Popular Mechanix Independent Volvo Specialists
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Services Offered
Verified by Business
Check engine light
Auto general diagnosis
Tire Pressure Monitoring System diagno…
Auto vibration diagnosis
Engine oil light diagnosis
Auto noise diagnosis
Auto no-start diagnosis
Auto diagnosis or inspection
Review Highlights
“I have been using their services for ~25 years and i still see many of the same members of Andy's team.” in 26 reviews
“The team are experts when it comes to Volvos and they provide you with options when possible on repairs.” in 17 reviews
“A loaner car is available so I can keep up my end of the school and team car pools.” in 8 reviews
About the Business
Business owner information
Andy G.
** We are open during these difficult times to serve our community! ** - - We are on the list of "Essential Needed Business" per the public order to shelter in place and we are open for business as usual. During the Coronavirus crises, we have implemented processes to keep our employees and customers safe. A true dealer alternative, where honesty is still in style. Volvo is our first love, but also Subaru, BMW, Toyota, and more. Your Independent Specialists in San Francisco! - Full Volvo Factory Maintenance Programs - Latest Factory Diagnostic Tools * Pre-purchase Inspections * * Volvo factory software downloads & updates * - Tune-ups/Oil Changes At Popular Mechanix our number one goal is complete customer satisfaction. Every day, with every customer, we focus on providing high-quality Auto Repair services coupled with top-notch customer service. We provide a two year parts and labor warranty on all services Cutting-Edge Technology and Real-World Experience Get You Back on the Road Faster! Our team of technicians is up to date on the latest automotive technology, We use the most current diagnostic equipment available including original factory equipment, meaning that we can more quickly uncover the problem and begin working on the solution. Combining cutting-edge technology with real-world experience, our technicians are able to get your car back on the road in less time than it takes other shops to simply figure out what's wrong!
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328385413Oct 5, 2016My Volvo repair shop closed as the owners were retiring. I went to the referral that they gave me and decided to pass. I have my oil changed every 5 months (don't drive much). Wheel alignment done every 4-6 months. I found a gas station to take care of some of my services but I was really looking for some who worked on Volvo's. Went on Yelp and found this gem. Was given a price quote and a loaner to use. My service was less than my quote!!! When I picked up my car they also noted some pre-maintenance work for my car. Will get the 6 items taken care of in 2017. Also gave me a quote for my 150,000 service. At the rate I drive it make take me 4/5 years for that service. They are honest and have great business integrity. Highly recommend!!!
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Noah K.San Francisco, CA114Sep 29, 2022My Mother who is a Senior Citizen owns a Volvo S80 V8 . She needed repairs . The estimate was listed It was a fair price.
The Entire Staff are Professionals . Concise and to the Point.
My Mom Has been using their services for years. Once I Purchase a Volvo of my own I plan on coming to Volvo Popular Mechanix on 14th & Mission.
Top Notch , A-1 service for all Volvo vehiclesHelpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0
Brandon I.Berkeley, CA21101Oct 20, 2023Very Personable Failed Shaman Witchcraft licking his chops on a 'budget' of $3000 to do whatever he thinks it is? And you know he's guilty when he responds with his 'ass-friendly'' shtick too. Please a code-reader said it was a misfire due to ignition coils and spark plugs. $1000 worth of work he said he wanted a down payment of $3000 toward?
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Andrew G.
Oct 20, 2023
Hi Brandon, Thank you for “very personable” comment. Please consider this: your 2013 Volvo S60 has approx. 175,000 hard city miles being driven for Uber. This is a high mileage and complicated vehicle. It is only reasonable for me to assume it will require significant diagnostic tome and then repair or repairs.
Since you didn’t want to leave the car for diagnosis we have no way to know why it’s running poorly. Also, about a year ago you also stopped by in person to ask for professional advise, when the Berkeley shop could not figure it out. I suggested the car might need a new electric cooling fan. You later told me that was actually what fixed it. Thank you for your business in the past, and I wish you well, Andrew
Brown R.San Francisco, CA513Sep 16, 2022Wish I could leave a better review. I called Andy about my Volvo, and he suggested I bring it in the following week, and that he would need $2,500 to even start... mind you, he hadn't actually seen the car yet. I call back the following week as he requested, ready to have the car brought in, and he tells me he wants $3,000. He still hadn't seen the car yet. This seems unusual and unethical, and I just couldn't bring myself to trust him in any way.
Looks like my old Volvo is going to the junk pile now.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0Business owner information
Andrew G.
Sep 24, 2022
Thank you for sharing your fears and concerns.
Please understand that during our phone conversation we were discussing an estimate, and not a flat fee. This is because with the older models there is truly no way to know in advance how much a final repair will cost. And it is always best to give a customer a ballpark idea of how much a repair might cost. Auto repair is a process, with diagnosis, repair, test drive, repeat as needed.
Fixing 40 year old cars is not a big profit center for us. We do it because we love the brand and respect the classics and want to help keep them on the road. Also, with vintage cars, supply chain issues have only become worse lately. We have to use a mix of new, genuine Volvo parts, new aftermarket parts, and sometime used parts.
A few months ago our shop took in a 1971 Marcos (because it uses the Volvo B30 engine). In that case, our initial estimate was $5,000 (which the customer offered to pay in advance). At the end of the 3 week job the bill was only $3,500 and we wrote a check back to the customer for the difference.
