A good mechanic in Canberra

If Darren is no longer associated with A & D, I would suggest you certainly give them a go.

One of my friends told me that A&D Motors in Canberra Ave Fyshwick has been sold to an Asian man.

I’m not sure I’ll go there now as it was Darren who got recommended here.

My car is due for 200K service.

This thread is very old and probably lot has been changed since then. So what are current recommendations for good and honest mechanic.

Thanks

Canberra Total Service – 69 Oatley Court Belconnen. 6251 3888

*yes I know this thread is years old .. but for future searches/reference*

mechanical care park street belconnen

gazket said :

Felix the Cat said :

I’ve always been concerned that non-factory-trained technicians would not be able to do as good a job on a late-model vehicle. Anyone care to allay this concern?

I always thought that too until I worked at a dealer and found out that 95% of the “mechanics” there are only trade assistants or apprentices and wouldn’t know a spark plug from a sump plug. And the dealer has a very high hourly $ rate, considerably more than other non-dealer workshops (such as ones mentioned above).

that’s why when you take your car to Nissan it comes back with valve clearances you can run a paddle pop stick thru, a busted top radiator outlet with a half assed repair to try hide it broke in the first place and told your cars stuffed and needs 16K in engine repairs

That’s because their mechanics are factory trained in the land of the rising sun and thus have to squint when using the paddle pop sticks. Also the numbers wear off the sticks making them hard to read and in the end they all look the same.
There is the added bonus of getting a car post repair, that sounds like a diesel without the pricy upfront costs associated with purchasing a real diesel.
Regarding “half assed” repairs, I won’t comment except to say I know nothing about asses, mules, hinnys or jennys….

Felix the Cat said :

I’ve always been concerned that non-factory-trained technicians would not be able to do as good a job on a late-model vehicle. Anyone care to allay this concern?

I always thought that too until I worked at a dealer and found out that 95% of the “mechanics” there are only trade assistants or apprentices and wouldn’t know a spark plug from a sump plug. And the dealer has a very high hourly $ rate, considerably more than other non-dealer workshops (such as ones mentioned above).

that’s why when you take your car to Nissan it comes back with valve clearances you can run a paddle pop stick thru, a busted top radiator outlet with a half assed repair to try hide it broke in the first place and told your cars stuffed and needs 16K in engine repairs

joeycaleb said :

Just make sure you stay away from Pedders belconnen.

I went in to Pedders in Belco to inquire about getting my car serviced, and saw one of the mechanics playing with a metal grinder on a car and laughing with his mates at all the sparks that were flying off it. Hmm.

On the same street corner in Belconnen is the Car Doctor, which is supposedly very good (http://www.womo.com.au/reviews/Car-Doctor-Belconnen/#.USgLdx0wp6k).

I-filed said :

Darren at A&D Motors in Canberra Ave Fyshwick near the office supplies place. He’s simply wonderful, honest and sometimes lends a courtesy car. Worth going just to check out the CLEANEST workshop on the planet!

+1 for Darren. I’ve been going to him for years. He’s often not charged me for work, always lets me know if things will cost more because of something unforeseen and is friendly to boot! Oh, and he knows how to deal with someone who is paranoid about mechanical things breaking down!

Just make sure you stay away from Pedders belconnen.

I had to get a defect notice (annoyingly inflexible copper at a breathtest, I was actually on my way back from the tyre place after making an appointment for new tyres, and he still gave me a defect notice) and a big service done on a Forester. Dickson Mechanical and Exhaust did a great job, couldn’t recommend them too highly. The guy is a straight talker about the good and the bad.

To top it off, he races BEARs and gave me some good tips on my bike as well. Top bloke.

(Odd, I thought I got their name from this thread. RA admins, I think some threads have disappeared in the move. There were several threads on “mechanic recommend” a week or two ago, but now none.)

Avoid National Capital Motors Belconnen – expensive, always find a problem with the car although other mechanics can’t find it when you ask them to check, run late and have all sorts of excuses as to why, don’t do what you ask them to – the list goes on!

I use John Res Mechanical on Kendall Road in Queanbeyan and they’ve always been excellent.

Have found Gungahlin Autogroup to be pretty solid. Good clean workshop, clear explanations of everything, can organise subsidiary work like wheels and tyre, A/C, electrical, so one-stop.

On Ultratune, lots of news last week about their head honcho feeding more than $1M to mobster Tony Mokbel.
Make of that what you will…

Good to hear A&D get a plug.

And “interesting” to hear DTS get one!

I’ve always been concerned that non-factory-trained technicians would not be able to do as good a job on a late-model vehicle. Anyone care to allay this concern?

I always thought that too until I worked at a dealer and found out that 95% of the “mechanics” there are only trade assistants or apprentices and wouldn’t know a spark plug from a sump plug. And the dealer has a very high hourly $ rate, considerably more than other non-dealer workshops (such as ones mentioned above).

i’m very satisfied with the mob at the Caltex servo and carwash at the Haig Park end of Lonsdale St. Very easy to deal with, they do what they say, and they find things in the car. Mine’s a carby model, and they always tune it just right (which other garages in the past have often failed to do).

The best mechanic is Mick at Melba Motors in Belconnen. He always does an awesome job, and he never overcharges me for anything. Infact he even goes out of his way to not make me pay through the nose, warning me if one method of repair will be more expensive than the other.

He’s also British and British guys know cars!

Darren at A&D Motors in Canberra Ave Fyshwick near the office supplies place. He’s simply wonderful, honest and sometimes lends a courtesy car. Worth going just to check out the CLEANEST workshop on the planet!

I have to agree on the Belco Ultratune. I’m a passion-fingers when it comes to things mechanical, and they could have taken me down, but instead did a good job with no ‘extras’. I’ll be back.

I’ve always been concerned that non-factory-trained technicians would not be able to do as good a job on a late-model vehicle. Anyone care to allay this concern?

DTS in Fyshwick.

Nice guys (and gal) and they really look after the cars they work on.

CWC Auto Services – Ainslie. Great customer service.

B & E Auto in Mitchell 62538155, Talk to Jeff. We’ve been going there for well on 3 years now, never a problem and reasonably priced as well.

Total Traction Services, Gillott St., Belconnen (behind the police station).

Mick and Thomas are great, really going the extra mile to make sure you’re happy. Reasonable prices, good service.

Ogilve Repco in Mitchell.

International Car Repair in Dundas Court Phillip.

Good service, good value, will also tell you what is coming up, and even though they are both Chinese with heavy accents, speak enough English to explain car problems.
They will also give you a reminder call a few weeks after they figure you’re due on an X kilometer service.
Also, they don’t rip off the unescorted womenfolk (apparently).

I use Tuggeranong Car Care, behind the Woolies servo in, you guessed it, Tuggeranong. For those of you driving older cars they’re apparently good with carbies. I’ve been to a few mechanics, these guys do the job, at a good price and tell it yo you straight.