Archie MontroseIs it just us or does the idea of car repairs bring so much anxiety? Well, we figured that’s maybe because of the costly repairs that weren’t even part of the budget.
Luckily, we now have cheaper alternatives that won’t have to make our bank accounts cry just to save our most-loved cars. These best auto repair shops in Vancouver get the repairs done faster than the others too!
So, if you want to save both time and money, make sure to read our blog as we give you the best ones we found in the city.
How much does an auto repair cost in Vancouver?
On average, car repairs per month cost around $81. Meanwhile, major auto repairs may cost around $500.
How we chose:
1. Ootmar Automotive
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Efficiency | 4.9/5 |
| Repair quality | 4.8/5 |
| Proper diagnosis | 4.8/5 |
| Durable repairs | 4.8/5 |
| Transparency | 4.9/5 |
| Full report of car issues | 4.9/5 |
| Turns over replaced/defective parts | 4.9/5 |
| Cleanliness | 4.9/5 |
When we saw our check engine light, we knew we couldn’t postpone it to another day. The timing was bad as it happened a few weeks before Christmas, so we decided to go to an auto repair shop that’s quick and efficient, and that’s Ootmar Automotive.
As soon as we pulled up to their repair shop, one of their associates assisted us. We initially thought that we had to leave the car during diagnosis, but they asked us to wait in the lobby.
After a few minutes, they handed us the diagnosis. We loved that they didn’t give us the quotations first, as they made sure we understood what was going on in our car.
Cleanliness is also a big deal for us, so when we saw that they’re workshop, lobby, and even their office are organized, we knew that our car’s in good hands. And true enough, we didn’t see any trace of oil or grease when we picked it up.
You’ll also love that they provide itemized invoices. And before you even settle it, Ben, the owner, will go over all the line items so he can explain exactly what they did with your car.
They also showed us all the defective parts that were replaced during the repair. But, of course, we decided to leave them there so we didn’t have to dispose of them ourselves.
Can accommodate same-day repairs
“My alternator broke and was scrambling to call around town for a mechanic. My co-worker recommended Ootmar. They were able to take me in right away and fixed it within the day. Prices were reasonable and they are honest with me on the quoted job.”
Calvin Lau, Google Review
Answers clients’ questions
“We love Ben and Ootmar! We called with a list of repairs that was recommended for us. Ben got us a quote within 30 minutes and was so cheery and pleasant over the phone. We brought the car in and he answered all our questions and we really appreciated how kind he was about it. We’re not car people and don’t know much. The repairs were done in five days for half the cost the dealership recommended and Ben coaches us through how best to sell our car if we wanted. We will definitely be back for any other car maintenance tasks we need in the future!”
Clinton Large, Google Review
2. M&N Auto Repair
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B
| Efficiency | 4.5/5 |
| Repair quality | 4.6/5 |
| Proper diagnosis | 4.6/5 |
| Durable repairs | 4.6/5 |
| Transparency | 4.2/5 |
| Full report of car issues | 4.2/5 |
| Turns over replaced/defective parts | 4.2/5 |
| Cleanliness | 4/5 |
As soon as you hear rattling noises from your car, don’t ignore it like we did for weeks. Our car decided to call it quits in the middle of the street, which turned out to be a transmission issue.
We didn’t want to call it fate, but we wouldn’t have discovered M&N Auto Repair if we hadn’t ignored the early signs, right?
Once we told them the issue, their mechanic immediately checked the car and explained what was wrong with our car’s transmission fluid. Honestly, we were a bit nervous as we couldn’t handle a major fix just yet.
Well, I guess they could read our faces as they gave us other options so that we wouldn’t have to go for the major repair. So if you decide to go with them, don’t hesitate to ask for alternatives too.
If you don’t know much about cars, like us, you can trust that these auto repair pros won’t take advantage of you. They would only recommend what’s necessary, allowing us to trust them even more.
We left our car as it had to be repaired for days, but we’re glad to receive daily updates from them without the need to ask.
Reasonable rates
“Reasonable price and honest business practices. They make room to schedule around your busy schedule. My wife and I really appreciate them.”
Rajish Kerns, Google Review
Very approachable
“I recently took my car for a general check up and the guys there provided outstanding service! They were approachable, knowledgeable, and explained everything clearly. Plus, the pricing was very reasonable. Highly recommend for quality auto repairs!”
Kostas, Google Review
3. S&M Auto Service
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.9/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B
| Efficiency | 4/5 |
| Repair quality | 4.4/5 |
| Proper diagnosis | 4.4/5 |
| Durable repairs | 4.4/5 |
| Transparency | 4/5 |
| Full report of car issues | 4/5 |
| Turns over replaced/defective parts | 4/5 |
| Cleanliness | 4/5 |
If you’re having problems with your car’s steering wheel or suspension, the best one you could reach out to would be S&M Auto Service.
Last month, we were on a quick coffee run when we noticed that the steering wheel was a bit loose. We even felt like it would detach from the dashboard; we were seriously in panic mode!
When our friend told us about their recent experience with S&M, we decided to give it a shot the next day. After their quick diagnosis, they asked us to drive our car home as there were no available slots during our visit.
