My car wouldn’t start after a reverse jump start, so I had it towed to foreign car. I agreed to a diagnostic fee. After reading the codes, they suggested replacing the battery first. Once the new battery was installed, the car started right up and has been working perfectly ever since. When it was time to pay, I was genuinely surprised — they told me the diagnostic fee was waived ($180) because I purchased the battery from them. I had fully expected to pay the diagnostic charge, so this really showed their honesty and integrity. The previous owner of this car had told me this shop was trustworthy, and now I completely understand why. They selected the correct battery (CCA, size, capacity), properly programmed it for my Mercedes, and now all the vehicle functions are working normally. As someone new to car, I truly appreciated their help and Mike’s patience. He took the time to explain everything clearly, even through multiple phone calls. His confidence helped me feel comfortable choosing the AC Delco battery instead of the more expensive Mercedes-branded option. Thank you! Highly recommend this shop!
I had an awesome experience here! Two days before I purchased a new alternator for my 2007 Honda Civic in Grand Rapids. I was then able to drive only one hour before my electrical system failed again. All lights had grown very dim, radio out and transmission began not shifting correctly. The car sat on the shoulder of a major expressway in Lansing, waiting for a tow, engine not running. After 1/2 hour of the car being rocked by passing cars and trucks, the electrical system suddenly came back to life, so that everything was working, lights, radio, engine starting. I had the car towed to a Honda dealer where I reported this odd behavior and asked them to please check for a possible poor connection or short in the wiring. The dealer charged an up front diagnostic fee, but did not diagnose the problem with the wiring as I had requested. They only measured the voltage. They said the alternator I purchased the day before was no good, and that the only thing to do was replace it for $750. I declined this and drove the car to University Foreign Car Repair. I found Mike was a very good listener when I described the odd symptoms. He said I might need a new alternator but that they were quite willing to perform a thorough diagnosis before reaching any conclusion. I spoke briefly also with the technician doing the work and with the shop's owner. Everyone was very professional and courteous. They discovered the alternator had not been hooked up correctly and also there was an apparent short where a wiring harness had been rubbing against the valve cover! No new alternator was needed! I was charged only for labor and some new connectors. My bill for their work was only $200 and car has been running great! I would recommend this shop to anyone. Five stars!
These guys are awesome! My 2006 Mercedes alternator burnt out when I was driving and left me stranded. They quickly diagnosed it and were honest the whole way. They didn’t try to charge or sell me anything extra. Sure it was expensive but I have a Mercedes! Parts are always more expensive than other cars and they are always more affordable than the dealer. They assured me and showed me the OEM quality brand of alternator that they used and trust so I don’t have to come back for a warranty. They have been in business for 45 years for a reason!
NO!! Don’t put your money here! Negative star if I could. These people worked on my convertible & every time I got an expensive bill with $2500-$3500 of repairs that need immediate attention. So I was in that loop until I realized that the ‘repairs’ fell into a repetitive cycle where the price ranges were similar and began to look more like phone numbers than random repairs. I hired an honest mechanic in Fowlerville and my car has run great for many years without those expensive repairs. Go figure, right?
I would never recommend University Auto to anyone. The owner is rude, dishonest, and unprofessional. I brought my vehicle in for an inspection, and he gave me a price upfront. However, when it came time to pay, he insisted that I could only pay in cash—claiming it was so I couldn’t dispute the transaction. I asked to see where in writing it stated that only cash was accepted, but he became argumentative instead of resolving the issue.
After a long day, I didn’t want to run to an ATM just to get my car, and the situation escalated to the point where I had to involve the police. Even then, he still refused to accept my card. What made matters worse is that, during this exchange, I witnessed a Caucasian woman pay over $700 with her credit card without issue. It was clear that I was being treated unfairly, and the behavior strongly suggested racial discrimination.
I have been a customer of this shop since the 1980,s. They are trustworthy, hardworking, and fair on prices. It is a pleasure to do business with an independent mechanic. No BS here just straight car talk!! Live them!!!
Rude employee. Then when I told them we were coming back to pick up my husbands car they blocked him in. They look and talk to you like your stupid. Then even after telling them twice we will be back because my husband didnt get out of work till 6 to pick his car up they block it in and we had to move a cinder block to get it out. So good thing it wasn't bolted to the ground.
I cannot recommend University Foreign Car highly enough! I brought in my 2011 Honda Accord with over 200,000 miles for a timing belt replacement, and throughout the process, they went above and beyond. During the initial repair, they discovered additional issues that needed attention, including a failing alternator that caused my battery light to come on and eventually led to my car stalling. Instead of just fixing the immediate problem and sending me on my way, they remained committed to diagnosing every issue and ensuring my car was truly road-ready.
What really stood out to me was their professionalism, transparency, and dedication to finding a solution. They took the time to explain everything clearly, listened to my concerns, and made me feel completely at ease. As a woman, it’s incredibly important to find a shop that I can trust, where I know I won’t be taken advantage of, and University Foreign Car exceeded my expectations. Their pricing was fair, their work was thorough, and I left feeling confident in the quality of their service.
