A+ Japanese Auto Repair, Inc.
Came here to address a knocking noise coming out of the engine bay of my 2008 Honda Odyssey. Scheduling through the website was convenient. Got a call within 15 minutes to confirm my appointment and to let me know that they can send a tow truck should the van deemed un-drivable or potentially dangerous to operate. Good start. At the appointment Albert was assigned to me, walked me through the process, explained what they will do, how they will communicate with me, get approval and the cost at each step of the way. A technician went on a ride with me so I could point out the noise. Another came to verify and make sure we're aligned on the problem. 3 hours after drop-off I received a link to detailed documentation with images of the condition of the vehicle. They had inspected close to 70 items on the van and taken images, likely also video to point out any issues. Albert called to go through everything they found during the inspection which accumulated to a valve adjustment, brakes, bushings and control arms for a vehicle with 109K miles on it. All items and their condition were documented in detail and on image (broken bushings etc.) or reported down to the percentage of O2% in the brake fluid, it should be 0%. The total proposed repairs were $4200. He suggested to focus on the knocking noise and brakes for safety purpose and the rest when able to. Real world recommendation. I approved the work and they were going to start the next morning as the valves needed to be completely cold to be adjusted. The following morning Albert called at 8:30 to let me know that the mechanics went through the van before starting the work and identified that the root of the knocking could not be rectified with valve adjustments and that the valves were likely damaged which would possibly require a rebuild or engine replacement. Neither of which would have been reasonable considering the age and mileage of the vehicle. They put everything back, cleaned the engine bay and charged me $0 for the entire thing. Not even for the initial diagnostic. I can't speak to their mechanical abilities, yet, but if it is anywhere close to the care they've demonstrated (Elaine recommending a towing truck for safety, mechanics double checking before starting the work) the transparency of Albert's communication and integrity of doing what's best for the client is an indicator; then I anticipate exceptional mechanic work.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, Binh! We’re thrilled to hear that from scheduling to inspection, our team, including Albert and Elaine, was able to provide the level of care, transparency, and professionalism you described. It's incredibly important to us that our clients feel confident and informed throughout the process, and we're glad we could help you understand the condition of your Honda Odyssey in such detail. Your trust means everything to us, and we're here to provide honest, thorough service whenever you need it. Thank you again, and please don’t hesitate to reach out for any future needs! Best, Eric S. Co-Owner A+ Japanese Auto Repair, Inc. 650-703-0973
- A+ Japanese Auto Repair, Inc.