Amelia HallA few months ago, my car started making this horrible noise that sounded like the dogs screaming bloody murder. My partner at the time thought he could fix it himself by popping the hood and following a YouTube tutorial.
Big mistake. His overconfidence only made things worse, and I quickly learned that DIY car repairs can end up costing you way more in the long run.
To fix the mess, I asked my Waterview Vancouver team to help me look into trusted auto shops in the city. After plenty of research (and a few recommendations from other car owners), we pulled together a list of the best shops for car repair in Vancouver.
Check who made the list here!
How much does it cost to get a car repaired in Vancouver?
Basic car repairs in Vancouver cost at least $60. This price is just an average estimate. The actual price for the repairs will depend on the car, the repair shop, the repairs, and more.
1. Amin’s Auto Svc
Address: 204 Kingsway
Contact Details: +1 604-874-5328
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 4:30 PM
- Saturday – 8:30 AM to 3 PM
If you want honest work, clear advice, and a place that treats you (and your car) right, Amin’s is where you should go. We love that they have no upsells, just what you need.
We also appreciate the transparency. The mechanics actually explain what’s wrong with the vehicle and how they’ll fix it in plain language. One client told us he got his brakes repaired without having to listen to long mechanic-speak he didn’t understand.
That said, the repair did take longer than expected (up to a few days). A few others also experienced longer wait times for brake repair because they had to wait for parts.
While this isn’t really a dealbreaker for us, it can be for others, so we want to be transparent about that.
Aside from that, we like how fast they are with oil changes and tire repairs. Many said they didn’t have to wait more than an hour for their car to be serviced.
They’re also fast at diagnosing battery problems. They swap it out fast too, so your car’s back to starting like normal without any fuss.
Amins is beyond fair and straight forward
“Top Notch service! I was Recommended by a close friend who owns many vehicles. Amins is beyond fair and straight forward, they explain things to you if you don’t know much about cars and they don’t try and sneak in any up sales or sketchy fees. excellent business and employees!”
- Ty James Google Reviews
If I could give more than 5 stars I would!
”If I could give more than 5 stars I would! I brought my car in and it was repaired same day. Very fair pricing. Extremely happy to find a trust worthy mechanic.”
- Erin Moore Google Reviews
2. Discount Auto Repair
Address: 1750 Clark Dr
Contact Details: +1 604-251-2600
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
If you want your car to run smoothly without breaking the bank, Discount Auto Repair is where you want to take it. They are fast, inexpensive, and dependable.
The synthetic oil they use during oil changes received a lot of love from the people we talked to. Many said their engines still sound awesome after a few weeks, and their cars ran much smoother.
We really appreciate that they don’t cheap out on parts. They use good, safe parts for brake repairs, which is very important in ensuring your safety while driving the car.
They are honest when it comes to repairs too. A couple of people told us their mechanics were straightforward during their engine light checks and saved them a ton of money because they found out the real problem before it got worse.
Their range of new and used tires comes in handy too. It gives customers options that fit both their budget and conditions.
Just to be clear, though, lots of people come here because they are good and inexpensive. It’s better to call first before driving here unless you love waiting rooms.
Always know my car is in good hands
”Nowhere else in the city I would bring my car! Hard to find businesses these days that really still care about their customers you will definitely find that at Discount Auto. Always know my car is in good hands and the team there will give me all the info to make the best decision for my vehicle every time !”
- Kris Aggerholm Google Reviews
Honest about everything
“Experience was good. I felt they me a good price and were honest about everything. Customer service was great. I will likely be back for more repairs soon as my car needs it.“
- Blair Stringer Google Reviews
3. Vancouver Auto Centre | Best Auto Repair Shop
Address: 794 Powell St
Contact Details: +1 604-255-6221
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 5:30 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 4:30 PM
Vancouver Auto Centre is super detail-oriented, which is a good thing. They focus on the little things that stop your car from becoming a money pit.
In fact, one person told us their repair techs caught an air filter and coolant issue that their previous mechanic failed to spot. That kind of attention to detail helps ensure you don’t end up with more costly repairs down the road.
We appreciate that they don’t just swap car fluids and call it a day. They look at the brakes, power steering, and other key components to keep your car running smoothly.
Many also told us the mechanics were able to spot worn-out belts and dying batteries before they were left stranded somewhere embarrassing. And their tire checks? They are on top of their game.
Plus, the mechanics actually give helpful maintenance tips that help keep the cars in good condition for a long time.
We’re just disappointed that they sometimes double-book repair appointments. It’s pretty annoying when you’re already short on time.
