Motor Works has been providing quality auto repair in DeKalb, IL since 1984. We are a family owned business delivering honest, professional auto repair and maintenance services to the people of DeKalb, Sycamore, Cortland, Malta, Waterman, Shabbona and the surrounding areas.
The quality ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified technicians at Motor Works employ today's latest automotive technology and are equipped to handle all major and minor repairs on import, domestic, classic cars and classic trucks.Because Motor Works is a certified NAPA Auto Care Center, we are able to provide the benefits of an established national entity while maintaining the personal touch of a family owned business.
The quality ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified technicians at Motor Works employ today's latest automotive technology and are equipped to handle all major and minor repairs on import, domestic, classic cars and classic trucks.Because Motor Works is a certified NAPA Auto Care Center, we are able to provide the benefits of an established national entity while maintaining the personal touch of a family owned business.
Services
Motor Works has been building a reputation for excellence in servicing and repairing all types of vehicles, both imported and domestic since 1984. Brand new BMW's, old pick-ups, late model mini vans and 50 year old show quality MG's can often be seen in our modern facility at the same time. Our staff is award-winning, college degreed and Master Certified in all areas of automotive repair.
Motor Works is a family-owned auto repair shop that's been serving the people of DeKalb, Sycamore, Cortland, Malta, Waterman, Shabbona and surrounding areas since 1984. Motor Works offers a customer shuttle service to lessen the inconvenience of being without your "wheels". Shown below is Dan, one of our service writers.
Joe is Mr. Versatility. His most interesting recent job was the removal and refitting of an engine from a 1960 Pontiac Catalina. His skills include major engine work, cylinder heads, timing belts, engine removal and replacement, drivability and electrical diagnostics, general steering, suspension, and brake work.
A behind the scenes look at the hard work involved in the making of this informative video. John Vera is a retired Marine and is now apprenticing at Motor Works to become a skilled automotive technician. John has great passion for his new craft and enjoys sharing that passion with others. If the car's air filter isn't doing its job, then dirt can enter the engine and make its way into the oil supply over time.
Motor Works is a full service facility with qualified staff that specialize in domestic vehicles. Our auto technicians will always carefully listen to your needs to determine the problem with your domestic car. Our experienced staff will accurately diagnose the problem and repair it to your complete satisfaction, at a fraction of the cost of the dealership.
Reviews (29)
Marika Wasmund
Jan 05, 2022
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Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Value
I love how they go over EVERYTHING with you. They provide pictures of your problem. They are honest and tell you what you need to do right away and what you can save up for. I appreciate that! I’ve never dealt with a grouchy person and I also appreciate that! Thanks 😊 I will be back. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Services: Engine repair, Brakes, General repairs & maintenance, Oil change
I love how they go over EVERYTHING with you. They provide pictures of your problem. They are honest and tell you what you need to do right away and what you can save up for. I appreciate that! I’ve never dealt with a grouchy person and I also appreciate that! Thanks 😊 I will be back. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Services: Engine repair, Brakes, General repairs & maintenance, Oil change
Jan Pinkous
Jan 04, 2022
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When I suddenly had a flat tire and the tow truck driver couldn't get the wheel off, he took us up the street to Motor Works. They were able to repair the spare tire and get the wheel changed. They also went the extra mile to rotate the tires since this whole time it had been snowing and wanted me to be better able to stay on the road. I loved their willingness to take care of such a small repair when they were obviously busy with their own customers. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Rachel Fessler
Dec 30, 2021
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Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality
It is difficult to find a shop that I can trust to work on my VW GTI, and I trust them with my car. great staff, and very quick turn around time. I LOVE their web browser updates so that you can see exactly what is going on with your vehicle without having to stress about anything.
Services: Electrical repair, Wheel alignment
It is difficult to find a shop that I can trust to work on my VW GTI, and I trust them with my car. great staff, and very quick turn around time. I LOVE their web browser updates so that you can see exactly what is going on with your vehicle without having to stress about anything.