We were scheduled a few days later, and they were able to fix the tire rods on the same day.
But of course, you still need to prepare for the downside. Since it’s just a small auto repair shop, they can only accommodate a few cars at a time, so walk-ins could be a little challenging.
Also, if your only free time falls on a weekend, then you may have to skip them instead.
Meanwhile, you may consider availing their oil change services here if you want to get a bonus safety check, which not all repair shops offer. We’re glad we did as the mechanics were able to check the brakes for us before our planned road trip!
If you don’t know much about cars and maintenance, follow them on their social media pages. They frequently share tips, including alarming signs to look out for in your car so you can prevent it from getting worse.
4. North Shore Auto Repair
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Efficiency | 4.7/5 |
| Repair quality | 4.6/5 |
| Proper diagnosis | 4.6/5 |
| Durable repairs | 4.6/5 |
| Transparency | 4.7/5 |
| Full report of car issues | 4.7/5 |
| Turns over replaced/defective parts | 4.7/5 |
| Cleanliness | 4.5/5 |
When our car stalled in the middle of the highway, the towing company dropped us off here at North Shore Auto Repair. At first, we didn’t know what to expect, but as soon as we came in the vibe was totally different from the other repair shops.
The associates and mechanics were all friendly, and they seemed to know what they were doing. We loved that they actually listened to us when we described what happened.
We also appreciated it when they asked us if we’re in a hurry as they didn’t want to rush the diagnosis. After two hours, they were able to pinpoint the problem.
You’ll love that the mechanics will try to explain the issues and processes in much simpler terms for better understanding.
And if you can’t afford to lose a car even for a day, you’ll be glad to know that almost all car parts are available in their shop. No need for you to search for loaner cars, too!
While we got lucky with our walk-in appointment, you’ll probably need to book ahead as their slots fill up quickly. Well, that’s not surprising given the quick turnaround time that they can promise to their clients.
Sends updates to clients
“I had to get my car fixed last week and decided to try North Shore Auto Repair as my friend’s recommendation. Honestly, it turned out to be a great decision. The team at North Shore is legit. They didn’t just rush to get the job done; they took their time to explain what was wrong with my car and what they needed to do to fix it. It was nice to feel in the loop for once. They managed to get all the repairs done quicker than I expected, and they kept me updated via text, which was super convenient. Driving my car home felt amazing, it’s pretty clear that the folks at North Shore Auto Repair take pride in their work. If you’re looking for a trustworthy place to take your car, these guys are the real deal.”
Nicole Dang, Google Review
Doesn’t upsell services
“Great service on the brakes for my Jeep Grand Cherokee. Provided a competitive quote in advance. Communicated promptly on booking a time and on notifying me on when vehicle was ready. Most notable they did not encourage me to do uneeded work on my rear brakes as other shop had. Will definitely go back.”
Marc Bruendl, Google Review
5. Tremblay Motors
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.7/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Efficiency | 4.7/5 |
| Repair quality | 4.6/5 |
| Proper diagnosis | 4.6/5 |
| Durable repairs | 4.6/5 |
| Transparency | 4.7/5 |
| Full report of car issues | 4.7/5 |
| Turns over replaced/defective parts | 4.7/5 |
| Cleanliness | 4.5/5 |
The moment we walked in Tremblay Motors’ shop, we were warmly welcomed by Jason Brad. They asked us what our concerns were, and right off the bat, we felt that they’re confident about handling our car very well.
And true enough, when we saw their shop, we saw old and new cars lined up, which directly tells us that they’re knowledgeable in repairing different vehicle models. So if you have a vintage car or an electric one, you can trust them with it.
What you’ll love about this auto repair shop is that they respect your time. Once they assess what’s going on with your car, they’ll just inform you and provide you with the ballpark costs.
We’re also impressed that they don’t charge clients any check-up fee if there’s nothing wrong with the car! You’ll also love that they won’t convince you to do anything that’s not part of the initial plan.
Make sure to inform them if you’re a bit uncomfortable with the quotation. After telling them our working budget, they pinned down which repairs we had to prioritize and just parked the rest.
However, their rates are on the expensive side, you’d better be ready to shell out a bit more.
Knowledgeable various vehicles
“Brad was incredibly helpful, and clearly has a lot of experience with vehicles. His team helped me replace headlamps and a faulty ballast on an older Audi. Their prices are
reasonable and I felt their advice was genuine. I will definitely be taking my car back to Tremblay.”
Mohit Bhargava, Google Review
Transparent team
“I recently took my 2014 Toyota Venza into Tremblay Motors after the engine light and AWD light came on. Even though the lights had gone off by the time I brought it in, Brad, the mechanic, was outstanding. He suggested hooking up the car to check the error code just to be sure, and after reviewing it, he confirmed that it was likely just a loose gas cap with no current issues. Brad went above and beyond by topping up my oil and washer fluid, and the best part? He didn’t charge me for the service since there was nothing wrong with the car. It’s rare to find mechanics who are this honest and thorough. I highly recommend Tremblay Motors for their professionalism, transparency, and excellent customer service. I will definitely be returning for future maintenance. Thanks again, Brad and the team!”
Ryan Wirth, Google Review