Couldn’t be more impressed with the service
“I brought my car in for repairs, and I couldn’t be more impressed with the service I received. From the moment I walked in, the staff was professional, knowledgeable, and clearly experienced with high-end vehicles. They diagnosed the issue and provided exact amount of repair cost which other shops don’t do! I called Ferrari Vancouver for the same repair and their cost was x4 more because they would have to “replace” everything which the car didn’t need. The car is running better than ever after the repair ever since. It’s not easy finding a shop you can trust with a luxury vehicle, but Taha and his professional team got it all figured out. Highly recommend for anyone who wants quality work and peace of mind with best pricing in town. I’ve been recommending this shop to all my friends and all of them are impressed with the work these guys are doing during the past year!”
- Prime life Google Reviews
Very friendly service
“Great service, I had been neglecting my car so I knew a lot could be wrong and they walked me through everything they could fix and prices were transparent. My car feels Noticeably better and I’m glad they recommended an alignment, nice to not struggle driving straight! Parts had to be ordered for brakes so they kept the car over the weekend which was fine for me. Very friendly service, received text reminders of appointment, and digital PDF of all charges, labour and parts breakdown.“
- Vi Bell Google Reviews
4. S & M Auto Service
Address: 1626 Venables St
Contact Details:
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 5 PM
S&M Auto Service is tech-savvy, and we love it. We love that they text you, send pics, and even videos while your car is getting repaired. These updates are really helpful when you’re busy because you don’t need to stay at the shop and micromanage.
One customer said it took the stress out of a major engine repair because they felt in the loop the whole time.
We also love that they’re a Designated Vehicle Inspection Facility. This means you can get all the official stuff done at once.
It’s also impressive how knowledgeable the staff are with anything car-related, from oil changes to transmissions. They actually suggest the right fix for your car and not just the fastest or most expensive repair.
Many customers also told us that the warranties aren’t just for show. The shop actually honors their car workmanship warranty if you bring your car back with issues not long after their repair.
The only caveat here is that the parts they have in stock can be a bit old school. So you may have to wait a few days if you need a transmission or brakes for newer car models.
I was back on the road the same day
“The folks at S & M Auto are awesome—super helpful, friendly, and honest. I brought my car in with completely worn-down brake pads, and they took care of everything efficiently and I was back on the road the same day with it all running wonderfully. Highly recommend this crew!”
- Asalah Yousef Google Reviews
Never tries to sell us a service we don’t need
“My partner and I feel well taken care of at S & M auto, we have been taking our cars here for over 15 years. John is honest and never tries to sell us a service we don’t need, he is a great guy and very trustworthy. Kevin and the other mechanics are excellent. We highly recommend John and the team at S & M Auto Service.”
- Marla Britton Google Reviews
5. Tremblay Motors Ltd.
Address: 1505 W 3rd Ave
Contact Details:+1 604-682-0044
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 7 AM to 5 PM
Tremblay Motors has been around for 80 years, servicing vehicles of all sorts (cars, trucks, vans, etc).
If you have brake or clutch problems, Tremblay’s can fix it. If you need to do the dreaded Commercial Vehicle Inspection, they do that too.
But one thing they offer that is simply awesome is the Check to Buy service. Buying a used car can be a very stressful experience, but this service helps to alleviate that anxiety.
One customer said Tremblay’s expert eyes saved them from their impending purchase of a complete lemon. They discovered some issues that would have otherwise gone unnoticed and would have required costly repairs in the future.
Plus, Tremblay’s seasonal tune-up service takes care of ensuring your vehicle is equipped for any weather. Many people say their transmissions and cooling systems last way longer because of Tremblay’s service.
However, it’s worth noting that Tremblay’s is a little old school. They don’t have the high-tech gadgets the posh alternative shops may have.
Honest shop, fair pricing and the car is always returned clean
”Was a regular up until 2016, then I bought a new car: once the warranty ran out, it was straight back to Tremblay – Brad instantly remembered me and was happy to catch up. Nothing has changed: they will call before they do any work not already discussed; in addition they will tell you how much it’s going to cost and if you can wait or if the work is “must do”, helping you budget for future repairs. An honest shop, fair pricing and the car is always returned clean. Shop is always clean, and Brad is awesome – good to be back!“
- Gavin De West Google Reviews
The car comes back way cleaner
“We’ve always had great service at Tremblay. The car comes back way cleaner than when we take it in. There’s been a clunking sound while driving which we haven’t been able to problem solve, and today when I picked up the car (I’m not the person who usually drops off or picks up the car) the person helping me that we check the spare tire because it might be loose, and it was! Thanks for figuring this out, it is much appreciated!”
- Jocelyn Li Google Reviews
