Henry’s Service

This place is just a short stroll away, so I figured I’d give it a try when computer code P0442 (small leak EVAP) showed up on my car. Lonnie felt that he could do the repair, but felt a different shop could do a better job on my particular model. He turned away a job, but gained a 5 star review.

Lonnie is unbelievable friendly and completely honest. We live in Marin, but still make the drive to Berkeley to have him take care of our cars. We have taken several cars in with noises that sounded serious and each time Lonnie found a simple and inexpensive fix each time. He communicates well and he is never trying to sell you anything, always has your best interests. They have worked on everything for us for us, from and 91 minivan to a 2010 Mini Cooper!

Lonny is the trustworthy best: he shows, in actions, interest in my benefit aside from his. Even though there was no money in it for him, he checked (in the rain) out of curiosity to look at my car. He found a problem two other mechanics missed, a major issue that he, as always, took the time to explain. One other shop, specialists with fancy equipment and printouts, said there was no problem, and I said to try again. They made another test and found what Henry’s Service originally found. Lonny said the people who sold me the car had done a makeup job on it and was genuinely invested on my behalf, even though there was no money in it for him. Where Oakland Auto Works gave me a big expensive list of things to do, Henry’s shop said I didn’t have to, and showed why. Then, rather than say the other people were dishonest, he saved face for them, saying, «These things are more subjective than we might like to think.» He and his mechanic are educated and dear, sincerely, in a more genuine way than, for example, the Texaco oil change that is much cleaner but uses a script for the technicians to say, «thank you» «your welcome» as part of a show, and doesn’t go by the car’s individual condition but by statistics. Or, like the Toyota dealership that dust-​mops the smooth driveway and wears ties. I don’t want to pay for an irrelevant display. Henry’s is real, «good people,» even giving me advice after I moved and they wouldn’t have my business anymore. I’m thinking of driving the extra hour just for them. Twice, by getting their second opinion, they saved me thousands of dollars, and he explained everything. I said he should read the many other rave reviews about him, and he said it would give him a big head. He spent time to chat with me about what cars are good, mechanically, to buy. Sometimes I had trouble contacting him, but he thought that was not the norm. Highest recommendation. A hiding gem.

The guys at Henry’s Service are servicing of my car for the past 5 years.
Lonnie is always honest, respectful and reasonable, and always did a good job. Professional, Fast, Honest, Respectable, Reasonable. Couldn’t ask for more.
At one time when my car was at service, I got stuck in traffic and couldn’t make it on time before they close for the weekend. Lonnie personally dropped the car keys at my home mailbox, so I can pick up the car when I get home.
At another time, the engine was making suspicious noise. I left the car at Henry’s, they checked it out, did a test drive, and figured there’s nothing wrong with the car. They could easily charged my a couple of hundred dollars for labor. they charged $ 0.
Honestly, Lonnie is the only auto mechanic in the world I can blindly trust.

I went here based on the stellar Unilocal reviews, so I’m hoping this is a fluke.
I talked to Lonnie about some very basic routine repairs before I planned to sell my car. I would normally do them myself, but I was interested in paying someone to do it myself to save time.
I had a very poor experience over, and here’s why:
–They had my car for 3 weeks. 3 weeks for any repair is 2 weeks too long.
–After thee weeks, he still had not replaced the components. In fact, the only work performed on my car was locating where a rattle was coming from.
–I had asked them to put my old exhaust system back on my car to return it to its stock condition — Lonnie refused to do it after taking my car down to an exhaust shop, citing that it’s illegal to tamper with exhaust. Unfortunately, that isn’t true. In California, it IS illegal to sell used catalytic converts, but it is not illegal to return a vehicle to it’s stock condition using parts provided by the owner.
–Lonnie did not proactively call me once over the 3 weeks to update me on the repairs. I had to call him every time (the first of which was after 7 days in the shop)
–I had requested that Lonnie replace some basic suspension components, which I provided to him. He did not replace it the components after the 3 weeks. At the 3 week mark, me quoted me $ 300 to replace both, or 2 hours labor. The component needing replacement generally takes less than 1 hour, and I had gotten quotes from other shops in the area for $ 60 – 80.
Ultimately, I told Lonnie that I was going to pick up my car without performing any maintenance. By the end of the 3 weeks that they had my car, it was clear to me that they were not interested in performing repairs in any timely fashion. This was hands down the worst car repair experience I’ve had with anyone.

Took my wife’s car to Henry’s and They couldn’t fix it. he had it for a week and tried several things and nothing worked. They spent several hours on it and what did they charge me? NOTHING! He was totally honest At first he gave me an estimate for $ 500 to replace the distributor and a few other things. When it didn’t solve the problem, he simply said I should take it to someone that specializes in Hondas. He also replaced my fuel filter but still charged me nothing. Most honest and forthright mechanic I“ve ever met. I took it the dealership and they couldn’t fix it either but charged me $ 180 were totally rude and condescending.

