Independent Automotive (Sparks, NV) Mechanic(s): Ken Cox, Fred Mills
865 Bergin Way , Sparks, NV 89431 (775) 358-8184 Fax: (775) 358-8193
Features and Specialties: Specializes in Transmission Work ,Specializes in Air Conditioning work ,Specializes in Brakes & Mufflers ,Specializes in Engine Rebuild Work ,Specializes in Radiator Work Subaru

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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:

Ken and Fred are a delight to do business with. They are bright, competent and honest. Their shop is spacious, neat and spotless. In a business where "honest mechanic" is an oxymoron, they are clearly an exception!

Fred and Ken have always taken care of the problems I've had with my Ranger promptly and capably. I believe they're honest and treat women fairly. I recommend their business.

Ken and Fred are not only very nice people but honest and very good mechanics.They don't lie to you or feed you a lot BS.They are a rarity in this day and age.

They have a clean shop and Fred an Ken are clean in apperance. They fixed an the cars problem an some I had forgot,at know exta charge. They made sure the car was cleaner then it was when I droped it at there shop. I would advise anyone to use them,I certainly will again.

I am new to the area, and everyone I asked said, "bring it to Independent Automotive". They are the most honest, competent, and to-the-point mechanics you could ever come across. Regardless of if they are giving your car an oil change or replacing its clutch, they will be friendly and honest and you will be a happy customer!

I have been taking my cars to Ken and Fred for years. They have always been honest about the work my car needs and they never talk down to me just because I'm a woman. One of the few shops I know of that really stands behind its work.

My engine light kept coming on for no apparent reason. On the second attempt, the DEALER repair shop said I would have to get a new engine! Independent Automotive knew over the phone what the problem was likely to be: coil pack. They are honest, experienced, and reasonably priced. The best mechanics I hav ever dealt with in 20 years.

I wanted to get a tune-up for a 98 ford ranger becasue i was not getting the same performance like i was 8 years ago or 3 years ago for that matter. I was close to 90,000 and i asked them to do a basic tuneup and after it was done i still felt like the truck was not performing any better or any worse. I was satisfied with the work and chalked it up to the age of the vehicle.

These guys are the BEST mechanics I have ever worked with. I think Tom and Ray would be proud of them, at least. They are a pleasure to know and so are their customers. Such a satisfied and happy group of customers. I sound like a commercial. But, really, I meet people there; other customers; it's a gathering. But, Ken and Fred (they probably have PhDs), plus Ken's brother and their sons run a fantastic shop. They are so professional and honest, caring, trustworthy, down to earth, efficient, effective.... I was having steering problems. Jiffy Lube told me I had burnt transmission fluid, so I went to the dealer. The Subaru dealer told me that I needed a complete transmission replacement. About 3500 bucks. I started reeling almost immediately. Didn't make sense. My car was too young (70K) to need a transmission replacement. It purred like a kitten until just all of a sudden. So I decided to check the Car Talk website for a mechanic rec. and I am sooooo thankful for being directed to Independent Auto of Reno. Thank you! Finding this shop made moving to Nevada absolutely worthwhile. Independent Auto checked out my car and with what they discovered I found out that the 30,000 and 60,000 mile checkups that I paid a dealer in Colorado for ($300 each) were bogus. My belts were worn/cracked almost all the way through (hadn't been changed); my spark plugs were the wrong type for my car (changed but changed with the wrong kind); the transmission fluid was burnt (never had been changed), and it was only 10K miles out from my 60K Subaru checkup. I was pretty furious. Independent Auto fixed my transmission (it had to do with a recalled part the dealer never told me about), fixed my belts and plugs, fixed an oil leak, many things for such a reasonable cost. Less than half of what the dealer wanted for a transmission Replacement! Really sour Dealer experience. But, I guess it was worth the hassel, since that is what it took for me to discover Independent Auto of Reno. I could probably write commercials for a living, huh!

THESE GUYS MAKE ME WANT TO SAY "THANK YOU" AS I HAND OVER MY TAX REFUND FOR AN UNEXPECTED NEW CLUTCH. THEY ARE HONEST AND EFFICIENT AND FRIENDLY AND I RECOMEND THEM TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND I FEEL LUCKY TO HAVE FOUND THEM.

They do good work

Recently had my Subaru in for for diagnosis and repair of the causes of two "check engine" light codes and am very well satisfied. Ken, Fred, Tom and company kept after the problems until they were taken care of the right way. One of the codes - a misfire on one of the cylinders - wouldn't go away after they had replaced or repaired all the most likely causes; they then went ahead and kept working on diagnosis at no cost to me (3 hrs, @ $90/hr normally) until the finally nailed a most unlikely cause and fixed it. They went out of their way to explained everything there did in detail and to make the repair process as easy as it could be for me during the three appointments the repairs took.

