17/04/2016

I don't usually review businesses, but this place has amazing service.
My husband is out of town, so when I had a slow leak in a tire from driving over a screw, I had nobody to watch our toddler daughter on a Sunday while I got the tire plugged. Every place that was open (Sears.. Pep Boys..) was rude and told me I'd need to wait two hours. If you have a 2 year old you know this isn't manageable unless you're having a very lucky day.
I called Grace, and they told me they were "first come first served" like every other place.. But the person working said they'd just opened and sounded friendly. I knew Id have to drive 30 miles to work the next day and didn't want to wait, so I reluctantly went to Grace. I was told the repair would take 20 minutes.. So I took my kid for a walk.. Returned at the predicted time and my tire was plugged and I was told there was no charge. For a frazzled mother, I was shocked (this happens.. In this neighborhood? Are you kidding?). I tried to give a decent tip.. And he denied me.. Telling me it was too much.
The lot was even full of cars.. So it's not like they aren't busy. It's just that these people know how to treat customers well.
Thank you

Kristen M.

Source: YELP

30/07/2016

A great family owned business, in the heart of Ukrainian Village. I found them when I moved to the hood and tested them out. Since that time, I have sent my family and friends to Grace. Everyone agrees that they are honest, affordable, and work quickly.
I love the fact that they can work on most type of cars. I recently upgraded to a fancy-guy car, and they were able to service it too! The best part is that they open on Sundays too.

Yayo T.

Source: YELP

16/04/2016

Do places this awesome even exist? Only in the movies. I went in to get my turn signal light bulb changed, and to say that my visit made my day is a gross understatement. The fixed my light bulb in about 5 minutes. Tony, a mechanic there, is the nicest man I've met in a while. He told me he was from Turkey and gave me an eagle eye for good luck and explained some of the very cool spots in Turkey that he has pictures of on his wall. And then he didn't charge me for fixing my car. He wouldn't even let me pay. As a woman who knows next to nothing about cars, I always worry about getting swindled at auto repair shops. That obviously isn't the case here, and if you're a student and want genuine and extravagantly nice customer service, this is the place to get your car fixed!

Keerthana K.

Source: YELP

02/08/2016

Awesome honest mechanics!! I'd definitely take me car there again. And have been for a few years now. Took it in to get it check for rattling noises near passenger tire. Ended up just being a loose bolt and they tightened it free if charge. Very honest reliable and trust worthy. If you need a me go to mechanic shop this is it

Ed R.

Source: YELP

21/07/2016

Couldn't get to a computer fast enough to write them an outstanding review! That is what customer service should be like all around. Super nice staff. Spoke to Tony on the phone that told me to come on in and he would have someone check out the headlight lamp issue. Ian was super helpful. Took care and replaced the bulb right away. Even helped me back out of the lot. I will only go here from now on in the city. Great prices, outstanding customer service. Thank you!

Megan B.

Source: YELP

24/01/2016

These guys are so helpful and nice. I drove up without an appointment and they were happy to help me. When they couldn't get the part that day they lent me one of their own cars to drive to work the next day. I have no idea if their prices are legit but I didn't feel ripped off by them, which is rare.

Karen C.

Source: YELP

27/04/2016

My car broke down on Saturday night (white smoke coming out of the hood). I took it here because it was only place in the area open on Sunday. By Monday, it was ready. They originally quoted me over $1000 for several issues, but I ended up spending $400 to have radiator and radiator hose replaced. The car is working again. I will have to take it somewhere else to get a second opinion on the other issues, but so far, so good! They did not charge me tax and I paid in tax.

Bree K.

Source: YELP

28/04/2015

Took a company vehicle here for an engine swap. They broke the power steering reservoir during the swap and epoxied it terribly. Also mangled a gasket for the oil sandwich plate gasket causing oil to leak. Power steering pump went bad shortly after due to loss of fluid. Took it back to them to make it right, they said it was on me and the pump was bad, and a gasket went bad. Had it examined by another party and they found damage and sloppy work.
Thanks!
Edit: Owner called to deny any claims of the power steering reservoir being broken while yelling and not wanting to hear me out. Simply ambushed me. Before the engine swap I had no power steering issues or leaking oil. After engine swap I had my power steering pump (which was swapped from old motor to new) leaking and whining, so how did the reservoir break and get epoxy on itself. Also the OD no longer works, the dash cluster is cracked, the coolant that put back in the vehicle was BLACK, the shifter came off, and the steering column covers are loose. Didn't care much for these issues only the ones that affect drivability, but since he wants to deny claims.
Edit 5/5/2015: Owner's brother offered me $100 dollars to take the review down, but maintained that they didn't do anything wrong. Before all this he asked me to look into what the exact sum was for the repairs to fix their fuck up. I sent him an paid invoice for $400, he only offered me $100. Why even ask to find out the exact cost to repair the damages you caused, when you have no intent to make it right. I refused the $100 because it cost more than that, he said that going through the court would cost me more money (basically threatening me with legal action). I told him that's fine,he said he'll see me in court.

Nazar G.

Source: YELP

23/02/2015

This place is the best! I've been going here since '09 and have always had timely, honest work done.
They'll treat you well, and if you're lucky, share some grapes with you while you wait. :)
Oh, and you might even get a complimentary Grace Auto coffee mug too!

Julie G.

Source: YELP

12/08/2015

Went to have my clutch replaced just to find out two days later that the transmission was also shot. Something that they should have been able to determine before I spent a large amount of money and felt as through I had no choice but to add more to finish the repairs when I would have junked the car otherwise. 1 month later, my car needs even more repairs and an alternate shop discovered damage as a result of grace autos poor work. The owner is very nice and tried to be accommodating but it does not make up for the sloppy work the mechanic

Laura M.

Source: YELP

24/06/2015

I was very happy that I took my car to Grace Auto! My car had body work that needed to be done, when I took my car to Grace Auto I was greeted very politely by Tony. He looked at my car and gave me a very fair estimate. After getting 2 other estimates, I felt most comfortable going to Grace Auto. My car was fixed in just a few days and it looked better than I thought it would be! They even fixed more than what I was expecting. Everyone there was very friendly and nice. I will recommend this place to everyone with no hesitation. A great neighborhood auto shop that does a great job and is friendly! Thank you Octae!

Nina P.

Source: YELP

08/02/2016

I've always had excellent, honest service from these guys. (I had significant work done on a serious suspension issue last year.) I don't know a lot about car repair, so I have to be able to trust my mechanic. Today I once again saw this honesty in action. My 2010 Hyundai had a belt squeal. You know what I'm talking about: that high-pitched whine that comes out from under the hood. If you've not had one of your own you're heard it going down the street. I took my car in. They hadn't gotten to it for a few hours and I live nearby, so I dropped by to check on it. (Busy lot, full of cars, busy place.) Their reaction: "Oh, yeah -- we should get to that." Pulled my car in, put it up on the jack, reached up underneath, tightened the belt, brought it down, pulled it out of the garage. "Okay, there you go." "How much?" "Nothing. We just tightened something up. No charge." I offered to pay them -- twice. "Nope." The thinking is, I'm their customer, it was no big deal, so no charge. Tony doesn't have the cheeriest phone manner, but who cares? Super-knowledgeable, honest, great guys. I feel lucky to have found them.

Darren S.

Source: YELP

09/06/2015

This place used to be good. I've never spent so much effort trying to get a repair done in my life, though. I made no less than four calls AFTER the part was supposedly ordered only to be told repeatedly "we'll call you when it comes in." I even stopped by in person to ask. Same story. I don't know if they just don't want my money or the part never came in and they don't care or what. Regardless, I'm using a new shop now. They get two stars for being good in the past.

El B.

Source: YELP

27/11/2015

I've been a loyal customer of this garage for twenty years. There has been a revolving cast of characters over that time, but I have been generally happy. I recently had my car towed in when it sputtered and stalled. I had not previously dealt with the guys who were there. The computer code indicated my car needed a new ignition control module. Grace also said all four brakes needed to be replaced. That didn't sound right to me because the car has very low mileage and I had not noticed this problem while driving. I opted to have the car towed to the dealership. I asked them to go over all the main systems of the car. I paid a little more for the ignition control module, but the brakes turned out to be in good shape.

Patrick J.

Source: YELP

16/10/2014

I took my car to have the starter replaced. Inan, the mechanic, checked the battery which was working fine. We agreed upon a price, and I was going to pick up the car the next day.
When I came back, the mechanics told me that the battery wasn't working anymore and it had to be replaced.
To make things worse, when I left the shop there was a massive nail in the tire.
Besides this, the shop is dirty and disorganized.
Avoid this shop and find someone who takes their work seriously instead of trying to make a living deceiving their customers.

John D.

Source: YELP

18/11/2015

This place is dangerous. I brought in my car for brake work, twice out of necessity, they wanted to replace parts that had been put in two months earlier, and after I left the place the first time the exact same issue was going on. I thought they may just fix it. Instead it cost me a ton to have more work done. As I was getting back to my apartment the brakes wouldnt work again. I should have known something was up when I dropped my car off the first time and there was a guy yelling at them for the exact same thing, paid for work and problem not being fixed, and they told him to piss off. Go here at your own risk

Richard L.

Source: YELP

04/05/2015

After my great experience at Grace Auto a few years ago and after having to pay over $400 for a replacement side view mirror at the Toyota dealer, I decided to go back to Grace Auto when our car had another run-in with the recycling bins in the alley.
The guy came out, looked at my busted mirror and the make and model of my car and quoted me a price that seemed too good to be true. (Spoiler alert: it was.)
The part was ordered, came in, and they took my old mirror off to have the new part painted to match. One might think that during that process, someone may have looked at the two mirrors side by side and realized that they weren't same. That didn't happen.
In fact, even after their mechanic installed the wrong part on my car and let us drive off with the interior panel of the door hanging off, they still tried to tell me it was the right part. When I came back minutes later and asked the mechanic why the power functions didn't work and why the plug on the mirror didn't fit the female end on my car, I was told that it was the right part and I could bring everything back and have them look up the electrical schematics to rewire my car and make it work. UH, WHAT!? You weren't bright enough to realize you were installing an incorrect part and now you want me to let you rewire my car?? I cut my losses, ordered the correct part myself and found a YouTube video to walk me through how to install it.
The guys in the office are nice and charming, but the guy who did the amazing work for me several years ago was nowhere to be seen throughout my whole mirror fiasco and this time around, they not only did shoddy work, they tried to cover it up and act like everything was fine.
Consider yourself warned.

Mya P.

Source: YELP

16/08/2014

I don't use the phrase "highway robbery" very often, but it seems fitting for Grace Auto. I payed $500 in labor to have an ac condenser and fuse replaced.
Also good luck getting anywhere on the phone with these guys. I got talked over and interrupted so much, I thought I was in an SNL skit or something. It would've been hilarious had I not been getting bent over so bad.

Philip M.

Source: YELP

20/11/2014

Great experience.....
Yelped this location while I was recently home to visit. My parents' 2nd vehicle had problems and they let it sit instead of getting it in for maintenance. Crew at Grace's was very helpful. Inan was honest about prices and fast with servicing the car. My parents have a new mechanic!

Desiree R.

Source: YELP

30/09/2015

DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR HERE!!!!! Shady individuals. We took our car here back in April because our drivers side window was not working, $430 later it was fixed but only to break again with the same issue in less than 6 months. We could not call with our question about whether it would be covered within such a short period of time because their phone does not work so we drove the car to the shop and asked, they said that they did not have time to review but we could leave the car overnight and they would look at the problem and paperwork to see what they could do. What they did was fix it without our permission and give us a bill. We will NEVER be going her again, there are disorganized and dishonest.

Kate M.

Source: YELP

11/06/2015

I have an old volvo, it needed a lot of work, well they fixed everything and it drives like new....and said if anything tanks , bring it back........this is a good thing.

Andy P.

Source: YELP

08/02/2015

Professional,quick service,great price, I would recommend grace auto to anyone who need professional help!!

Taner B.

Source: YELP

12/05/2015

A friend recommended them and they did a good job. I went to get the AC worked on and get an oil change. When they called to give me an estimate they said I needed new back brakes. I would have thought they were trying to rip me off and fish for more money but I previously had my front breaks done at the Honda dealership and they said the back brakes needed to be done soon.
My only complaint is that they need to work on communicating when the car will be ready better. I had to call several times to find out when it would be ready and the time kept moving.

Robert S.

