Since 1925, Orinda Motors, Inc. has been servicing cars for motorists in the Lamorinda area. “We offer better service than people expect,” says owner Allen Pennebaker. “It’s a combination of our technical expertise, training, equipment, convenience, and excellent customer service. We have the expertise of a dealership with the feel of a small-town mechanic.”

Orinda Motors makes customer convenience a top priority. If a client is unable to bring their car in, one of the shop’s employees can go to their house, pick it up and deliver it back when the job is done. Rental cars are available on the premises, and the company offers a shuttle service for customers with busy schedules. “We go out of our way to make the car repair process convenient for people,” says Mr. Pennebaker. “This includes gestures like driving customers’ kids to swim practice.”

Orinda Motors’ Express Oil Change & Tire Center–which is located next door to the main facility–offers lube services six days a week with no appointment necessary. It handles oil and filter changes, fluid checks, tire pressure services, alignments, maintenance reminders, and more.

Training is important at Orinda Motors–many of its technicians undergo more than 20 hours of ongoing training per quarter. All have a minimum of 20 years’ experience, and most are ASE-certified Master Technicians. They service all foreign and domestic vehicles, including hybrids. They also have special expertise in servicing, repairing and mechanically restoring classic cars. “We can work on everything because we have five different technicians,” says Mr. Pennebaker. “We have a lot of experience, and that’s important when working on cars in the Lamorinda area. We’ve built a crew of solid technicians, and that’s the core of our success.”

When looking for an auto repair shop, it’s important to find one that’s knowledgeable about the latest industry technology. The importance of technical knowledge can’t be overstated. “Cars are becoming increasingly high-tech, so technicians must be continually trained to stay updated on industry standards,” says Allen Pennebaker, owner of Orinda Motors, Inc. “When shops aren’t doing that, they’re basically parts-changers. There’s a lot of guessing. Sometimes the guesses are lucky, but ongoing training is always a better way to do business.”

Make sure the shop’s personnel are connected to various nationwide resources where they can get up-to-date information and data on specific problems that might come up during the course of a repair job.

After you’ve done your research and found an auto repair shop you trust, it’s a good idea to develop a routine maintenance schedule to keep your car in top running condition. Many repairs become necessary as a result of poor maintenance, so ask your mechanic to help you create a maintenance checklist, which should include things like regular oil and filter changes, tire rotations and fluid checks. It’s important to follow all of the scheduled maintenance required by the manufacturer to keep your warranty valid.

Q: My car needs some work. Can you tell me over the phone how much it will cost?

A: Giving a price over the phone without first taking a look at the car is difficult. We offer an excellent value in the sense that a repair is a two-part process—first figuring out what’s wrong with the car, and then fixing it. We charge fairly for both of these things, but we won’t charge for a diagnostic in cases where we can easily figure out the problem without it.

Q: Do you match prices?

A: As a rule, we don’t practice price matching. Often, we don’t agree with the recommendations of other shops, and sometimes we find that certain repairs aren’t even necessary. We don’t guess when it comes to repairs. We think it’s better to determine the right answer ourselves so we don’t do something that’s both costly and unnecessary. Some people are more concerned with shopping around for the cheapest price than finding a place they can trust. It’s shouldn’t just be about cost—you should find an auto repair shop that employs experienced technicians who can diagnose and make the necessary repairs using the best parts available. We don’t compete on price, we compete on value.

Q: How soon will I get my car back?

A: It depends on the extent of the job. We realize how busy our customers are, so we make sure to work as quickly as possible while guaranteeing a professional job in a timeframe that suits their schedules.

Q: Do you do insurance work and extended warranty repairs?

A: Yes, and we’ll even call the insurance company on your behalf to represent you and get the best results.

Q: Do you have high-tech, up-to-date equipment?

A: Yes. As a premium shop, we have all the necessary tools to offer premium service. We regularly purchase new equipment to keep up with technology, and we make sure our technicians are updated on their training.

Q: If I have questions or concerns about my car while you’re working on it, may I check in to see how things are going?

A: Absolutely. Our technicians are always available if a customer wants to talk about the work that’s being done on their car. If you want to come in and see your car—or if you’d like us to take pictures or a video and send them to you—we’ll happily accommodate. We want to make the repair process as comfortable as possible for our customers.

Q: Do you offer any specials or incentives?

A: Yes. You can visit our website (www.orindamotors.com) to find out about the specials we offer at any given time.