NTA Of Manassas Shell

Just needed a state inspection. They where friendly and professional and got me in and out in 15 mins.

I usually come here for the oil change package deal they have on Groupon (usually between $ 16-​$ 20, there is also a tax fee after they finish the oil change so bring your wallet!). Part of their job is to try and sell services to you so don’t get mad at them for this. If you think something is wrong with their estimate then take it to another mechanic and double check. Usually their technicians are right on the money though. Mark is always professional and super helpful. He’s one of the reasons I keep coming back to this location. Good price, great service.

Good oil change I used a groupon. They tried to tell me I needed $ 1500 in work done. I got a second opinion and there is nothing that needed repair. Be cautious they are swindlers

Great customer service
Went in for oil change and inspection, quick and friendly service. Very satisfied customer and prices are reasonable!

Pull right up to the door the guys are very fast to get me in and out suggested that I need a few things got me taken care of I would deathly go back

First time there today and the last. This place is a rip off no doubt about it. They left a bad taste in my mouth literally, will never go back there.

I go here often, the prices are good and the service has always been courteous, quick and excellent. I’ve always been pleased.

Sadly I can’t give Less than one star! I’ve been here multiple times for inspections and what not so they have my info on file. Well, after going there today I paid for my inspection and they stapled my receipt to my report and I made the mistake of not looking at it. About an hour after I got home THE POLICE SHOWED UP! These people mischarged me, then rather than looking up my info they had the audacity to call the police on me! I know that I should have checked my receipt, but this could’ve been handled in a MUCH more courteous way!!!

I have nothing but good things to say about Manassas Shell. I took my wires car in for an inspection, it failed for a light that was out. The Manager (Matt– I think) offered to replace the light and quoted me the price before doing any work, he also stated if it was just a loose wire or something simple that is all I would be charged for, Very upfront with everything. I have since taken my truck there for emissions and to have a handle repaired and will continue to use them in the future.

Wish I could have given it less than 1 star. My car started making a terrible noise from the front left wheel. Was perfect the drive previous day, and I got one block from home, and pulled in their shop. They said they would look for free, and after half hour on the rack, I had a HUGE list of things wrong with my vehicle. While sitting in the waiting area I got to listen/​watch the 2 FOOLS that handle the repair customers watch a movie on their laptop. They laughed hysterically at the actors talking about the humidity % of their wife’s VAGINA. I was completely disgusted by the 35 year old losers that had no regard for the several customers waiting. IDIOTS. I never sit with my mouth closed in a situation like this, but I wanted my car in my possession before opening my mouth. One of the items on the laundry list of repairs needed was a clear bulb in my rear, that was supposed to be amber. Really, it is behind an AMBER cover, and the bulb needs to be amber too? I am not that stupid… anyway the problem they stated regarding the noise was the ABS System. Have never heard of a rotational based sound being associated with that, and I felt I was been scammed. There were front end problems, tie rods, etc… transmission flush, and they said my transmission fluid was black. Nope, it’s a nice clean/​clear reddish color, checked it myself later. Bunch of liars. I said I would think about it, and drove out quickly. Went to Merchant, and a mechanic listened as I drove past his bay, and said wheel bearing. My mechanic (side job guy) did the bearing job that week. I used to go to this shop when a previous owner had a great shop operating there. I did not realize till I asked when I was leaving that he had sold the shop/​Shell station. DON“T EVER USE THIS SHOP!!!

I’ve been going to this Shell station for years to have my car inspected with a coupon for money off. The last inspection yielded having to purchase 2 tires and getting new brake pads. My first fail after going there for years! I was very pleased with how they worked with me on the price. I made note that if I had any more work to be done to go back. Today I went in because my air conditioner/​defrost made so much racket when I turned them on… I was expecting to have to replace the compressor and not looking forward to the diagnosis. The mechanic came in holding a stick and said that it was caught up in the fan and that everything was okay now! I couldn’t believe it… they had an opportunity to make a ton of money off me. I had heard they were very good and honest and I can highly recommend them for car repairs. I drive a Prius and the mechanic said he had worked on them a lot… so no blank stares! Happy girl!

