Mathilda Valero Station Auto Services

Paul is great — always on schedule, very patient, and tells me exactly what should be fixed and what doesn’t really need to be fixed.
I drive an old honda (’91) that looks like and is indeed falling apart and a friend recommended me to go to Paul. He took a look at the car and told me a couple of things that need to be fixed (brake, muffler, tires, and some adjustments). I decided to just change the brakes and other adjustments but didn’t put in additional money for the muffler or tires because the car is so old that I thought it may break down any minute. Basically I only fixed 50% of the problems just so to make the car driveable.
So I drove it in ok condition — super loud with lots of fumes — for months (because I didn’t listen to Paul about the muffler), until I’m convinced that the car can last much longer and I went to Paul again to fix the remaining 50%. After that, the ride is super smooth, clean, and quiet!

I went to multiple places to simply get my car checked before my road trip. Every single place quoted me nearly $ 100 more than Paul, trying to upsell me on my brakes, tires, etc. Paul was the first honest and reliable mechanic that I encountered. He was so friendly and explained to me in great detail what things I needed to watch out for in my car. In the end, all I really needed was an oil change and to have my windshield wipers replaced.
I’d highly recommend going to see Paul for anyone that is searching for a knowledgeable and reliable neighborhood mechanic!

The 2 employees in the service station are very unfriendly. I wouldn’t know how to rate their work because they told me they couldn’t help and handed me a card to another station without saying a word.

Oh my goodness. Paul is a lifesaver. Went to her a smog check by the dmv because found out I needed it to update my registration and failed because my engine light was on. Boyfriend offered to take my car into a mechanic by his work in San Mateo. Not only did that place charge 150 to assess the problem they said it would cost 800 to fix! Called Paul and he said he’d be happy to take a look. After taking a look he quoted me for significantly less (without my telling him the original quote!). He fixed it the next day. Car is running super smooth now. So happy and relieved!!! Feeling blessed to finally have a trusted mechanic. This spot is definitely a hidden gem. Ask for Paul!

I have come here to get my oil changed for awhile since they are fairly cheap, yet every time I come in, they always tell me that there is something wrong with my car. This last time I went in they said that my engine mount was broken and that it would cost $ 400 to repair it. I told them that I would think about it and come back. What I did instead was take it to my dad who has been a mechanic for over 45 years and he said that the engine mount was definitely not broken. If it was, I would feel the car *thud* every time I shifted.
So that was the last time I went to this mechanic. They lost my trust at that point trying to sell me something that I’m sure they knew I did not need to fix. I would recommend going to Le’s Auto Repair on Evelyn in Sunnyvale. They actually talked my husband out of getting something fixed on his car :)

I came here to get my brakes pads replaced after my car started this embarrassing squeal. /​: I was really concerned about coming in by myself because it seems every time I do they try to give me a ridiculously inflated price because I’m a girl. But I had no choice and it was the only day I had free so I decided to just go for it. i finally came here after going to two other places and Paul, the service manager, explained to me exactly what I was paying for and gave me an amazing deal. (: He was amazingly helpful and my car has been so quiet. I really suggest coming here if you want reliable service for a reasonable price.

i have a very bad experience though, fixed half of the actual problem and told me not to worry about the other. Few days later the problem still existed took it back and now they say they will charge me almost the same as the they charged me first.

Paul, the service manager, is a trustworthy person. He gave me the lowest quote for 90K service. I was a bit worry since his quote is the lowest. I took my car there anyways since I had him to do oil change a few times before.
I really like about this place because my car was ready within the expected time frame. When I picked up my car, without me asking, Paul showed me the packaging box of parts that he had replaced for me, and the old parts he took out from my car. He showed me all the fluid and taught me how to check them. I am very happy with the services. Paul has been fixing my car for the past 2 years. Now, my company also uses him to fix and do the major service for our company car. I am so lucky to find a trustworthy mechanic who also offers reasonable price.

I’ve been going here for about a year. I first came here to get an oil change because it’s so close to my house and was very pleased with the service. The price was very good and the manager, Paul, seemed very honest.
I now take my car here for everything from oil changes to dealing with strange sounds. Paul always gives clear recommendations with enough information so I can decide if the fix is worth the cost.
I’ve recommended this shop to my fiancée and her parents. They also have been very pleased with the service and prices.

Paul has great prices! I just got a great deal on an oil change. I was able to leave work, get an oil change, and get back to work in 25 mintues! I am alwasy skeptical about gas station mechanics but now have a different opinion. Thanks paul!

Note: this review is for over the course of 2010. The first bad review in 2008, was probably a previous owner, because they have a «opening sign» up when I was there.
I started coming here around Feb 2010. This place is the typical auto shop that operates from renting space by a gas station. Have to admit, I normally don’t pay attention to gas station auto shops because I don’t ever feel like they have creditability. But a friend actually recommended this place when they first opened & gave me their business card. The manager’s name is Paul (fluent in English & Vietnamese). After taking my car there for the past 3 – 4 occasions, I’m confident to give positive reviews for this place. Paul is honest, transparent w/​his invoice/​paper work & have your best interest at heart. I had a major 100K tune-​up (timing belt & everything) w/​him & he detailed everything he did. He buys original parts from Honda & past that cost & warranty onto you, and just charges you for the labor. So his quotes are reasonable. I hate it when auto shops try to make $$ off of you from the parts. He explained to me what type of synthetic oil he used for my oil change (unlike crappy oil @ Walmart) & even suggested that if I’m ever in doubt when to have change oil: «just stop by here & I check for you» — that made me feel appreciated. I later brought my Honda back for a sensor change & haven’t had problems since. Now I recommend him to anyone who needs their car fixed. I even brought my Mom’s car for battery update & he remembered my other car & asked, «how is our Honda» *smile*He explained why he picked a high quality battery just for my Mom’s car, because I told him that her battery always dies because she drives it about once a week (not enough driving activity). So he knew what her car needed to fit her driving habits. He said, a average battery would be fine if you drive your car everyday, but since she only uses her car 2 times a week, then you need a better battery. He also checked my friend’s new BMW before my friend bought it from 3^rd party on Craigslist — to make sure everything was fine & was a solid purchase. All in all, I will continue to go this place/​him.

Basic shop with reasonable rates — oil change $ 25, 2x tires $ 170, left axle replacement $ 150. Paul seems knowledgeable and willing to teach you about parts of the car. Rates are negotiable. So far the fixes are holding up pretty well.

I used to all services with this guy. Year back he said I need to change the timing belt. since he saw some oil leaks. when i checked with other guy. he said i don’t need and there were no oil leaks. So I did not do timing belt change.
Last time when i did oil change he still reminded that I need to do timing belt change. I said I don’t want it now and asked him to show me the leak. He said it is under the engine somewhere.
This time after the oil change there was leak of oil. not in the timing belt. but in the area of engine oil filter. So I got scared and went to dealer. he saild it was loosely packed oil filter.
May be by mistake this would have happen and got coincidence with recomanded service. I hope they havn’t done wantedly. This is pure my experience with this guy.
Anyhow I changed the timing belt with dealer since I asked dealer to change it. my car not even 75K. But I decided not to go anywhere other than dealer now.