About one in fifty merchants displays the genuine old-​fashioned courtesy that we all long to receive. Henry, Lonnie, and Frederick unfailingly provide that every time I come in. They take the time to explain things thoroughly and are refreshingly gentle people, as well as being fine mechanics. They don’t try to sell you what you don’t need and tell you what can wait and what can’t. They are a reason not to move away from the East Bay, in my opinion.

I call Lonnie «the Buddha» of car mechanics. Seriously, this place has never done me wrong. They are very knowledgable, fast and honest. What more could you want?

I wondered if the hype could be real — all five stars but after our recent car experience, I would have to agree. Lonnie is a really sweet and decent person. My husband and I are dubious about mechanics as a rule given past experiences but we both felt good about Lonnie. He is unassuming, helpful and honest. He worked hard to try and get our problem fixed, called in an expert and didn’t charge us for a diagnosis when he couldn’t fully figure out the problem. We felt he was more than reasonable in his charges. It helps he is nearby but I am recommending him tom friends and we are glad to have found a mechanic we can trust!

I called to find out if they’d be willing to do some exhaust work for me. Lonnie said that they could probably do the work, but that he could refer me somewhere that might be faster for me. He was super nice and seemed genuinely more interested in my car getting fixed on time than making money off of me. I’ll be taking my car here from now on.

I brought my 10 year old beemer to them due to the high price charged by the dealers and specialized BMW repair shops. They are honest, honest, honest which in my book holds more value than specialization. They made sure my car was in perfect order before returning it to me and it runs like new!
I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Henry, Lonnie, and Frederick are the best.

Henry, Lonnie, and Frederick take great care to make sure that they are honest and do great work. I have taken my car to them for years, as have my parents. They know I am on a budget and therefore always try to get me the best solution for the cost. They have never tried to sell me up. I have a Honda and my parents have a Subaru. Now that I live in Oakland, I still take my car all the way over there because once you find an honest mechanic you never give that up!

I went to Henry’s shop one day after my previous mechanic change water pump and belts 2 times and it continued to make noise. After I spent near $ 1000 and 1 month in that shop I asked for a second opinion. Henry adjusted the belt and the car is still fine after 3 years. Since then he’s done multiple repairs on my trucks and car and always service is great, on time and very reasonable. Highly recommend Henry’s service for your car and truck needs.

I have been getting service from Henry for 25 years. He is always accommodating, friendly, cheerful, knowledgeable, professional, courteous, and expert. He is totally honest and will never do more than in needed at a fair price. My son got an estimate from someone else for a clutch problem and they wanted over $ 800 to replace the clutch and pressure plate. I told him to go to Henry. Henry solved the problem with a simple adjustment.

Hey there,
My dad has been taking the family’s cars to Henry for the passed 10 years or so. Henry and Lonnie are awesome, they are extremely friendly, honest and will work on the problem until it is finished. We are fortunate to have them.

I wish I could bring my car here still! I love this place, but we bought a newer honda and Henry doesn’t work on hondas. If you have a car Henry can work on, for god’s sakes, bring it here. They’re honest and they always stand behind their work. One time they made a mistake on our old chevy and they fixed it right away even though fixing the mistake involved about a half day’s worth of work — they did it enthusiastically, didn’t charge me a penny and won my loyalty forever.

Honest and caring, I feel like I can trust Henry and Lonnie with my car. They may be a little bit more expensive, but I’d rather pay a little more for better comprehensive service and some one who will talk to me about my car. They went above and beyond in work and service in finding parts and getting them which is super appreciated after going to shops that just fiddle around with one thing or another. I’m very pleased with the work with they do and will be back!

I went to Henry’s Service a year ago or so for a new strut. Lonnie knew I couldn’t afford to get both struts fixed, but recommended that I did get the driver’s side done (it was bad, and other people had commented on the lack of shock absorption). It was expensive, but because of the job and necessity, and because I felt he was being honest about both, I got the one side done.
I was very happy with the experience despite parting with so much money on my aging car. They were helpful and showed me what they had done and the parts that were replaced. They were the first place I called for a second opinion or suggestion on CV boot replacement. Unfortunately, they are unable to do that service. But I will patronize them again in the future.

If there were 10 stars available Henry and his Son Lonnie would receive all 10. These two have worked on almost every car I have owned. They are very HONEST and very NICE… they bend over backwards to help you understand what it is they must do, need to do or are going to do to get your vehicle back out on the road. I grew up around the corner from them and they would even drop my car off back at my house when finished… My parents take both of their vehicles to Henry’s and will continue to do so for many years to come… A++++++ to Henry’s Service.

I too give Henry’s Service a 5 STAR!!! Honest service. He doesn’t try to get away with anything and understands if you are on budget so he tells you what you really should do, what he can do, and what you can live with. Since I don’t work over in the East Bay anymore I don’t go to Henry’s. I wish I could find someone who is as good as Henry in Marin County.
I hope you don’t need any repairs, but if you do you can trust the service and commitment that Henry gives to you. Also check out his prices for Oil Changes and normal maintenance. I bet you will find he is pretty close to what you would pay at one of those drive up oil change places.