Services: Electrical repair, Wheel alignment
Zachary Richmond
Dec 20, 2021
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Tamerit Brunson
Dec 03, 2021
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This was my first experience using MotorWorks. I appreciate how they took time to understand the issues I was having and to explain the issues they found in great detail. They seemed very busy, a little overwhelmed at drop off and at pick up so I felt a little rushed this being my first experience but overall they got the job done and the cost didn’t break the bank.
Karli Waldrep
Dec 01, 2021
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Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Value
New customer and they were able to get me in right away to address any issues. Great customer service and was able to make a follow up appointment the same week as the first appointment. Gave very clear details of any findings they had of my car. Highly recommend
Services: Check engine light diagnostic, Tyres
New customer and they were able to get me in right away to address any issues. Great customer service and was able to make a follow up appointment the same week as the first appointment. Gave very clear details of any findings they had of my car. Highly recommend
Services: Check engine light diagnostic, Tyres
Fitz Clarence
Oct 27, 2021
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Stay away from this shop!!! Insanely OVERPRICED!!! I had my car there for 4 days didn't get any phone calls or text about what's going on. Meghan lied that she did call me!! I just wanted water pump gasket changed but the charged me $450 just for " looking at it". Never ever doing business with them. Brought my car to different shop got it back in 2 days. They charged me $150 just for putting a blown fuse.. Garbage Service
Lydia Bermudez
Sep 17, 2021
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Megan Shoger
Aug 28, 2021
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This is the best shop I’ve EVER been to. My headlights weren’t working so I started calling around. Megan picked up and said she could get me in if I brought it over. They found I needed some new bulbs and also let me know my back wheel bearings were shot so we just fixed all of it! The best part was that I got the car back the same day! They’re super nice people, very affordable, they even gave me a ride from the shop to my house after I dropped the car off! I would highly recommend to anyone needing repairs or maintenance.
Carlos Aguirre
Aug 27, 2021
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John Green
Aug 15, 2021
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My alternator decided to give up the ghost shortly after I arrived in DeKalb . I had driven past the shop earlier in the week and when I received a reference from a coworker, I called and found them to be courteous and helpful. I dropped my car off and they went about verifying the problem. They called me to let me know the extent of the repairs… needed. I gave consent for repair and when I went to pickup my car at the end of the same workday, Will and the mechanic that serviced my car spent a generous amount of time discussing the repair with me. They also, in addition to my itemized bill
Chelsea Lawson
Jul 15, 2021
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We were road tripping from Chicago to Omaha, NE and my transmission failed in Dekalb, IL. We called AAA who towed us to Motor Works and we couldn’t have been more grateful for the suggestion. Megan and Peggy at Motor Works went ABOVE AND BEYOND to help ensure we were taken care of, comfortable, and even helped find us a rental car to get us home safely. One of our passengers rode to Motor Works in the tow truck, 2 of us stayed at the rest stop where the car broke down(tow trucks can only have 2 passengers, we had 3 people in our group). As soon as they walked into Motor Works, Peggy insisted
Shey L.
Jul 03, 2021
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Mark is a genius mechanic! Our 1971 VW Super Beetle was butchered by another shop and he saved it. He doesn't just "fix" problems, he solves them with creative solutions. He always takes the time to make improvements, like cleaning up messy and questionable wiring. His work on our carburetor was first class and ended up being the best parts of two different ones. Also his communication is outstanding. We got weekly phone calls with updates whenever he had the car to work on. Prices are a fraction of what we paid the hack shop. Couldn't be happier with the service and we drive
Amy P.
Jun 23, 2021
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Kathy Kozuch
May 21, 2021
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What's not to recommend...Not only do they take great care of my vehicle, these wonderful people take the time to listen...and take care of me. As the Love of My Life, my little 🐶 heads for the rainbow bridge, I receive a card in the mail today.... The Family Of Motor Works are thinking of me & lil Norman❤️. THANK YOU 💞
Eric B.
Apr 14, 2021
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Maria Cabreja
Feb 26, 2021
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Marco Antonio Diaz Jr
Feb 09, 2021
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Jim Kanas
Feb 05, 2021
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Vicky Aburto
Nov 24, 2020
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Tommy H.