Hope this helps to further explain to you our phone conversation, respectfully,
Andrew- Thelo A.San Francisco, CA271Aug 28, 2023
Went in for an oil change and asked them to have a look and let me know what needs attention. Came back with a $6500 list of problems and nearly a $600 bill. That was 20k miles ago and none of the items he mentioned on the list have given me any issues. I will definitely avoid this shop.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Elisa F.San Francisco, CA02Feb 11, 2023
Andrew and his team are the best! The go above and beyond, keep me posted on every move and consult very honestly about damages, pricing and expectations.
Because of their service, care & maintenance I am keeping my 2013 XC60 Volvo rather than trading it in! That's saying alot! Thank you Andrew & team!!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Deborah K.San Francisco, CA014Nov 29, 2023
My car is a classic 1986 240 GL that runs like a leopard. Popular Mechanix has been my service automotive team for over 10 years. I am the second owner of this car, bought it in 1993 with 86,000 miles and now have over 500,000! Yes, you are reading that correctly. Volvo 240's are amazing machines. I could not drive this car without the stellar, excellent, dedicated and beyond experienced team at Popular Mechanix. Andrew Gescheidt, the proprietor for over 35 years, runs a professional and competent garage. The bottom line is trust. I know when my beloved car " Sven" needs something and he always needs attention, the crew at Popular Mechanix diagnosis the problem and fix it with dedicated attention to detail because they are all Volvo aficionados and supreme auto magicians. Whether your car is a classic such as mine or a contemporary vehicle your car will be in the best and competent hands at Popular Mechanix. If I could give Popular Mechanix 1000 stars I would.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - H. G.San Francisco, CA01441Mar 18, 2022Updated review
Unfortunately things have changed. I went to Popular Mechanix about a year ago for new brakes after my long-term mechanic, aka the Volvo Whisperer, retired. All went well. I recently reached out to Andrew, the owner, for some help with minor but important things. He fired me. Via text. He didn't have the grace to do it directly.
I'd texted him to get some information and to follow up on some information he'd provided me previously. He responded that the minimum charge for repairs is $500. I texted back to ask about a quote he'd provided me a couple of weeks ago for less than $500 and if the $500 minimum applied to oil changes. His response: "try Shell station at [address]...." When I asked why his response was "as a mechanic, of course, Andrew".
I texted back to ask if he'd fired me as a customer. He didn't respond.
So now you know.Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Oct 31, 2020Previous reviewAbsolutely excellent in every way. For background: I drive a '91 Volvo; my long-term mechanic, aka the Volvo Whisperer, recently retired; and my brakes were making terrible noises. A friend suggested that I bring the car to Popular Mechanix. I did. I now have a car with brakes that work as they should and the knowledge that I again have an honest and skilled mechanic whom I can trust to take care of the car going forward. The cost was comparable to the quotes I was given by other highly recommended and reputable mechanics who don't specialize in Volvos.
More detail, in case it's useful: when I called, Andrew, the owner, provided me with a detailed estimate and an idea of how long to expect the repairs to take, alerted me that he does use Volvo parts and offered me a loaner.
When I got there, the loaner was waiting for me. The shop is spotless and organized. Andrew and I went over what needed to be done and when to expect it to be ready. He offered to call me as the work progressed. I asked him to call me only if the work went over a specified amount or the car was ready earlier than we'd discussed.
Andrew called the next morning to let me that the work was completed, a day earlier than expected. The cost was comparable to the other quotes I'd been given. He alerted me to some optional work I might have wanted done; I declined.
When I arrived my car was washed and shining, the team had replaced the missing "V" from the radiator and I was offered Popular Mechanix license plate holders to replace the rather dented ones that were on the car. I had a question about the power steering that I'd forgotten to ask earlier. Andrew responded and called one of his mechancs over to double-check the fluid. I had a question about preventive maintenance. Andrew gave me his general recommendatoins and emailed me a list of items to look at.
When I got in the car I noticed that they'd even added a "Volvo" leather tag to my previously bare car key.
The brakes feel great. 
Trevor H.Los Angeles, CA1551Apr 25, 2022Called in earlier today to ask about a simple repair for my '88. The mechanic (correctly) inferred the original problem and said it sounded like a "project car" (why is that a bad thing as a mechanic). When I explained I'd already had some project-y work done at a mechanic in LA and just wanted to start with the original repair I called about, he told me I should bring it back to the original shop and have them finish the job then hung up on me. Bizarrely unprofessional and disrespectful experience - but at least it was short. A bummer as I was looking forward to learning more about Volvos from these guys per the other reviews I'd read. 2 stars for seeming like a sharp guy, at least.
Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0- Breezy B.Minneapolis, MN2112Aug 21, 2022
I'm a loyal Volvo owner and new in town. On my first visit to the shop with a needed safety repair I met with the owner, Andrew. He admired my car, gave me a tour of the shop, and asked that I text him the car's VIN and he would get back to me with an estimate ... but he cautioned me that there was a minimum shop charge of $500. Nice guy but I guess he doesn't need new customers.
Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - John T.San Francisco, CA032May 22, 2020
I have been using their services for ~25 years and i still see many of the same members of Andy's team. Such continuity is always a good sign of a well run and liked business. they do high quality work and stand behind their work. though there may be some shops cheaper there is a reason that popular mechanix is worth spending slightly more - they use genuine OEM parts and are really thorough in their diagnostics and addressing repairs needed before they become a breakdown problem.
now that they have expanded beyond Volvos i am glad to bring my hondas and mazda here. certainly better than the dealer shops!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0