Source: YELP

04/03/2014

Found it on Vw diesel forums.
40k mile check up on Jetta was 1/2 cheaper then what dealer quoted (dsg transmission fluid change).
But ... customer service was relaxed to say the least: I had to itemize all the required replacements on 40k checkup (dsg, oil, engine & cabin air filer) & I'm afraid other "should check" items of the list in the manual were not performed.
They also didn't have time to rotate the tires, but I was told I can come back & get that done for free another time.
Otherwise seems like a great Vw repair shop in Chicago. Thx
Ps: Fixed service intervals indicator reset procedure on 2012 jetta :)
Switch ignition OFF.
Press and hold the right-hand button next to the speedo.
Switch ignition ON.
Release the right-hand button.
Briefly press the left-hand button next to the rev counter.
Wait for display to return to main menu.
The service interval indicator is now reset.

magic g.

Source: YELP

28/12/2013

It's hard to find an honest mechanic but these guys are the real deal; honest, genuine and friendly.
I stopped by a few days before Christmas because I had run over a truck tire tread on the highway. The plastic underneath my car was torn up and dragging. My fianc lives across the country and I didn't have the money to replace the bumper but didn't wanna be driving around in a hooptie car.
The guys squeezed my car in to their busy day, put it on the lift and removed the plastic. No questions, no charge...just a few smiles and a "Merry Christmas" as I was went on my way.
It's nice to know that some people still believe in quality service and understand the value of a good referral.

Nicol S.

Source: YELP

15/12/2013

Inan is awesome. He has changed my tires, rotated, oil change. Quick and efficient service.
I have been going here for years.
Even open on Sundays just in cases
Even checked my girls car for no charge and told me what I need to get to fix it temporarily.

chris c.

Source: YELP

25/09/2013

On the recommendation of a friend, I brought my 2010 Toyota to this shop. I was about to take a road trip up North and I wanted to make sure my brakes and rotors were redone as it was time to have them replaced in general. They seemed nice enough when I introduced myself. Then they put my car on the lift.
First off, I had no idea I had wheel locks on my car. My last truck had them but I didn't know when it came to my Toyota. My car was already hoisted up before they thought to ask me where the socket fitting was that allowed them to remove the tires. I was pretty annoyed that they didn't think to even ask me before they decided to lift my car.
Somehow, the mechanics were able to look around my car and quoted me a price of $550 for rotors and pads. This was before taxes. Are you kidding me? Plus they wanted to have my car all day!!
I ended up getting my brakes and rotors done for $399.85 after taxes, somewhere else. It was done in an hour as well! I get the sense that the mechanics here are like Robin Hood with their customers: they steal from the people with newer cars and treat the people with jalopies to more than reasonable prices. This is after reading the yelp reviews; and from listening to the stories my friends had from when they visited here. I wish my friend that actually wrote his review on Yelp would have pointed that out. He seemed to get that same sense from them and chose not to write about it. Why he gave them a good review I do not understand.
Grace Auto discriminates based on what they think your socio-economic background is, and the age of your car. Overall, I would not bring your car here. If you're going to do business, you do honest business. Shame on you, Grace Auto.

Jennifer P.

Source: YELP

03/08/2015

Great job, Grace Auto! Great service, very quick, and they offered to fix something additional that had been bothering me, for free, and did so. I didn't even ask - Tony mentioned it and they fixed it on the spot. Very good.

Megan T.

Source: YELP

29/09/2013

Update. Got my brakes done here last week. Still in love with these guys. Cheap, quick, and quality work. They will continue to get my business if they keep up the great work

Amanda S.

Source: YELP

16/07/2013

I absolutely love this shop! Once more, I am having problems with my ancient city beater SUV. The vehicle is 15 years old, so, I know I should expect it, but it always catches me at the worst possible time!
As I mentioned in my last review, I live in the neighborhood and the location is extremely convenient for me. I also know they are honest mechanics. No, that is not an oxymoron! How do I know this- I simply do. There were several times in the past where they have installed a taillight or even done oil changes at no charge as I was having a plethora of work done. They know I'm tight on cash & on a meager budget- know one holds it against me. I drove up with a piece of " Hello Kitty" duct tape on the drivers' side door. It served as a reminder to me " DO NOT ENTER" as suddenly the door decided to just stop closing (due to getting side swiped back in January). No one laughed.
Hey, I have had my share of creepy mechanics in Chicago. I was once charged $80. For a " Break adjustment" at another shop that shall remain unnamed, mostly as I have blocked it fro my memory.
As usual, Leo welcomed me graciously as I told him of all the vehicles recent shortcomings and defects. As I am originally from the east coast I am unusually high strung and dramatic about these sorts of things. He assured me " Everything will be OK- don't worry" Also, he remembered me from the last time I was in- I like that. When a shop owner recognizes you it definitely says one of two things
1.) You need another car or you're a compulsive shopper (if we're talking about perhaps, a retail merchant.)
2.) That owner took the time to remember you because YOUR business really DOES mean a lot to them. It is their livelihood-they appreciate you.
In my situation, I believe it's mainly 2, but yes a little of 1.
I have recommended "my mechanic" to all my friends and there have been NO complaints so far. I am just very happy that they are around. I even received an "Evil eye" keychain on my way out. " To ward off anything bad..." he shouted to me as I closed the door. Wow, I thought to myself. He has absolutely no idea how much I need this keychain right now!!

Didi D.

Source: YELP

25/07/2013

The guys at Grace Auto are awesome. I have taken my car here to get a variety of work done. I have a very old ('99) Volkswagen, and they are always able to offer a great price on parts and labor. I got my clutch replaced last summer, and it was $400 cheaper than anywhere else. In the spring, I ran over a speed bump too fast and broke my oil pan. They had it fixed the next day. And most recently, my car failed the emissions check due to a check engine light that has been on for about 5 years. The kind folks at Autozone told me that it would be $600 repair to get the light off. I took it in to Grace Auto Repair, and they fixed it within one day for $60. They are very kind, friendly, and the most honest auto repair shop I've ever been to!

Alexandria T.

Source: YELP

05/01/2015

This place is the worst. I called ahead and they said for me to bring my car in (on a Thursday morning). I brought my car in right away and they said they would call me at the end of the day. No call. I called in and they said they hadn't even had time to look at it. I kept calling back every day, and by the time Monday night rolled around and they still hadn't put the car on the lift, I took my business elsewhere. I understand if a place is busy, but they were incredibly unapologetic about this, and should have told me that they didn't have time to help me rather than stringing me along.

L D.

Source: YELP

27/05/2014

Fair shop, good prices, very nice people. Do not expect however the car to be ready when they say it will be. Do not expect an organized computer system either. My car has been here for 3 days to do two jobs. One was the reason I brought it in. I am still standing here two hours after it was to be ready because they forgot to fix the issue that caused my car to be here in the first place.

Sarah H.

Source: YELP

17/07/2013

These guys are awesome! Honest, upfront and reasonable in price...
I took my Saturn in to be fixed because it was making a terrible screeching noise and the battery light was flashing. I first did a little YouTube research and looked under the hood to get an idea of what was going on. I suspected an issue with one of the components that was running along with the serpentine belt because the belt was looser than I felt it should be.
I turned to Yelp to help me find a decent repair shop and stumbled across Grace Auto Repair. They have mixed reviews but in all of the good reviews people were raving about how happy they were about getting their work done there. I decided to take a chance and screeched my way over there in my Saturn.
I got there on a Sunday morning a few minutes before they were supposed to open at 10am and no one showed until about 10:20. Not a big deal.
They were able to take a look at my car right away and after about 45 minutes they called and said they found the problem. I came back to the shop right away and they showed me my broken tensioner, worn out serpentine belt and leaking water pump. They gave me a price of $290 for parts and labor to fix the tensioner and belt (I didn't have the dough for fixing the water pump at the same time which would have been another $200, including part and labor).
There labor price of $90 per hour is posted right on the wall and what they charged me for parts was right in line with what I would have paid for the if I had gotten them on my own from a place like CarQuest.
About 90 minutes later my car was running like a champ and the nightmarish anxiety of getting ripped off at an auto repair shop was over.
I would absolutely recommend Grace Auto repair to anyone needing work done to their car and will be bring my ride back there in the future if it needs some fixing! These guys are the best!

Bill Z.

Source: YELP

14/01/2015

This is the only one star review I have ever given. I literally have never had a worse experience with any other business of any type.

Thomas V.

Source: YELP

24/01/2013

I used to love this place. The owner, Kenny, was awesome. Always gave me honest pricing and quality work. Kenny has been gone for a while now. I hear he went back to Turkey -though I'm not sure for how long.
Anyways, without Kenny this place is a joke. My wife's car battery died yesterday, and after a jump went to Grace Auto to get a new battery. I wish I could have been there.. As my wife got completely railroaded.
They charged her $125 for a $90 battery .. and then charged her $25 to "install" it. As most of us know, there really isn't much to a battery install. Given the amount of business I've given them over the last 3-4 years, this was a slap in the face.
Grace Auto used to be a rarity - an honest shop with good business ethics and quality workmanship - that took care of their regular customers. Now it is just another shady place that preys on people who are in a bind.
After this F-job, I'll never go there again. Screw you guys.

James B.

Source: YELP

17/01/2013

I went back to Grace Auto recently for problems I was experiencing with my Toyota Rav4. Yes, I still think they are worthy of 5 stars! Leo worked on my car and he was great. He's honest, knows his stuff and only recommends necessary work. My car was worked on in a timely manner and I wasn't ripped off....too bad I can't say the same for other shops I have gone to.
Anyway, they do great work and they are honest. Go there. Save yourself a headache. Trust me.

Elvin Y.

Source: YELP

26/12/2012

I brought my 2007 Saturn Ion 3 back to Grace Auto Repair after 8 months due to a squeaking brake issue; the brakes had been serviced there previously, and were under warranty. Two hours later, the shop called to tell me there was nothing wrong, that they had removed a small amount of rust from a brake drum, and that I could pick up the car.
An hour later, I went to pick up the car, and the manager told me it was outside with the keys in it. I went outside, and my car was not there. When I asked him where it was, he was confused. "It's not there?" he said. Then he told me "Five more minutes."
After waiting fifteen minutes, I asked him if he knew where my car was; he said it was on a test drive. I asked how many miles were being put on my car, since I had been called over an hour earlier and told the car was ready. He said "Just around the block."
After waiting a full 30 minutes, my car pulled up, driven by an employee of Grace, and he had with him lunch for his entire garage. At that point, it became clear that the garage had taken my car to go on a food run.
When I addressed this with the manager, he said it was just "a test drive." He then told me there was a loose bearing in the left front wheel--something he had not mentioned on the phone, nor when I came to pick up my car--and that it had to be driven further to test it out. I pointed out that it was unacceptable to use customers' cars to run personal errands, and that he had lied to me about the issue with the car to attempt to cover it up, and that he had lost my business. Of course, he was not concerned at all.

Matt B.

Source: YELP

21/12/2013

Jerked around from the get go. Avoid at all costs. Nothing but a waste of time and 0 visibility into what's going on
Brought my car in on a Monday when they opened. Described the problem and they said they would check it out and let me know. I let them know up front that I needed the car back that day since my wife needed it for work the next day. Around 1pm, I decided to call and check the status. They told me the guy who worked on my car was busy and would call back in 30 min....2 hrs later I call back and now the guy was out to lunch, "wait 15min". Around 5pm I get fed up and decide to go get my car. They told me they ruled out suspension but would need to do alignment another day. I _scheduled_ to bring the car back on Saturday at 10am. I was told it won't take long since they just need to do alignment.
Come Saturday, I drop off my car at 10am. I might as have not come in Monday as they had no notes and treated me like it was my first time there. I called around 12 because I still haven't received word...once again just told to call back in an hour. 1.5 hours later I decide to stop by and ask. There's my car sitting right where I left it. Annoyed at this point, I ask what's the deal. He brings a mechanic in to tell me that the alignment place is closed. Apparently they don't do alignment themselves and just didn't feel it necessary to tell me this. To top it all off, the gentleman helping me lied about not being there Monday when i first came in...
Now I need to scramble to find a place to get my car fixed so I can get home for Christmas. Thanks for wasting 2 days of my time.

Adam W.

Source: YELP

03/12/2013

Avoid. Poor practices, dishonest.

d u.

Source: YELP

03/10/2013

These guys are so nice! I've been coming here for 2 years and always been satisfied with their services, prices and honesty.
Today tops it all though! I brought my car in today to get the door fixed, and not only did they fix the door for cheaper than their original quote, but they also replaced the door handle on the driver's side door which broke off more than a year ago! For free! Could not get any better.

