Castro Valley Auto Repair

For the last several years, I have driven well over an hour to Bud Adams Auto Repair in Castro Valley for all my major services - I have had oil changes, new tires, smog check, and 30k-60k-90k maintenance services. Bill often says on his radio show every week that he will "tell it to you straight...." He does. I went a few weeks ago for a 90k Service and again they got it done in the time needed and were VERY Accommodating! They have saved me a good bit of money over the last few years.

I've been a Bud Adams Auto Repair customer for many years. Right out of high school and high school auto shop, I did almost all my own auto repairs. I've swapped in rebuilt engines, replaced clutches and done the whole range of general automotive work. That was back before the advent of computerized automotive systems. Along the way, as automotive systems grew more complicated and my high school auto shop skills less useful, I've gradually handed off responsibility to "professionals." I use quotation marks because not all the shops I've used over the years have been particularly professional. Eventually, I found Bud Adams and his wonderful shop. Professional is exactly the right word for the mechanics down at Bud Adams Auto Repair. I guess I've become a grumpy old man, but over the years I have found it increasingly difficult to find tradesmen who know what they are doing and charge a reasonable fee. Bud Adams' shop is an exception. Don't ask me where to find a good electrician or a competent lawnmower repair shop. But if you need a good general automotive repair shop, Bud Adams Auto Repair is the place. As long as they are still open and I'm still driving, I'll never go anywhere else.

I've been a Bud Adams Auto Repair customer for 7 or 8 years. My regular shop had closed and I first turned to another highly reviewed shop in Castro Valley - they turned me away because - get this - they don't work on Mitsubishis. They work on just about every other make, but just not Mitsubishis - go figure! Bud Adams was just a few blocks farther down the road, so I gave them a try. Am I ever glad I did. Bud Adams Auto Repair is an "old fashioned" shop in the best sense of the term. They are courteous, prompt, reasonably priced and very professional. I'm a bit of a cheapskate and I like to keep my cars on the road for 250,000 miles, more or less. The Mitsubishi I was driving that first day at Bud Adams eventually clocked just under 275,000 miles before I put it to pasture. It never would have made it so far without the help of Bud and his crew. Perhaps the most annoying problem I have had with auto repair shops over the years is to be sent along my way, after paying a hefty tab, only to find the problem that brought me to the shop in the first place was not fixed. The most infuriating example of this being a service manager at a local Ford dealership who slapped me on the back after my second visit (and over $3,000 invested) and said that if the repairs they had made on that visit didn't fix the problem, he knew just what parts he would replace the next time. Of course, the problem wasn't fixed, but there wasn't a next time. I have never had this problem with Bud Adams. Never. With Bud Adams, the problem has always been fixed right the first time. Finally, I'd like to tell you how Bud Adams and his crew have gone the extra mile for me. On two separate occasions I was having problems with automotive specialty repair shops, one a tranny shop and the other a diesel engine repair shop. The tranny shop couldn't figure out how to fix what seemed to be a simple problem; the diesel shop wasn't sure they wanted to honor their own warranty for work they had done. In both instances, I stopped by Bud Adams about quitting time and spoke with Bud, Bill and the crew about how to handle these vexing and potentially expensive problems. In both instances, their advice helped me get the other shops to do the right thing - in the case of the diesel shop, Bud Adam's advice saved me $15,000. For that piece of advice, alone, I'll be forever grateful.

If you are looking for an honest auto shop, stop here an contact Bud Adams. Bill is trustworthy, honest and delivers great work! I drive in from Dublin to go here, and if I was further out, I would still come!

Been a customer for more than 20 years and will never trust any mechanic as much as Bud and Bill Adams. My old car's A/C needed new parts, and Bill went above and beyond with warranty to diagnose and cure the intermittent problem. They treat customers fairly, truthfully, and know what they're doing.

The office team and the owner couldn't be easier to work with. Their team shoots straight: letting you know if something "needs" to be done ASAP, or can wait until your budget allows. Mechanics; well they're mechanics: valued for their expertise, not their charm. That said, the mechanic for my most recent service was in danger of breaking that stereotype. Bud Adams was recommended to me 11 years ago and I'm comfortable recommending them now.

time around for service on my Hybrid Escape. I usually work on my own vehicles as I have done so for the past 35 years. Having problems with the electric power steering and run through my own trouble shooting process I cam to a point where I needed someone with a bit more experience. BAAR came up with the same diagnosis that I had. Based on the apparent mileage they tried to advise against proceeding any further. As there was no other recourse but to start replacing parts with known good parts in hopes of resolving the problem. This was something that I had already known and after discussing the options with the staff decided to proceed with the first part replacement.Long story short All is good with the steering, 800 and change vs a potential 2300+.My opinion is they appear knowledgeable, personable and service oriented. While looking out for the best interest of their customer.I will continue to use their services when I find I do not have the facilities at home or when I do not have the time to conduct my own repairs.Just like the old days going down to the old corner garage.Wait they are the garage on the corner.Knowing what my answer would be they kindly reminded me of some service that may be due soon knowing that I would be likely to do it myself instead of trying to up sell the repairs.great place to go two thumbs up.

Second time around for service on my Hybrid Escape. I usually work on my own vehicles as I have done so for the past 35 years. Having problems with the electric power steering and run through my own trouble shooting process I cam to a point where I needed someone with a bit more experience. BAAR came up with the same diagnosis that I had. Based on the apparent mileage they tried to advise against proceeding any further. As there was no other recourse but to start replacing parts with known good parts in hopes of resolving the problem. This was something that I had already known and after discussing the options with the staff decided to proceed with the first part replacement. Long story short All is good with the steering, 800 and change vs a potential 2300+. My opinion is they appear knowledgeable, personable and service oriented. While looking out for the best interest of their customer. I will continue to use their services when I find I do not have the facilities at home or when I do not have the time to conduct my own repairs. Just like the old days going down to the old corner garage. Wait they are the garage on the corner. Knowing what my answer would be they kindly reminded me of some service that may be due soon knowing that I would be likely to do it myself instead of trying to up sell the repairs. great place to go two thumbs up.

For the last several years, I have driven over an hour to Castro Valley to Bud Adams Auto Repair for all my major services - oil changes, new tires, smog check, and 30k-60k maintenance services. Bill says on his radio show every week that he will "tell it to you straight...." He does. I went last week for a 90k Service and again they got it done in the time needed and were VERY Accommodating! They have saved me a lot of money over the last few years.

They repaired my Explorer power steering last year and it developed a leak about 10 months later. They honored the warranty and replaced the rack and pinion gear at no charge. They have worked on fuel system problems with my Windstar van and I have had no issues with these repairs.