A lot of one-​star reviews here for Manassas Shell, all surrounding them failing cars for inspection and then trying to upsell them on the repairs. I understand where they are coming from. I’ve been a here a few times myself, and I have had my car fail inspections three times. But based on my own experiences I’m not going to claim these guys are trying to swindle clients — every time they’ve failed me, it’s been legit.
My first fail was because my brake pedal was going down too far before engaging the brakes. While this sounded a little fishy to me, I did notice that the brakes were a bit loose, as did my friends who typically did the work on my car, even though the brakes themselves were fine. I asked them to put a rejection sticker on instead of fixing it, took it to the dealer, and after much searching they found a broken part in the brake pedal, fixed it, and it passed inspection.
My second fail was for really worn tires. I was experiencing some vibrations in my wheel at high speeds, and had another local shop rotate the tires and realign. Three weeks later I took the car into Manassas Shell and they failed me for worn tires. I was, again, a bit suspicious. I just had them rotated and the car realigned, I said, and nothing was said to me then. The mechanic called me into the shop and showed me the car on the lift, and several spots where the tires were worn down to the wire. Either Manassas Shell did this in order to get me to buy new tires — which I doubt — or the other shop was grossly negligent in tire inspection. I bought new tires from Manassas Shell and soon after, the wheel shaking at high speeds was gone.
So a few weeks back I bring in my car — which had now graduated from the Scion in the stories above to a GTI — for state inspection. Everything checked except one thing — one of my fog lights was out. I knew that — I just didn’t know that they could fail you for that. But I looked it up and, yup, they can. They offered to fix it for $ 20. I had them do it so it could pass inspection.
My nephew used to work as a mechanic’s assistant in my small hometown. He was ticking off a lot of people because he would do the inspection in great detail and by the book, and would fail a lot of cars. Then they’d go up the road to their good ol’ boy mechanic and he’d pass them. I think much of the complaints about Manassas Shell fall into this realm.
That being said, I’ve noticed dissatisfied customers come in here complaining about work on my past visits. And on my last visit, they quoted me $ 20 for «parts and labor» to replace the bulb, but then said it was just a bad ground, not the bulb … but still charged me $ 20. I could have gotten it fixed for free by my VW dealer — but would have had to deal with the rejection sticker.
Still, I’d say Manassas Shell is «A-​OK» for gas or if you want a thorough state inspection rather than a buddy mechanic giving you a «pass». For more extensive work, I’d shop around … but I haven’t had any real issues with the work they have done for me in the past.

I am not sure how this gas station stays in business. Every once in a while, I have to take my car for inspection (usually my husband does it) and I take it there because it is convenient. Not once, has my car ever passed inspection over the years. Then, my husband gets mad, takes it somewhere else, they can’t find anything wrong with it. While I was in there this last time, waiting, everyone that checked out in front of me was told that their car didn’t pass inspection. The other reviewer was correct, there used to be a line a mile long at this station, but on the last Saturday of the month I got there and there was only two people in front of me. I wish I could blame a change of ownership on the problems, but the fact is that my car has failed at this station even when the lines were long. My feeling is that everyone has just realized over the years that something is wrong. I also noticed that their inspection hours were extended a couple of years ago. Probably because they kept losing customers. Well, I guess I am just a little slow, but I have finally learned my lesson. Please, please stay away from this place for inspections.

These guys will try and swindle you by failing you for inspections then offering a «good deal» with them to fix the problem. I took my car over to my regular mechanic and got a second inspection. Nothing was wrong with my vehicle and he even consulted the manual specifications for my car. Several people who were failed for inspections at this Shell sought second opinions and also discovered their vehicles should have passed. Be very careful, and not just with this station but with any. If you have a trusted mechanic, get a second opinion. It may be the difference between a $ 16 inspection fee or an $ 800 irrelevant replacement.

Had a great experience here getting an oil change. I used a groupon which included the oil change and a tire rotation and was really a steal for the price. The people who worked here were friendly, knowledgeable, attentive and willing to take a stab at diagnosing some unrelated car issues I’d been having. It was a relatively quick in and out and overall positive experience.

Went for state inspection. I have a 2008 vehicle with only 40,000 miles on it. As soon as they took the car into the bay they started to check under the hood. They were under there so long I began to wonder so I asked what’s wrong. The inspector was holding the lid to my braking master cylinder and said there was a problem. I asked what he said it was leaking. I saw nothing to prove that. He had to think I was a Greene winne with care repairs. The next thing he and another guy was jacking up the front end of my car and telling me I needed shocks no evidence of any leaks. This shell must have changed hands and is now trying so sell items for inspection that are not needed. When I took my cars there before their was always a line. Now there is nobody waiting that should have been my clue. Needless car repairs seem to be what they want to do. Stay away.