Susie S.

Source: YELP

05/02/2015

Grace has always been a place I trust for auto services in the past, and I am happy to say that after returning after some time away, they continue to take care of me. It's like having a family mechanic around when you need them. This is the second time in 2 months they have provided me with minor services at no charge. Greatly appreciated! Such nice guys!

Nicole T.

Source: YELP

28/01/2013

I really hate having to write this review.
I had a check engine light come on and went into Grace due to the reviews. After an hour wait I was presented with a quote for a tune-up. They recommended a sensor be replaced, the solenoid, spark plugs and valve cover gasket. Total bill: $700. I balked and paid the diagnostic fee and left.
The next day i went to a highly rated mechanic on the north side. Their story was a little different in that I only needed 4 new spark plugs. The rest of the parts presented in my quote from Grace were stated as be highly unnecessary, in that they were in perfectly fine working condition. The cost was 1/7th cheaper. End result, my car is now running beautifully.
Perhaps the folks at Grace had/and will continue to have a different opinion. Others have a fine relationship with the business and perhaps for great reasons. I, on the other hand, was looking for a establishment I could call my mechanic. Sadly, my poor experience proved otherwise.
With that said, no hard feelings.

Benjamin B.

Source: YELP

04/12/2012

When we moved to Chicago 2 years ago from Boston, we were nervous about finding a new, trustworthy mechanic. So when our rotors warped last year we let our landlord's nephew fix them for $50.
Never doing that again.
After taking days to complete what should have been an afternoon project, he gave the car back to us with a messed up 4-wheel drive and a weird shaking when we drove. We let it go until we could find a real mechanic. We got busy, time went on, and now, over a year later, our Xterra was on its LAST LEG - shaking like crazy, making four different weird noises, the brakes barely worked, and it stuck when shifting into drive. We knew we had to do something fast. I drive past Grace Auto everyday on my way to work. After reading their great Yelp reviews, I figured I'd have them take a look.
They were able to tell me the rotors needed to be replaced to fix the brake problem and that the other problems were due to our driveshaft being unbalanced or something. I knew there were a few other tiny issues with the car (we have a small hole in our muffler and could use a new set of tires) but he didn't try to sell me a bunch of junk I didn't need, he just told me the major issues and gave me a decent price. I googled and called around to make sure I wasn't being overcharged. Then for good measure, I called back and asked if they could reduce the price by $100. They agreed.
An unexpected trip to Boston came up before I could drop the car off. By the time I made it back to Chicago and took it in, it was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and we needed the car to be road-ready THE NEXT DAY so we could drive to Ohio for Thanksgiving. We were nervous they might not be able to get to us or that something else would go wrong with the car and screw up our plans but by Tuesday evening, we had our car back and it was working like NEW! No shaking, no noises, our brakes were super tight, and it no longer felt like the car was going to snap when you shifted into drive.
We're super happy with the friendly service, great work, and the price (even without the $100 discount) and will happily be bringing the car back to Grace for the rest of the repairs and recommending them to ALL of our friends!

India S.

Source: YELP

25/03/2013

Bar none, the best auto repair shop in the city! They are honest and do great work.
I had the rotors and pads on my front brakes on my 2000 Honda Accord replaced and it was hundreds less than if I had gone elsewhere. Plus, they are open on the weekends!

Anneliess D.

Source: YELP

22/10/2013

Fast. Accurate service. They fixed what Acura dealers could not!!

Bella D.

Source: YELP

17/02/2014

Not sure what all they did to my ride, but she's purring like I haven't heard in years :).. Paid extra for a 'tune up', and was definitely worth it. Don't expect to get your car back fast, but they certainly know how to fix it up right...

Eric K.

Source: YELP

27/05/2012

This place is a complete ripoff. They just charge arbitrary numbers based on what they feel like. The numbers they quote are at least 30% over what the industry standards. But still, I went with them because I didn't have time to bring it to another shop to have them take a look.
They also "accidentally" added the numbers wrong on the final bill to charge me $300 extra. It's a very dishonest shop in my opinion.
There is absolutely no way I am going back and I don't suggest anyone to ever go there.

J L.

Source: YELP

04/02/2014

As a chick who knows nothing about cars, I trust Kenny . He explains what needs to be done and goes as far as walking me under the car to show me what is happening without making me feel dumb. I cannot more highly recommend Grace Auto Repair

Megan E.

Source: YELP

15/04/2014

These guys are hands down, the BEST! Two out of the three times I've had to take my Ford Explorer to them, they fixed my car problem at no charge. The one time I needed a new break light switch, I was in and out with my bill around 100 bucks. These guys are honest, friendly, and hard working which is tough to find at any other mechanic. I'll never take my car to anyone else as long as I'm living in Chicago.

Kaitlin O.

Source: YELP

15/10/2012

I honestly can't praise this place enough. They gave me an honest estimation on the amount of work my truck needed. Super fast labor and everything works as good as new.
Now to the most memorable part. I have no idea what kind of sandwich that was being made for the guys working up front, but it was one of the most awesome things I've ever eaten. If you ever decide to start selling those, I'll be first in line to buy one.
I'm bringing my truck back here for anything that needs done to keep it in shape.

Benjamim T.

Source: YELP

25/03/2012

I moved up to the city this time last year and needed to find a good mechanic for routine maintenance...maybe more. So I came on Yelp and found Grace Auto. Tons of great reviews and success stories so they became my guys. I commute to work so I was usually in there for an oil change every 2 months or so. Cheap and fast - no complaints. Then my check engine light went on.....
Took in my car and got a quote to fix the "code" that was causing the light to come on. To make a long, frustrating story short, I spent $500 on "repairs" and had to bring my car in a total of 4 TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. They would plug in their diagnostic system ($40) and diagnose the problem and replace the part. Sounds easy enough. But I learned is not the correct way to fix check engine light problems. There are sophisticated diagnostic systems out there these days (what the dealers use) that cost ~$100 but will provide a complete diagnose and pin-point the actual issue causing the light to go on. After the second time I took my car in for the same issue, Kenny, the owner, did not charge me - which was great. But he still could not fix the problem.
I have since taken my car to my dad's mechanic in Indiana (Frank Tolley's Auto Service Inc - Crown Point, IN) and the issue was SOLVED in one day. Turns out Grace Auto had replaced my EGR hoses with very cheap fuel line hoses which melt when attached to the EGR system and they broke a bolt in my engine and did not even bother to fix it...Nice work.
Before I ramble on anymore...Moral of the story: Kenny, the owner, is a good guy. His shop is quick, cheap and easy for routine maintenance. But THEY ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE COMPLICATED ISSUES and they did a really shoddy job on my car and I will not be back.

Zack B.

Source: YELP

05/04/2014

The mechanic here rescued our family vacation and didn't want to charge a penny. We'd just left home and were half an hour down the highway when the back wheels started vibrating. Grace Auto was the closest garage that was open on a Sunday. The mechanic spent an hour checking the back brakes (recently redone elsewhere) -- he pronounced them OK and the car safe to drive. He said the wheels needed re-balancing, which he wasn't equipped to do. We insisted on paying him something for his time and drove on. The vibration was off and on, but we didn't have to cancel the trip.
Back home, my regular garage tried a couple different things to make the problem stop, but, to be honest, they weren't sure either. I give Grace big points for helping us out of a pinch on a Sunday with no notice.

A C.

Source: YELP

31/03/2012

I used to have a five star up, but the new management either doesn't know what they are doing or scammers either way.
Wanted nearly $600 to replace spark plugs and coils.
Told them no replace the one spark plug and I'll drive it out cause I could do that. Well they replaced all four and charged me $100 screw it i paid it.
Next shop anaylsis all coils and plugs are fine something is in the cylinder and eventually it catches between the piston and plug and takes out the plug.
Now I'm worried they may have even put it in the cylinder as it takes a few miles before what ever is in there catches just right.

Special K.

Source: YELP

22/01/2012

Last Thursday morning (sub-zero temps followed by blizzardous snow-fall) I drove my car to go to the gym and half-way there (in fact it was mid-turn onto Western...not dangerous at all) my power steering took a crap on me. I had no choice but to muscle the car back home because nothing was open that early and anyways I had yet to find a local car repair place that doesn't give me extreme anxiety and financial repercussions so I'm hesitant to just cruise into any random place. The trusty Yelp reviewers gave Grace's a 4.5 star rating (70 something reviews) and since it's right down the street from me, I decided to go for it. When I turned my car back on to bring it in, the power steering had revived itself, but I still took it down there to have it checked and left it for the day.
I received 3 separate phone calls that day (from I believe Kenny) explaining that my power steering is all electric and they couldn't recreate the issue. Would I feel better had they pinpointed the actual issue? Yes. But to call at 3 different times to give me little updates really solidified the effort they were putting forth to figure it out themselves (suspicions pointing to the extreme cold that caused the problem as the culprit) and in their defense, my car's electronic notifications also alert me about every other day that my coolant is low which is a total lie.
After work I stopped by to get the car and Kenny apologized for not really figuring out the issue, but told me to bring it directly there if it ever happens again. I asked what I owed for the time and he paused to think, "Uuhhh...you owe $900." He laughed, tossed me my keys, and and told me to have a good day.
If your car sucks like mine, I highly suggest going here. Actually, even if your car doesn't suck at all, I definitely recommend Grace's.

Dani S.

Source: YELP

12/04/2012

My second experience with GAR in under a year.
While driving down the street I hear an awful clunking sound under my car- let's just say it sounded like pieces were falling off in the street (YAY!).. then the car began to jerk each time i accelerated, stopped, turned, switched from drive to park or vice/versa. Freaked out? YES!
Of course a billion awful thoughts of what could be wrong and visions of me crashing wildly into a tree as my car loses all control fly through my head as I slowly, but surely, made it from Lakeview to Grace Auto Repair. I was stubborn enough to make this decision because I had such a fantastic experience there last time.
I pull up- say "something's wrong with my car, help!"
They quickly discover that one of my engine mount bolts has broken off. Really? HOW?! One of the best things about this place is that they show you what is happening and explain it to you so you understand. I love it, It's like a mini shop lesson! This time I got to experience watching my engine shift from front to back like 6 inches when moving from drive to neutral to park. Um, nice. He tells me they will fix it and call me when it's done.
And then the call- "Hi your car is done, you can come pick it up."
me- "Ok, great! How much is it?"- I asked as I took a deep breath and gulped.
GAR- "Nine Hundred Dollars."
me- major freak out, squealing, almost passing out. many (most likely) indiscernible words and sentences coming out. "are you serious? nine hundred dollars? like for real? please tell me you are kidding! for a bolt? i'm going to pass out."
GAR- "yes, nine hundred dollars."
me- "oh my god. Really? please, please just tell me you are kidding."
GAR- "ok- it's sixty five dollars."
me- "you guys are awful, but i love you. thank you!"
I mean, what's better than that!? Again, great place, great workers, great experience. Thanks again!

Jennifer D.

Source: YELP

23/10/2013

Awesome shop, everyone is friendly and honest. Took my Jeep in to fix my tail light and other shops told me it was a short in the wiring, Leo fixed it in 2 minutes with no charge.

Erron D.

Source: YELP

21/10/2013

Recently moved to the area & needed to find a good auto shop within walking distance. Not only is Grace close to home BUT the service is beyond measure! I had a "mercury in retrograde" snafu with my ignition (don't keep hairbands on your gear shift) & instead of charging a killing, Grace kept it honest & professional! Even better, they didn't charge for discovering the issue, rotated my tires & checked the brakes for free! Ill definitely come back for all of my car care needs. Thanks again!!!!

Jeanette K.

Source: YELP

17/06/2013

This place was right across from where I used to live in Ukranian Village and was my absolute favorite place to go to for my regular oil changes, tire rotations and all sorts of auto repairs. The guys who work here are friendly, helpful and efficient and the prices are some of the lowest you can get around Chicago. The quality of work and overall service are impeccable. I once had to take my car here to remove and rebuff an embarrassing dent on the front right side and replace the right rearview mirror. They only charged me $480 and the car looked good as new! I have since moved out of the neighborhood, but still frequent here for my auto needs.

Amritha K.

