Harapat Auto Service, Inc.

I went there because I saw all these five star comments. However, I didn't feel like the same experience there.



One of my front lights was not working and it turned out the control module was bad. They would charge $480 to fix that, which was too expensive for me as a poor student. So I said I need to consider it. Then they charged me $50 just for the diagnostics, which was such a shock to me. Because other auto repair stores never charged me anything when I decided not to have the repair done.



I paid the $50 and appreciated their diagnostics. But I think it would be better if they could have communicated the fee with me when I drove in and before they did any diagnostics, thus I could have made an informative decision not to have the check there. Because I just wasted $50 without getting any work done.

I've been going there for over 30 years [starting at the old place in downtown Iowa City-- now in 2015 they are moved to a bigger shop a quarter mile east of the Iowa City Wal-Mart on a back road, between Highway 1 and the IC airport = 436 Ruppert Road], and I will continue there for at least the next 30-plus years. They know how to work with you and explain things. I've never seen them advertise, since word of mouth from experienced customers keeps them plenty busy. Plan ahead, since the only challenge can be the repeat customers that are in line ahead of you jamming the lot and trying to get in the door. That must be why they are advertising to add on extra mechanics to supplement the regular guys who have been around 20 years or so. You might have to wait for an appointment unless your emergency can squeeze you in, but the wait is worth it.