While the staff was friendly, the experience was disappointing due to pricing. I was originally quoted about $200 for rat damage repair, but that estimate jumped to $700 after I asked if the car could be ready the next day, with claims of additional cable damage underneath the car. I paid the inspection fee and left. A second mechanic later confirmed there was no additional cable damage at all. I had the cable replaced somewhere. Just for your information before you choose this mechanic in Davis, especially as a college student.
UIA has kept my family's 1990s Volvos on the road over the years. Chris, the owner, is good at communication and will call you to share exactly what is wrong as well as provide estimates for repair. Their turnaround around time for repair is pretty quick and they provide rentals while your car is in the shop which is very helpful.
Quality work, excellent customer service, and fair pricing describes UIA. Our cars are well taken care of at UIA. The owner, Chris, always makes sure that we are aware of the repairs needed and the pricing. From annual maintenance to part replacement, we have had exceptional service and repair every time.
Highly recommended.
Took my car there to replace a part due to the check engine light being on. They replaced the part but raised the price by $400 from the original estimate (for replacing 2 stripped bolts) and never called to inform me, I only discovered it when I was picking up my car. A week later the light was back on and was told by three other mechanics that the part they replaced was faulty and I should have it replaced at no cost. I took it back to UIA and they did replace it, but tried to charge me almost $200 for it. Once again, a week later the light was back on, this time because they didn't put a couple of the bolts back into my car when reassembling the car, so I had to take it back again so they could put the bolts in my car. Additionally, it was near impossible for me to get ahold of them on the phone and every time I talked to them I got the feeling that they didn't expect me to understand what was going on in my car. They were also pushing me to fix the TPMS system on my car the first time I was there, despite me telling them I was aware of the TPMS problems and I did not want to fix it. This is just the tip of the ice berg, but I feel like the most important things.
Took the car there to replace a windshield window. I was told that my wipers need to be replaced too. I asked for the price, and I was given the approximate price for the parts only, and was told that we can talk about the total price later when the parts come in. The next day when I was picking up my car, I was told that everything is done including the wipers. I was very surprised by the total price and that the job was done without verifying the price with me. I never agree for the service without knowing the price upfront. The charge just for the labor was $80.00 for 30 min job with the total price of $123.02. The guy apologized and told me that he didn't understand that he needed to let me know the price before doing the job(!), and he can give me a discount for the next oil change which I am not planning to do there.
The price seemed to be kind of high, so I decided to call the Honda dealership in Davis to ask how much do they charge for the wipers replacement for my car. I was told that it's $80.00 for everything (parts + labor). The University Imports Automotive charged me 54% more than the dealership would have! With such dishonesty, I am not planning to come back to this place.
I have being using this place for about 20 years. Karan was always very honest and was doing a fantastic job. Unfortunately, he has retired, and the shop is not the same without him.
The windshield replacement was done quickly without any issues. I used the insurance, so I was only responsible for paying my deductible. I also liked that I could use one of their old cars while mine was at the shop.
United Imports Automotive (UIA) provides reliable, competent, friendly service and has maintained my ML 350 in good shape—approaching 225k miles. Chris is thorough and takes time to explain each service and runs analyses to ensure preventive maintenance. Always a plus, UIA provides a courtesy vehicle during auto service. Rate 5 stars!
I have had my fair share of mechanics dealing with the maintenance with a foreign car but I will say University Imports Automotive have been the BEST. Chris the owner not only explains in detail what is needed to be done for your visit but also lets you know what needs to be done in the future. I have recommended others who have also expressed how well of done this shop does. If you want a great job done THIS IS THE PLACE TO GO!
I've had my Volvo XC70 serviced by them & have been very happy with their work & work ethic. They do excellent work & check your car very carefully. This time they discovered my brakes were severely worn out & they got that work done today as well. I would recommend them to any foreign car owner that wants the best care for their car. Honest, friendly & reasonable. Certainly a 5 star shop.
