Brakes Plus — Local services in Boulder

Terrible experience. First, don't be fooled by all the 5-star reviews, since Brakes Plus actually pays for those reviews with a 5% discount if customers leave a 5-star review prior to paying their bill.

Before doing a simple $80 brake fluid flush that I'd requested, they did an inspection and called me with nearly $1500 in upsell. When I declined all the upsell, they ended up charging me for the brake flush that they apparently didn't even do. When I paid the bill, they mumbled stuff about how they couldn't do a full flush since the calipers were old and the lines leaky, so instead they just did a partial flush, replaced fluid in the reservoir and burped the system. But the brakes were squishy and the lines clearly had air in them after the "flush". On the invoice they wrote "vehicle un-safe to drive".

I drove immediately to a full service mechanic (Chan's) who was able to professionally do the exact same work that same day. They found no leaks in the brake system and did nothing more than a full brake fluid flush, which got the brakes back to perfect working order. Fully tested, no air in the lines, no squishiness in the brakes. They confirmed the brakes had not been properly flushed earlier that day, and I have the invoices from both Brakes Plus and Chan's as evidence.

It's appalling that Brakes Plus Boulder on Arapahoe would charge for brake work they either didn't do, or didn't do properly. I will not be going back.

I'm sure they will respond with a rebuttal, claiming old and leaky parts. But there's no disputing that literally 2 hours later, a second mechanic found no leaks, performed nothing more than the exact same flush, and had the brakes working perfectly.

I hope this poor review encourages them to be more ethical moving forward. If not, I have no doubt that additional poor reviews...

Run don't walk away from this place. I brought my van in for new brakes. I was told it would be 1-1 1/2 hours. I told them I was going across the street for lunch and gave them my cell# incase they had a question or to let me know when they are done. I also asked them to due an oil change as long as they are working on it. After not hearing from them for over 2 hours I went back to check on my van. As I approached I saw my van was still on the rack and in the air. When I walked in I asked if it was done yet. I was told to wait for the manager. John told me it wasn't done and he had tried to call me. He didn't call my cell phone as I asked them to. He told me that they were trying to call to clarify the amount for the repair. Even thought there sign says brakes are $219.99 I got an estimate for over $1160. Even though I told them to replace my brakes and router they didn't. John told me they could due my brakes if I can leave it for 1-1 1/2 more hours, I couldn't leave it as I had to go to work. I asked if they did the oil change and was told he would check. After waiting another 20 minute for them to lower my van I was told the oil change had been done. I don't know if they actually did the oil change since neither my dash warning light was reset or the sticker telling me when my next oil change is was done. Now I want to thank them for their terrible service as I was able to get my brakes done for $500 less than what they wanted to charge. At least that saving will help me pay for another oil change since I can't be sure they did...

I will be brutally honest, the last two experiences I had a brakes plus in other locations sent me to other mechanics. I had lost hope in finding an affordable and honest place to do my car work.

Fast forward to today 8/30, and I can tell you that stopping in here made me extremely happy. I work for myself and have small amounts of time to get anything done so I need a reliable shop to get work done in a timely manner(with an appointment, of course). I can tell you I have had the best experience today. I was greeted when I came in, spoken to in a kind and friendly manner. I didn’t feel rushed and I felt like what I was saying about my car was received. This is a big thing for me as sometimes I feel looked through when getting car maintenance done.

Estimate came in a timely manner and I felt like what was mentioned was looked at. For the first time in a long time I didn’t feel like I was trying to be up sold! Everything I was told that needed to be done made sense to me and they made sure I understood why it needed to be replaced.

Quote for service time was reasonable and I feel confident that coming here for service was the correct choice!

Thank you for opening this location here in Boulder! I will definitely be back and will be telling all...