Independent Factory Automotive

I have used IFA for about 5 years for a number of cars. They took very good care of our 89 and 98 Toyota Corollas until we had to say goodbye to our 2 dependable and reliable cars. We now have a 2008 Honda Fit and a 2014 VW Tiguan and have had oil changes done for both so far. They are prompt in answering the phone and getting us in for appointments ASAP and work with our busy schedules especially with a young baby. When I had the baby and dropped the car off one day, we walked over to Piedmont Ave and IFA said they would work to get my car done in a couple of hours since I was with baby. They were so thoughtful and delivered the car all set within 3 hours. I trust their advice and have never felt like they were pushing work that my car did not need. Glad to have such a great auto shop to depend on!

My new favorite auto body shop! Their estimate for repair on my car was half the cost of another shop. They delivered on time and even fixed additional damage that wasn’t included in the estimate! Karl was great — funny, personable, and he got the job done. I’ll take all my repair work here and suggest others do the same.

Went here about a week ago to get an oil change. I came in on Tuesday in the middle of the day but they were too busy to fit me in so I set up an appointment for Friday morning.
I arrived about 10 minutes early to my appointment on Friday, checked in with the manager, pulled my car in, and sat down in the waiting area with a book expecting to wait a maximum of 30 minutes… I was there for just under 2 hours… for an oil change… that’s all, i didn’t even get an air filter or anything else AND this was an appointment set up almost a week in advance!
The only reason I went to this place was because of the deal they had for a $ 20 oil change. The manager had told me the first time I went in that I had to print it out to get the discount. I forgot to do that, but he ended up giving me the discount anyway because I think he overheard me talking to my girlfriend on the phone about how I’m never coming back because a 2 hour wait for an oil change is absolutely ridiculous.

Fast, Friendly, Fordable!
Used their coupon and was out in 40 minutes. They also have a waiting room with wifi. You have to download the coupon to use it.

Karl and his team (Dana, Alanna, and the mechanics) are simply the best. From identifying and solving incredibly unusual problems to providing basic maintenance, they can’t be beat. Smart, honest, patient, fair, with a great understanding not only of cars but of our attachments to them, Karl and his team get an A++++++++.

Always great service, fair prices & timely!

I called up IFA, spoke with Karl at 10 am on a Monday. I asked him how much a oil change was he said $ 19.95 for my make and model. I also asked Karl if he could do my car today (same day service) and he said there were 12 cars ahead of me. I asked Karl how long he thought it would take, maybe 4 or 5 hours. Karl said nah I can get you done in 2 or 3 hours. Cool I says see you in a bit.
I drive down, and speak with another office dude because Karl is right there but on the phone. The other office dude says «oh ya you want an oil change? We’ll we’re busy I don’t know if I can get you in today.» I says «I called spoke with Karl he says he can get it done in 2 – 3 hours, but I can leave my car for 4 – 5 hours». Other dude says well okay let’s see if we can get it done today.
Then the other dude continues to collect my info and then hits me with, «It’s gonna be 34.95». I says it said 19.95 on the website, and it says 19.95 on the window. At this moment Karl is off the phone and says in a sort of condescending nonchalant way «ya it’s 19.95 if you print the coupon». I says «Karl you said 19.95 when I called» He says «we make full disclosure on the website it’s 19.95 and we have it written everywhere». I said «okay cool good day» and I left.
Now this is my gripe and this is why I’m giving these dudes 1 star: dishonesty and slight of hand are totally unappreciated. It does say on the coupon’s linked page to print the coupon for the discount, I just checked, but it doesn’t say a coupon is necessary on the page were the price is advertised. Dude!!! it’s 2011.
Why do we need to PRINT a coupon anyway. If Karl, the other dude and me all know it’s 19.95 with the coupon, and it’s advertised everywhere as 19.95 then why do I need to print a coupon. Come on Karl, it’s 2011 man, everyone does everything electronically and you want people to PRINT A COUPON. I’d be happy to take a picture of the coupon with my cell phone or to pull up the coupon on my phone for you. Save a tree, save paper. I don’t believe there is any good reason to demand a coupon when it’s advertised on the shop’s front window at 19.95. I don’t need this sort of antics and behavior from a mechanic.
What Karl doesn’t realize is that this type of BS is bad for his profession and makes me and everyone else weary of mechanics. I left and went to another shop that charged 34.95 regular price but I asked them if there was a special and they said ya we’re doing a special now for oil changes at $ 24.95. so see ya Karl I wont ever take my car to you for an oil change, and I know I cant trust you for a job bigger than a oil change.
EDIT: Please read owner’s comments — and note why were they «about» to offer me the deal at 19.95? Why not just offer me the 19.95 price right after explaining that I had to print the coupon? Once again Karl in his «owner’s comments» is guilty of smoke and mirrors, trying to make it seem like he wanted to do right but I was an impatient irate customer. After I was initially told that I had to print the coupon, I did ask for the 19.95 price and we did have a back and forth, and another back and forth, about the price. I was not angry, and I did not run out as he implies. I had a 9 week old puppy with me and walking fast anywhere with a 9 week puppy means dragging the pup by the leash — let alone running out of a repair shop. In fact I was calm and maintained my equanimity. Karl and other employee had ample opportunity and time to relieve my let down, but chose not to. IFA can paint me to be a «bad customer» but I hope Unilocalers are savvy to what’s going on. Oh and Karl — just do away with the coupon printing — it’s just not environmentally friendly, and I’m sure your billing and accounting program has a way for you to adjust a price based on a coupon. BtW it’s advertised 19.95 on Unilocal and doesnt say you must print the coupon — silliness.

