Town Car Repair VA 22204

K

Kiari M S

I originally chose Town Car Repair because of the warmth and trust they had built with me over the years. I had brought my car there twice in the last five years for other repairs. The technicians were so sweet to me. One was for a starter, the other was for a cabin filter. Although I was originally quoted $85 for the filter but then later received a call saying I needed to pay $155, I still had a good experience. Those positive experiences are what led me to return a third time.<br><br>After my tow truck driver told me I needed a new alternator and battery, my car was towed to Town Car Repair. I was quoted $1,300 for parts and labor. While other shops quoted under $600, my car was not drivable and, based on past experiences, I decided to move forward here and supplied my own parts.<br><br>The owner told my husband—repeatedly and condescendingly referring to him as my “fiancé” and then “boyfriend”—that there would be no warranty if client-provided parts were used. We understood this to mean that any defective parts would be identified before payment and before the car was released. That did not happen.<br><br>I picked up my car at 6:45 p.m., and within seconds the “Check System Charge” light came on. As I walked back toward the shop, the open sign was turned off and the staff had already left. Less than an hour later (<4miles out from the shop), my car shut off while I was DRIVING. Power steering, ABS, and multiple warning lights came on at once. I was lucky to be near a well-lit parking lot and not on the highway, as I had to force the steering wheel just to get to safety. I contacted my insurance to tow the car back to the shop.<br><br>When I contacted the owner, the response focused entirely on “no warranty” rather than concern for a situation that could have been dangerous. I asked if the alternator was tested because the RECEIPT mentioned testing is included. The owner said no because it was not a shop supplied part. The NEXT day I received a call and a video stating the alternator was faulty. This was after I drove off and after it was towed back to the shop. What once felt like a warm, trustworthy business now feels like one that prioritizes collecting payment over customer safety and peace of mind. I am now down $345 (labor costs) while now having to find another, more trustworthy mechanic to fix my car. The car has now been towed back to my residence.<br><br>If you're a car expert and have the funds to use their warranty backed parts, you may have nothing to worry about. I would just say use your discernment when deciding on who to fix your car.<br><br>Some Constructive Feedback:<br><br>1. Morally, don’t accept payment if you believe customer-provided parts may be defective. Don't even do the work on the car if there is a chance for customer and owner frustration/lost trust.<br><br>2. Reconsider servicing vehicles with customer-supplied parts if proper safety checks won’t be done.<br><br>3. Re-evaluate pricing—$700 more for parts and labor versus other mechanic shops in the same area is excessive .<br><br>4. Review warning lights with customers before they leave the premises.<br><br>5. Show compassion when customers are placed in potentially life-threatening situations. It's important to note not everyone is a mechanic therefore their expertise may not be the same. This is a great moment to educate customers to increase customer-business trust and to ensure their decisions are based on knowledge not frustration.<br><br>6. Remember and respect loyal customers.<br><br>7. Don’t release a vehicle or take payment if there’s a chance it will immediately need to be towed again.

R

Ronnie Anderson

Rob & his shop desperately helped me in my TIME OF NEED!!! All of a sudden my exhaust cracks as I’m driving on the road I see his shop in my rear view mirror flip a turn & immediately go there helpless I may add because it was just so sudden, rob & his crew helped me no questions asked, price was definitely reasonable & just having full transparency about what options I had & how it can get done! Goes to show still honest working people around now I’m fixed back on the road & in good shape<br><br>Thank you to this shop<br>HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

T

Tim Effrem

I don’t usually rate places where no service occurred, but after a half hour of waiting the technician said it was impossible to give an inspection with the car having any items to review. He then brought me to the incredibly rude inspector who abruptly waved me off and told me to go elsewhere: barely making it to Japanese Auto Service before they closed, they were able to do a new inspection no problem. Not only were these people rude, they were dishonest. Don’t waste your time