About Business
Payless Auto and Collision brings expert Car Repair solutions to the local community in Salem, OR, Salem. From Auto repair shop, Auto radiator repair service, Auto tune up service to complex Car Repair projects, they maintain high standards of service quality. Local residents in Salem, OR appreciate their attention to detail, leading to a consistent 4.3/5 rating from 131 reviewers. By focusing on the specific requirements of the Salem, OR area, they have built a loyal following among local Car Repair customers. Explore their full range of Car Repair services and see why they are a preferred choice for customers across Salem, OR and beyond.
Google Reviews
joe suderman

★
☆☆☆☆
4 years ago
I called to get an appointment for a new vehicle inspection and they told me that they have time today to perform the inspection and to bring the car in. After I arrived 15 minutes later I was told they don't have any time for me for another week. The guy over the phone was nice and courteous but the guy who told me he had no time for me was oddly happy to tell me not until next week. Not very good vibes coming from behind the counter.
April Morris

★★★
☆☆
6 years ago
Prices are decent, but after bringing in 2 different vehicles and both needing to be brought back to finish things they forgot to do - simple things! - I'm not sure I'm willing to go back. Listening to the mechanics brag about going to Eastern Oregon to shoot off homemade guns (I sincerely hope they meant semi-auto vs. automatic weapons) hasn't made me want to set foot inside their shop again either. Now I'm looking for someone to finish connecting the air conditioner properly that wasn't finished here...
Leah Abernathy

★★★★★
2 years ago
My van broke down, and they got me in the same day I called when everyone else had a long wait time. They were very professional and kind. My van was done the next morning. I recommend Payless Auto highly and will be going back.
Macy Rueff

★
☆☆☆☆
4 years ago
If I could give 0 stars, I would. These guys had our car for forever with very little communication about the status of the car. When we finally got it back a month and a half later, they swore it was going to drive perfectly. It didn’t. Took it into another auto shop and found out that half the stuff they said was fixed was only partly done, so now I’m paying for someone else to fix Payless Garage’s work. Never going here again.
Jamie Gentrup

★★★★★
6 years ago
The best garage I’ve been to. Both affordable and high quality work. Great customer service, they always do whatever it takes to get you in when you need no matter how booked they are. I’ve had some major repairs done here and not only was it the lowest cost I could find, the work was done well and very fast. Will always take all of my future vehicles here.
Branden Drury

★★★★★
Edited 4 years ago
My vehicle has been having a starting issue every winter when the temp drops for a few years now. Prior work done has only seemed like a costly band-aid. I've taken it to several garages, but no one could figure out the root of the problem. It took a few stops to get all the diagnostic work done, but we finally figured out the problem. Swapped it out and within the hour, I was back on the road and it has fired up just fine ever since. I highly recommend if you got a serious issue, trust the team at Payless Garage, Jay will do you right.
Jeremy Wages

★★★★★
2 years ago
These guys are the nicest and most honest people I’ve met out here in Oregon. I honestly love them and they do awesome work on my car in a quick manner, the owner is a hard worker and never over charges me. I’ve grown a relationship with them and wouldn’t go anywhere else.
Alex Demchak

★★★★
☆
9 years ago
Depending on the service, they're often a bit more expensive than some of the other places in town, but you know the work will be done right. I had to deal with them for just over a year and they were always great to work with. Everything I had them do has held up well and the work was always done on time and they're very accommodating if you're not a jerk about it. I had to come get the car on a Saturday and the work was done on Friday. I let them know and they left the spare in it, locked, and I went to the lot and drove off the next morning (they don't operate weekends). I've recommended them to a few people who don't need specialist work and they've all seemed happy with the results too. Your car is your baby and you rely on it to get to and from work, leaving it with Payless I always knew they'd get it fixed right. You get what you pay for, and the service was always friendly, fast, and most of all, *done correctly*.
Ron Eriksen

★★★★★
7 years ago
These guys are great, worked in a alternator replacement. They had it done long before I expected , and at a very reasonable price. I mentioned another problem we were having and the owner "the owner" took the time to help us resolve the issue. The dealer talked about a huge job to fix the same problem, We will schedule an appointment with Payless before ever going to the dealer. Thanks you " guys at Payless Garage "
Brent Koester

