About Business
Carl's Service and Repair is a leading Car Repair specialist serving the St. Louis, MO, St Louis area. They provide a wide variety of solutions, including Auto repair shop, and other Car Repair tasks. Boasting a solid 4.4/5 rating from 105 verified reviews, their reputation precedes them. As a locally-owned business in St. Louis, MO, they are deeply committed to providing honest and reliable Car Repair support to their neighbors. If you are in need of Car Repair assistance, we invite you to reach out to them today or visit their location in St. Louis, MO.
Google Reviews
william spencer
★
☆☆☆☆
11 years ago
Took a vehicle here to have an O2 sensor replaced. Brought in the new sensor brand new in the box. Also brought in the new wire harness clip that needed to be put on the car so as to clip the new O2 sensor in. Someone had cut it off the car... The old sensor was already removed. The FOUR wires that needed to be attached to the new connector clip were cleaned, stripped, and ready to go on both the part and the car. The ONLY reason I did not attach them myself is because they were different colors and i didn't know what two wires went together. I even drew an detailed schematic showing exactly what needed to be done. All he had to do was look at his manual (that i do not have) and heat shrink four wires together. The wires are very easy to get to and clearly visible. They are right in front of your face when you open the hood. Seriously, probably the easiest wiring job on a car you could have... I just didn't know the colors... I could have done this job in 15 min, INCLUDING climbing under the car to thread the sensor into the exhaust, had i known the wire colors. As I am not a mechanic... should have done it in ten. He charged $160.00 for this. He just kept saying "that's a fair shake" sure it is... if your shaking a baby... Remember... I did ALL THE WORK already. he just had to stick four, simple, color coded wires together and stick the sensor in a hole in the exhaust! This guy is either the worst mechanic i have run across in a long time or a full blown shyster. If he had said "well, this didn't take long but we have a minimum one hour charge..." That would be fine. I get it, you need to make money and I don't mind paying that. small business and all that.. great. no problem. 80 bucks, 100, fine. whatever. That's not what happened... In my opinion, this guy is a con artist. One last thing... most of the good reviews you read are from people with run of the mill problems and most importantly... they don't actually know anything about cars. Certainly not enough to judge weather they are being ripped off. I'm not a mechanic but I do know about cars... A good shyster can take your money and leave you happy enough to leave a decent review... Don't buy it. There are a ton of small businesses out there that want your business so you don't have to support unethical con-men. Go someplace else!
Tori Jameson
★★★★★
8 years ago
I dropped off my car because she was making quite a racket. Not only did they fix it for me at a reasonable cost, they were speedy. They checked in with me before any repairs and were kind- and cane in under their estimate. She's running great with no noises.
Omphalo Skepsis
★★★★★
10 years ago
This shop is so special. Not only do Mike and his guys do first-rate work at a reasonable price, the location of the shop makes doing business with them pleasant from beginning to end. Think leafy streets, quiet corner, actual humans who happen to be genius mechanics. Smart, conscientious, thoughtful, articulate, communicative. Thorough explanations! Eye contact! No condescension! Warm and friendly! And you don't leave the place feeling vaguely slimy wondering if you've just been ripped off. There can't be many shops like this left in the world. I'm grateful they exist. Thanks so much, Mike!
Lindsey Postaski
★★★
☆☆
2 years ago
I'm middle-of-the-road with my experience at Carl's. I went to Carl's to identify the source of a rattling part. Though they quickly identified the issue and proposed a solution (and fixed it--yay!), they also said that my oil needed to be changed (I had just gotten it changed 4 days prior!). When I asked if they were basing that assessment off the sticker on the windshield (the kind that lists the next service mileage), they said yes. Just as I was about to explain that I had gotten it changed 4 days prior, but never updated the sticker, they said that "they checked it [the oil] and it was black". My heart sank, because this was not true (giving them the benefit of the doubt, I checked it when I got home). Though I appreciate their quick, effective service, I did not appreciate the dishonesty.
Jim Bond
★★★★★
a year ago
This shop and its team excel in every way. The work I have had done here has been performed properly, reasonably priced, and completed on time. When I go here, I feel like I am in highly capable and honest hands!
Acenna Dabbs
★
☆☆☆☆
3 years ago
I called Because I need A tire sensor and this place was close to where I work. I spoke to the gentleman in the phone and explained what I needed, most likely a tire sensor. I dropped My car off to be looked at and decided to get my headlight changed that was out. I had Them replace both. Sometime later I received a call that my car was ready. They couldn’t fix the tire. He said I needed to Take it to a tire shop. My total was $200 for to headlamps and installation. They charged me $100 for an hour labor for headlights that take 10 minutes to change. I asked Why it was so much and he said because they had to take the tire off. We’ll, no you don’t because I’ve changed it before. I was Trying to save time and ended up costing more than valvoline (and they are expensive). I said that to him too and his response was that those are 18 year olds and he’s a mechanic. Funny how those 18 year old knew that you didn’t have to take the tire off to change the head lights. Moral of the story is don’t buy local. The man should have told me they didn’t fix tire sensors when I called to explain what I needed and not blew me off because I was a woman. He was probably confused that his tire truck didn’t work on me. He should’ve charged me the proper amount, not what a labor book says that is completely wrong. I’ll go to a corporate place that is not local. They rip you off.
