Soares Auto Repair Ltd

Category:	Auto Repair Shop
Address:	1283 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1S4, Canada
Phone:	+1 604-253-3355
Site:	soaresauto.ca
Rating:	3.6
Working:	8:30AM–5:30PM 8:30AM–5:30PM 8:30AM–5:30PM 8:30AM–5:30PM 8:30AM–5:30PM Closed Closed

Location

Photos 3

Reviews 5

KATE B

After reading all the Yelp reviews I called Soares Auto to book a small repair in the steering linkage of my Pathfinder. (I knew what part was broken because I found it when it broke) I am mechanical but since moving to Vancouver I dont have the ability to work on my own vehicle. I called Joe and was advised that he was busy for a few days but that I could drop my truck off before work in a few days. I dropped my truck off and waited most of the day to hear back. I finally received a call after 3pm advising me that he found what was broken on my truck (DUH I knew what was broken and left you the part so you could see for yourself) and that he had called Lordco and Napa and they didnt have one and that he would try another supplier to see if he could find it there. He suggested since my vehicle was a 1993 that parts may not be available except at an auto-wreckers. I asked him what the next step was and he advised that he would check other places the next day and get back to me. I then asked him if he couldnt fix it if I should check auto wreckers for parts and do what I could to fix it myself. I said that I could get it to a friends workshop and go from there. At that time he told me he didnt think it should be driven as he found the steering sloppy when he put it in his shop, and that he would look for parts and call me the next day. I waited all day the next day to hear back from him and finally at 3:30 I called to get an update. Joe told me he was too busy and hadnt spent any time looking for parts... I was a bit stunned but was willing to be patient as I needed my truck fixed and didnt want to struggle with doing it myself. Before hanging up the phone Joe advised me that he was far to busy to spend any more time on my vehicle and that his parking lot was full and he needed me to come get the truck. I asked him if it was safe to drive and his response was "you drove it here didnt you?" I went to his shop after work to pick up the truck and was asked for almost $40.00 for the "work" he had done. I asked him why he thought he should get paid seeing as he didnt fix my vehicle. He told me that he had looked at it to find out what was wrong and asked if I would go to work and not expect to get paid. I told him that I would have paid for all the work done once the vehicle was fixed and that I got the impression he had no time or interest in fixing my truck. In the end I left without paying him anything... I think he just wanted to get me and my truck out of there. I immediately drove my truck to another mechanic recommended by a friend and was told I would get a call on Monday. Within the hour the new mechanic called back and was very concerned that I had been allowed to drive my truck out of one mechanics shop to his. He told me that "No good mechanic in their right mind would have let you drive this from his shop. They removed the entire steering linkage and that could have caused you to have a CATASPROHPHIC accident." I told the new mechanic that only the bushing had been broken off my steering link and that the piece as a whole was in my truck when I dropped it off at Soares. He told me that the part had been removed with what he figured was a blowtorch and that it was a complete HACK job and there was no longer anything attaching my steering rack to my frame. Had I known that Joe removed the steering linkage I would have hired a tow-truck to take it to another shop... I guess I now know why he figured I should pay him for work that he did. In the end the new mechanic had a part on order within 1 hour and my truck fixed the day they got the part for under $300.00. They suggested I contact the Better Business Bureau and even forwarded me pictures of the "work" Joe did to my truck as proof that I was made to drive an un-roadworthy vehicle without my knowledge. Not only would I NEVER recommend SOARES Auto, I would highly suggest that people be careful as Joe clearly has no conscience when it comes to peoples safety!

ddduuu

I read good reviews and thought "great! Ill go to this guy." Im starting to think these reviews are from friends/family trying to help his business. Or people who have no idea theyre getting ripped off. I had a problem with 1 of my brakes, so he said he would check it out. Once hes done, he tells me itll be $1000. I was like, "um...no thank you." So then he said "ok that will be $70" ..... Yeah, he charged me to look at my brake. Didnt even warn me that it would cost anything. How was I supposed to know "Ill take a look at it" means a $70 charge? Are you kidding me? I completely regret giving this man my money, he did not deserve it. Im mad at myself for doing that. For anyone who doesnt know, $70 is outrageous to have your tire and brake taken off! Let alone it being a complete surprise. Basically, he took advantage of me. Oh, and he took one of my parts too. Lug nuts have a special design so people cant steal your tire, he took the tool to get off said lug nut. Very unprofessional and untrustworthy guy. Anyway, I talked to my friend whose friend worked for this shop. His friend quit cause the owner was scummy and completely ripped people off, overcharging them too. He sent me to a mechanic who did the same job for $500. Oh, and he didnt charge me to "look at it." Never recommending this mechanic to anyone.

Alfredo Ferreira

In Joe and his team, Ive finally found the auto repair service I wished for. My expectations are fair, and over the last couple of years, Soares Auto Repair has consistently exceeded them. I expect nothing for free, but they reduce the repairs and the cost to only what is needed. I dont expect everything to go by my schedule, but their service is brisk, and I am kept informed of the repair schedule. I dont need or want know every detail, but Joe in particular makes that available in case I do. Soares was recommended to me by my cousin, and I recommend them to the world! Message to Joe: open a shop on the west side!

Jody Baker

Ive relied on Soares for repairs since I moved to Vancouver in 2006. He was recommended by my brother. Thats how it works best: word of mouth. Joe is a good mechanic you can trust. Hes reliable and responsible and he stands behind his work. Hes easy-going and straightforward; he calls you when he figures out your problem, he tells you what it will cost and he gets the job done when he says he will.

tetsu yama

The owner of the shop, Joe, is the best mechanic Ive ever met in the past. Ive been looking for a mechanic like him for long time as Ive tried so many different auto repair shops. Very honest (which is very difficult to find) and he will update information everytime on the phone so that you will not get suprised when you see the bill!! I highly recommend the shop.