Volvo Service & Repair by Popular Mechanix (San Francisco, CA) Mechanic(s): Will Mason, Andy Gescheidt
252 14th Street , San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 621-0376
Features and Specialties:

Please send us any corrections or additions to the above information. If you have experience with this shop, please add your own review!

Survey results:

They are always honest
They are competent
The repair price is always reasonable
They fix the problem the first time
They complete the work in a timely manner
They respond well when they screw something up
They take the time to explain the problems and necessary repairs
The shop is located in a safe neighborhood
The hours of operation are convenient for customers
They treat male and female customers in the same manner
They are near public transportation (or provide loaners, shuttle bus, rides as needed)

Reviewers Comments:

This is the most remarkable thing about this Volvo specialty shop: It is cheaper than general car repair places AND their estimates in my experience are often higher than the price they actually charge AND it's been my experience that they don't sneak in unnecessary charges and repairs, for example, if in doing a tune-up they decide they don't need to do some part of the normal job, they won't do it, instead deducting it from the cost of the estimated job. Once I had some suspension work done. I was told it would cost upward to $700. When I picked up my car, the cost was more like $200 with the comment that once they got in there and looked at everything, it wasn't as bad as they had thought it would be.

The best thing I can say about Popular Mechanix is that I COMPLETELY TRUST THESE GUYS (Wil is the Manager, Andy is the owner on premises). I've been taking my 1980 GL to them for almost 3 years now, and I've gradually learned I can put myself in their hands. They stay on top of things, letting me know when I will have to make a repair, when I can put something off, even when I can save a few bucks by getting away with buying a used rather than new part. I've never yet needed a major repair, but they have been great with all the minor work I've needed (fuel pump, rear brakes, etc.). They apparently understand they can gain a lifelong customer by being attentive, honest, reliable, and reasonably-priced with minor repairs. When I do need major work, I'll be able to trust them with it - something I never thought I'd do with any auto mechanics.

This is a really good shop. Estimates are right on, no surprises, jobs are completed when promised, work is good, price is reasonable. They really know Volvos.

They diagnosed my car's problems quickly and accurately. (Used car in very rough condition, bought because it was exactly the model I wanted.) I spent a number of long calls on the phone with John as he pinpointed problems. The work was done quickly and reasonably, and John helped me prioritize what needed doing now and what could wait. I've owned Volvos for almost 40 years, and this is without a doubt the most competent, professional, humane and just plain nice shop I've ever dealt with. You can't go wrong here. Well worth the drive from Silicon Valley.

I like these guys. Andy and Kiki are always very friendly and helpful. They seem to be busy all the time, but somehow manage to fit me in. The loaner cars could be newer and maybe cleaner, but hey, they're free, and they're volvos. One time I took it in for scheduled maintenance. They called me later on to say that it looks like my coolant needed to be flushed. I said OK. Then when I went to pick up the car, Andy told me that they had done that the last time, so it shouldn't have needed it again. So they didn't charge me for it! Sweet.

This is the auto mechanic of your dreams! They always provide thorough diagnosis without pressuring you to fix non-urgent problems. When I brought them my second used Volvo, they took the extra time to explain which repairs are essential, which could wait a little while, and which could safely wait until I was ready . They have always been enthusiastic about giving a full explanation of a malfunction and what steps were needed to remedy it. They know their craft well. They've never been mistaken about a diagnosis and will tell me up front if they suspect a problem may have more than one possible cause -- in my case they even told me I could safely wait until the problem (a noise) became more pronounced, helping them narrow the possibilities and helping me avoid paying for a possibly unneaded repair. I had used another reputable shop until I got tired of their gruff attitude. Then I discovered Popular Mechanix. Friendly, honest, and the epitome of inte

My wife and I have been taking our 1983 Volvo there for years and years and years. Andy and his shop are completely honest; it often happens that repairs they estimate are not necessary and not charged for. If something is wrong, they fix it - no questions asked - and then deduct the charge. Every once and a while they do something and write it off as "customer good will." Every once and a while they have a car for sale; by brother and his wife bought one and it ran perfectly for years. If every business was this honest and responsible, we'd all be better off. I'm a customer for life.