If you’re looking for a reliable, honest, and skilled mechanic in Lansing, this is the place to go. They truly care about their customers and their vehicles, and I’m beyond grateful for their help. Thank you, University Foreign Car, for your outstanding service!
Could not get a clear answer on weather a car was a good car or not. "I wouldn't buy it" does not give examples or reasoning. When a customer asks a question they are typically looking for specifics and details. Especially when paying for a pre-purchase inspection to determine whether buying a car was a good decision. Thankful I spent my money to get told couldn't find anything wrong with it but "I wouldn't buy it". Epic fail.
They always take care of my Minis! Quick and easy, with a parking lot packed with cars, managed to inspect and then, spontaneously asked to do the list of work. Done within a couple days. Honest guys! Told me they touched the wires and light came back on. Great! No new bulb needed! These guys are top notch, know what they are doing, and get it done!! Take your foreign cars here!
Wrote the following 2 years ago. Still come here because they’ve kept our 2008 Fit going! Great people, great service.
Great service and no attempts to sell me things I don't need! We needed a repair for our Honda Fit because it dropped its muffler. A friend with a Fit recommended these folks and only wish we had found them years ago. The repair was done right at a good price and they did a great job with communication. Highly recommend! (And their jades are beautiful!)
Went in for an oil change and my oil drain plug replaced. The guys working showed great hospitality, explained in detail the process and options available for parts. Honest, generous work done for an affordable price. Highly recommend!
An absolute pleasure to deal with an honest establishment! They certainly go the extra mile to please their customers. If you have an import I highly suggest this place opposed to taking your car to the dealer. The owner used to own an auto parts company so he's "got the hook on parts".
The part my car needed was quoted by the local dealer at $1200 . . . Mike got the same part for less than $900. And he was able to do the work quickly so I got my car back Friday evening instead of having to wait through the weekend.
It's rare that someone exceeds your expectations and as a woman going to a repair shop (we know how that can be) I felt like these guys treated me amazing. Thank you again!
Took my car into the service shop this morning. It was an unexpected battery issue so I didn’t have time to make an appointment. The guys were great and got me right in. They fixed the issues and even washed my car for me! Vw does it better!
I called because I have a 2014 Ford Hybrid and I could not find any chain in town that carried 0W-20. They did not have it in stock either, however, the old man on the phone was so kind. He has a supplier that comes out twice a day and he hooked me up with a high grade oil and filter for an unbelievable price. About half of what Valvoline was offering. I'm not sure if they are strictly foreign but I know that they have 5 star service. Thank you for servicing me guys.
I have a lot of experience with different shops and dealerships all over the state and I can't say a single one came close to the care and quality of University Foreign Car. I'm a college student with a Nissan Skyline (Japanese car) that I enjoy working on, but I brought in my car for some repairs and maintenance and Blaire the owner as well as Ian and Ryan the mechanics not only helped with the car but let let me watch the repairs they were doing, all while teaching me and giving me advice as to how to work on the car and maintenance it myself in the future. I was there for a few hours sharing stories and experiences about cars with everyone working that day and the entire time they weren't focused on upselling or trying to squeeze me for a dollar like just about every other shop, they genuinely cared for me and my vehicle and left me with a trusting group of friends, advice on my vehicle, all without charging me a fraction of what they easily could have. Clearly care for the customer more than anything, a great business but even better people!
This auto shop is fantastic. They fixed my car twice and I was completely satisfied both times. Prices are reasonable and the work was completed in a timely fashion. I have a 2001 Nissan Maxima and I had an electrical issue for which a part was out of production, but they managed to fix it anyway. I cannot recommend them enough!
I have always taken my cars in to UFC for repairs. 30+ years! I don’t know if their prices are higher than other locations, but the service I receive from Blair, Mike, and all the mechanics outweighs that aspect. They’ve gone above and beyond to fix my crazy cars. They treat me like a friend not just a customer. As a woman, any auto shop that treats me with respect and will carry on a intelligent conversation gets a thumbs up.
Called and got an appointment for as n oil change. Got there and a man asked for my name and phone number again so he could write an invoice. Made no sense, but I gave him. After wasting my time, he proceeded to tell how many quarts of oil my car would need, how much each quart cost, and at the end the bill would be $120. Before he finished pronouncing the twenty, I was out the door. Criminal!!! Beware, dishonest people. Oil change prices are fixed depending on the quality of oil you need. I don't know if it's a MI thing, but I'm glad I don't live in MI.
I had car trouble over 100 miles from home. I'm happy I ended up here as it seems to be a good, honest and upfront business. They were very kind, courteous, and knowledgeable. The price was a bit more than I expected, however, I don't believe I was charged an excessive amount. In the end, the prompt, friendly service was worth it.
