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AST Mechanics Info
Amenities
Service options
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Language assistance
Accessibility
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Wheelchair accessible entrance
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Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
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Oil change
Amenities
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Gender-neutral restroom
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Mechanic
Planning
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Appointments recommended
Payments
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
Best WLM Reviews
I’ve been meaning to write this review since I pulled out of there in December. I decided to move cross country in my 2003 Hyundai Sonata. She wasn’t as enthusiastic about the move as I was and I broke down on Vail Pass in the middle of a blizzard. I limped into Vail and stopped at the Shell station that was familiar from my years living in the high country. Tomas and his guys went through everything finding the multiple problems that had put a pause on my journey. I can say, without any hyperbole, that it was the single best experience I’ve ever had with a mechanic. I cannot recommend them enough.
My classic suburban broke down driving up Vail pass on a Sunday morning. AST was able to get my truck in on Monday and had it repaired and ready to go that afternoon. While I hope I don't break down on I-70 in the future, I am comforted knowing that I have a great mechanic in the Vail valley.
Had the ABS warning light come on and a noise from front wheel. I showed up early Monday morning and had my vehicle repaired and back by 3 that afternoon. Tomas is awesome really helped me out of of jam. I’ve used Tomas for over 14 years with fabulous results.
Completely changed our weekend. We had massive brake failure on the way into Vail and needed fresh brakes to get to Aspen. Tomas and his crew fully found and replaced brakes in less than an hour. Price was very competitive, service was immaculate, and I wish I lived in Vail so I could continue using AST over my normal Denver shop. 10/10!
The steering wheel on our Yukon started shaking while braking on our trip to Vail. I brought the vehicle to AST on the morning prior to our departure and Tomas was able to diagnose and fix the problem by lunch. He replaced the warped front rotors and he inspected the brake pads, but didn't replace those since they were still in good condition. The cost was very reasonable and he recommended downshifting into lower gear when heading back down from the mountains. I appreciate his help getting me and my family home safely and would definitely recommend AST for a reliable, honest mechanic.
Brakes had begun shaking badly on the trip up to Vail and I was nervous about driving back. I called AST and talked to Tomas who was most knowledgeable and able to explain the likely issue. He was able to get me in that same day to replace the front rotors and brake pads and had me ready to go by end of day. The cost was very reasonable, less than I would have been charged by the dealer in Denver. He even gave me tips for downshifting on long downhills to preserve the brakes and followed up with me to make sure everything was ok. Can’t say enough about the service I received. Thanks Tomas. ????
BE AWARE that every part they sell to you is marked up a MINIMUM of 50%.
Please continue reading this review so you are better informed if you still choose to use this auto shop. UNBELIEVABLE how blatant the scamming is if you have the sense to QAQC the work that they claim to have done and the parts that they use.
For context (since their prices are not listed anywhere), I was charged $516.05 (before tax) for the following services:
1. Oil change & oil filter change = $189.55 (high)
2. Engine air filter change = $115.04 (insane)
3. Diesel fuel filter change = $186.33 (insane)
4. Shop Supplies = $20.13
5. Hazardous Materials = $5.00
You absolutely must check that all services reported as completed on the invoice have actually been done. Ask for condition of the fluids, hoses, brakes. Ask for what they saw. They claim to have "checked all fluids..." and I immediately found that my washer fluid was not filled (image attached). How can a customer trust that anything else had actually been done when the easiest task on the invoice had blatantly not been completed?
I did not ask at any point for them to purchase and replace my engine air filter. Upon picking up the vehicle, I discovered that they had performed this service, charged me $115.04 ($64.34 in parts and $50.70 in labor TO CHANGE AN AIR FILTER), and did not receive prior approval to do either of these things. Again, this part was marked up 50% for the exact part number from CarQuest listed on the invoice (this is the case for every single part replaced, one marked up 52%). Thomas claims "you would have complained if I didn't do this service". Absolutely not. This is a 10-minute job I have done myself multiple times which is specifically why I did not request this be done.
They claimed they "checked differential and transfer case fluid" although we could not find, and they could not show me, a single tool mark on any bolt or plug that is REQUIRED to be removed to check these fluids. I stood there with them while they looked under my vehicle and they could not prove to me that these services were performed. These bolts and plugs have not been touched in thousands of miles. They are covered in road dust. Any socket or hex wrench that would have touched these plugs would have removed some dust or scratched the surface of the bolts/plugs. If you have ever used a screw driver, you have seen the marks it makes on a screw. Same concept here.
Thomas will trust the words of his mechanics that services have been completed even when I showed him direct proof that they were not & could not have been done.
I could not have been more calm or level headed when reviewing these things with Thomas on the invoice or looking over the vehicle in person.
Thomas immediately resorted to attacking my character when we started to uncover these things. I was called a "whiner" a "complainer" and a "young person that doesn't understand how the world works" because I uncovered these things directly to him. Anybody who knows how to read & has 20 minutes to spare to check somebody's work will quickly understand how Thomas's world works (grossly overcharging for parts and scamming on services). But he's the professional mechanic so he deserves to do this?
He does not care to retain the business of customers when they find faults in his services (and straight up fraud) and does not believe that customers should check his work and that we should "trust it because he is the professional mechanic", in his words. Apparently I know nothing about the world because I do not work on cars everyday.
Super unfortunate experience as his mechanics seemed knowledgeable when asking them questions off the cuff about how certain mechanical components work. The mechanics were quick to agree that their prices are insanely high, so much so that the mechanics called Thomas the night of the service and tried to get some of the prices changed and was told that he is not allowed to change prices.
These guys are the best. Second time I’ve used this shop. Tomas and his crew are friendly, smart, professional and empathetic. Got my car in the same day and other shops were telling me 5-10 days.
Quickly trouble shot the issue got a part ordered and installed the same day. Done by 3:30, amazing! Fantastic service and the issue was resolved.
By far the best service I have ever received from a mechanic. They even texted me pictures of my brakes as they rebuilt them. Second time these guys have saved me and fixed my Subaru.
Thanks Tomas.
Quick Facts About AST Mechanics
Today
Opening Hours
| Monday | 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM |
| Thursday | 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM |
| Friday | 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
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