Thanks to Robert I was able to get the problem with my car fix right over the phone. Thought it was a problem with the starter or computer but he had a simple solution that was no problem to fix. These guys are incredibly nice, fair and caring! I literally know nothing about vehicles and was told to take my truck to them by multiple people.
Robert called me and explained what was needed. I tried to explain to my friend the things that they needed to do to make. Robert takes pride in running a family business with his wife Susan. It matters to me that I can take my vehicle in for a reasonably priced oil change, but I get much more. They will inspect my vehicle to see if there are any maintenance issues, as well as.
Robert called me and explained what was needed. I tried to explain to my friend the things that they needed to do to make. Robert takes pride in running a family business with his wife Susan. It matters to me that I can take my vehicle in for a reasonably priced oil change, but I get much more. They will inspect my vehicle to see if there are any maintenance issues, as well as.
Services
Doctor of Motors has been providing top-notch car repair services since 1948 in Chico, California. Family owned and operated, we have earned a superb reputation by being a trustworthy and affordable auto repair shop. Owner Robert Lugo put together an experienced and qualified team of ASE-certified technicians who provide excellent service with state-of-the-art equipment.
To keep your vehicle running well at all times, we offer a number of services in the Chico area. All work is carried out by our expert ASE-certified technicians, who are armed with years of experience in performing everything from oil changes to a complete engine overhaul. We start with a 52-point inspection to access your vehicle and establish exactly what repairs are necessary.
We're here today with Robert Lugo of Doctor of Motors, talking about auto maintenance and what you need to know about maintaining your car. Robert, let's talk about the check engine light today. Why does the light come on in your vehicle? When that comes on, what does it mean? Robert: Well, pretty much the computer, or the vehicle, has only one way of telling you that something is wrong.
Host: So the pads are on either side of the rotor, and they're putting pressure on the rotor, and that's what slows down the vehicle. It's a very efficient way of working. It works very well. But when you are driving a 5000-pound vehicle and you go to slow down, that creates a lot of heat. And that heat can cause that metal rotor to literally change its shape.
To help minimize air pollution, California has set emissions limits which your vehicle cannot exceed. If you own a vehicle that is six years old, or older, a smog check (also called a smog test or emissions test) will be required once every two years, and also upon title transfer to another owner, or during initial California registration (if the car comes from another state).
Reviews (23)
Jagger Vansickke
Dec 04, 2021
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Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Value
This is a top notch shop owner and his employees are super nice and professional they get the problems diagnosed and taken care of in a timely manner and don't play any bull cackie I recommend this business to all.
Services: Check engine light diagnostic, General repairs & maintenance, Air conditioning, Oil change, A/c installation & repair, Steering / Suspension, Transmission, Smog certification, Emissions testing, Engine repair, Tuning
This is a top notch shop owner and his employees are super nice and professional they get the problems diagnosed and taken care of in a timely manner and don't play any bull cackie I recommend this business to all.
Services: Check engine light diagnostic, General repairs & maintenance, Air conditioning, Oil change, A/c installation & repair, Steering / Suspension, Transmission, Smog certification, Emissions testing, Engine repair, Tuning
Millie-Jean Snow
Nov 21, 2021
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Levi Boggs
Oct 05, 2021
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Ryan
Oct 02, 2021
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I’ve been wanting to write this review for awhile but just now I finally got the tools and parts to fix my window and I realized it was time for a review.
In 2018 while I was broke in college, my air suspension was leaking and so I brought my bmw to them. I told them that both driver and passenger windows don’t work, so don’t roll the windows down. Well they rolled the driver window down and it got stuck. They ended up removing the driver door panel to bring the window back up and then they gave me a call. They said that since they had already taken the door panel off the might as well fix
In 2018 while I was broke in college, my air suspension was leaking and so I brought my bmw to them. I told them that both driver and passenger windows don’t work, so don’t roll the windows down. Well they rolled the driver window down and it got stuck. They ended up removing the driver door panel to bring the window back up and then they gave me a call. They said that since they had already taken the door panel off the might as well fix
Alyse Cooper
Aug 02, 2021
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They were very fast in getting me an appointment the day after I called…service quick and everyone was very friendly! Pricing was as expected and absolutely no pressure for other services that weren’t needed! Had a great experience will definitely be back for necessary repairs and maintenance!
Thank you,
Alyse Cooper
Thank you,
Alyse Cooper
Jade Huston
Jul 19, 2021
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We have an older vehicle (2010 Honda Accord) that we wanted to be sure was safe for our son to have as a first car. Robert was friendly, knowledgeable, and prompt. He kept us in the loop about what was needed and gave some advice we weren't aware of regarding brakes. Pricing was reasonable and our bill was nicely detailed. Will definitely come back for all future auto needs, including oil changes.
