Polycare Automotive

They inspected my brakes for free! They were so nice and warm. It was my first time at an auto repair shop and my experience was amazing.

These guys rock! Brian informs you and doesn’t try to oversell on anything. He completely understands the technical side of the automotive industry and does things that help your vehicle last longer compared to dealership recommendations. I bring my vehicle and all my family and have referred several friends, thank you Poly Care.

Brian is the owner of the shop. This guy was punctual and thorough. I had a blown transmission on my 2002 Nissan Pathfinder and he quoted me the best price of the 14 or so places that I called and he has done great work on two of my cars now. I highly recommend him. Only bad part is that he’s a Charger fan! lol.

I began using Polycare/​Brian for my car repairs about 4 years ago, mostly due to Unilocal and the fact that Brian comes off as very knowledgeable about his trade. The biggest drawback that you’ll read about in other reviews is that Brian can’t help but lecture you about what you should do with your car, what you shouldn’t do with your car, and which car you should have purchased instead of your car (any Toyota). I decided to put up with the latter to benefit from the former. My current take is that Brian’s knowledge is not as rare as it may seem, but rather that he, unlike his counterparts at other shops, chooses to display it verbally to every customer that comes in. I won’t posit why this is.
I’ve moved on from Polycare as a result of my four most recent interactions, which went like this:
1. I brought in a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe for a pre-​purchase inspection. Outside of a few seals that needed replacing, Brian said that the car ‘mechanically is in pretty good condition’. He also gave me a speech about how I should remove the aftermarket alarm because the wiring will have some negative effects down the road.
2. I bought this vehicle and brought it back to Polycare a few weeks later to get the minor seal repairs. Brian wasn’t in, but I mentioned to his associate that I’d also like to have the aftermarket alarm removed per Brian’s recommendation. I was told that it wasn’t a big deal, and Brian worries too much about alarms. So it wasn’t removed.
3. About two months later, I brought the car in due to a check engine light. I was told that the code signaled a bad crank position sensor — $ 420 to remove/​replace. Brian also told me that ‘while I’m at it’, I should have the timing belt replaced, which would be an additional $ 1200. I asked what the additional cost (in labor) would be if I waited on the timing belt, and was told that there would be no cost savings, so I waited. I also got a nice 10-​minute speech about how I shouldn’t have an aftermarket alarm in my car…
4. Later that day, I picked up my car and asked for a printed estimate for the timing belt. Here’s what that estimate included: $ 380 in labor (slightly more than the crank position sensor), $ 1038 total (less than $ 1200, one can only assume because I wasn’t willing to pay $ 1200 at first…), and the estimate included a crank position sensor — which I’d just had replaced!
If all that weren’t enough to get me to say goodbye, I just got an estimate this morning for timing belt replacement from a reputable shop in Normal Heights, and the total is $ 589.70.
I can’t tell if there is a lack of competence, honesty, or both here, but the poor communication (including contradictory recommendations from different shop reps), poorly written estimates, and frustration of being talked down to because I don’t own an older model Toyota each time I visit Polycare was enough to get me to move on.

Great service. Brian is a knowledgeable mechanic that tells you the issue with your car as is. Honest. Good customer service. Gets things done in time.

Just left Polycare Automotive, and met with the owner Brian. He is passionate about his business and is a honest and friendly mechanic. I will definitely be back. Our service was quick, friendly, and complimentary! Brian gives a free inspection, and will not only explain in great detail about what is going on with your car, but will give you tips to keeping it in great condition. Luckily for me, everything turned out okay. Brian told me what to look for, and if a certain issue arises to bring it back! He is very knowledgeable about cars, and you can tell that the second you speak with him. He even took the time to show me my spark plug, and educate me on why it was still in great condition. I am very happy with his service. If you are contemplating seeing an honest mechanic, do not walk, RUN to Brian and his team. Thank you for your time and help today! :)

Fair and Honest Auto Repair shop in the UTC Area.
Brian is a colorful character that will explain to you in great detail why your car is not working property. You’ll then get a fair quote on the cost to repair. Making an appointment is probably advised, but most people that I’ve run across just stop by. If you’re out of warranty, my recommendation would be to give Polycare a try. They’ve worked out well for me so far.
— WiFi in waiting room…
— I think the outside sign states Japanese specialist but they fix all makes and models.

Brian was courteous and professional. I brought my vehicle in and they diagnosed it. Turns out, I needed an engine replacement. I decided to have the work done closer to home. Brian was very gracious and did not charge me for the time he took to do the diagnosis, or for the storage of the vehicle over the long weekend. I feel like these guys are honest and good to deal with.