If you need a car repair, go here. End of story. Mike is a great guy and his team does excellent work! They fixed up my 2006 Nissan Centra in a timely manner keeping me updated throughout the entire process. One of the last trustworthy car repair shops!
Blair and his staff at University pride themselves in making sure the customer leaves satisfied. They are professional and diligent. Their rates and quality of work outshine other shops and dealerships. I cannot praise their mechanic Chris enough. He makes sure I understand everything that is going on, any potential SNAFU's, and all costs. He has a personal appreciation for our Subaru. We have a standing relationship with University Foreign Car and I will always refer others to them.
I'm a bit late in sharing this review, but better late than never. I had an excellent experience with UFCR a few weeks ago. I needed a new headlight bulb and rear license plate bulb installed in my wife's car. I had gotten a huge runaround and some highly inaccurate information from the dealership where she bought it, so I went to UFCR. They gave me the straight scoop on the bulbs I needed, had them delivered within a few minutes, and installed them without charging me labor because it was a simple job. I really appreciated their honesty and quick work, and I highly recommend them. Thanks again.
I have brought my cars to University Foreign Car Repair for many years because of the quality service and honesty. Recently I had a brake job done and a few months later was having problems with pulsating when stoping. I brought it back in and they identified the problem and repaired the issues with no charge. They stand behind their work and always take care of their customers!
I had a fantastic experience. No other auto repair shop would remove the back end of my BMW out so welding could be done. Not only were they willing to do so (for a very reasonable price), it was done quickly, and skillfully. They also helped arrange the welding, and even gave me advice on how to make sure the issues I had would never happen again. I would recommend their services to anyone in the area.
I've been taking my cars to University Foreign Car for more than twenty years. I have always found them to be very professional. They are very thorough in going over the car, making sure that they have done their best to find the cause of the problem I've described and correct it. They have been very good about explaining what must be done immediately, what should be watched but could be postponed for a while to spread out the financial burden, and when it's time to restrict a car to local travel only, or scrap it. Being able to trust my mechanics is a blessing, and essential to keeping my daily driver on the road for more than 370,000 miles. They've always gone the extra mile.
So impressed with this place - they were friendly, efficient, didn't try to talk over my head and confuse me with technical jargon. Most importantly, they didn't try to sell me anything unnecessary, which is a sign to me of a great and trustworthy car repair place. The quote they gave me was half of what I would have paid at the Mini dealership, so also really great prices! I'll definitely be coming back here.
These guys are looked friendly. But, that's all. Be aware of the illusion and don't fall into the sweep trap. You will lose your smile when it comes to the bill. First of all, their parts and labor are pricey if you compare other reputable Audi or BMW mechanics. Then they will try to upsell you more than you actually need, which all happens in a "nice" conversation of course. It is claimed that they will not start working on your car before getting your permission, but be careful, they do such a pretty good job of exaggerating the problem you're gonna have if don't take their "extra" repairs, which makes you feel they are doing you a favor. AND, if you decline, prepare to get a surprise at the final bill. I got my car repaired for several times thought they were reliable and friendly, but learned the truth in a hard way. In one of the case, agreed upon a $300 of simple repair, then another $1000 next day, declined of course, finally another $200 showed up in the final bill. Oh right, some of my interior cabinet lights were dead after I got the car back. Just too tired to deal with them. Find another good German car mechanics which only took me $200 to fix the same problem and get my lights back on for free.
After a co-worker recommended me to them, I've gone to University Foreign Car Repair since 2003 and have many repairs and service done there with a variety of cars. They have earned my trust in many situations and helped me in tight situations where a repair couldn't wait. They advise me when a repair can wait until I have more money, and when a repair must be taken care of. They explain what services are a good idea and the consequences of putting them off and let me make my decision on whether to do preventive maintenance or not without pressuring me.
They have always treated y wife well when she takes her car in there alone, and that's important to me as well. When a part fails before the warranty is up, they get the part vendor to replace the part for free and their labor is free to me also. I think they do extend better service to long time customers, but from my observations (while waiting to pay a bill or drop off a car) I think their service to first time people is very high.
I can not explain the bad reviews from others here, nor will I criticize them. I just offer a report from my experiences with them over 10 years.
I've been going to University Foreign Auto since 2006. I love the place. The positive reviews on here ring true to my experience. They tell you what's going on with the car, give you a timeline for how long it will last before requiring repair, and let you decide how to deal with it. While all shops are looking to make a buck, this shop doesn't suggest you do anything that isn't necessary. They are very reasonable people, very friendly, and they appreciate their customers.
Their work is outstanding 99% of the time. In my 6 years (so far) of repairing vehicles at this shop, I've only had one repair job that needed to be reworked. When they are at fault, they take care of you and make sure they get it done right.
I don't take my cars to another shop because these guys are the best. If you had a bad experience from this place, I don't know what to tell you. Bad service and workmanship hasn't been my experience for over 6 years now. It's only been great service and great quality.
Aug 13, 2012
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