Cate's Auto Service

unknown

unknown

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not on time

We have used Cates' Auto Service for several years once our cars are out of warranty because we trust them to care for our cars as if there were their own. We've always been treated like family there and today was no different. I was greeted warmly by more than one person there, both when I dropped my truck off and when I picked it up. Ryan called me during servicing my truck to inform me of the progress, what he had found, what was right with the truck, what needed tweaked, and completed the work quickly and reasonably. It's not always easy to know who to trust your car's maintenance to, but Cates' is, and will continue to be, our first choice!Gener

Cates was recommended by my insurance agent as a preferred auto shop to do the repairs on my 2000 VW Bettle after hitting a large rock left in the roadway. As a result of the crash, my vehicle had lost all antifreeze and overheated.

Cates First told me that they had found only a coolant line had been ruptured. They stated that they could fix this for less than half of my deductible if I was OK with the body damage. I received the vehicle back and promptly drove it to work. the vehicle again over heated. Upon inspection, I discovered that Cates had used the incorrect coolant. I contacted Cates and was told to bring the vehicle back in. At this time, I was told that Cates had not even inspected the vehicle for an overheating issue, only for leaks on the part they replaced. Keep in mind, this vehicle was involved in a crash and was towed in to Cates as it had overheated!

Eight days later after hearing nothing from the shop, I was informed that i was being charged 131.00 to flush my coolant system and refill it with the correct fluid. They used the wrong type and I ended up paying 105.00 after all was said and done for their mistake. At this time I was told that they had not figured out why my vehicle had over heated. I was also told that they didn't know why my check engine light was on. Cates stated that they wanted to start by changing my thermostat for a mere 310.00 and and quot;go from there.and quot;

I took my vehicle to a shop that I have used over and over again with no problems. it took them approximately 3 hours to diagnose what Cates couldn't do in 2 weeks. The vehicle ended up having a blown head gasket. At this point I again had to open an insurance claim. Due to Cates stating that the only damage was a coolant pipe, I now had a vehicle that was not going to be covered by insurance as the damage was listed as prior unrelated damage. Eventually I was able to have the vehicle inspected a second time and with the help of my now permanent mechanic, my insurance company ended up paying out slightly more than 3000.00. All this would have been detected from the beginning had I taken my vehicle to this mechanic in the first place.

On top of the sheer incompetence shown by Cates, my wife and I were treated like dirt. We were talked to like we weren't worth their time. Cates will never touch another vehicle I own and I hope you as readers take your vehicle somewhere else.

Overall it went very well. The office staff is very nice and helpful. In addition they offer rental cars if you need one. If they have your car for work you will get their lowest rate. I paid $23/day for a 2010 Malibu. The work took 3 days, which I felt was reasonable for what needed to be done and how busy they were.

They did the work quickly, quoted an accurate estimate, and let us pay via the phone during a snowstorm. They also moved the car inside to protect it until we could pick up. The office staff and mechanic were very polite and kept us informed during the whole process.