Source: YELP

19/07/2014

I had a great experience here. I needed 3 tires to match one that I had replaced a year earlier. i called around to get the best price. Not only was grace Auto the cheapest, they had the best customer service over the phone. The gentleman I spoke with went over all of my options with me clearly and thoroughly, and worked with me to find the best solution. In total I called three times on various details and every time it was the same high level of service. Going there was also great. It's located in a good neighborhood to get errands done while you wait for your car. They also have some couches which were pretty comfy to wait in. Again my interaction with staff was quality. The work is also fantastic. My car is running so much more smoothly after the three new tires and alignment. I also appreciate that they have rewards programs, particularly the free oil change after 3 visits. Surpassed my expectations. I will definitely be going back again. This is my new garage.

kemal k.

Source: YELP

02/07/2014

I had taken my car to Grace after a friend recommended the shop. The customer service was great and they seemed eager to help. I picked up my vehicle at the agreed upon time and drove off. After a while I noticed that my driveway had oil spots on it and the car was starting to act odd. Upon taking my vehicle to another shop, it turned out that Grace Auto never did replace my timing belt. What they did was seal the gaskets so that oil was pooling where the timing belt was. The shop that did end up fixing the work provided me with photos to show the work was never done -one part even has written on it the last date in 2009 when the timing belt was changed, they could have at least doctored that up - as well as provided me with the parts that we're taken out. Upon looking at my receipt and filing a dispute with Chase (who is unable to assist with a charge-back since it's been just over 120 days) not only will Grace Auto not refund my money but the bank is unable to as well due to policy. Shotty work and now they are un-willing to issue a credit. Buyer beware!!!!!

Alicia S.

Source: YELP

26/06/2012

What can i say that hasn't already been said?
I brought it in after another shop quoted me $5k+ in repairs for my 12 year old car (ahem, chicago import service, looking at you), when half of the repairs had recently been done by my father in law, and some were pointless. Anyways, GAR fixed what needed to be fixed, didn't charge much, and did it quickly. I'm happy. Oh, and they found another problem that they missed in the initial diagnosis, so they fixed that for free..

david g.

Source: YELP

27/02/2013

Grace Auto Repair, while Kenny was still there, fixed my car's brakes. It was a full brake repair including pads and rotors. The parts were supposedly non-aftermarket (new, in other words). After paying for the repair, I brought the car back on at least three separate occasions due to a squeaking issue that continued with the brakes. On the final visit, they told me that I would have to pay an additional dollars because they needed to purchase a different type of "non-aftermarket" part. At this point, I was already in, so I paid.
The squeaking in the car was fixed with my last visit. However, this was only temporary. Two months later the brakes started to squeak again. Four months later the problem was even worse.
I decided to take the car into the dealer for fear that either due to Grace's incompetence or dishonesty, that I would encounter more problems. The dealer told me two things: (1) All the parts to the brakes were aftermarket, even though Grace told, and charged me for new parts; (2) that the installation was amateurish.
Needless to say, I will never go back. And I would recommend that you, too, avoid Grace Auto Repair and save yourself a headache.

Chris L.

Source: YELP

07/10/2013

I've brought my sister's car here couple times and overall it's worked out well for me. They found the sources of the problems quickly and accurately both times and fixed them without any "additional problems."
I'm generally a bit skeptical of repair shops and appreciate when I can go to one that is straightforward and fair. I called around for pricing on the same work and these guys were pretty spot on with pricing.
Unexpectedly, they also took care of the crazy squeaking the car was making and I ended up with something extra to ward of evil spirits (so far it's working great).
I'd definitely bring the car here again...

Adrian Z.

Source: YELP

15/07/2011

I feel like there are certain things in life people are always on the search for: best hairstylist, most flattering little black dress, meaning, free parking spots in the city, their keys, most reliable auto mechanic. Well, I think I've found the most reliable auto mechanic in the city.
The nicest bicyclist accidentally ran into my driver's side mirror a few weeks back. She left a note with contact information and everything... something I don't see happen often enough. :) After getting quotes from several city and suburban repair shops for a simple power mirror attachment, Grace Auto Repair beat the highest repair shop by 75%. Okay, so the price is pretty unbeatable.
These guys are also super efficient. Everything was done within 15 minutes. They don't waste your time or money. Yes, I know I drive a car that's pretty much the equivalent of a go-kart. And yes, you can probably trust them with luxury cars, as I saw a few of the fancier kind in the lot.
Now, how do you know you've found an honest auto mechanic? When everyone waiting for their cars to be fixed are carriers of the XX chromosome. :)

Mari K.

Source: YELP

06/09/2011

This review is based only on a phone conversation I had.
I just moved in down the street from them. And while I don't like how their lot looks or the fact they don't care for their property and make at least LOOK like it's a good place to take your car.... (REALLY guys, clean up the side walks and be a decent neighbor!)
I called to see if they could work on my TDI Beetle, it's a special engine and needs someone who can work on it.
First fellow who answered the phone, after my question, passed me along to another who then asked a mechanic if he could work on TDI engines... no was the honest answer "we don't have some one trained or qualified to work on those". I truly appreciated that....
Next time my Subaru needs something, I'll call and ask if they can help.

Kristene R.

Source: YELP

24/07/2013

My daughter got a flat tire after hitting some debris on the highway. I chose Grace based on Yelp reviews. Grace was unable to help, but recommended an awesome towing service. The very kind man towed the car for a reasonable fee and helped her negotiate a good price for another tire. Thanks Grace!

Harper C.

Source: YELP

03/04/2013

I'm so mad at this place - I could cry... It's been almost a month and $300 later, and my car still has the same issue from the day I first drove my car into this lot. I wish I wouldn't have read all the great reviews and fell for this place... here's my story...
My car was experiencing an issue where I would ease the brakes to slow down and eventually stop, but instead of stopping completely, the car makes a jerking effect to where it feels as though I am being rear-ended, and also, the car stops 5 seconds after I stop... strange...
I took the car into Grace and was immediately ensured they would check everything out and call me the next day with a quote and diagnosis on my car issues.
After receiving the call the next day with a price quote and notification that the car was ready to be picked up.
Driving the car home, I noticed the same issue was still occuring... ugh!!
The next day, I drove the car back and explained to the guy that I'm experiencing the same issue... Leo even drove around with me so he could see for himself what the issue was...
he reassured me that he would fix it and they must have overlooked something. I picked my car up 2 days later, only to find out that the car was experience the EXACT same issue!!!!! Needless to say, I don't have time to keep taking my car to this shop and leaving with the same problem.. good side of this is that they didn't make me pay anything to keep returning it, and the bad part is that I've lost time and my car still has the same problem that it had a month ago... ugh! WASTE OF MY TIME!

Mia C.

Source: YELP

01/08/2011

I needed an oil change and 3 new weatherstrips. After reading all of the positive reviews about Grace Auto repair, I found myself pulling into their driveway on July 26. I walked into the office and saw Willie standing with Tony sitting down. Neither acknowledged me. A minute later, Willie says, "Can I help you?" I asked if they do oil changes. Silence...few seconds later, Willie said, without looking at me, "No, we are busy."...silence again...he then said, "Unless you want to leave your car here." I said no and left. That was terrible service. I was appalled at Willie's attitude. He was very rude; he did not look at me when he spoke to me; he didn't seem to care if he upset a customer. He didn't seem as if he wanted to be at Grace Auto Repair at all; and guess what, I didn't either. Willie has a terrible work ethic.
As I was getting ready to pull out of the driveway, Tony comes knocking on my window, and asked if I'd be interested in going back in 15 minutes. My response? "No, thank you." One star well deserved since Tony was polite at that moment.
If you were busy, I don't think you would tell your potential customer, "We don't want or need your business. Take it elsewhere." That is exactly what I heard from Willie. I guess he assumed that I was only getting an oil change. Well, guess what, I replaced my battery, got new breaks, and ordered my weatherstrips.
Grace Auto Repair, you either need to hire new workers with a better attitude and work ethic or put your current workers in an extensive customer training course.
Overall experience: very disappointing and upsetting.

Pearl H.

Source: YELP

26/11/2012

These are the same owners as bucktown auto, somehow all the business has dropped off at bucktown auto. They use the same mechanics back and forth. I brought my 1971 Mercedes here and he promised he knew how to work on it. I have spent roughly about $1500. here and when my car was returned they broke the mount on the radiator and did not replace it, so it was sitting low and the fan blade then broke the cover, they messed up my idle so bad that it burns out in reverse and cruising 30 on idle. It did not do that before I dropped it off. They broke my air condition switch which was just put in 2 years ago all new wiring and air. It does not even blow heat or cold anymore. They made my tail lights worse than when I brought them in. THIS STUFF WAS WORKING BEFORE I DROPPED IT OFF. Won't be back again.

Justin R.

Source: YELP

22/04/2013

So far these guys have been great with me. I have had fairly simple repairs but they take my car right away and take care of it. And the price has always been reasonable. I asked them to reattach a part to the bottom of my car, yeah a part, I don't know what it was. It took them about 10 minutes, I asked how much and he gave me 2 options, $200 or free. I of course take a deal when I see one! Super nice guys and even though I'm Greek and they're Turkish, they don't hold it against me!

Anna K.

Source: YELP

01/08/2013

I've come to this place a couple times for various work, and they've always left me impressed. Leo and the staff there are what an auto repair place should be; no-nonsense. There's no trying to get you to buy work you don't need. Last time I was there they actually advised me against doing some work even though it meant less business.
They are upfront, straight-forward, honest dudes. Make 'em your go-to for auto woes, Folks.

Taylor R.

Source: YELP

06/11/2011

Service is amazing. I took my pick-up truck in a few weeks ago because the service engine soon light was on. When I came back in to pick it up the mechanic told me it was an air filter (I believe) that needed to be tightened. I asked him how much I owe him and he said there was no cost. He told me that the filter might need to be replaced if the light comes back on again.
If you want affordable, honest, dependable mechanics, this is the place. I'm so fortunate they're right around the corner from where I live!

Jacob B.

Source: YELP

02/12/2011

My wife and I decided to bring our Scion in here for a major tuneup, rather than the local Scion dealership, based on the fact that Grace gets much better reviews, and is closer to our house.
I think we made the right decision. They gave us their $50 winterize special which included changing the oil, other fluids and filters, and checking the car for other issues. They determined that the front break pads needed replacing (which we suspected) and the rear breaks were fine (we assumed all 4 breaks needed to be replaced). They also noticed that the tread on the tires was worn and suggested they be replaced before winter. Otherwise everything was fine.
Obviously the extra parts & labor involved in the breaks and tires added significantly to the $50 special, but all in all they seemed really on the level about only doing what was necessary, and in the end they gave us a discount on the total just because my wife is pregnant.
We'll definitely be taking the car back to Grace since they seem fair, communicative and didn't do any work until they explained and we approved it. Our car seems to be in good shape for the winter now.

Jake T.

Source: YELP

04/01/2011

Bad alternator. Bad battery.
That was the diagnosis that three places had given my car. I, however, don't drive often at all, unless I'm leaving Chicago. So, I didn't bother getting my car worked on until the Department of Forestry decided they had to cut down a tree that my car was blocking.
After getting my car jumped and then barely coasting into their lot, it was time to get it fixed. The next day I told them what was wrong. Then Kenny called me an hour later to tell me that those three prior morons were wrong. Indeed, the battery was bad, but the alternator was fine.
Kenny is a smart ass, and that's my kind of people. He had originally told me that they were running a special and that it would only be $2300 to fix my car. My roommate already told me that he was quoted $1000 and I'd already read Yelp reviews, so I knew this guy loves to watch a jaw drop.
A couple other things were wrong that explained my car's odd behavior and Kenny made sure to explain every little detail while also then showing me the old parts and explaining what was wrong with them.
Actual bill? Just under $300
Quick. Funny. Honest.
I'm glad these guys are in the neighborhood.

Kent S.

Source: YELP

02/08/2011

These guys are great. Highly trustworthy. I had a flat and they were very accomodating. They kept my car overnight while I picked up a replacement warranty tire from the suburbs. They put the new one on and prices were very fair. They also did an oil change. Very polite and friendly.
Highly recommend.

Salil G.

Source: YELP

21/09/2010

Great experience. Danny was cool and gave me an estimate before he worked on my car, and walked me through everything that was wrong with my car. I was treated with respect, and every detail was explained to me. And it was WAY less then I expected to pay.

Julie A.

