Bernie's Automotive Svc

I haven't had a mechanic I can trust since 2002 due to various career relocations. A coworker recommended Bernie's after I just dropped 1,200 on 4 engine mounts, a cv boot and an oil change at some other garage. She also gave me a card for a free oil change which is always a cool deal. I took one of our vehicles in and they even replaced the dead battery in her security remote at the same time. Everyone else has said, "Go to the dealer." These guys are absolutely awesome. When I walked in the front door they looked professional and obviously knew what they were talking about from the first words uttered. The mega plus: they didn't try and talk me into senseless replacements for things I knew didn't need to be done. They recommended realistic things that could be done next time I had the extra cash, and they assured me that a problem wouldn't leave me by the side of the road. BUT... if I was left with a disabled vehicle they also have free towing. I about slapped myself in the face to make sure I wasn't dreaming. They also gave me a rewards card which gives me a percentage back with every service done. I've NEVER had a mechanic that's done that even my favorite mechanic known as "Dad." I will definitely continue taking all our vehicles to Bernie's.

Pros: Professional, well-mannered, knowledgable, efficient

Cons: I haven't found any yet.

Posted 10/20/09

I have been trusting the Pro's at Bernie's for years. My car receives service from no one else - oil changes, tire maintenance/repair and all the other things that need to happen to keep my car running well happen there - on time and without compromise! Being a woman, I have had the unfortunate experience of being taken advantage of by other mechanics in the past who assume i don't know how a car runs; this will not happen to you at Bernie's - you can count on that. i strongly suggest you give them a try, i'm sure you have many other things to stress over, leave your car care to them!

Pros: Amazing customer service

Posted 10/18/09

I'm big into customer service and I'm always excited to see companies who understand the importance of this value! Bernie's has a great staff plus they are informative and friendly. They also have a customer care program where you receive a loyalty card, 5 % of what you spend there goes back on the card. In addition you also get roadside assistance! I was beyond pleased by their services and highly recommend them!!!

Pros: They have customer service down!

Cons: ...

Posted 08/25/09

Bernie's is such a delight to take your car to. They are honest and give great service. I would recommend them highly to anyone who needs anything done on their vehicle whether it is an oil change or major work. They are fast and always have my car ready when they say they will. Try them and you will not be disappointed!

Posted 08/10/09

Bernie?s was great! I
As a female I have never really enjoyed going to the chain stores to get the oil changed in my car. The chain stores are always cold, dirty and smell. The people that work there do not always seem to be very competent. When you walk into to Bernie?s for the first time you know the place is different. The people at the front desk were dressed professionally, they were courteous and knowledgeable. The waiting room is clean and very comfortable. There prices are the same if not a little less expensive than the others. I am overwhelmingly satisfied and will be going back again and again.
Thanks Bernie?s!

Posted 08/10/09

I came in to get my car diagnosed because my car was riding rough. The turn around on the diagnosis and getting my car fixed and back to me was super fast! They went over everthing that needed to be fixed and even were willing to show me pictures. Also, they went out of their way to work with me on the pricing. Very courteous and nice!!

Pros: Honest, reasonably priced, quick service

Posted 07/26/09

Always very friendly and accommodating. I took my car in for an oil change recently when it was extremely dirty, and when I came back to pick it up, it was spotless. Another time I dropped my car off and accidently forgot to leave the key. They were nice enough to send someone over to where I work to pick up the key from me.

Pros: Thorough and friendly communication

Posted 07/26/09

For many years I have been taking my cars to Bernie's. The first time I went, they charged me less than the estimate. Ever since then, they continually confirm their trustworthiness. After previously questionable and possibly criminal mechanics, this is a breath of fresh air.

Pros: Good price and good service

Cons: Not one

Posted 07/11/09

I'm normally pretty wary of car repair shops but Bernie's Automotive restored my faith in them. I will be going back to them in the future.

I had to replace some tires in Portland and used Firestone. At my alignment last month, Firestone on Aurora in Seattle told me that I had to have new front brakes and rotors and that the sky was falling. They gave me an estimate of $596 for their Plus Brake job with a limited warranty of 24,000 miles or 24 months on the parts and 12,000 miles or 12 months on the labor. I asked them how much brake lining did I have. No response.

So I took my 98 Volvo S70 that I rely upon to get to my QuickBooks and Quicken clients that I set up, review, and train at their offices and homes in the Greater Seattle area to Midas who also tried the same thing. Only their estimate was $715 but they offered a "lifetime warranty" on their brake pads but not for their labor which was only warranted for 90 days. They also neglected to tell me how much brake lining I had.

Since I was having my 30K tune up at Bernie's, I was curious what they would say. Will told me that I have about 3mm left (the first auto shop who gave me precise numbers) on my front brakes. He said "You can replace them at your next oil change. You don't need to do them now."

So clutching my wallet and credit card, I asked him how much I should start budgeting for this repair.

He replied, "Oh, about $400 and that includes the rotors. And that is covered by our 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty on labor and parts."

You can trust these folks to tell you what and when you need to repair, at a lower price, and a superior warranty.