Carl is da MAN! $ 20 oil change WHA?!? Yep. Best deal in the Bay!

These guys are pretty good and their prices are quite reasonable. They’ve done a good job doing oil changes, changin my rear brakes, replacing my transmission, and replacing a fuel pump.
However, I was disappointed with the job they did with replacing valve cover gaskets. They did it three times and shortly after they did the work oil would start leaking out of the top of my engine again. It just seemed like shoddy work to me and wouldn’t have them do it again.
Also, they advised me to replace my serpentine belt way too early a couple years ago; i opted to not replace it and it’s still working great and has not broken.
My air conditioning also stopped working right after they replaced my transmission. I’m not sure if they caused it to break down or not.
Other than that, their personnel (Karl & Reco) are friendly, with great prices and service. I would’ve used them for car repairs still but I moved recently and it’s no longer convenient for me to drive all the way over there.

Update: still more great customer service from IFA, fair prices, and good work. Plus when I showed up today for my scheduled brake appointment and was all out-​of-​sorts because someone rear-​ended my car, everyone was great as usual, and gave me a shuttle ride (along with my 70 pound dog) to the rental car shop.
They are realistic, they give me an idea about upcoming repairs/​maintenance and rough estimates so I can plan ahead, and I love coming here.

I like a place that remembers me and treats me like a person and remembers my name. Karl and Reco take great care of me and my cars. I started going to them when I just couldn’t take another $ 1000 BMW oil change (ma’am, you also need yada yada yada) They take care of the problem at hand as well as watch out for problems that are developing. Pricing is both fair and competent. And I can take both German and Japanese cars to them. They even repair my hybrids. Plus the location, while not fancy, is super convenient and near my office.

Ladies (and Gentlemen): Listen-​up!
If you are looking for a car repair shop with caring competent quality Certified Technicians, Office Personnel, and Management, then take your vehicle to Independent Factory Automotive (IFA).
Ask for Reco or Karl. They will treat you like Royalty, pamper your ride, not over charge you, and give you the low-​down on any needed, upcoming repair (s).
You owe it to yourself to relax to let the professional care received at IFA give you the confidence needed to manage the road again! I have been a client of Reco’s since 1990 and he has serviced both my 1983 Toyota Cressida and 1994 Toyota Camry.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the level of service I have received.
To date, my experience is that my Toyota Camry has over 276,000 miles, is in excellent condition, and is on track to reach 300,000 miles. These results are shared here as my experience, but what better hands to place your vehicle than with a repair shop with such a great track record!

I had my oil changed here the other day. I don’t have anything to complain about. They were quick, nice, and had reasonable prices. I’ll see you in 5000 miles guys.

So after my engine light came on, only a few days later did I happen to get their flyer in my mail for a free diagnostic. It must have been a sign so I decided to check them out after AAMCO was no where to be found on a Saturday morning when they should’ve been open. What a waste of a Saturday morning on my end when I could’ve slept in!
IFA seemed very honest and straight forward with any problems they found and they didn’t even pressure me into getting my work done there on the spot when they called me to tell me about my issue. They were considerate enough to allow me to think about what I wanted to do before I made a final decision if I even wanted to have my car worked on. I decided to have them fix the problem and they had it done within 1.5 hours. They did a great job and were very friendly with my whole experience including their receptionist. They even offered a free shuttle service in the morning and afterwards from BART so I wouldn’t have any problems conflicting with my work schedule.
If you want an honest shop to bring your car to without the aggressive attitude, then I definitely say give them a shot.

I had several discussions with Reco and another mechanic about what was wrong with my car and was told conflicting things. In the end, I feel like I’m being jerked around, since I can’t get a straight answer about the parts that need to be replaced.

I phoned Independent Factory Automotive to get an over the phone quote for my 2003 BMW z4 becase my brake pad light came on. There quote for changing the brake pads for only the front was $ 550.00!!!
Are they nuts. The actual cost of the pads is $ 80! I know because I replaced them myself with my Dad about 2 years ago. The service person I spoke with also informed me that I would have to replace the rotors because BMW states that it is unsafe to drive and that every time you replace the pads and do not replace the rotors it is dangerous. ALL THIS THIS OUT EVEN SEEING THE CAR. This is fraud.
I then decided to call machannic in that I usually see in SL named World imported care services and they qouted me $ 220.00 which sounded more resonable also they mentioned they confirmed my feelings the rotors did not need to replaced every time. I will be taking my care to world imported because they are honest!
Dont go to this shop they will take the shirt off your back!!!

We have been going to Independent Factory Auto for as long as they have been open. We’ve had a great experience with both mechanics and people in the front office.
We trust them with our cars. They don’t overcharge us or offer to do more work than we need done!
I would highly recommend bringing your car to IFA.

They’ve always done well by me, though I’ve only gotten my oil changed there and, I think, had an air filter put on. Pretty prompt. The receptionist is extremely friendly, remembers you even if you haven’t been there for months, and has the craziest long nails EVER.

I refuse to pay for basic maintenance to be done by the dealer when a car’s out of warranty. That’s just my personal value system. But, I want some place that has seen the same type of car that I have before they start working on mine. This place fits the bill. The staff is very friendly and professional. They’re open from 7:30 to 6, and will drop you off or pick you up, within a reasonable geographic area. The only thing that prevents me from giving them 5 stars is that they don’t always have the car ready by the time they promise. It’s always ready on the DAY they promise, but I think they tend to underestimate how busy the shop is on a given day. The other thing I like about them is that they toss in a car wash with your servicing.