Source: YELP

07/04/2013

Superb! I came here after driving by and being intrigued by the amount of cars parked outside and now I know why. Honest, friendly and reliable service performed in a timely fashion. What more could you ask for? I was pleasantly surprised to find out that what I thought was going to be a very expensive engine repair just turned out to be dirty fuel injectors that they were able to fix with some inexpensive cleaner. Being as i would have known no better and would have had paid for a much pricier repair I cant thank this place enough. Long story boring, they have a new loyal customer.

Mike D.

Source: YELP

25/05/2014

Very generous and timely service. Thanks again.

Brian O.

Source: YELP

28/07/2011

Loved my Grace Auto Repair visit (all except the long wait time). Due to a power outage the day before they were backed up in service. However, they fit me in (as I was a walk in) and repaired my car to my liking. I got my AC recharged and fixed the problem I had with my check engine light (which required a major tune up) within a hour by having several guys work on it at once.
Tony was very, very accommodating and wanted to see me happy. He even took off the charge for the AC re-charge. So I paid $65 less than my original quote. Thanks Grace Auto!

L B.

Source: YELP

02/08/2010

As I type this, Kenan, AKA Kenny, and the team are doing all kinds of dirty things to my sweet, reliable little car. Perhaps If I were a more trusting car owner, they wouldnt have to put thier fingers all over her like that...but thats what happens when you're a woman trying to get your car maintained in sheister- city. My last shop ( dont worry, Humberto, I'm gonna put you on blast as soon as I'm done here) seemed so honest...until it became clear that it wasn't.
SO...ladies, here's why Kenan's Grace Auto Repair is were you should go: Kenan invited me in to show me what was wrong, and patiently explained the details of the problem(s). He called for parts, gave me options on which parts/ what quality I wanted, and added it all up right in front of me.
And here's where it gets good: while i was there, soemone needed a tow. Kenan called his tow-guy. the guy shows up, Kenan asks him for a quote, the guy gives a good quote, then pauses, looks at the woman, asks "what kind of car is it?" She replies " a jeep cherokee". Tow guy looks back as Kenan as if to say, "well thats more"...THEN Kenan puts his hand up, and says "you already gave the quote...don't say anymore"!!!
sure, it could be an act, and only time will tell...but for now, Kenan has my support.

rhea w.

Source: YELP

19/11/2012

These guys are great. I have been going here for about three years and they have always hooked it up, quick, thorough and fairly priced, never over the estimate (usually a bit under). I can't recommend them enough, a great asset to the neighborhood. Thanks for fixing my flat Grace auto!

Diana J.

Source: YELP

23/11/2010

Owner: "Look at the price, do you trust me?"
Owner: "Look me in the eyeball, do you trust me?"
With those crazy eyes and poker face, here you go, take the five yelp stars you creeper. Kenny, the owner, bleeds honesty. We love him.

Jovim V.

Source: YELP

11/06/2012

Update: my car was never fixed, and eventually had to be sold for scrap. Apparently, leaving the Yelp review got Kenny's attention, because he finally called me back (in a huff), and he told me it wouldn't start at all now and probably needed a valve job, but wasn't his problem any more. From start to finish, dealing with Grace took over 5 months, during which time I could never reach anyone in person or on the phone, and in this time, they put two dents and a big scrape in the right side of the car, and busted a chunk off the bumper cover. Eventually, Leo "found" my number, which he claims had been misplaced, and I was able to haul it away. While I was there, he told me the shop now has a new owner. YMMV, but for me, this whole experience was a nightmare, and I'm glad to finally be done with them.

Jayne F.

Source: YELP

02/02/2013

Just went here for the first time this week. Leo is an uncommonly kind, thorough and honest mechanic.
I live in the neighborhood and when my car wouldn't start after work one night, I had it towed to Grace because it was so close to home and I'd heard good things about it.
Well in my experience, all those things were true!
Initially, the diagnosis and recommendation to fix my car were pretty pricey. So I asked for advice from the mechanic about whether or not it seemed worth it for a car I didn't pay that much for in the first place and which I don' drive that often. He immediately offered to put it up on the rack and check out all the major things so he could give me an educated impression--on his own time. And then he did! When he called back he said everything else looked good and he thought this repair would be the only one necessary for a good long while.
So I went for it. They replaced the fuel pump as well as the whole carriage around it (I don't know a lot about cars but when I asked about it Leo went and got the actual parts to show me and teach me about what he was recommending and why). They did the whole shebang even though it was just the pump because then it was under warranty.
And it was a good thing they did because it turned out I needed that warranty.
I went to drive it the day after I got it back and it made it the 2 miles to where I was going but made some funny noises along the way. And then,...it wouldn't start again!!
So I had it towed back. Again.
Leo took another look and figured out what the problem was. Something with the part itself that caused an electrical malfunction. They ended up getting a whole new part for me (covered by the warranty) from another vendor.
All labor was done without additional charge (over 2 days). There was not even a mention of it when I picked the car up.
And now it's running like a dream.
I just feel so lucky to have a mechanic I feel like I can count on right in my neighborhood. I would recommend this place to any of my friends.
Oh! And one more thing: the first time I picked up my car it was snowing and I had to use my windshield wipers as I drove out. Only I discovered one of them wasn't actually contacting the window so not wiping anything. I popped back inside to see if they might take a look and again, Leo came right out. After about 5 minutes of trying some things with a wrench and looking closely at how the blades were working, he simply popped both blades off and said he'd be right back. After about a minute he came back out and popped 2 brand new blades on there and they worked perfectly. When I motioned like I was going to ask what I owed him he just waved me off and said, "have a good night!"
Unusual. And a great way to treat customers and build loyalty. Certainly worked for me!

Elissa L.

Source: YELP

27/02/2013

The guys at Grace live up to the name. I was stranded in Ukranian Village on a SUNDAY in need of my car THAT DAY. What luck that they were around the corner and open on SUNDAY! I would have taken bad service and paid too much for that luxury. But what I got was sweet attitude, expert advice, options high $$ and low $, a willingness to work out the problem together with me, and quick turn-around. They even humored me as I took pictures of the underside of my vehicle. They didn't try to up-sell me, but rather seized upon an opportunity for creative problem solving that would hold well and not cost much. When I was offered a one-year warranty on the work, I was humbled. Hope my 1998 Jetta lasts that long!

Roxane A.

Source: YELP

06/04/2014

I bring my car either here or to the dealer, depending on the type of repair. Besides being extremely expensive my dealer is located right by Oak St, so a day of costly car repairs is compounded by a day of costly shopping. Grace is just a few blocks from my house, so I mostly bring my car here so I can walk home. They have done great work for both mine and my husband's car, never trying to get us to pay for unneeded repairs. They are very fair and honest. I had been hoping to avoid getting a new timing belt as it was $1300 at the dealer, but "just" $800 at Grace. The only caveat is that after my last visit there they had disconnected the battery and not reinserted the radio code (the dealer puts the code back in, although even they can't get your radio station presets back) so I had to hunt for the code, and when I went to open my glove box to find the manual for the code the door wasn't hinged and all of the contents fell out. It seems that the box stops are removed to get access to behind the glove box, and in this case they weren't replaced. I managed to find one of the stops in the mess and it was super easy to pop back in place. That was enough to get the door to hold. I ordered the other stop on ebay for all of $4, I could have gone back to Grace to let them know but I have bigger fish to fry right now than spending a day dealing with a $4 part. So I will definitely continue to bring my car here as long as I live in the neighborhood, but just remind myself and my fellow Yelpers to check on the little things (car radio, glove box) before you leave the lot, I'm sure they'd be more than happy to fix the problem. It would also be nice if they had a computerized system that way they could just look up your car without having to fill out a new form every time you go there. But overall, as you all know, it's hard to find an honest mechanic but here they are!

Melanie A.

Source: YELP

03/04/2014

Simply the BEST. Have been bringing my Honda CR-V to this same location for 4+ years. They are the most honest and fair priced shop I have ever encountered. Be it an oil change, tire rotation, brakes, timing belt replacement, valve adjustment, exhaust repair, replacing smashed out windows, fixing rust holes, solving weird problems, etc. It is always done in the most economic and quality manner. I recommend this shop to all my friends.

Rae A.

Source: YELP

19/09/2013

Watch out! We used to LOVE this place - took our 2003 Audi there for 4+ years and always felt like we were getting great service at a fair price. Then, over the past year, things started going downhill. We'd take the car in for a fix, and get it back (after paying) without the original problem fixed. We started having to take the car back for second and third visits, just to get the original issue fixed. Most recently, they somehow completely botched an oil change. We thought we'd finally found a great, honest mechanic - and when Kenny was there, he was - but not anymore. Take your car somewhere else!

Hanna K.

Source: YELP

08/01/2011

I am always very skeptical going to an auto repair shop for the first time. I know little about cars and am always wary that I will be scammed into paying much more than I should be. However, I have returned to Grace Auto Repair time and time again.
First the owner seems to be a very honest and straight forward about your car which I love. He is very serious about going over prices with you so that you understand what you will be paying and why. He also offers you alternatives in case you want just the basics done.
The only reason I didn't rate it a full 5 stars is that they once lost my boyfriend's car keys when he sent his car there to get work done. They were very apologetic and ended up giving him a discount which is nice. We continue to return despite the mishap.

Emily L.

Source: YELP

19/07/2012

I get rip off from new owner my mazda had a problem with throttle body they charge me 850$ parts cost only 400 $ 20 minutes off job cost 450 dont go there yelp people

David C.

Source: YELP

23/04/2011

Kenny is the best! He is young, honest, straightforward and accommodating. Prices are also very reasonable. I have used him for several things for 2 cars - oil changes, tire changes, emission fix, brakes...and everything has worked fine afterwards. Call before you go - office is tiny and not always open Sunday.
ONLY complaint is that occasionally they run behind. I was told 1 hour, but had to wait nearly 2.5 hours for a brake job and never was told why there was a delay.

S A.

Source: YELP

07/03/2014

The guys at Grace are great! I just had a wiring problem with my taillight and they took a look at my car right away. It only took 10 minutes to fix and I was out of there. They've got a pretty good deal for oil changes as well.

Chris C.

Source: YELP

30/05/2011

These guys are fantastic. Had some brake issues and I work a few blocks away. They took care of it same day (needed a new fuel line and needed it that night) and even knocked the price down a bit.
A week later, I needed to pass the emissions test. I dropped it off in the morning, they fixed it, and then...they drove it to the emissions place to make sure that it passed!! THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE! Who else does this?? These guys are fantastic, and Kenny is a solid, upfront, no BS individual and manager.

Ryan B.

Source: YELP

23/12/2010

So after my experience here, all's I can say is....wow. 30 bucks to get new brackets attached to my exhaust system and stop that annoying clankity-clank I was listening to. I said, $30 including labor? Yep, they said. I said, what about the last mechanic that told me my whole exhaust system would need to be replaced because of this? They lied, he said. Wow...
$30 barely gets you an oil change these days, and I got an honest answer and a problem quickly fixed. Awesome.

Colt E.

Source: YELP

30/07/2010

Kenny recently took over the place as owner/manager and he provided great service.
Timely call back to me with an estimate on what repairs were needed and the cost. Follwed up with very fast installation of the new parts once I authorized the repair.
Convenient hours.

Amos K.

Source: YELP

13/11/2010

I feel like I am cheating on my long term mechanic by giving this place 5 stars, but in all honesty, my normal mechanic is worth ten stars, so to not give this place five simply because they don't measure up is not fair. Grace Auto Repair under Kenny's direction is as good as it gets in Chicago, most likely.
My van had been overheating, and so I took her in, worried that I might have done some damage by driving her when there was possibly a bad leak somewhere. I should have known it would be nothing too bad, as my van is a BEAST with a 350, and pretty much takes care of its self (in this case it would shut off before any damage could occur.... maybe not exactly convenient when you are at a stoplight in rush hour traffic, blasting some MJ's Dirty Diana, but better than a jacked up engine!)
It turned out to only be a hose, which I know from the school of hard knocks is a cheap and simple fix. First he played the gauging game of "how much do you think it was, $1000??" (annoying, guys), then finally quoted me $150 or something like that, for parts, labor, and a radiator flush. He could tell I wasn't a happy camper, so he lowered the price over the phone. When I came in the next day, he could still tell I wasn't happy, and he lowered it to damn near what my normal mechanic would have charged (for the parts, labor, AND radiator flush which I still don't know how I feel about BUT it is ALWAYS better safe then sorry so it's A-OK...). This is significant, because unless you do the work yourself, my mechanic's rates are unbeatable, and the fact that Kenny nearly matched them just to turn my frown upside down, says a lot.
I've had some bad experiences with mechanics because it is one of the easiest professions for them to get over on the general automotively ignorant public, so I am VERY sensitive to every little trick they pull. Because they are EXPENSIVE tricks, and I don't got money for that crap. That is why I was sensitive about paying $100+ for a $20something dollar part, and Kenny could sense that, and did all that he could to make me a happy customer. He could have stuck to his guns and charged me 50% more, but he didn't, and that is a big deal in an expensive city like Chicago, so kudos for that.
I still think $60+ an hour for labor is insane, but at least they won't try to lie and tell you your engine is blown and you'll have to pay $1000, when it is something small, and that is a great sign. If my van ever has another emergency, and I can't drive to Michigan to get her looked at, I will feel completely comfortable bringing her back to Kenny.

