Anonymous
map-marker Springfield, Virginia

Great Service

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

I have found the mechanics and owners at Cardinal Plaza Shell to be very trustworthy and honest. They admitted to me that they installed a defective oil filter (not their fault) and they remedied the situation by purchasing a motor with on 11K miles and installing it for free.

My care had 75K miles. Since the new motor was installed that have addressed any concerns I have with the new motor. They may cost more, but they don't do the repairs without authorization.

It is your choice to pay or not. I given them latitude because I know their work will be correct even if it means they have to swallow the cost of replacing a motor.

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Pros:
  • Honesty
Reason of review:
Good quality
Anonymous
map-marker Springfield, Virginia

Totally Agree

My local mechanic was off for the holidays so I was in a bind...Cardinal Shell apparently had a good rep and they were closest to my home...totally lost my faith with these guys as far as I'm concerned...$572 for an AC compressor ($300 avg) and two belts for $118 ($25 avg for each....an alternator belt and a serpentine)...along with $200 for AC evac and recharge....$1200 total for parts and labor...Jack Wipe knew I was onto him and he had no legit answers...But I could do nothing about it ...First time I went to these guys for any major work....NEVER AGAIN!....

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Reason of review:
Pricing issue
1 comment
Guest

Sounds like you're comparing prices between a full service facility and a discount parts store - apples and oranges. You're the dummy for not getting an estimate.

Avrey Tto
map-marker Lorton, Virginia

Car REpair Rip-offs

After spending several thousand dollars over the last 2 years at Cardinal Plaza Shell, I will never let them repair my vehicles again. Over the past year, they always seem to be trying to sell me unnecessary repairs and parts. Now I have proof that this is absolutely true.

I used to be a Fleet manager for 60 Delivery vans, because the vans routes involved considerable stop and go driving, we had to change brake pads every 20-25,000 miles, but we did not have to change the rotors until at least 50K miles. These vehicles were on what as known as "severe duty maintenance schedules".

A year and a half ago, my Toyota Highlander, needed new brakes and rotors, this was after 106K miles. Cardinal Shell did the work.

I asked them to replace the front brake pads, after 45Kmiles on 8/3/13, but this time I measured the rotors to make sure that they were in"Spec", which they were. Cardinal Shell tried to sell me not only front brakes, but also rotors, when I told them not to machine the rotors and just replace the pads, they refused. Why ? because machining would have put the Rotors slightly below "Spec", this way they could sell me $ 320 of rotors. It is not necessary to machine the rotors each time you replace the pads, unless you want to put the rotors out of "Spec" and sell additional parts and labor.

Two months ago I had my 2010 Toyota Corolla in for oil change and tire rotation, the car had 25K miles on it. The car was hardly driven over the last year, but Cardinal Shell told me the Transmission fluid was dirty. They then proceeded to sell me a Transmission service for $240. When I checked the Service manual, Toyota does not even recommend replacing the Transmission fluid until 100K miles. NOW I KNOW I WAS RIPPED OFF ON THIS SERVICE ALSO.

Cardinal Shell at one time used to be an honest shop, it is not anymore, the owner does not seem to care that the people he has running service are now in the business of RIPPING OFF UNKNOWING AND UNSUSPECTING CONSUMERS.

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Loss:
$240

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