I took my Volkswagen Passat in about a week ago because the engine was misfiring. The mechanic I talked to, Chris, seemed very knowledgeable and skilled in diagnosing what the problem was, and fixed the issue in only 2 days. My car now is running very well because of him. Chris did a great job on my car and seemed to put a large effort in giving the best service possible. My front bumper was also falling off, and he took the time to put it in place for no charge and without me asking. He even reset my car clock to the right time. I had a great experience with this mechanic and will return again
Don't trust these guys, would never take my car back. I took it there for a simple diagnosis, and I got my car back with more problems than before. I have a 1991 Mercedes 420SEL that's been having fuel issues and intermittent starting. After getting my car back from them, it's no longer usable, and now has AC problems too. I can't drive it anywhere now, I have to tow it to a different shop to have them fix the problems these guys apparently caused. They charged me $258 and only gave me minimal information. Not happy.
I love this place. They always do a great job and reliable work. Getting work done on a car is pretty much going to cost a lot no matter where you go, but customer service and
quality repairs makes a huge difference and this place has never let me or my car down.
Great service. I have been using them for years. Every time I am in a pinch I can count on UIA to help me out. They do quality work and the cost is reasonable. Love these guys.
Lots of cars for sale, way over blue book, not sure why. Test drove one, pretty decent and great sound system. Get the straight scoop from his assistant from "The Hangover". An Iranian owns it, flirty, but not sure if you're the enemy.
After finding University Imports several years ago, I am reminded with every visit why I'll never let anyone else work on my BMW. Integrity, honesty and reasonable cost are just the beginning. From the front desk to the garage, the entire gang seem to love what they do and really connect with car owners. Karan has a common sense attitude about cost, recommending less expensive and often more logical solutions to maintain, or repair my car. Thanks Karan and crew for your support in my recent visit.
Peerless competence! We have brought endless VW’s (as one does)!, a Toyota 4x4 and two Mercedes here for work since the early ninties. Deeply grateful for the intelligent work and friendship of Karan Khoschcar and his collegues.
I was highly recommended until I received Very rude customer service skills I was told over the phone "This is a mechanic shop we dont have time for this We have tickets to work, go look on our website and figure it out and email it to me" . You men should invest in a receptionist and learn how to talk to women correctly. He did say other things on the phone that made me feel uncomfortable with even bringing my car in now.I feel like he thought I was mo comprehending or however the case may be. I had to ask questions to gain clarity before I wanted to bring my car in. I recommend you NOT come here and bring your car to a shop that values thier customers it was simply just too hard for them to take five minutes out of their day to answer three questions about their services
These guys are great! I had heard good things for years , but only recently went in for the first time. I needed to get a car running to sell it, and Karan completely understood my needs. The bill came in significantly under his estimate, AND he helped me navigate a few other sticky issues.
Should be 6 stars. Seriously, easily the best, honest shop I've ever taken my car to. Karan helps you find solutions not just recommending a ton of work right off the bat. Scratch that, 7 stars. LOVE this place.
Karin is an exceptional/genius mechanic. He can fix anything but will often
advise against expensive repairs saying they are not worth it.
He will also come up with low cost solutions to expensive repairs. For example,
my Prius side view window broke, a $400 repair with all kinds of frills. He simply
replaced the mirror glass itself, Toyota couldn't do it.
He stands behind repairs. He put a transmission into my old Mittsubishi, and when
it had problems, replaced it at no cost.
Yes he is the Hero and trust worthy Genius Guy n all his Staff Members working with him..And he all so the best guy of good in communication and best of the best in town..Best Mechical around in Town..Come and see he in his Shop in Davis..
Service you can trust! He's fixed multiple cars of ours, been fair and honest about the service. We even bought a car from him and sold him another. Always happy.
This place is owned and operated by Karan Khoshcar, who likes to keep old Volvos, Volkswagons, and other well-built foreign cars on the road until they have logged ridiculously large numbers of miles. He rents, repairs, and sells them, and if you drop your ailing car off in the morning he will give you a loaner to get you back on the road immediately. He will also let you rent several cars while you decide which, if any, you want to buy. Then, if you find one you like, he will let you buy the car on monthly installments with no interest. The cars cost more then some comparable ones elsewhere but you can't beat the flexibility, the extended opportunity to try them out, and the knowledge that you have a place to take them if they need a repair. You are completely responsible for the full purchase price of any rentals or cars being purchased on installments if they are lost or damaged. On the other hand, when one of the cars we had borrowed or rented from Karan was completely destroyed in an accident, he give us time to pay and rented us another car to replace it. I bought a car from him a few years ago and have enjoyed driving it ever since.
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