Super L.

Source: YELP

14/04/2011

OMG I LOVE KENNY!! (He's the manager)
So I was DREADING taking my car to get fixed for the horrible screaching noise it made when i braked because A) I'm a chick and B) I'm a chick. I was terrified of being duped and having no way of knowing til after I handed over my arm and leg. So I decided to do some research a.k.a look on yelp. Grace Auto Repair was really close and had GREAT ratings so I figured I've probably already waited too long so this needed to be the place.
BEST DECISION EVER! Talk about awesome service. Right away Kenan went over the things I needed done, half of which I knew, the other half was gibberish to me. He told me to give him a couple of hours for the estimate. Two hours later he calls. :-) He actually SHOWED me everything in the car that need fixing and when I gave him the I don't understand you head tilt, he broke everything down so that I could understand. Then he gave me an awesome estimate for the work.
It was approximately 4 when he gave me my estimate and told me he was gonna be there til 7 and would try to have my car fixed before then. Seven came and went so I just figured he didn't finish. Nope 7:50 he calls to tell me my car is ready. When I ask him how long he will be there til, he was even shocked at the time. He stayed to finish my car and lost track of time. Awesome.
My only word of caution: he likes to make you poop your pants. After the work was done he gave me a fake total that was much higher than the estimate and I almost had a heart attack. Overall, great place, quick quality service, and VERY reasonable prices.

Natalia E.

Source: YELP

28/03/2012

I won't be back here. They charge way to much and do to little. I know I was going to have to pay, but they sure did get the best of me here. At least they could have been nice about it. The location is ok and convenient and the secretary was at least comforting to me, thats about it though

Brandon W.

Source: YELP

04/09/2012

My fiance and I both take our cars here. They are honest and straight forward. I was having an issue with my civic and it turned out it was an item that was still under warranty, so they took my car to the dealership, had it fixed and then gave it back to me, at no charge. I felt bad so I still had them do at oil change. I would honestly not take my car anywhere else in the city unless I had to. Kenny is the best.

John M.

Source: YELP

13/05/2012

This place is terrible. The same thing happened to my boyfriend as happened to me. He took the car in to fix his brakes and two days later another thing breaks. I don't trust these guys.

Tamir G.

Source: YELP

17/09/2010

As a 20-something female, I feel that I could REALLY be taken when it comes to matters of the car; however, these guys are HONEST, they know what they are doing, and they do it for a VERY good price!
They don't touch a thing until they ask you first, and after they work on your car, they physically show you each broken part they took from your car, and point out where they placed the new part. They break the price down part for part, and explain the labor costs. I had a WHOLE HEAP of things wrong with my car, and they fixed it all in one afternoon for a price I could really afford.
....and just to be nice they didn't even charge me tax!
these guys are honest, fast, good, and cheap!

Corey T.

Source: YELP

25/03/2011

I have been going to the same garage for years. They were awesome up until about 2 years ago, when the owner stopped spending time in the shop and handed the reins over to one of his mechanics.
As a woman, I expect mechanics to try and rip me off. I know more about cars than most girls since my dad was a mechanic in the military and my good friend restores classic cars for museums and films, casting her own engine parts and so forth. Anyway, when visiting a new mechanic, I am hyper alert to any signs that they're trying to sell me blinker fluid or whatever. To make a long story short, my last shop started trying to sell me parts at 3x the dealer price, wanted to make repairs on stuff that had just been repaired or installed new- just weird janky stuff all around. They were throwing out estimates that more than doubled other shops in town. So- after a ten year history of going to them, I abandoned the convenience of the location and took on the daunting task of finding a new shop.
Enter Grace Auto Repair. I had an inkling of what was wrong, and at no time did the owner try to yank my chain about it being three other things. His eventual diagnosis of the problem made perfect sense, and the price was completely reasonable. His labor estimate was reasonable in terms of time needed and fee per hour. He was responsive and efficient in his communication and the repair itself. When I went to pick up the car, he delivered everything as promised with no surprise fees or hard sell for other repairs. Clearly, he operates an honest, competent shop. I am absolutely impressed by the service in every way. My car drives better and sounds like new. I suspect that his shop did a couple of courtesy tweaks that improved the drivability of my car even more. They clearly go out of their way to deliver exceptional service.
Finding a new mechanic is probably one of the most nerve wracking experiences any girl can have. Grace Auto made this transition seamless. I will not be going back to my old garage as long as this place is in the neighborhood.

Ann S.

Source: YELP

30/11/2013

A friend of a friend recommended Grace Auto for my Honda Accord! I am new to the city and not familiar with a mechanic, I can say with 100% certainty I will never take my car anywhere but Grace Auto from now on. I had to get a hose replaced and The work was done quickly and at a decent price. Being a single girl I sometimes feel I get taken advantage of! Leo (manager) is very friendly and his staff is just as nice. I highly recommend Grace Auto Repair!!!!!!

Elizabeth S.

Source: YELP

26/07/2013

I've been to Grace Auto many times and these guys always do good work at a fair price. Been there for front end work, brakes, exhaust, sensors and probably other things I can't recall. Honest, competitive business and they treat people well. Can be hard to find that with mechanics, so I'm sticking with these guys.

Andrew A.

Source: YELP

19/10/2012

I discovered Grace Auto Repair through the reviews on Yelp, and had a great first experience.
When I needed further repairs, I returned and had another great experience. I had a secondary O2 sensor replaced; the muffler, tailpipe, and exhaust pipe replaced; and the front drive axles replaced. The repairs were done quickly, the quality of the work was excellent, and the price was more than fair. In fact, the final price was LOWER than the estimate, AND they threw in a free oil change.
This place is a gem in the Wicker Park neighborhood, and I highly recommend it.

Cory C.

Source: YELP

21/07/2011

I have been hosed by car mechanics in the past, and I was very anxious about trying out a new mechanic in my new city, but Grace Auto Repair left me relieved and thankful. They took care of my sick (9 year old American) car, gave us reasonable prices/estimates, and didn't add on any hidden bull-caca "labor charge" or anything. Additionally, during both trips the car was ready approximately when they said it would be. When I had a new A/C problem a few months later, they recommended someone who specializes in that area instead of doing it themselves, which definitely speaks to their ability to know where their strengths are.

Carolyn E.

Source: YELP

29/02/2012

Kenny is literally the best person on earth. He has saved me sooooooo much money it's insane. He seems to always be getting me out of bind, and I love him for it! This is the place to go if you want someone honest to take care of your car. It helps that I am in walking distance so i can drop my car off, cry to Kenny and walk home (although he always offers to drive me.) They don't do body work, but stop on and he can refer you to his cousin that has a body shop further north and will also take great care of you.

Carine M.

Source: YELP

23/09/2011

Excellent service. I walked in at 5pm to inquire about an oil change and wheel alignment. The owner Kenan got me in for the oil change right away, referred me to a mechanic who had the tools for wheel alignment, and gave me advice on a few other car issues I had. His advice was honest and down to earth, with none of the gimicks or showmanship associated with larger shops and/or chauvinistic mechanics. Best of all, his prices were competitive. I will definitely be back.

Tashera P.

Source: YELP

11/08/2011

They really helped me out. Fixed my tire so fast! Charge was only $14.

Alisa D.

Source: YELP

16/04/2012

I came here about 2 weeks ago to get a bulb changed and my cigarette liter fixed. I don't know what Kenny and his crew did but not only did he fix those things but the automatic locks on my car are working again, too! I had called pep boys about the issue with my cigarette lite before and they estimated it would cost any where between $50-$100+ to fix it. Kenny certainly charged way less than at! Always great, reliable service! I will be there again this week to have brakes looked at because I know its good, reliable service that I can trust. 5 stars!

Jessica C.

Source: YELP

07/07/2013

This place saved me from what could have been an incredibly stressful Sunday. After visiting a friend in Chicago for the weekend I was about to leave to go home to cincinnati and my car, that I borrowed from my mom, started to make a horrible noise. Turns out my catalytic converter had been stolen overnight in the parking lot. Grace was the closet and highest ranking auto repair shop open on a Sunday. They fixed all the problems within 2 hours and the owner gave me a good luck "evil eye" keychain. They were incredibly helpful and very nice, after getting parts stolen from my car the people who work and own this place really restored my faith in humanity and helped me get back home.

Ellen C.

Source: YELP

10/08/2012

Grace Auto Repair was $700 cheaper than a quote I got at another garage. Their hourly rate is reasonable and they quoted me a legit price on parts. They were finished when they said they would be, and my car is working great.

Kristin C.

Source: YELP

27/01/2011

This place is a RIP OFFFFFFFFFF

Rebecca M.

Source: YELP

31/10/2011

Thank you Grace Auto Repair! You saved me a ton of money (Toyota quoted me over $1,000 and Grace Auto Repair was less than $600) and it makes me super happy knowing that my brakes and rotors are new and safe! I really like the people who work here and much rather support a small local business rather than the huge companies. I will definitely be going here from now on!

Blossom C.

Source: YELP

23/11/2011

I've been here several times and they are the best in town. Today was the icing on the cake as I was trying to prove that most mechanics love to rip you off. I had a coupon for a tire rotation and oil change at Midas ($19.99). Had it done and a courtesy check. They told me my tires were fine (knew I had 2 bad ones already), needed and engine flush (tell me this after you changed the oil?), and needed to replace a hose. Kenny looked at the engine oil and told me it's clean so no flush needed, the hoses had no cracks on the inside so that was fine too, and told me the 2 rear tires were bad which I knew. Normally, you will have to make an appointment or bring your vehicle in at 8a.m. and you will wait a while. Waiting is fine as long as I'm not being robbed. Thank God for Kenny and his excellent crew.

Steve I.

Source: YELP

18/03/2011

I needed a new fuel pump and had to have my car towed there from Deerfield. They let me bring my own part in and were very accommodating when it took a few more days than they expected. He only charged me labor and was really pleasant. You won't get the dealer experience here where they have coffee waiting for you and a nice, clean waiting room, but you will get great, fast service, lots of communication and a very fair price.

Emily L.

Source: YELP

24/02/2012

Brought my Subaru in after the dealership gave me a huge estimate, including replaced a cracked head gasket, which is mega-expensive. Grace auto fixed the suspension issues and let me know that the head gasket had just a tiny hairline crack and was fine.
They also replaced a burned out bulb in my dash for free. All in all it was literally 1/10th of the what the dealership quoted me. I'm done with the expensive labor costs from the dealer and will take my car here from now on.

Jack M.

Source: YELP

15/02/2011

I'm a full-time college student and work over full-time between the city and the suburbs, so when I found out my car had two flat tires after a possible parking lot incident (that's another story.....) but anyhow, I had a small meltdown when I wasn't able to keep air in both tires at all and fix-a-flat didn't do anything for them either. Long story short, I had my car towed to Grace Auto Repair and $20 (and a day later) my car was good as used. Kenny and the crew was great! So glad that he is in Ukrainian Village.

Roman M.

Source: YELP

08/01/2011

It finally occurred to me that it was time to get new breaks, when I realized I was endangering the lives of my girlfriend, myself, and everyone else on the road with me by having crappy breaks. I was TERRIFIED to find a mechanic in Chicago, so I went on yelp and saw this place had amazing reviews, like too good to be true. I took it in here, and met Kenny and explained to him what was going on. Within 10 minutes he had my car up on a lift and had me come out to take a look and explain to me what was going on. Basically he said one of my breaks was at risk for seizing up at any given second and that I would need 4 new rotors and new pads. I am not car savy but looking at those rotors I knew that they should not look that way and immediately thought "how much do I have left on my credit card before I hit my limit." When he took me into the office to discuss the price my jaw dropped when he gave me a very VERY reasonable estimate, about a third of what a dealership had quoted me for similar work a couple years back. Within a few hours I was able to come back and get my car and everything has been great.
Even if I were to move to the other side of the city I think I'd still come back here.