Mar 08, 2018
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I wish I could give this shop a lower rating. They are very overpriced, slow, dishonest, and rude. Do not take your car here. They will rip you off. They will replace things that don't need to be replaced and it will take longer than they said and it will cost more than they said. I couldn't have picked a worse shop. Look elsewhere. They charge dealership prices for their parts but with worse quality.
Doug T.
Apr 04, 2016
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I gave 5 stars, only because giving ten was not an option.
When i read the other reviews here, i was utterly amazed. I started to wonder if there was another motor works in Dekalb that these people had problems with. I thought this because my experience with Motor Works and every staff member i dealt with was unlike any i have ever had.
Never in all my 57 years have i felt like a shop was more concerned with getting me home versus their bottom line.
I was on a cross country trip from California to New York, and was on the return trip home when I broke down in Dekalb Illinois. AAA towed my
When i read the other reviews here, i was utterly amazed. I started to wonder if there was another motor works in Dekalb that these people had problems with. I thought this because my experience with Motor Works and every staff member i dealt with was unlike any i have ever had.
Never in all my 57 years have i felt like a shop was more concerned with getting me home versus their bottom line.
I was on a cross country trip from California to New York, and was on the return trip home when I broke down in Dekalb Illinois. AAA towed my
Tiarra W.
Mar 09, 2016
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Don't get your car done here!!! I stress this because they will keep your car for weeks and not update you about it. They will also break stuff on your car just to charge more money. My estimation went from 100 dollars to 600 because they broke off a bolt in my car. I will never go to them again. I had to keep calling them until the point of making a visit not knowing if my car was done or not. Not to mention they had it for it a week And still was not done. They are ridiculous!!!!
Holly H.
Dec 29, 2015
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Randall D.
Dec 10, 2015
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A couple of years ago, I purchased a 1995 VW EuroVan Camper. This was a project van, one that I wanted to put time and money into, a rather romantic and foolhardy venture, perhaps, but I'd always wanted a pop-top VW. I live in Des Moines, Iowa, and every shop I called refused to work on EuroVans. Too esoteric and temperamental they demurred; too rare and no parts available they complained. So I did a little research and through Roadhaus.com, found this little shop in DeKalb, Illinois. Although DeKalb is over 250 miles from Des Moines, this wasn't much of an issue, at least for this initial
V. I.
Jul 17, 2014
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Kyle U.
Jul 01, 2014
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I brought my car her for repairs and they have been so great with me and my family. Since the car needed quite a few repairs, they staggered the repairs so that absolutely necessary repairs to get the car running were completed first. They have been helpful and honest the entire way through and I appreciate that.
Rob H.
Sep 18, 2013
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Be very careful with these people and get second opinions often. They will milk your car for many problems and keep suggesting repairs you either do not need or "fixes" that are not typical.
The main concern with my experience is the fact that their customer service is non-existent when trying to communicate with them over the phone. Read Yelp reviews for a more accurate rating of this shop, they are not as favorable.
If you have a quick repair or need an oil change, you can do worse than this place. If you have major or complicated problems, take your vehicle to a shop with more
The main concern with my experience is the fact that their customer service is non-existent when trying to communicate with them over the phone. Read Yelp reviews for a more accurate rating of this shop, they are not as favorable.
If you have a quick repair or need an oil change, you can do worse than this place. If you have major or complicated problems, take your vehicle to a shop with more
Michael G.
Jan 22, 2012
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Ok so i had a bad experience with this place. at first it seemed like a great place, but it turned out to be bad.
Ok so my car was having trouble with the steering and I brought it to the merlin, they said I needed a new power steering pump and that it would take a day to order and be really expensive. The price seemed way too steep and I brought my car here. It turns out that I did not need a new pump but 1 of the joints in the steering was bad. So I had it fixed which took a lot longer then they said. Anyway it seemed to work fine, but then I noticed a little while later the steering was acted
Ok so my car was having trouble with the steering and I brought it to the merlin, they said I needed a new power steering pump and that it would take a day to order and be really expensive. The price seemed way too steep and I brought my car here. It turns out that I did not need a new pump but 1 of the joints in the steering was bad. So I had it fixed which took a lot longer then they said. Anyway it seemed to work fine, but then I noticed a little while later the steering was acted