★★★★★
7 years ago
I was buying a used Chevy S-10 and needed a mechanic to give it a look over and Jay was able to meet us at the shop on a Saturday when they are closed. He took the truck for drive, brought it back put it up on the lift and really gave it a good looking over. Helped me to lower the negotiating price. The work that needed to be done I also let them do and the truck runs great. I couldn't be any happier. It's probably been over a year now. Since then I've become friends with the guys at the shop. Payless Garage does very good work and has OUTSTANDING mechanics, very honest and good people to work with.
Julie Mcnoble

★
☆☆☆☆
2 years ago
I took my car to Payless garage for a grinding after it started the called after 3 days and told me it needed a tune up and oil change. They quoted $500 which I thought was outrageous for a tuneup but figured it would fix the grinding. It did not. Several unsatisfied conversations later they quoted me $2000 to replace a kit. I called Honda and they told me it was rare to replace that part with my low mileage. I called the owner jay and he claimed I was misquoted for a second time. He said it would be $300 to install the right part. Nine days they kept my car. When I got home the grinding is still there called the owner and demanded my $300 back. and NO return correspondence at all.
Steven Michael Anderson

★★★★★
7 years ago
I was positively impressed with Payless Garage from the moment I exited my vehicle (2 weeks ago). What caught my attention? Parking lot had been swept. From that, until I left with a completed repair, my experience was consistently positive. I knew I needed a water pump on my 2003 Taurus. At 148,000 on the motor it was already leaking out the weep hole (engineered to leak, so you get it replaced before the bearing goes completely and you end up at least having to replace radiator, maybe cracking your block). Payless offered a same-day appointment but I wasn't ready to commit, needing two more days to accept paying for a repair I could do myself if I had the space and tools. I was quoted a fair price, right in the middle of the expected cost, so I booked the work. On arriving for the job, I authorized additional hose replacements if necessary and ended up needing one of the five replaced. Having paid for the work up front, in the end I had to kick in another $45 for the hose. Just now I got a quote from a parts shop, and they'd charge me $75 for the hose. Customer area is clean and neat. Television and good selection of mags to occupy your time, customer restroom in the corner. In the end, there's few things in a mechanic shop that matter to me as much as this: "Can I trust them?" ABSOLUTELY!
Guinnevere Kutka

★★★★★
a year ago
There are so many good things I could say about my visit to Payless today. For context, Kia Service had my car for 2+ weeks and found my car undiagnosable/not able to duplicate symptoms(shuttering when accelerating, gears felt like they werent correctly enganging), still saying that after I test drove and showed them the symptoms, feeding me all sorts of different possibilities for the symptoms but saying there was no way to diagnose without duplication? I demand my keys back and bring my car here to Payless after speaking with Jason. They diagnose on a single test drive, replace my spark plugs and ignition coils within the hour, and I'm driving out of there before the end of the day, no symptoms whatsoever anymore. Cole and Tony diagnosed the problem swiftly, I got to hang out up front with Holly, the friendliest receptionist ever! Everyone was friendly and patient and just a great establishment. The other patrons couldn't speak highly enough of the work of the mechanics. I hesitate to say so many good things, as I hope this auto shop stays more of a hidden gem so I don't have to fight for an appointment slot, but they're well deserving of the praise.
Paul Tetawon West

★
☆☆☆☆
a year ago
Took my Dodge Ram back 3 times for a simple oil pressure sensor and had to be towed each time after driving it off the lot. They reversed cam/crank position sensor connectors and broke the fuel vapor return line bracket. Hose melted on exhaust. They did the same sensor wiring screw-up at the same time, with my friend's Ford truck. Shop absolutely sucks and refused to repair their mistakes!
Katrina Doty

★★★★★
2 years ago
After spending 3000 at 2 other corporate companies and having my car run worse than ever before. Both of those companies told me it was not there problem. I was at my max stress level. Someone recommended Payless.. They where amazing, thoughtful and understanding. I am so thankful for there help to get my jeep back up and running the way it should. As a single mother trying to find someone fair and honest... I will not go anywhere else now. I highly recommend them.
Sarah

★★★★
☆
4 years ago
Fixed my passenger mirror. Took a lot of time. Lots of us calling them to have to check in. Took 2 cars there total. Problem is no communicant, but the work is great. If you have patience perfect spot to take your car.
Angel