Dave L.

Source: YELP

25/04/2012

Grace auto repair is the best and most honest mechanic I've ever found. One more extremely positive review probably isn't necessary for these guys, but I feel I owe them a good review. Go to this shop.
(1) I bought a used car last falll. It needed about $1K worth of work when I bought it (I knew that before buying). I found Grace on Yelp, and they did the work for $600 and in 1 day. Great.
(2) About a month later, my rear wiper stopped working. I went in asking for a new wiper motor. They changed the fuse and charged me nothing. NOTHING!
(3) Went for an oil change, no big deal. But the dude had misplaced my keys. I actually didn't even mind, it only took them about 5 minutes to find them. No big deal. No, Kenny the manager apologises profusely, and gives me a voucher so my next oil change is free. Wow.
(4) I ran over a nail and my tire went flat. Went in to see what they could do for me. They patched the hole and again charged me nothing.
Bottom line. They seem to care about getting positive reviews on Yelp. And they understand that honesty, community and good old fashioned service is the way to maintain a positive review on yelp. Go to this shop.

J D.

Source: YELP

01/04/2012

Failed an emissions test and they were able to get us in that day. Very detailed in what needed to be done. They not only fixed our vehicle but ran it through the testing facility for us and got the all clear. Excellent service, surprisingly awesome sense-of-humor from staff, and just great work all the way around.

Eldridge D.

Source: YELP

21/11/2011

Great place to get your car fixed! My coupe wasn't turning over and they had to rip out the engine and put it back in over a period of about 3 days. They also recommended to replace the timing belt while it was in the shop. When it was finished, the car started right up and worked great. They said that it needs a tune-up, and I will definitely be going back soon for a tune up! Very nice, very knowledgeable, VERY affordable. The labor rate is only 65, compared to the typical 100 at most other places, that was certainly my selling point! Also my roomate needed the connectors replaced for his battery. They took care of him in 20 min, and didn't even bring up paperwork since it was so little. Highly recommend them!

John B.

Source: YELP

27/10/2011

I love Grace Auto Repair...they are honest, real, and trustworthy. I came to Grace after reading Yelp reviews and because they are right in my neighborhood. I was failing the emissions test and came here for help. They fixed the problem and found a few other problems and gave me a realistic timetable to come back and fix the other issues. They solved the problem, showed me the parts that they needed to repair, and gave me a totally reasonable invoice. I passed the emissions test and I am going back soon to fix the other issues. I sent someone else there the following week who was similarly impressed. Good place go there...

Heidi B.

Source: YELP

21/05/2011

if you're a girl and you have any car issue and you try to take care of it by yourself, chances are, you're going to get screwed.
i hit a pothole and blew out my tire and bent the rim. after getting jerked around by guys at different tire and repair shops i got it fixed. my car was still steering funny and being weird, so i called around a few places to see how much it was to get my car looked at to see if anything was broken or if i just needed an alignment. i got all kinds of shady answers everywhere i called, except for grace auto.
i told kenny (the manager) what was going on and he told me to bring it right in, that they would check it out, no problem, for free. when i got there he took it for a test drive and explained what noises are bad and how to tell if the wheels are out of alignment by how my wheel was. he also took it back to the shop and checked out the suspension. he let me know that nothing was bent or broken, but i did need an alignment, and even recommended a place to get one.
super friendly, he checked my car out at no cost, and he even let me know what maintenance i was going to need in the future. i know nothing about this kind of stuff, they could have easily told me multiple things i needed fixed, but instead they were honest and friendly, and when i do need things repaired this is where i am going from now on

Lesley S.

Source: YELP

29/01/2012

I brought my Hyundai Elantra here this past week after reading yelp reviews. It was making brake noises and what I assumed were belt noises. I was right - with some additions as well (which I wasn't really surprised about). After evaluating my car - they gave me a detailed quote over the phone. They finished my car quicker than I anticipated - on time (I'm used to the dealer where estimates are about 2 hours less than what they actually take) and then the final bill didn't have any overages - they even took a bit off. My car is running beautifully and quietly now I will definitely take my car to Grace Auto again!

Santina W.

Source: YELP

09/04/2011

I have been very happy with this place. So much so, I hesitate to write this review because the one critique I have is that they are so busy. Like many of the others on here, I'm always worried about getting duped by mechanics since I know nothing about cars. At Grace Auto, I've never felt like they were trying to swindle me. The first time I went here it was because my check engine light was on. He said the code indicated a leak in the exhaust system (I think - shows you how little I know about cars). He suggested I just try buying a new gas cap from the dealer, which would be cheaper than having him do the smoke test and is often the cause of this problem. If it didn't work and the light came back on, then I should come back. He didn't charge anything for this consultation and I was impressed that he didn't try to get me to pay for a smoke test. I've been coming back ever since.

Kristen K.

Source: YELP

12/07/2011

Outstanding service at very fair prices. Brought my '01 Maxima in a couple times over the past few years and had great experiences. Made the mistake of going to other nearby places, which charged more and pulled some shady stuff. Kenny and his crew know what's up - you won't be disappointed.

G M.

Source: YELP

17/01/2011

I needed new tires and Grace took care of me and my old ride. They gave me a price quote that was very reasonable and recommended a better brand of tire than what I originally wanted. The installation was as quoted and on time. Just being down the block also makes this easy, so when my clutch goes out next, I can just push it down to Graces!

Sonny B.

Source: YELP

05/10/2011

Writing in to update my 2 star review from 9/13. Bumping these guys up to a 4 for Kenny's superior customer service.
Within hours of posting my prior review, Kenny called and asked me to bring my car back so he could make the situation right, at no additional cost. Turns out he was on vacation during my ordeal. My side mirror is now fixed and matches my car! As I was driving out of the lot, Kenny yelled at me to back up as I had a rear tail light out that I didn't know about. Kenny and his guys replaced my light...for free.
I'm sure I'll be back, if anything I can't say these guys aren't honest and that goes a LONG way for auto repair shops. I think the first time around was just one of those situations where everything that could go wrong, did, and with each attempt to fix it, it just got worse. Unfortunately these things happen, just glad it's over and fixed.

Christy G.

Source: YELP

27/09/2011

Kenny and the guys at Grace Auto Repair are very friendly, informative and helpful. Kenny talked me through my situation on the phone before I actually drove over, and even though they were done working for the day they helped me with my issue.

Alex F.

Source: YELP

19/09/2012

I wish there were six stars available as an option b/c that's how good my experience with Leo at Grace Auto Repair was. After getting an absurdly high estimate from the dealer, I came to Leo on the recommendation of a co-worker. I called him earlier in the week and made an appointment to come in on condition a loaner car would be available for me. When I showed up this morning he took my car, I took his loaner, and I figured I'd be driving the loaner for the rest of the week. When he called me an hour later and gave me an estimate for the work that was FIVE TIMES LOWER than the dealer, and told me my car would be ready in the afternoon, needless to say I was happy as could be. Leo even allowed me to negotiate for a slightly better deal. I just picked up my car and the first I think I did upon getting back to work was to write this review. Leo is fair, honest, friendly, and provided the best car repair service I've ever experienced, and I've been driving for 20 years.

Coby H.

Source: YELP

11/03/2011

Folks, look at how people rate this place.. this is by far the best place I have ever been.. they were very honest on what needed to be replaced and the prices were great compared to other places. I now have a mechanic in the city thanks to these guys.

Andrés P.

Source: YELP

15/07/2010

These guys are honest, have fair prices and work quickly. I brought my car in this morning and had it ready by close of business. They gave me a great price on a full brake job and stuck to the estimate. Threw in a free oil change, fluids and air. I'll absolutely be back the next time I need my car serviced.

Alan Z.

Source: YELP

09/08/2011

These guys are tops. Very friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient. Tony, one of the mechanics, drove directly out to meet me to look at my friend's car whose rear brakes had seized up while parked on the street for a few weeks. Tony messed around for a minutes, looked under the car, then took off with wheels skidding. Brakes freed up and wheels started rotating. He boldly did what I was too scared to try.
10 minutes of help, no charge, and they'll be getting my business.

Justin K.

Source: YELP

20/10/2012

Honored the warranty of their work that was nearly a half year out of date, threw in a free oil change to boot; we've been customers for nearly 2 years now and can't praise their work enough. Thanks Grace Auto!!!

James H.

Source: YELP

29/04/2010

My car was making the loudest sound possible for a car. I thought it needed a new muffler and turns out that my exhaust pipes were rotted out. kenny replaced the two pipes for $50. No more car sounding like a truck. If I took this car anywhere else, I definitely would have been charged more money. This place is under new management and they also have great prices on other services. Definitely will use him for everything else.

Rick V.

Source: YELP

28/07/2011

I've been working with my hands, in machine shops and on construction sites, for over 20 years. I suppose that gives me some credibility when it comes judging other people's work.
I needed to have the serpentine belt changed on my old Jeep and, not wanting to fall into the Pep Boys/Firestone trap, didn't know where to go. Yelp sent me to Grace Auto Repair and I'm glad they did.
Thanks to Tony and crew for the great service and a more than fair price, all done in an hour.

Bruce F.

Source: YELP

19/07/2011

I signed up for Yelp just to write this review, as this was probably the best advice I've ever received from the site. I got the dreaded "check engine" light on my dashboard on Sunday afternoon, coupled with an engine that would hesitate for a few seconds when I hit the gas at every stoplight. Needless to say, this was not endearing me to the other kindly Chicago drivers.
Assuming I was about to lose my transmission and be in for a huge hit to the credit card, I took the car into Grace. Tony took a look at the car, went through all the necessary code checks, and told me he was going to have to replace the ignition coil. I assumed at least a $700 repair.
After a few hours he called me and apologized because he couldn't quite get the part cheap enough and he was very sorry, but the repair was going to cost $500. He cut down on the labor costs to account for the higher price of the part. When I came into the shop to pick up the car, he knocked off another $25 "because you've been so understanding."
Having experienced a number of auto repair shops, I've literally never had a situation in which my estimate was actually higher than the mechanic's. Tony was friendly, worked quickly, kept me aware of the situation, and most importantly, did great work. I cannot recommend Grace Auto highly enough. Shops like this need all the good press possible; they are essential to the neighborhood. I will recommend them to literally everyone I know.

Martin M.

Source: YELP

17/07/2011

This is the first mechanic shop that I have used after reading the reviews on yelp. Tony is the new guy at this place and attended to me as soon as I entered. He was extremely pleasant and courteous.
He mentioned that he would have to inspect the car for the trouble code and get back to me in an hour. I believe that they were short staffed, being a Sunday, but got back to me in an hour and a half which was fine. Clearly indicated what was the issue and fixed it.
It almost took the entire day but I was in no hurry. I was anxious as this was a new shop that I had taken my car to. I must say the work was good and the car feels great. He showed me what he had changed and gave me a small discount. He performed an entire tuneup which was way over due.
I must say this was a good experience. I am not sure about the price but it seemed reasonable. I will definitely check out this place more in the future.

Chris P.

Source: YELP

19/11/2012

Wow. Fab! I called in a.m. and they told me they're first-come, first-served, which is awesome when u need your car done fast! They fixed everything honestly and seriously undercharged us for my hubby's vehicle. I was so happy that I brought my car to them to be winterized. They discovered some SERIOUS and DANGEROUS problems with my car, but told me that, though they were more than happy to work on it, I might want to take it to my dealership bc warranty might cover some of it. They wrote down a list of exactly what they'd found and were detailed in explaining why the problems had happened and how 2 prevent them from happening again. My dealership did a thorough inspection and found the same issues and their info matched what Grace mechanics had told me. They did forget one item on out long list of repairs for hubby's car, but as soon as I told them, they immediately fixed it... And the windshield wipers they'd fixed quit working, but we took it back and they immediately went to work figuring out what had gone wrong, no charge obviously. And sooooo inexpensive! What a bargain!
Update:
We've been taking our cars there a couple more times for repairs needed unrelated to prior issues... and they remembered my name the first time (I'm pretty unmemorable and we have a tough-to-pronounce name, so this is big for me)... and they've had such consistently dependable, friendly, and solid service!

Bouchette B.

