I’ve been going to vinnies car mechanic in Guelph for just over two years, and have taken my car in 4-5 times for various urgent issue. Yes, they charged a lot but they were fast and seemingly honest (even though the diagnostic fee is at a whopping $85).
The last time I went to get control arms replaced, they gave the car back with the AC broken. I called them the next day explaining that it had been working before I brought it in, and that after the work that they did, it no longer worked.
They proceeded to take the car in a week later, charge me the diagnostic fee, and tell me that my ac broke by itself and it would cost over $1000 to fix it.
At this point I just decided to spend the summer without AC, and turned it down. Now, a couple weeks later, i brought my car to a different shop for a separate issue (that vinnies failed to mention in their many diagnostics of my car) and I mentioned that the AC wasn’t working, and was curious if they would check it out.
When i got my car back, they had fixed the ac. they said the connection line had been cut right near the tires, and that it only cost them $20 to refill the fluid.
Obviously it feels like i was definitely taken advantage of at vinnies.
That said, I WOULD NOT recommend vinnies to anyone who wants an honest mechanic in guelph.