Distad's Amoco
823 Pennsylvania Ave Se, Washington, DC 20003, us
(202) 543-0200
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About this shop
- Hours
- Specialties
- Specialities:
- Loaners
- No
- Notes
Score card
They are always honest | 4.8/5 |
They are competent | 4.6/5 |
Their repair price is reasonable | 4.5/5 |
They complete the work in a timely manner | 4.6/5 |
They respond well when they screw something up | 4.6/5 |
They take the time to explain the problems and necessary repairs | 4.5/5 |
They treat male and female customers in the same manner | 4.7/5 |
They are always honest | 4.8/5 |
I would use this mechanic again | N/A |
I would recommend this mechanic to others | N/A |
They fix the problem the first time | 4.3/5 |
The shop is located in a safe neighborhood | 4.7/5 |
The hours of operation are convenient for customers | 4.8/5 |
They are near public transportation (or provide loaners, shuttle bus, rides as needed) | 5.0/5 |
Reviews
Nov 07, 2011
May 01, 1998
Generally a good job, but I was not impressed as the other respondant on this list. I had to come back because one of the bolts holding a tire on my car was severed off. No one bothered to fix it and I didn't even notice it until I had driven the car home. To give Distad's credit, they did fix it with no complaints when I brought the car back.
May 08, 2005
I've had this shop do repairs a few times and they've
always been honest and friendly. There was once a problem
with a brake job they did, and I didn't find out about it
until I was in Maine a few weeks later. A bolt came loose
and the caliper starting grinding like crazy. However, I
wrote them a letter, and they did refund the labor portion
of their bill, plus the $25 I had to pay to have the
problem repaired in New England. Given the hassle I went
through, I felt they should have refunded the entire bill;
however, many shops would dodge responsibility
altogether. So, since I think they're honest and
generally competent, I would use them again.
May 03, 2000
My wife and I have been taking our Mazda 626 to Distad's for over 2 year's and they have always done a great job, explained things clearly, and treated us fairly. They are polite too, which is rare in this city. On three occasions we've had engine trouble far from Distad's and taken the car to nearby shops for estimates. Each time we've ended up taking the car to Distad's after receiving a high estimate and each time the repair has been less expensive at Distad's (including the storage and towing fees we had to pay to get it there). On another occasion the fluid in one of our front drive shafts leaked out and the shaft was damaged. We took it to Distad's and, with our approval, they attempted to save us both labor and parts costs by being conservative on how much to replace. We got the car back and it didn't sound right. We pointed it out to them and they took the thing apart again and replaced more of the parts without charging for any of the additional labor.
Jun 10, 2007
I and my family before me have been taking our assorted cars
to Distatds for forty years. My favorite story is when my
'64 Valiant (you know the one with the push buton
transmission) cut out suddenly in downtown rush hour traffic
on my way to school.
I couldn't get the car statrted so I called Distads (the
only station I knew ) for a tow. The truck showed up and
the driver wiggled the battery cable and the car started.
It was a very expensive lesson but one that I have used
succesfully many times. If something doesn't work open it
up, look around and check all the connections. In our
incresingly electronic world this becomes more important
every day. They recently checked and reset my check engine
light twice for no charge (I thought I knew the culprit but
I was wrong) When I gave up they correctly diagnosed a bad
O2 sensor and had it fixed in less than a day.
Jun 16, 2004
I moved to DC about 2 years ago with a Saturn from Seattle
WA. When I was changing over my plates to DC I failed
inspections (for my breaks and for emissions). I took my
Saturn to a local Saturn dealer and the price they quoted
me to fix it was way more then I could afford (and more
then my car was worth!). My new boss mentioned that he
had a great local mechanic in my neighborhood and that I
should get a second opinion. These guys were great! Abby
and John explained what they were doing, what was wrong
with my car and offered me several options to fix my car
to help me with my budget constraints.
I used them faithfully until I traded in my Saturn for a
Subaru outback (a real car). When I thought my clutch on
my Subaru was going (because I am paranoid) they called me
back and nicely told me I was imagining things. They are
extremely honest and I have never felt like they were ever
taking advantage of my ignorance regarding all
things "cars". Nor have they ever tried to sell me
something I didn't need.
My boss loves them, I love them and I have already
recommended them to another co-worker, who loves them too
(surprise, surprise)! As a woman who often felt
intimidated at other repair shops, I can't say enough good
things about these guys.
Jan 10, 2005
Honest, reliable.
Feb 05, 2005
I have used Distads for my last 4 cars:
1976 Datsun 280ZX
1989 Toyota Camry
1998 Honda Civic
1998 Subaru Outback
The cost of repairs was always in line with the current
value of the car with the suggestion when it was time to
find something more reliable. The difference between a tune
up at Distads and the dealers was a matter of hundreds of
dollars at the dealer.
Aug 11, 2005
I have a '93 Jeep Cherokee, and it was stalling while I
was driving, even at 50+ mph on the highway! I took it
Rosenthal Jeep twice, and they couldn't figure out what
the problem was. A friend recommended Distad's, so I
called them and explained my problem to John, who said it
was likely the crank sensor because old jeeps always had a
problem with those. You would have thought the jeep
mechanics would know that!?! I took my car in the next
morning, they confirmed it was the sensor, and I was out
the door that evening for just a bit over $100. I've
since taken my jeep there for other repairs and
maintenance, and I've yet to be let down. They always
call to explain what the problem is, give me the repair
options and prices, and then do what I decide as quickly
as possible. The location and hours are convenient -- one
block from Eastern Market metro and they're in the shop
from 7-7 with 24 pick-up and drop off -- and the service
is speedy and fairly inexpensive. They are also happy to
give a referral for any other repairs you may need (glass,
body, etc.). I highly recommend them...and so does
everyone else I know on the Hill.
Aug 19, 2005
I have been a Distad's customer for 23 years. They are
trustorthy, reliable, and competent. Many years ago, one of
the local news outlets did one of those investigations where
they take cars into shops with a planted defect that is
cheap to fix and see if the shop does the right thing or
rips you off. Distad's came through with flying colors.
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Geocoding courtesy of USC Spatial Sciences Institute