Source: YELP

15/06/2011

I've moved from the neighborhood but I always go back to Grace Auto.
Kenny and his employees have done nothing but great by me and my shitty little car.
1. They charge the fairest rates of anyone I have gone to.
2. You will not be taken advantage of in any way regardless of your automotive knowledge.
3. All of the staff is very helpful and will explain anything to you that you do not understand. All of the repairs are explained beforehand.
As a girl I have had bad experience at many automotive repair shops. (I know that this has been beat to death.) As someone who has previous automotive knowledge it's easy for me to weed out the bullshitters. I would recommend Grace Auto to anyone.

Dariya T.

Source: YELP

07/10/2010

Kenny and his team are awesome. They did work on my car for much less than the estimate I received at a different shop. Kenny took the time to show me what was wrong, and even added on an optional part for only $10! I hope my car doesn't need any more repairs, but if it does I'll definitely be back. Great customer service.

Melissa D.

Source: YELP

02/12/2010

I have a 94 Honda. The timing belt broke and messed up several things in the engine. Kenny and his crew did a great job of fixing everything, and now the engine runs like new! And even though it was a big job with many hours put in, I felt I was charged a very fair price. I would recommend Kenny and Grace Auto with confidence.

Ken Z.

Source: YELP

28/10/2010

My frustrating flat tire turned into a good experience!
I got a nail in my tire today. I was about to change my tire, but I really didn't want to take the time & energy to put on my spare tire just to drive a couple of blocks and have it fixed. I am typically wary of going any where without investigating first, but I this was a few blocks away and the first place I saw. I figured it wasn't too much of a risk with a tire (although I've heard horror stories of sketchy places when I lived in Oakland, CA).
Grace Auto Repair was wonderful! "Kenny" (Kenan) was great! He has a good sense of humor and put me at ease as many auto places don't (or try to smooth talk women). The tire fix was $10. I also came at the same time as the pizza delivery guy. Kenny offered me a piece of pizza and some "pop." The pizza was great, the service was better, and I will definitely keep this place in mind for more significant repairs (or other auto needs) even though I live in Hyde Park.
This places was really great, and I'll probably go back to have all my tires replaced (I've needed to change them for quite some time since I got my car years ago and they're in bad shape for my first winter in Chicago). I'll let you know how that goes. I asked Kenny before I left about changing my tires, and he quickly estimated what it would come to. I looked up his price and it was a great quote!

Sarah M.

Source: YELP

30/01/2011

This is the new autoshop that I'll be going to. Fast. Cheap. No BS at all.

turn p.

Source: YELP

06/01/2011

So a month after my previous experience, I'm back, this time because my fiance's garbage Audi A4 had its windshield wiper motor die while the wipers were in the upright position. Dead serious.
Anyway, the car was just out of warranty, so I tried to see if McGrath Audi, where it was purchased, would do the right thing and cover it - given that it has only 58K miles on it and given that they sold her the car. No such luck. They did, however, offer to "run a diagnostic" for $80. I declined, and they "ran a diagnostic" for free. Then they explained that it would cost $685 to repair - $280 for the part, $400 for the labor.
Given that I only went to McGrath in the first place because I was hoping they'd cover this under warranty, I peaced out.
I returned to Kenny, as I promised I would do after my Honda incident. His response: $300 - $180 for the part, $120 for the labor. What McGrath Audi said would take 4 hours, Kenny did in 2. It seems as though he defies the laws of physics, cause this dude is on the ball.
Oh yeah - her glove compartment hinge had broken as well (once we get rid of this Audi, there will be no more Audis in my household, I promise you), and he applied a fix to that as well - and didn't charge me.
I'm sure I'll be back in a few weeks, when the Audi experiences its next issue....what oh what might the next headache be? Time will tell.
Anyone want to purchase a car?

Bryson P.

Source: YELP

19/10/2011

Grace Auto Repair is a disgrace. I went to them with a problem I was having with my Honda CRV.. The car was making a very loud noise whenever I turned it. Grace's mechanic told me that the car would need a new master cylinder and back rotors to the tune of $800+. Then I called Nals, another highly rated Yelp auto repair place and spoke to Al. Brought my car in to Nals and Al confirmed that the noise problem was caused because the car had needed the rear differential fluid flushed and replaced. Cost me $65 bucks. The problem is now gone. You do the math.

Lisa L.

Source: YELP

11/12/2010

Blew a stud on one of my wheels and needed to have someone take a look at the hub. While the guys at Grace Auto didn't have the opportunity to work on the issue as my regular mechanic finally returned my messages, if I'm in the area again I really wouldn't be too apprehensive about taking my car back to Kenny. He even offered me a fresh slice of pizza.

Mike S.

Source: YELP

12/07/2011

Got my tires replaced here recently. Saved $200-300 over the quotes I was getting from other shops around the city. The guy who I talked to was Tony, he's a really friendly and helpful guy. Very pleased with the work quality! I will definitely return for future repairs.

Chad D.

Source: YELP

05/08/2012

This place is awesome! After i discovered I had a screw stuck in my tire, they patched the hole within 5 min of stopping by on a Friday, late afternoon. While working on this, they discovered the bearing was loose - something that could cause the wheel to fly off under terrible circumstances. I also asked them to look at my AC - which I had been told by another wasn't working bc of a "computer chip malfunction" which would cost $1000 to repair. They discovered the Freon was being blocked by gunk, cleaned it out, and viola - I now have AC!! All of this was done for slightly more than $400 and in about 2 hours. Wow!!!!

David S.

Source: YELP

04/04/2012

Ken took my car within 20 minutes of my phone call. He fixed it within a day. It was $150 less than quoted, because he checked the wiring and fixed it, instead of replacing a perfectly good alternator. Plus you can drop off or pick up your car before or after the work day if you call ahead. Honest, fast, reasonably priced, convenient... great to find in a mechanic!

J C G.

Source: YELP

06/05/2013

I had a 2003 VW and there was a squeeking noise near the belts. Naturally I thought it was the serpentine belt. This garage took my car apart and said that the noise was coming from a pulley. So I had them replace it (their suggestion), I picked up the car started it and the squeek was back. They then said it was the air compressor. I didn't bother, the car was old and wasn't going to be too long before I got rid of it. Another time I had the brakes fixed here. They replaced it with cheap ass parts . It was only a few months before the calipers broke. I had brake fluid leaking. Again I came back and told them that they just fixed it a few months ago. They didn't remember this job and in order to track down the paper work he would have to find it in his house. Finally I had a CEL. They reset it and it didn't pass emissions. I had about enough, traded the car headaches gone. The moral of the story is, unless you have a P.O.S car, do not take your car here! They get cheap parts from somewhere and chances are if they are storing your records at their house, it's going to be tough to get any warranty out of this place. They got alot of my money good for them.

Adrian P.

Source: YELP

07/01/2012

These people are rude and have bad manners! I called twice for an oil change and they told me to come. Once I was there they said, sorry we have 6 cars ahead of you (??????????????) What do they ask to call first then!!!!??? I would not ever go back to that place. They are a bunch of bullies.

Oscar A. Q.

Source: YELP

24/10/2011

I love Grace Auto Repair! I went in, thinking I might have to replace a large part of my exhaust system. When I spoke to Danny I asked him to try to keep the repairs under $400 and even threw in the little tidbit that the next day was my birthday. He said, "We'll try to give you a nice surprise." As I was walking home I got a call from Danny, telling me my car was ready for me to pick it up! Surprise! Evidently, it was a simple repair, common for Honda CRVs, where they can actually just rip a cover off. I got back to the shop to get my car and pay for the repairs. The charge was only $10!!! Super duper SURPRISE!!! Happy Birthday to me! I'll definitely be going back to Grace Auto Repair for all of my automotive repairs and maintenance!

Jenny W.

Source: YELP

22/10/2011

Talk to Kenny or Danny. These guys are great and are not there to rip you off! They fixed the bearings on my front right wheel and rotors at a great price. When the ABS sensor went bad during repair (because it's real sensitive), they replaced it with a new one at their own cost in front of me. I don't know of any mechanic that would acknowledge their error and fix at their own cost. I am never going any place else for both my cars. I will stop taking my new Maxima to the dealer now.

Vivek G.

Source: YELP

18/06/2011

This place is AWESOME! VERY fair prices and you don't get that shady feeling you get at a lot of car repair places...you know, like they are doing things that don't need to be done, just to add onto the price and you don't know if it needs to be done or not!! Well, at least the women know what I mean...HIGHLY recommend!

Liz S.

Source: YELP

12/08/2011

Honest. Affordable. Great service. Tony is the man!

danny P.

Source: YELP

11/01/2011

Even though I found the parts $20-$40 cheaper online. I am told this was a good price for this labor.

Abbey J.

Source: YELP

11/04/2011

I always feel like I'm going to get ripped off when I go to a mechanic, but that's not the case with Grace Auto. I always feel they treat me fairly and really go above and beyond at times. I'm going to recommend Grace Auto to everyone I know.

Chuck M.

Source: YELP

24/03/2011

Had a great experience here. I chose Grace Auto Repair because of the great reviews on Yelp, and wasn't disappointed. Kenan seems like a good guy. He gave me a choice of different brake pads, and offered to either resurface or replace the rotors. Prices were very reasonable, and the work was done quickly--I had my car back within a few hours. I will definitely come here for auto repair in the future.

Kyle A.

Source: YELP

23/11/2012

got my struts replaced in the front. took an hour and they did a great job.

simon y.

Source: YELP

04/12/2007

I have been going to Grace auto Repair for almost 7 years. Juan and his staff are HIGHLY knowledgeable and never seem to nickel and dime you. He is a fair man who runs a fair and legitimate business. I recommend this shop, if of course- you can't afford to go to the dealership...

C p.

Source: YELP

22/07/2011

excellent service, excellent turn around and excellent pricing.

RD r.

Source: YELP

09/12/2010

As a person who doesn't know much of anything about cars (insert chauvinist joke here) and spends as little time and effort as possible dealing with them, Grace is a godsend. I went in with a squeaky brake, and when I went back to the shop after Kenny's team's diagnostic work (it's true: no charge for that), they'd taken off all 4 wheels to make sure there wasn't anything else going on I hadn't noticed (good call: again, I tend to pay as little attention as possible to my car - that's why I have a Honda). Kenny matter-of-factly walked me through what the problem was in layman's terms, showed me the damaged parts, explained my options for repairs (options! I love options!), and answered my questions without even a hint of condescension. His charges were for parts and a single hour of labor, though I know it took him longer, b/c I waited. That unexpected wait was my only complaint, but to his credit, he did offer me coffee while I waited. And pizza, which he'd ordered for the mechanics' lunch. I'll definitely be back, though hopefully it won't be soon.

Gretchen K.

Source: YELP

15/01/2011

these guys were very friendly and honest. i needed two new tires and they could have sold them to me but instead (because new tires would outlast my old car) they referred me to all day tires shop to get some quality used ones. i mean, where but great shops do you get honest answers like that? whenever my next (inevitably soon) car problem arises i will surely bring it to Grace Auto

nathanael u.

Source: YELP

13/03/2016

WARNING; I Took my running car over there because they said they could reprogram the computer but when I took the car there the manager then said, we have to call the guy over to do the job, truth was that they never had the means to repair the car in the first place, they tricked me into bringing the car over to their shop. I left the car for the simple procedure and before I got home my wife tells me the shop called and said you need a new engine. I ran back to the shop and they had my car on a lift! I never gave them permission to inspect any mechanical part of my car, it was running when I took it there.Then as I Was told by one of their employees "He's going to charge you double the cost when the work is done by an outside repair service.

Malachi Rodriguez

Source: GPLAC

31/07/2016

Willo the man to see great mechanic

BIBI LEGA

Source: GPLAC

03/08/2015

They didn't call us when the work was done and when we showed up, they lost the key and had to wait an hour and a half for a spare to be delivered. Very unprofessional and over priced.

Ricardo Ortiz

Source: GPLAC

13/05/2014

Bar none the best experience I have ever had at an auto repair facility. They are honest, have great rates, get the job done quick, and don't hassle you about uneeded work. Even the repair work on my more involved German car was no sweat for them. I will be back anytime I need work done, and would recommend them to anyone.

Joshua Hildebrand

Source: GPLAC

27/07/2013

The crew at Grace Auto Repair really make sure to be honest and helpful. I switched to them from another mechanic and will not look back. They are welcoming and accomodating. I have taken my car there for repairs and for a new car appraisal. They have helped me avoid unnecesary repairs and avoided buying a Lemon! Love these guys!

Brittany MacLeod

Source: GPLAC