(Note: Completely BIASED review to follow. I am a rabidly loyal customer.) I have been taking my vehicles to Ken and Fred ever since they first opened their business and have ALWAYS been extremely happy with their service. They treat me like an intelligent person, never talking down to me or taking advantage of my status as a woman car-owner. They keep track of my car's history and let me know when it is due for major service, something I value highly. They know who I am, take an interest in me as a person, and always make time for my questions, no matter how goofy or repetitive. They have even made donations to a charity near and dear to my heart. Even though we never see each other outside of the shop, I feel like a friend. Ken, Fred, and all the staff are unbelievably nice and make a pleasure out of what could in other circumstances be a chore. As for the survey, I don't know if they fix things that they screw up; as far as I know, they've never screwed anything up on my vehicles.

Ken and Fred at Independent Automotive saved the day! Last summer I punctured the gas tank on my Mazda pickup while driving on a washed-out gravel road in Middle-of-Nowhere, Nevada. Not a repair that can be ignored! I was in the middle of a season of field research and was distressed that fixing this would be very expensive and time consuming. Within 24 hours their team had removed the tank, sent it out for repair, reinstalled it and sent me on my way to look for more cool desert plants. The price was reasonable, considering the alternative of waiting and paying for a new tank. I would definitely recommend these guys.

I recently had my son's Ford pickup in for some repairs with Independent Automotive. I was impressed with the quality of the service. Both Ken, Fred and the woman in the front office courteous and honest. They diagnosed the problem quickly and gave me the me a call to let me know of the costs and options. The vehicle was repaired and all is well. I highly recommend them.

We were traveling through on our way to California for a wedding the next day and the check engine light came on. Normally I might have just pushed on and risked it, but with my wife and newborn son I wanted to get it checked out...didn't want to be stranded somewhere. After checking the cartalk page for a recommendation, I found they were the only repair shop with recommendations for Subarus. I gave them a call, and even though they said they had a full day of work, they managed to fit us in right away to help us get going quickly. The repair was done quickly, at the cost they said it would be (with no extra labor charged for the repair) and $25 cheaper than the dealership to have it analyzed. They had all the parts there in stock so I was in and out in less than an hour. I haven't had much experience with them, but they seem to be honest people doing quality work.

I have been going to Ken and Fred ever since I moved to the area 10 years ago. I am so happy with their overall services that I would be stupid to go any where else. They are always very friendly and professional. They treat women the same as the treat men (which is hard to come by in this field)and they always seem to do it with a smile. They normally get my car back to me within a day, they ALWAYS fix the problem the first time and my car is practically smiling when I leave their shop. I would recommend them to any one and everyone...even my worst enemy!

This is the best shop I have every gone to PERIOD! I will: A) NEVER go anywhere else (as long as I live in northern Nevada) B) ALWAYS recommend them to friends and coworkers C) feel confident that my car and wallet are well taken care of I moved to Reno 3 years ago and found this shop on this website. Since then, I have taken 2 of my own vehicles there and a girlfriend's. I recently moved to Tahoe, but still take my car to this shop. One of the owners showed me his early 90's Legacy with over 300K miles on it! Seriously, whatever you did to that car... do it to mine! They will: A) always take the time to explain everything and never make me feel rushed B) never push me to fix something that is not an essential repair C) prioritize all of the possible work that needs to be done D) give me their personal opinion if I ask E) tell me when something really isn't essential even though it could use repair F) always make time for me and my repairs G) never charge me for something without asking me ahead of time H) try to combine labor when doing repairs to save me money! I'm so happy with the service at this shop that I'm going to start doing my oil changes there (only $2 more than a local chain shop), and I think I will buy my next set of tires from them. Everyone is friendly. One of the two owners will call and discuss any repairs before charging you a dime, and their estimates are always spot on (they even came in below the estimate once). Basically, this is how it's been working for me. I go to some oil chain shop to get my oil changed regularly. They will spot something and ask me if I want to have them repair it or do routine maintenance. I say no, pay for the oil change, and then go to Independent Automotive when I get a chance. They will look my car over (free of charge of course) and let me know if it's really something I should worry about (usually it's not). If it is, I have them do it and it's usually the same price compared to what the other shop's guys wanted to charge me and I feel much more confident. Best shop it Reno... best shop I've ever been to!

my 1998 legacy outback wagon has been exclusively maintained by these guys!! I have about 240000 miles on it and with a recent overhaul by Independent Auto its ready for another 240000 miles. I am so thankful to have a shop that I can trust like these guys!!

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