Automaster of Leesburg - BEWARE
 

Sorry to say that I had a very bad experience with this auto repair shop in Leesburg. I took my daughter's Kia Forte in for a routine 30,000 mile service. The manager Tom tried to talk me into new brake rotors, when I just needed brake pads. He said if I didn't get the new rotors the brakes would vibrate badly and "it will not be long before you bring the car back to me". I called the Bryan Kia dealer and talked to the service manager who told me it would be unusual for the car to need new rotors at this low mileage. So, no new rotors and the car drives perfectly. He also tried to charge me $45 for a new cabin filter, while Bryan Kia would sell me one for $25. I ended up buying one at Advance Auto parts for $10. I understand this used to be a reputable company but changed hands recently. Beware.

Majority try to run the bill up on unsuspecting customers. Took my car to dealer for routine oil change, they over filled it. Course I didn’t verify the level before I left. So had to crawl under the car And drain quart out. Most don’t verify the work done. I just change my own fluids now.

Car need brakes at 30K whats up with that?
If they did replace brakes only and no rotors and problem did arise you would hold them accountable..They are just protecting them selves from customers who want quickest and cheapest fix

Replacing the rotors as part of a brake job is not unusual. When labor was cheap, they used to remove the rotors and turn them down. But now, if the rotors are warped, new ones are the best way to go. There is no way the Kia dealer could determine the condition of the rotors without looking at them. Mileage is not a good indicator because heavy braking can wear out brakes fast. Based on the information provided, I am not sure they were trying to rip you off.

We have had decent luck with Automasters. We will continue with their service.

You might want to reread OP's last line.

We always had great luck with Automaster but when their owner retired we sold our Jaguar and bought American so it would be easier to find good service. Too bad, they used to be a great business and honest.

Your brakes are fine today but your rotors as they wear with the new pads installed will not be able to dissipate the heat that is created by applying the brakes. Your daughter will feel pedal pulsations before the new brake pads are worn. Anybody who works on brakes for a living knows that rotors can cause a lot of brake problems. Uneven rotor wear (which may be due to excessive rotor runout or rotor distortion) often produces variations in thickness that can be felt as pedal pulsations when the brakes are applied. The condition usually worsens as the rotors continue to wear, eventually requiring the rotors to be resurface replaced. Rotors made today are not solid so turning them may not be option because they warp.

Have you been there recently? They were bought out last year, I used to take my car there as well, always got great service and work, not now!

Horrible experience, over charged for work, work not done properly, 4 trips back to them to "fix" problem, still not right.

Cost me an additional $270.00 from another repair shop to fix my brakes so they actually worked!

So who do you go to for service?

Hutson Automotive
Craig
352-728-1454

I have a 2006 Original smart car. He actually told me over the phone what was wrong with my brakes after I described what was going on with them. Impressed me.

Auto masters, in my most recent experience is more expensive than a BMW dealer, so why go there. Used to be my go to service dealer for our BMW 650, not with the new owners.

Not unusual to be told that rotors are "warped" and need 'trued,' but almost always...unnecessary.

Brake Rotor Warp Myth Debunked (poke here)


And some more...

Warped' Rotors Myth - Correctly Service Brakes: Runout, Disc Thickness

Raybestos Brake Tech School, Part One: Rotors Don't Warp | Hendon Publishing

I dropped mine off at the Sumter County collection a couple months ago.

The previous owner of Automaster was great - took great care of my Mini. Now completely different - and I started to go to All German Autoworks in Leesburg. I’m sure there are also other good repair shops people can recommend, but not Automaster anymore.

I've have had good luck with Automasters (new and previous). They are the only ones in the area (for many miles) that will even look at my 71 XKE Jaguar let alone work on it and have done decent work. Believe me, it takes a certain amount of skill to tackle and work on a 4 carb V12 1971, real wire wheel, independent disk brake rear suspension, Jag. I've tried a few other places that I've heard did good work and they won't even change the tires or replace a few bolts I told them had to be replaced ( I like to tinker but it's getting tougher). Most have said either they don't have the skill or can't spend the time required. Automasters will look for the parts required from several Jaguar vendors (Not local auto zone or etc), order them or give me the option to get my own and have even fabricated something they couldn't find a replacement for. BTW I wouldn't dream or even think of taking my Jag to a new car Jaguar dealer (closest Orlando, Tanpa) because I don't think they would have the skill (Could be wrong ?) or want to invest the time and I couldn't afford them learning on my car or driving the distance for service. I have had a few issues but they have backed up their work and corrected it. So I guess its what your frame of reference is and what you're looking for but at least, for the time being, I will continue to use them for service and pray I don't need much (so far for a 47yr old car I've been fairly lucky).

BTW if you have any recommendations for Jag mechanics let me know.
Also, I will be considering repainting my Jag within a year if you have recommendation also let me know.