Pros: On time, on price, won't sell you services you don't need

Cons: You have to ask for the shuttle service when your reserve.

Posted 07/08/09

From the time I called to make my appointment for an oil change to the time they escorted me back to my car once everything was finished, these guys were extremely helpful and friendly. I'm a fairly recent car owner and still have a lot to learn about how everything works and they went over everything in a much more understandable way than even my own dealership. I'll definitely be coming back.

Posted 07/08/09

The guys at Bernie's were so incredibly helpful and friendly. They replaced the clutch in my Jetta a few weeks ago and were amazing. I know absolutely nothing and they were patient and really seemed to care about their customers. The prices were great and they have a fantastic loyalty rewards program. I will definitely be back in the future!

Pros: super friendly and helpful

Cons: nada

Posted 07/06/09

I felt like the employees had actual interest in my car. I had been given a recommendation by my girlfriend, and she was right. I think they did a good job, and were straight with me about prices, etc. Seems like a quality operation

Pros: Quick and Friendly Service

Cons: Not Super Cheap

Posted 07/01/09

Got a fantastic oil change, even vacuumed my car spotless! Free ride home, great rewards program people were very nice

Pros: Fast service, good estimates, nice people

Cons: none

Posted 06/22/09

The staff here are trustworthy when it comes to my truck. They let me know what might be coming up for necessary repairs, how imminent they are and when I can reasonably get it taken care of, even when I have just come in for routine maintenance. They aren't pushy and can get the work done in a timely manner accomodating my schedule. Nice folks!!

Pros: Friendly professionalism

Posted 06/16/09

I have no complaints about Bernie's. Their staff is always super friendly, helpful, and honest about what work my car really needs. I am constantly receiving coupons in the mail for all sorts of great deals, and they also offer a free shuttle service, which is very handy. I would highly recommend them!

Pros: Friendly, Prompt, Reasonably Priced

Cons: None

Posted 06/05/09

Every time I take my car to Bernies, I get more than I expected. Car is always ready on time. They keep a computer tracking of what is due on my new car to keep warranty intact. They also provide a free towing, roadside repair service to their ongoing customers. Can't find a better deal than that!!!

Pros: Several services not normally supplied by an auto repair sho

Cons: None

Posted 05/27/09

These guys have really gone all out to help me solve some problems with my car. They are knowledgeable, skilled and honest. The work is done on time and on estimate. They are courteous and clean and creative in their approach. They are envirostars so they are responsible with their waste products. Its all good.

Pros: Understand Mercedes Benz vehicles

Cons: none

Posted 05/06/09

Bernie's has served our automotive needs for nearly a decade with exemplary service and courtesy. They are reliable and trustworthy. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone with auto repair needs.

Pros: Excellent friendly service, knowledgeable and honest

Cons: None

Posted 04/15/09

Though I was born in Seattle and have driven by Bernie's for years, I never had my car serviced there because I moved to Bothell in the early 80's and other shops closer to home seemed more convenient.
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In 2007 I became the Operations Manager at Ballard Food Bank and begin to deal with Bernie's on a regular basis.I was amazed to find upon my arrival at BFB that Sam, one of the mechanics at Bernies had decided to donate to the food bank in a most unique and very helpful way. Sam donates his labor in his off hours and only charges for parts and supplies whenever BFB brings one of our very old vans to Bernies. Sam has been the angel that helps keep our old fleet on the road. Thanks to his work, we are able to recover millions of pounds of food each year in our 1987 and 1988 vans.

We recently received a donation of a run down and retired U-haul box truck. Thanks to the mechanical magic of Sam and the rest of the mechanics who helped piece this vehicle back together, BFB has been able to expand food distribution to an off-site location in the evening, allowing us to reach many people who can't get to our other food distribution times during the day. I hear that the real Bernie helped put our truck back together. Thanks Bernie! We really appreciate all that Bernie's Automotive has done for Ballard Food Bank. You guys are a awesome!

Today I took my own car to Bernie's with some concerns. My car is 9 years old and needed a bit of work. Will and Patrick helped me identify the things that needed attention now and also those that could wait.
I appreciated their williness to explain my options, costs etc.without pressure to do everything now. In fact, they told me about the things that could wait. Not many shops do that.

I would highly recommend Bernie's Automotive to anyone. They are a fair and honest shop.

Pros: honest, reliable, fair price

Cons: NONE!

Posted 04/01/09

I've been bringing my car to Bernies for almost five years and am happy to report Bernies always charges me what they quote, my car is always ready when they say it will be, my car always works great (no tow truck in five years - I think it's my record), and they do nice things like give me a ride to work and pick me up. Bernies deserves the best of ratings for the peace of mind they give me!

Posted 01/14/09

I tried Bernie's because I was sick of going to the dealerships and getting taken advantage of. Bernie's has generously supported the Ballard Community and sponsored many fund raisers for Ballard High School. What a treat for me! Will (the service advisor) is delightful, knowledgeable and helpful. We have 3 cars that we will be bringing to them and we've already begun bragging about them to our friends and family. We are customers for life!!!

Pros: Extrodinary Customer Service, Great Warranty, They do everything

Posted 07/23/08