I chose Popular Mechanix sort of randomly out of the yellow pages. My car had broken down late on a Friday, and I was looking for a shop to tow it to. The ad in the yellow pages made me feel like this was the shop to try, and I'm glad I did. I was treated very well when I arrived with my car. When I got home, I decided to check out the web-site. This site is great. It reinforced my initial opinion of the shop and Andrew. I will be coming here regularly for my Volvo and will recommend the shop and this site to my other Volvo friends. Suzann I 94 850 Turbo Wagon

I've already referred a fellow Volvo owner to your place! Thank you for the great and super-friendly service. I absolutely trusted your advice and work. I'll definitely be coming back for any future service needs. Adrianne D.

popular mechanix is excellent in every way possible. i took my volvo 97' 850 t there for the first time last month, and as soon as i stepped in i knew i was in a responsible shop that enjoyed what they do and did it well. super talented, quick intelligent diagnostics, explanations along the whole way, careful of the cars exterior and interior while making repairs..even fixing some of the more minor problems with no charge, and looking over other parts of the car to see if there were related problems..they went way way beyond my expectations. i even had some discrepancies with my warentee coverage and they patiently worked with me and the warentee company for over two weeks, then brought my car to better than new performance. i would easily trust them with any and all future repairs-i only wish they worked on all types of cars. you will never, never, ever find a better volvo shop than this.

These guys ROCK! I went to them after I got burned out on my regular mechanic and a transmission shop - Andy fixed EVERYTHING, perfectly, the first time - even things the other guys blew off despite my repeated visits. My 1989 Volvo 760 Turbo runs like a dream - I even left the shop with a list of things that will need work in the coming months. With these guys, I'm thinking I'm going to get 300K miles out of my car. And really, isn't that why you bought a Volvo? This is the best garage experience I've ever had. Andy is my new best friend!

Andrew and Will are the best. I used to take my '91 Volvo wagon to a mechanic who was very good, but I always walked away thinking I got screwed and that he did work I really didn't need done. I then started searching for a new mechanic and had several horrific experiences until I found P.M. These guys know Volvos insideout. They diagnosed and fixed problems that had other mechanics scratching their heads. Best of all, I trust them. They give you a breakdown of all the things that need attention and tell you what's critical and what can be put off til later. Their prices seem far more reasonable than other places I've been to and they get it right the first time. Best of all, when I pick up my car and drive away, I never get the old "Gee, I wonder if I just got screwed" feeling.

I have an older model volvo (89 740 gle), i love that when i take my car in the staff treat it as if it were brand new, i never feel like they look down on my older car, in fact, i think these guys like making old cars run great, they take special care of my volvo and treat it with tlc! They have professorial level knowledge of volvos, they are the best, b/c they take pride in quality repairs.

Great guys. They are very competent. Definitely a step above the other Volvo shops in San Francisco (Volvo Centrum, Royal Volvo, etc). We had a problem with our V70 and they were backed up. They gave us a loner for the weekend and for the duration of the service. I have no problem reccomending them.

they don't do oil changes, which seems a bit odd for an auto shop, but the guy on the phone was very nice about it.

My Dog-gone car Yesterday my 1990 four door sedan Volvo was returned to me in all its shining blue glory. It had been picked up four days ago and driven to San Francisco to be de-dogged by the technicians of Popular Mechanics. My dog Nelly had shed hair at least an inch thick accumulated on the floor, and had destroyed the inside door panels by clawing frantically o get out. I was cooking Barbeque on the patio and Nelly did not want to miss the party. I can not fault a dog for shedding hair. I never heard her whining or scratching to get out of car. So when it came time to service the car, I informed them my dog had done some damage to the interior. Not to worry said Andy the proprietor of Popular Mechanics. We will take care of it. So my blue bird flew to San Francisco, and Nelly and I had the use of a loaner car for the duration. At age 82 I no longer drive at night, and rarely leave Petaluma. Nelly and I are avid garage sale shoppers and my Volvo takes us where we need to go. When my car was returned to me yesterday, a carefully itemized bill was tucked into the glove compartment detailing exactly what was done, parts used and the coast of each item. Three inside door panels replaced the dog shredded ones. The dog hair was gone, and the car runs like a new. My water bottle and dog water dish are now back in place. The shiny new looking 17 year old car is housed safely in the garage. Today an 82 year old woman and an 8 year old beagle mix will hit the streets of Petaluma. Happy Shoppers. I want to commend my service men at Popular Mechanics, for a job valiantly and cheerfully done.. The car has been de-dogged lovingly by Popular Mechanics. And I thank them. My dog thanks them.

Very professional and courteous business. I've serviced at least 6 Volvos with them over the past 20 years, including teenaged kids' cars. Wouldn't do business with anyone else in San Francisco.

You can fill out the survey or just add a quick comment about this shop.