MD Automotive

I have been coming here for a long time (~8 years), and had a very good experience always, with the previous owner, then the new owner, and especially with the new owner’s manager, David. A few weeks ago when I returned with some minor issues, I noticed that many cars were waiting on the line to be serviced… and David was no longer working here. I was very disappointed! I had a few counters with him (~5−6), there was no wait line, at least not a long, because the work was organized well. He was also a very fair person and honest. I am afraid that my relationship with MD Automotive is now severed, especially since he is not there anymore.

Do not go here for service, my brake job was not performed properly. They did not turn the rotors with a sharp bit so the rotors where not smooth. The did not lubricate the slide pins either. The results, brakes made a terrible nosie, they even vibrated the front wheels when the brakes where applied. The use cheap pads, not OME… BUT CHARGED ME OME PRICE!
Avoid these guys!

I went on a Monday morning to get inspection and it took less than 10 minutes. I had an engine light on so they fixed it in less than 4 hours. Dave, the guy at the front was REALLY helpful and explained everything to me. I had my baby with me and he went the extra mile to bring the loaner car round and transfer all my baby gear. All the prices are listed and reasonable. AND when I got my car back they had cleaned it inside and out! Recommend without reservation.

I took my vehicle here instead of the last place, Midas, where I had recently had my vehicle worked on. First off, I would have given MD Automotive 5 stars but a minor glitch prevents me from doing so but before I speak about that, let me first start off by saying, David is a good guy, straight forward and honest. I know this because he ran a diagnostic on my vehicle and told me the same thing that Midas told me was wrong, which was a good thing because usually repair shops will try to get over on you, especially if they think you are not knowledgeable about car repairs. Although I am not an ASE mechanic, I have been under the hood enough and know my way around a vehicle, so I already knew what needed to be repaired but, I played clueless. So David called me, told me exactly what was wrong and how much it would cost me to repair, which was less expensive than Midas. So, you probably asking yourself, «why the four star rating if I was so satisfied»? Well, there was some confusion and as a result, my oil did not get changed and I had to take my vehicle back the next day, but David addressed the issue promptly and was very apologetic and corrected the problem quickly. Very rare where you find a business that is accountable and is quick to find a resolution if they made a mistake. Most of the time businesses try to make it seem like you, the customer, did something wrong. So I am impressed with MD Automotive’s level of customer service which is rare these days. So overall, a good experience, reasonable cost and good service. Not bad for a place in the heart of the Medical Center, where everything is over priced and customer service is a best mediocre with most of the establishments in the Medical Center. As long as the service remains the same, MD Automotive will see me for all automotive repairs and routine maintenance for both of our vehicles, that is if I chose not to do it myself! Great work and keep it up.

Took my car here to get it checked out since it is right across from the VA hospital… just had gotten out of a doctor’s appt. I needed to run a diagnostics on my AC since it was blowing hot air. The man said it would take about a hour and a half… I was like great since I hadn’t eaten lunch and it was walking distance to M & M grill. So I handed him the key and walked down the street to get some food. Walking, ordering, waiting, eating, and walking back took me about a hour total, so I had about 30 minutes to spare so I went into the break room and sat down to watch some TV. I don’t know what type of cable service they have but there was basically only 2 channels in English, all the rest were in Spanish and African… don’t know who offers that many African channels. But anyways after about a half hour I asked if how much longer and he said my mechanic is working on it and it shouldn’t be much longer… not that he went to ask the mechanic how much longer though. That answer was given to me about 4 more times. So after a Judge Judy, Jeopardy, Ellen, and a who wants to be a millionaire I finally get my diagnostics complete and it comes to find out I have a bad compressor…$ 1300 he says to fix :/…good thing a compressor can be fixed under my extended warranty. So I walked out paying only $ 53, but wasted most of my day between the doctors and mechanics and on the road just in time to hit rush hour traffic heading home with no A/​C :/