Warren Popp
★★★★★
9 years ago
I have been taking my vehicles here for about 4 years now. Mike is a wonderfully, personable owner and his guys are also great. He is the classic neighborhood mechanic in all the right ways. Honest, straightforward, and kind. Understands that budgets can be tight and happy to let you know urgency/safety needs of repairs. Not the cheapest oil change out there, but well worth it in the long haul for savings elsewhere and service.
Simon May
★★★★★
2 years ago
Carl’s is the best, hands down. Always great service at a great price, whether they’re doing an oil change, emissions check, or diagnosing and fixing weird electrical issues with our Honda. So glad to have such a great place right in our neighborhood.
Charles Campbell
★★★★★
7 months ago
Mark was super helpful, the shop was speedy as hell, they refused to upsell me despite my not knowing anything. Would strongly recommend
Jessica Sagar
★★★★★
a year ago
I was in a pinch and needed to get in for an emissions test. I had called around to 6 other places w no luck and after waiting in line at Valvoline only to find out they no longer do them. I called Carl’s and they were able to get me in and out and on my way to the DMV. Thank you so much for your help!!!
Matt G
★★★★★
Edited 2 months ago
Posted in 2024; editing in 2026: I’d give them 1,000 stars if I could. First visited when my car wouldn’t shift out of Park in 2023. Carl’s Service reattached the lever between my shifter and the transmission gears, which had become detached. Great experience. Went back a few months later for an oil change. Quick, efficient, fair price, awesome service. Mark located a nail in my tire during a routine oil change and he recommended a trustworthy Tire Repair shop for me. Without a doubt, I’ll be using Carl’s for anything possible in the future. 2026 edit: Still a regular at Carl’s and I’ve brought others here too. The best car shop in the world!
Rachelle Bahr
★★★★★
a year ago
Carl was so generous to get me in before the holidays. He's informative, knows what he's talking about, and he's a damn good mechanic. He's by appointment only, but I highly recommend him. I've met a lot of not so great mechanics in my times across the states, this one is a real class act. Don't pass him up.
L
★★★★★
a year ago
I brought my car to Carl's on a busy Monday because it was making horrific mystery sounds after hitting two pot holes and driving down a gravel road. After the guys at Carl's conferred with Don's Muffler (who I took it to earlier that day - I'm about to give them a 5-start rating too) and confirmed my exhaust system wasn't the issue, they ended up finding a rock stuck in the ____ (motor??) mount in the underside of my car. Unique diagnostic, but easy fix. They charged me less than $100 and I have my car for work tomorrow. I'll definitely return to Carl's! (I had my dogs with me. They gave them treats. Bonus points.)
Robert Dyer
★★★★★
a year ago
Discovered Carl's while looking for a local and convenient service and repair business. We found Mark at Carls. Carrying on the family tradition of honest, locally owned auto repair and service, the team there are good, transparent, reasonably priced and above all if they don't feel you need a specific repair, yet they straight up tell you. Also, they finish when they promised. We will be taking our cars there from now on. Thanks, Mark, for running a great small family business.
b.
★★★★★
Edited a year ago
Carl has great service, is good at explaining things, and very patient and accommodating. We brought our old, please-hang-in-there beater, and got a more comprehensive and honest assessment than anywhere else we went. Kept it running! And they let us know the cost and priority of work that 1) was recommended but optional, 2) would eventually be needed, 3) was immediately necessary for safety. We recently brought in another car, they did great work, and cheaper than expected. After getting estimates elsewhere, wasn’t sure if the car was worth the money to fix—at their price, absolutely yes. Trustworthy!
S R
★★★★★
6 months ago
Great sevice and very knowledgeable. Great neighborhood service station. I can drop my car off and walk 2 blocks home and pick it up when they're done.
Wei
★★★★★
a year ago
Their staff is very friendly and professional. I had a safety inspection and emissions inspection done here, and I waited about 25 minutes, or as long as the previous car. They will also alert you to minor problems with your car and tell you to upload the inspection report to change the license plate online. Very thoughtful.
Emily Allison
★★★★★
9 months ago
Carl's is our preferred service shop. Reasonable turnaround time on work, good prices, and Mike is great to work with. Gives us honest assessments of what needs to be done on our older vehicle but never pressures us into anything. And he's given top notch recommendations to other shops when we need tires/glass repair/body work. It's great to have a reliable shop in the neighborhood.
Lea Walter
★★★★★
3 months ago
Carl’s has been a reliable place for me to take my car for almost everything since I’ve moved to the city about 6 years ago. They’re always patient, incredibly accommodating, have fair prices, and will refer you to some other great local shops to take care of whatever they can’t.
Jasper Chandler
★★★★★
4 months ago
Thanks to Dina's (Chippewa Tire) recommendation, I got my serpentine belt replaced for an amazing price here. I got a quick turn around and paid under $200! The service was friendly, and accommodating. It's always hard to a find a mechanic with an affordable shop rate and that's local, but I took a chance and won! Definitely recommend for anyone that wants a straight-forward mechanic process. Thanks again!