Tyler J.
Jul 11, 2021
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I had a great experience and will definitely be going back. My a/c croaked on me and in this heat my main objective was getting it fixed fast. I called right before closing and they were able to get me in @ 9 am the next day. They were able to identify the problem's and fix them in 2 days. They were very friendly and the final price ended being less than there estimate.
Kyle P.
Mar 06, 2021
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I needed to smog my Prius ASAP in order to renew my renew my registration. I was able to get an appointment within 24 hours of the phone call. Once I arrived for my appointment, I was greeted promptly by the friendly front office staff and the smog was completed very quickly (~7-10 minutes). Once I had paid for the service I was provided with a paper receipt and documentation of the successful smog and the cashier was kind enough to even sanitize my keys before handing them back. I hands down recommend Doctor of Motors and they had the best price in town for smogging my vehicle as well!
Hunter T.
Aug 13, 2020
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Robert was extremely helpful and transparent about the issues with my car. While no work was actually done to my car, he explained to me in detail what the problems were, and gave me a transparent estimate. Robert was super honest and told me it probably wouldn't be worth the money to work on my old, nearly broken down car. That kind of service will definitely have me coming back when I do need work done on a car
Dipen Chauhan
Jul 18, 2020
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The AC in my car stopped working. They charged $125 to look at it. Verbally told me it was an electrical issue and they needed another $250 for doing more tests. However on the document they provided it stated the compressor clutch needed to be replaced. With the $125 they did not even do a dye test. Lots of other places in town put in the dye for lesser price. They quoted me $2138.00 to get my AC fixed. Prices here are outrageous. Never going back here.
Sam M.
Jun 25, 2020
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First impression was bad, the custom service was not too great, but they were very busy and it was 105 degrees so...
When they called me they were very nice. Maybe the nicest service I've gotten from a mechanic. Their estimate started at $130 for just a check up, but they lowered it to $91 when I picked it up. The price still seems a little too much, but they did not push anything on me and told me the truth.
They were very helpful and did not try to grab my money.
When they called me they were very nice. Maybe the nicest service I've gotten from a mechanic. Their estimate started at $130 for just a check up, but they lowered it to $91 when I picked it up. The price still seems a little too much, but they did not push anything on me and told me the truth.
They were very helpful and did not try to grab my money.
Iily R.
May 01, 2020
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I have experience with this place from taking some corporate fleet vehicles here and my personal vehicle here. I always feel I leave learning a little bit more when I have a car issue and I don't feel like I'm getting scammed. I like the front desk guy, Robert, I just think he is all business and good at it. Do I pay FULL price when I use DOM? yes ouch. Do I feel taken advantage of like I was scammed? No. I took a vehicle in for a weird but faint noise and they gave it back saying they couldn't find an issue. I have since then not had any any major issues with it (it's just
Eric T.
Aug 14, 2019
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This shop is a scam. They do work on your car then send you endless emails saying you need to fix or maintenance things that don't need to be fixed.
Robert sent us one of these emails about the AC on one of our cars. We took it to another local mechanic and there is nothing wrong with it. Works fine. Robert even suggested to NOT use the AC if we didn't fix it. They use fear and your lack of knowledge to get you to fix things.
Do not go to this shop.
Robert sent us one of these emails about the AC on one of our cars. We took it to another local mechanic and there is nothing wrong with it. Works fine. Robert even suggested to NOT use the AC if we didn't fix it. They use fear and your lack of knowledge to get you to fix things.
Do not go to this shop.
Richard S.
May 20, 2019
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So my Audi's transmission went out and I had a tow to doctor of motors on on a weekend night. and when he finally got to the car on Monday morning he told me that the charge me $280 to look around the transmission to see what was wrong. When he got to it on Wednesday he was able to find nothing wrong with the car so he refunded me the entire 280 bucks and told me to come pick up the car at my convenience. I wasn't able to come and pick up the car for an entire week yet Dr motors did not charge me a fee for keeping it parked there or get mad at me for keeping it better for longer than
Kyle S.
Feb 10, 2019
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I understand there are bad reviews out there for this place but here is the thing. My girlfriends car needed a new Cat and I have always done work on my cars myself because of past bad experiences with mechanics. But she took it in to this shop and they went more then out of their way to get the job done and make sure the job was done right
W. E.
Sep 08, 2018
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If you hear that your brakes are "Paper Thin" or need your brakes replaced, read this first.
The staff at DOM was nice enough however when they returned my simple request with a laundry list of "required" repairs I was highly skeptical.
Most of what they recommended was reasonable however they were very typical easy repairs with a high profit margin. The biggest red flag was when the OWNER emphatically stated that my brakes were "paper thin" (his words- and again; an easy job with a high profit margin) I immediately became highly suspicious.