★
☆☆☆☆
3 years ago
Didn't wana leave a bad review, but i was disappointed in the diagnosing. i brought my car in for a bad oil leak. I was told that it was my valve covers leaking, so i told them to proceed with the job assuming they had double checked and finalized and confirmed where the leak was. after the job was completed i was told the bad oil leak was still present and was actually coming from re main seal. They told me they ran the car longer this time and now the leak was present. To me it made no sense because the car would dump with the minute it was on. They tried telling me "there was no crankcase pressure at the time that they inspected the leak. That's BS. Because the car would leak almost instantly when car would idle or being driven. As a former mechanic we completely de grease and clean the engine. We leave it running for several minutes on the lift keeping a close eye. So when the oil leak is present we can easily tell where the leak is coming from. Now in the event where the oil leak is hard to decipher we use a dye that is visible with uv light to re assure us that's where the oil leak is coming from. Even if it takes us an hr. Thing could have been better inspected and more time could have been spent locating all the leaks and making sure where my bad leak was coming from. YES I KNOW. Im a mechanic why didn't fix it myself you ask? Well i have two kids and in processes of building and prepping my race car for the up coming race season so my weekends and time are super limited. Its either family time or race car things. I was trying to save my self a headache but ended up having one anyway. Felt like my time and money was wasted because the problem wasn't fixed and my car is still dumping oil. As much as i wanted them to do them job. I couldn't let them do it just for the simple fact they wrongfully diagnosed the leak. Yes my valve covers might have been leaking but no where near as much as the remain seal. I mean ITS DUMPING. Anyway the mechanic shidd hopefully they get better, wish jay the best

Rachel Burns

★★★★★
8 months ago
Jay was extremely helpful in figuring out why my engine was overheating, he fixed the problem in about 5 minutes. Two things: 1) I didn't spend hours there waiting for a 5 minute fix. 2) it was such a quick fix that I didn't leave with a large bill to be paid! Jay treats his customers like family and it's so refreshing to have a local mechanic that cares.
Jay Monroe

★
☆☆☆☆
7 months ago
My wife and I took our vehicle in to Payless Auto in Salem while traveling through. Wrong choice of repair shops. They put the car up on the lift and showed us that 2 wheel bearings were bad. Because we were traveling, I told them to replace all 4. It took them 3 days to replace 4 wheel bearings. We paid our bill ($1,800 and change) and left. Towed the car to the coast and the noise was worse than before. Took it back to Payless. They kept the car for 9 more days while we spent $70 per night in an RV park. We phoned them and said we were going to pick the car up. When we arrived, the car was still on the rack. No one was working on it. They wanted an additional $500 for their efforts. We were stuck, and reluctantly paid them. Long story short, after spending roughly $2,300 for 4 wheel bearings, we gave up on our trip down the coast, put the car on a tow dolly and went home. I didn't realize until later, that in addition to the wheel bearings, they also replaced they installed: "AXLE SHAFT - Remove & Replace - Both - [NOTE: For Independent Suspension Type Axles, this operation consists of removal and installation, disassembly and reassembly of the Axle Shaft Assembly and replacement of the Axle Shafts for $507.50. This work was not authorized by us, nor were we ever told they needed to be replaced. If you are ever traveling through Salem and need car repairs, I would recommend that you avoid Payless Automotive.
Laura Kutil

★
☆☆☆☆
Edited 6 months ago
STOP don’t go here! I brought my Lexus car in to have the front and back bumper fixed. It took a long time to wait for the parts only to find out the wrong parts were ordered so I had to wait longer. Finally got my car in and had to wait for over a month to get it back and when I did they over charged me compared to the estimate. The paint department mixed the color wrong and had to redo it so I got charged for their mistake! With the other variables I was charged a extra $2000. When I got my car it had a broken windshield with the rear view mirror hanging off it and a hole in the glass so I had to replace a new windshield. The drivers door is scratched up and the interior material is cut like something went through the window with such force it broke the rear view mirror. Put a hole in the windshield and scratched up the door. With no explanation to what happened! It only needed the outside bumpers fixed it’s hard to understand why the interior is damaged! They said they would fix it. I called. Couple weeks later and they haven’t ordered all the parts. And no word yet what’s going on. Save yourself from stress and losing your money go some where else!!