I paid $ 44 for the safety inspection and emissions test (which seems to be standard). Since I came when they weren’t too busy, I only waited about 75 minutes for the whole deal.
Next year I’ll try a different place.
P. S. AAA discount only applies to bills greater than $ 150.

This place is sketch !!!
I called on the phone and was given a price for a part. I was also told over the phone they could not install the part. I’m cool with that since Joyce Motors quoted me $ 20 to do the labor. I came in to pick up said auto part.
After being sized up by a sales rep the price for the part increased by $ 5. The younger rep asked me if I needed the part installed. WTF ?! I was told earlier that they could not install the part. Huh? I guess they figure I am an easy mark since I am a single female with a luxary car. As my car is in the garage I was told my car would require additional work for an additional price! Freaking shady.
I agree to let them install the part as long as they gave my car a look over. I was running late and had kids to pick up. I should have listed to my initiation and ran out. Well what do you know I got home and had the same issue with my car! The part they put in was not installed correctly. I had to go back to Arlington Auto care I go to get my car fixed. My night ruined and I had to shell out additional cash for a sitter.
Low and behold after all this they forgot to put back and important piece to my car. Now it will cost me $ 250 to get my car fixed.
Now for another alarming part. While I am waiting for my car again an single older woman comes in. The same sales rep who jacked up the price for my part tried to over charge her $ 50! Granny wasn’t having it, she dropped a name who quoted her the lower price. He still charged her $ 12 over than what she was quoted.
Do to the inconsistencies from this place I am very distrustful of this business. I would only come here to buy supplies. Oh, and be warned none of the auto care items have price tags!!!
So to make a long story short. If you want your: wifey, Nana, sister or Aunty hustled send them here.

I’ve come to Arlington Autocare on two occasions to get my VA car inspection. They are open for inspecitons Mondays-​Friday 8am-​5pm and 8am-​3pm on the first and last Saturday of the month. Get your car in line, one of the guys comes to take car for inspection, you go inside while you wait for your car to be finished and notified when ready, pay, walk out to have your car parked in front and waiting for you. Staff inspecting the car and at the front desk were always nice and competent in my experience. A-​OK in my book!

This is my new Unilocal account and I wouldn’t be doing this community any good if I didn’t repost this review about this what should be illegal shithole…
In fact, I don’t feel like getting upset while writing this so I am going to just say:
STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE IF YOU DONT WANT TO GET SHITTY SERVICE AND OR ROBBED.
You have been warned

Coming from a family of mechanics it was hard for me to have to trust just anybody when I moved to Arlington 3 year ago. This place was recommended by a tow truck driver that helped me change a flat tire. Not knowing what to expect I brought my ’99 Tacoma in for an oil change and tire service.
I was really impressed by the service. The price was fair for the service and they gave me honest suggestions (not pushy sales attempts) on things that could be done to my truck. Knowing that I wouldn’t keep my truck for much longer, I passed on the recommendations.
I now have a 2011 Camry and have brought it in for routine oil changes and even had them replace a fender cover with no issue. They are upfront about the cost of parts and cost of labor. And the do me the favor of breaking it down for me, so that it’s not just one large shocking price.
The last time I was there I asked what maintenance I could expect as my car approached the 30 K mark, and they gave me the break down and told me what was and wasn’t necessary to do. But they would let me know when something needed addressing. I really appreciated that, because they really could have sold me on lots of unnecessary services.
The only complaint I have is the customer service. It’s really hit or miss. Most of the time the person upfront is really great and personable, but sometimes that’s not the case. I guess you can’t complain when overall you’re getting honest upfront pricing. I still recommend this place to fellow car owning friends.