I should have done it long time ago, but I guess it better later than never.
First, I would like to tell you that I am a foreign woman (from Europe). I am sure most of you would know what it means. I just doubled my risk to be scammed out of my money (based on my gender and accent), as it has happened before at other places. But NOT at this one!
My first major notable encounter took place when around April 2013 I decided to have my noisy wheel checked by them. Note here that previously the same noise in the wheel was identified as a wheel bearing issue. I paid ~380 to have it fixed at another place, and they even showed me the old hub (or whatever it is called). So, just like precise Swiss clocks, exactly a year later same wheel with the same issue. I decided to go to Auto-​Check, which just around that time underwent an owner change and now is being operated as MD Automotive. I left my car there for the day, they provided my transportation between work and the shop morning and evening, and I came to pay and pick up my car.
First pleasant surprise: 1. my bills was about 50−60% of what I paid before (my wallet was happy!), and 2. the biggest one, without asking for it, THEY SHOWED ME the wheel bearing (the hub — I think this is how it is called), and I dropped my jaw. Why? Because the size of this hub was one-​third of the size of the one they showed me a year ago!!! I asked the guys if this is original Toyota part, and they said yes. So, basically, a year before it they did not only rip me off with $ 380 without doing the job (well, they did something, because the wheel noise stopped for a year), but even lied to my face by showing a part which was not even a Toyota part and never got changed (they said they had to change it — remember what I said about being a female?:-().
Then, I needed my inspection done, and certain things had to be done. I drove my car in the morning, they drove me back home, and some time during the day they called me with an estimate. We discussed how much I can pay, what can be done, etc., and at the end of the day they picked me up at my place, and took me to the shop (again, I live 2 – 3 miles away, but this is not something they have to do or many shops would do regularly, unless you have a luxury car). They made my car repair day painless.
My current issue: I had several things to take care of: 1. AC did not work (my car is 12 yo.), 2. oil change, 3. air filter check and change, if necessary, 4. wiper blades change, 5. horn did not work (again), 6. battery check and change if necessary. I am sure that those who have older cars, who what are the financial consequences of an AC change. To be honest, I expected something between $ 1000 and $ 1500. I have not heard of an old (er) car where the first AC fix was under $ 800 (I talked to other same Toyota-​model (and year) owners, and they all stated the same). I specifically requested to call me with the estimate before they do anything.
Again, MD Automotive did not disappoint me. Obviously, I got the «transportation service» in the morning and at the evening. I was presented an estimate, which truly shocked me! I paid about $ 406. Yes. That is FOUR-​HUNDRED AND SIX BUCKS. I was explained that they had to change the AC relay, the compressor just worked fine. My car got an AC cabin filter (change?), ALT belt (change), freon, oil change, wiper blade change, a horn. Plus labor — was included in the bill. They checked everything, gave a VERY GENEROUS estimate (and bill), did not overcharge, and explained everything. No unnecessary work was done (I always put on the request the «if necessary» term). Oh, almost forgot: each time when I leave my car in for the day, they wash my car. And I have never asked for that!
Now, if you are an old (er) car owner, raise your hand if your AC repair was less than $ 800! Because this is the minimum price I am hearing from everyone (and forget the dealership, which would be even more expensive). With them you will never feel that they want to rip you off. I am truly pleased that finally (after being in the US for 15 years, and living in 4 major US cities of 3 states) I found MD Automotive and will stick with them until I am in Houston.
To summarize why I recommend MD Automotive:
1. They strive to provide an excellent customer service, they are always nice, polite, and helpful,
2. They are genuinely interested to have a long-​term commitment for their customers, and their work is reliable,
3. They contact you with an estimate and explain everything in advance,
4. Decent prices, never an overcharge,
5.* Perks: transportation and car wash
And last, but not least, I would like to thank to DAVID, who is always available to answer any question, and will guide you through the financial side of each step, and truly works to serve the customer’s best interest. He has helped me tremendously with the above two issues, and I was really pleased. He is a real gem. Thank you very much.

A big thank you to Mr Stephan for acknowledgement of the mistake made. It is greatly appreciated.

I had originally given MD Automotive a 1-​star rating, but due to the good customer service provided by the GM, I found that it was not MD, but a service station a block away that had ruined my weekend. Unfortunately, the address that the tow truck driver gave me was Shell, but he wrote the business as MD Automotive. I apologize for the negative review which you did nothing to deserve.

After taking my car home from getting all brake pads replaced and having new rear rotors, I noticed that when I was driving on the freeway, my steering wheel would shake when I applied the brakes. I would say I was driving at 70 – 75 mph when I noticed this shaking. Since it was during the weekend, I waited until Monday to speak with David. I described what happened to him and he told me to go ahead and bring the car back. I paid $ 85 for my front rotors be resurfaced. So in total it costed me $ 455. And I’ve been to the shop 3 times.

Came here for the convenience– its located walking distance from my job. I thought I could drop my car off and pick it up after work… apparently four hours is not long enough for this place. Will not be going back. My co-​worker drops me off after work, only so I can wait 45 mins because they just started the oil change. I’m sitting here now and I’m pissed.

I’ve only had an oil change here, but the service and price were great. Quick in/​out, and I was done. No muss, no fuss.