FYI: Normally when
The staff at DOM was nice enough however when they returned my simple request with a laundry list of "required" repairs I was highly skeptical.
Most of what they recommended was reasonable however they were very typical easy repairs with a high profit margin. The biggest red flag was when the OWNER emphatically stated that my brakes were "paper thin" (his words- and again; an easy job with a high profit margin) I immediately became highly suspicious.
FYI: Normally when
Kayla C.
Jul 15, 2018
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Coming home from a camping trip in 105 degree weather when the pick up decided to act up. Roberts shop wasn't even open but yet his wife took our phone call and let us come by. Robert had us up and running in no time! He also let my 7 year old go in his nice cool office and play on the computer and offered us refreshments. Robert could have told us sorry were closed and we would have been out of options because what mechanic shop is open on a Sunday at 3:00 pm?? Robert went out of his way to help, you don't get that a lot now days. Robert: You're awesome and we appreciate it!!!
Adam A.
Apr 21, 2018
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Neil C.
May 24, 2016
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Trustworthiness, professionalism, and great customer service are just a few of the things you'll experience at doctor of motors. Nobody likes having to take their car in to be serviced, but they make it a great experience, without breaking the bank.
They gave me a ride back to my house when my car was going to take a while AND picked me up when it was ready. They have even suggested waiting a little longer on replacing a part/preforming a service I brought my car in for, rather than trying to take my money right away for a repair I didn't really need. You wouldn't get this kind
They gave me a ride back to my house when my car was going to take a while AND picked me up when it was ready. They have even suggested waiting a little longer on replacing a part/preforming a service I brought my car in for, rather than trying to take my money right away for a repair I didn't really need. You wouldn't get this kind
Mina K.
Apr 29, 2015
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I had a really great experience with Doctor Motors today! I came straight home to write the review because I was so pleased with their service and work. They took great care of me (and my car!) and were really honest and straightforward about everything.
Initially I went in for a quick fix (my car alarm was having some problems and going off randomly) and they took care of it straight away with no wait time or hassle, plus they were friendly and fun to talk to. They even fixed a dent I had in my car that I was just going to try to ignore.
I really recommend them and was very pleased with their
Initially I went in for a quick fix (my car alarm was having some problems and going off randomly) and they took care of it straight away with no wait time or hassle, plus they were friendly and fun to talk to. They even fixed a dent I had in my car that I was just going to try to ignore.
I really recommend them and was very pleased with their
April C.
Jan 16, 2015
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I came in because I had a code for misfire on cylinders 2 and 5 and I was due for a smog inspection. I had left my car for two days when they called and said I had a bad head gasket which would cost $2550.00. I asked if there was any way for my car to pass smog before the repair was done and he said there was no way and that they used the smog machine to confirm the diagnosis.
When I picked up my car I had two new codes which they didn't mention. I'm not insinuating that they sabotaged my car, I just doubt that they ever ran their own code reader on it.
I called my father and explained
When I picked up my car I had two new codes which they didn't mention. I'm not insinuating that they sabotaged my car, I just doubt that they ever ran their own code reader on it.
I called my father and explained
Craig C.
Aug 11, 2014
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STAY AWAY - these guys are crooks! Brought my car in 3 months ago for running rough (skipping cylinders) that developed that day and only happened a few of times. The engine light had come on and off. Was told that the spark plugs were oil fouled and that this meant that I needed an entirely new engine. I had a weird feeing so I just had them replace the spark plugs. It has run perfectly fine since.
I had the car into a reputable shop in Roseville where I just moved for an unrelated matter today. I asked them to check the spark plugs while they were at it. They said that they are showing normal
I had the car into a reputable shop in Roseville where I just moved for an unrelated matter today. I asked them to check the spark plugs while they were at it. They said that they are showing normal
Darron R.
Jan 30, 2013
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Original review:
I took my 2005 Subaru Outback to them for its 90,000 mile service. I uploaded a picture of what the invoice came to. $745.15 total. Of course there were things that they found in addition to the routine things recommended for that mileage. Overall, I give them a high rating for their ability to talk to a layperson about the needs of the vehicle without sounding like they are talking down to you. I dealt mostly with Robert. The work was done within a reasonable time frame and I have not encountered any problems with the work done, although I did just pick up the car today
I took my 2005 Subaru Outback to them for its 90,000 mile service. I uploaded a picture of what the invoice came to. $745.15 total. Of course there were things that they found in addition to the routine things recommended for that mileage. Overall, I give them a high rating for their ability to talk to a layperson about the needs of the vehicle without sounding like they are talking down to you. I dealt mostly with Robert. The work was done within a reasonable time frame and I have not encountered any problems with the work done, although I did just pick up the car today