I went to get my car fixed. It took them about 1 hour and a half to just say that nothing is wrong with the car. 2 other customers were taken care of before me and I was there way before them.
Not to mention both people were done before me. My boyfriend who was waiting that whole time said that my car didn’t even move from where they moved it. They definitely pick which customers they want to «help»

Awesome service … 5 stars for this place I have been going here for 5 yrs. He is honest and very knowledgeable about cars.

This is an outstanding business! This is the first time I have written a Unilocal review but Brian and his crew deserve a recommendation for the honest and awesome work they do! I have been going here for several years and on several occasions, when I was concerned about needing brakes changed (they were squeaking) or needing a new cabin air filter (son has allergies) etc., Brian has given me an honest evaluation and several times has charged me nothing but checked the part I was concerned with but that was functioning just fine. You will not find a better mechanic or a more honest one! I recommend this place to all of my friends for the awesome service, honesty, and decent prices. Brian’s knowledge of cars is incredible. Just stop by and see.

Honest mechanics are really hard to come by and unfortunately I’ve been on the receiving end of unwarranted sales, services, and lies.
After getting smarter about it, I always seek 2 to 3 other opinions on my car before I ever agree to get anything done. With that said, I came here to see if I needed to get my alternator belt replaced after a few other places were trying to charge me $ 130 – 150 for my A/​C and P/​S belts. Brian popped my hood to inspect my belts and told me that they’re perfectly fine!
My knowledge of cars is as in depth as my knowledge in aerospace engineering, which is 0 and might as well be the same because both sound just as confusing to me. Anyway, be smart about it people… don’t agree what every mechanic tells you! Except for Brian — he’s an honest man… so far..

Excellent service! Very professional! Very reasonable recommendations and price. 5÷22÷2015

Was sent here from MR Master Mechanic because I need a day-​of oil change and they were booked. The establishment is right next door to them and specializes in Japanese cars (Hondas, ftw!). I called them around 10:00AM and they had an opening at 11:30AM.
I arrived around 11:20AM and they took my car right away. I sat in their waiting area and connected to their free wi-​fi, but I really didn’t use too much of it because I spent a good amount of time talking to Brian. Although he was working on scheduling and ordering parts, he made a great effort to talk to me and explain what was going on. He was very open and honest with their prices, deals, and what they were doing to my car, explaining that they do a full inspection to see if they would recommend any other work and what type of oil they were putting in my car/​why they were using that oil. He is also quite the sports guy, as you can tell with all of the Chargers memorabilia in the office. Although we cheer on different teams, we can both agree that we grew up as Raider haters: P
The oil change was quick and painless, and the best part about it– they didn’t come back with a list of ‘suggestions’ of more car maintenance that many mechanics like to hand out when they see an open opportunity to. Overall they seem very trustworthy, and if you are a Chargers fan, you will sure get along with Brian.

I’m going to give it a 5, because Brian was a very nice guy,
he knows a lot (explains everything, and all the differences) and gives you a great and fast service.
I’ll definitely go there again

The owner, Brian, is very honest and nice.
Everytime I go there I have a fast and reliable service. He always gives honest advice and he is very knowledgeable. He never tries to sell you other services or extra stuff but explains to you the best options for your car.
I will most definetely be coming back here as long as I’m in San Diego.

High quality and good service. There’s a small lobby that you can use the free wifi when they check your car.
One thing that worth to mention is that the manager Brian is an excellent guy. He explains many details me. Last time there’s miscommunication between me and the front desk. They did an oil change which I didn’t ask for. Instead I just asker for a check for the maintenance light which I did not know is related to the oil change notification.
When Brian know what happened he just decide to not charge me:)
It’s definitely a good place. The price is high tough, for the high quality service it is worthy.

Brought my 04 Mitsubishi Lancer and was very pleased with the results. They replaced the shocks (4), struts and front rotors. Everything done within a day and charge is very reasonable. I dropped off the car the night before and was able to get it next day as promised. Car started riding smooth. It is all worth it!
The place is very clean and staff is friendly and very professional.
I highly recommend this car shop.

Called Brian about a battery replacement ASAP. He went to the warehouse and picked it up for me since the one my car needed was an «odd size.» He was nice, very informative. It didn’t seem like he was up selling me on anything I didn’t need. Was in the shop for about 30 – 40 minutes.
Thanks again!

Brian and the mechanics at Polycare are really the best. I was having a problem with my headlight (the clip that held the bulb in place had fallen out after a friend tried to replace it for me) and was told by a different shop (Mission Hills Automotive) that they’d need to replace the headlight and take off my front bumper, all of which would cost me $ 200. That seemed high to me, so I took my car to Polycare, who fixed the headlight for $ 35. In addition, they found that the bolts were loose on a new radiator installed by Mission Hills and the coolant was overfilled. They fixed these issues for me as well, and included it in the $ 35 price.
Brian is a bit of a talker, but he really knows his stuff and is very honest with you. They do good work and don’t try to overcharge you like other shops. I recommend this place to everyone.