Steve Ellis

I was referred to Steve ellis by Geralds tires. If you know anything about Charleston Gerald’s is the place for tires! So when they said Steve Ellis for other repairs I didn’t really bat an eye. Steve himself is a great guy! He remembers me every time and personally takes care of me. Prices are reasonable and my favorite part about him as a mechanic, he’s honest! I’m a small female who doesn’t know much about cars, perfect for most mechanics to take advantage of. Steve took care of me when my 2002 broke down and does regular checks for me. I recommend him to everyone! Only reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is the hours. They are really hard to work with with a full time job. They are open 9 – 5 I believe Monday through Friday. They use to be Saturday by appointment only but that stopped. If I can’t get away from work, I have to take my car other places on Saturday if my oil is getting really low. But when I can escape, Steve is my guy!

I’ve been taking my car here since I moved to Charleston a year ago. At my last oil change they discovered some issues. Understanding that I might not be able to pay for everything all at once, Steve made a list of the needed repairs, the time frame in which I needed to fix them, and an estimate of how much each repair would cost. There was no pressure to make a decision right then. Also, when I brought the car back in he had done some adjustments that saved me from replacing a few parts and therefore saved me money. When I asked about my timing belt they opened my hood to show me my timing chain and explained the difference. I feel comfortable and respected when I ask questions and have never felt that they a taking advantage of my ignorance. Great people! Great service!

If I could give zero stars I would. This guy is shadier than a cave during an eclipse. Every car we’ve brought to him has had a huge problem that needed to be fixed immediately and then a few days later the car would break down.
I can’t believe how many times I kept going back to this (expletive).
He did a used car inspection before a purchase and we were told that the car is in great shape, other than a few needed repairs. After two days of driving the car the alternator and battery needed to be replaced, and then when we took it to another mechanic we were told that the car is practically worthless and had been driven to the ground.
I cannot say enough bad stuff about this mechanic. DO NOT USE HIM!

I am new to Charleston and a friend recommended Steve Ellis Auto. I always hate to take my car in because it’s generally a huge bill at the end with all the recommendations and upgrades they suggest.
I got my car towed there (free with AAA) and was super pleased when Susan Ellis picked me up when my car was ready. She made something complicated super easy and then we had a great conversation on the way to the shop.
Even better — no additional work needed than what it went in for! She said they will give suggestions on things if they see anything but said my car was in good shape. So happy to have found Steve Ellis Auto. Will definitely be back. — Thanks Susan, Steve, and staff!

Steve and Susan were great. Gave us good, honest, reasonable service with our first auto problems, and then kept on giving us advice and assistance over the phone, further down the road, with ongoing car issues. They are legends… we will remember them.

I just had my oil changed at Steve Ellis Automotive Services after purchasing a Groupon a few weeks back. After my service today, I will not go to any other car mechanic!
So a little background. I am young, female and a recent transplant to Charleston from the West Coast. I have never gone to any car place in the Charleston area so I really wouldn’t know who to trust or go to. My first instinct was to go to a Jiffy Lube but I saw this great deal for Steve Ellis and decided to purchase it and try my luck.
As a woman, and I don’t say this to pass judgment on women, because one of my best friends is a woman and she KNOWS her car stuff! Me… not so much. I’m very girly girly and I usually let my bf or dad take care of that stuff… yeah yeah… pathetic, but whatever, it’s just not my interest.
So when I called to find out the hours and a very friendly lady picked up the phone, I felt comfortable. She told me that you have to make an appointment.
The auto shop is a little hard to find (or it could just be me – you know, new Charlestonian and all) but it’s on Belgrade Ave… you continue down and right when it looks like you go left with the road, you just go straight in… there’s a huge American flag outside. They could put up a bigger sign near the entrance.
When I walked in, there was a mom and her baby playing on the floor. You think, «Eww! Dirty mechanic’s floor!» but I assure you the office is exceptionally clean! They have a great kid’s mat to play on. The office manager was the same lady I spoke with on the phone and it turn’s out that she’s Mrs. Ellis – Steve’s wife. I love that! I love a husband and wife team working together.
Mrs Ellis is incredibly friendly, polite and sociable. She and I talked the whole time her husband was working on my car and it also turns out that she’s an artist – look out for some of her photographs to adorn the office walls soon!
My oil change was quick and I also got a $ 5 off coupon for the next time I get it changed. Steve did not try to upsell me at all! What a relief, since I get that all the time at car places! I even told him that I felt like I had just taken my car to the doctor’s office because he was so thorough in his «check up.»
So normally I stick with restaurant reviews on Unilocal,but I had such a great experience here and they are a relatively new auto mechanic place that they don’t have any reviews yet. I felt it was only right, after the great service I got, to write Steve a great review.
I really recommend this place, whether you’re a single woman, or a guy, a long-​standing South Carolinian or a newbie, to go to Steve for your auto repairs/​etc. I will be back!