Fred's Radiator & Auto Repair, Waco TX

Was stuck in Waco with worn brakes and had a replacement set on hand I was hoping to get installed. While calling around, I spoke with two employees at this shop, a woman and a gentlemen who I imagine was the owner or manager.

For simply looking or asking for help, I was berated for owning an electric car, despite needing service that is fairly typical on most cars. The phrase “it’s your own fault for purchasing that car, you know what you’re getting into” is not something I imagine someone who needs help should hear in a time of need. I understand I may have been a bit needless as we were trying to solve our problem, but I did not expect this degree of treatment or discrimination for owning a particular type of vehicle. They were also very unwilling to help when I was hoping for any referral or recommendations on how I might be able to get my brake pads replaced. Ultimately, I was left without help and feeling even worse than when I began the call.

Would not recommend for service.
Absolutely would not recommend if you own an EV.

Tesla and EV owners, this is exactly where you’ll find people willing to make you feel bad about your purchase.

Unless you perfectly fit the “profile” for the type of work they do, go elsewhere. I imagine you might get better treatment.

Over the years I've seen multiple mechanics. They have all successfully or attempted to screw me over. Not Fred's, though. I've taken my car to them multiple times now and each time they were honest and fair with pricing. Yes, they are busy and yes you may need to drop your car off but that's the result of finding a reliable mechanic.they're busier. Fred's has been serving Waco for years and there's a reason why they still maintain the reputation they do.

This shop was kind enough to check out some concerns today while we were traveling from Austin to Fort Worth. Very grateful that they took time for us on a busy Saturday.

Fred and his staff are AMAZING! I love how they’re all there for Fred and extremely caring and helpful. Fred is super attentive and I can tell he values and cares for every person he meets. Didn’t try to get over on me and did an amazing job on my car. Will be back. Thank you so much!

The Jeep dealership in the area (Allen Samuels) diagnosed my dragging brake as a result of a faulty ABS system and quoted $3,000 for the repair. Took my vehicle to Fred to get the same job done for half the price (with my own parts). Turns out the dealership completely misdiagnosed the issue and all the Jeep needed was new brake hoses. In total, the repair cost me $400. Had I stuck with the Jeep dealership, I would have made an unnecessary $3,000 repair and still been on the hook for the additional cost of the brake hose replacement to actually fix my vehicle. Fred did a great job re-diagnosing the vehicle (even though I didn't ask him to) and fixed it at a reasonable price. I would absolutely take my car here again.

Fred is an answer to my prayers for a good mechanic for my daughter that won’t over charge, will diagnose correctly and won’t take advantage of our lack of knowledge! My daughter, a sophomore Baylor student, had work done last year on her 2003 vehicle that cost over $700 at another shop, wishing we had known Fred last year. We were new to the area so we didn’t know where else to look. We went back to that shop with a check engine light and they charged us $133 to just diagnose the car. Fred does free diagnoses! The recommended repairs were almost $700. One of the three things were spark plugs for around $500. I felt like that was pretty steep, my father came into town but wasn’t familiar with my daughters car to change the spark plugs so he checked out two other mechanics. The second mechanic quoted us mid $300’s and then Fred quoted us mid $200’s. He will be our mechanic for as long as she is in Waco! My daughter and I now have peace of mind that she won’t be taken advantage of when her old car needs future things done! I would 100% recommend Fred, unless you like being over charged and up sold.

We were driving through Waco on a road trip to Houston and our A/C unexpectedly wouldn’t blow cold. I found Fred through the positive reviews.
Fred welcomed me in and gave me a cold bottle of water and said he’ll take a look at it. He was super busy, taking care of customers picking up, dropping off, and the phone was ringing off the hook. Still, after he got situated, he took a look at my truck and diagnosed the real problem, and he figured out a workaround that got us back on the road with cold air. I offered to pay him for his time but he preferred I leave a review.
I’m grateful for his thoroughness and attention to detail. I was treated well even though I was a stranger.

Fred took care of our truck I was in and out with cold AC and the diagnosed my vehicle in no time.
Highly recommend for any AC needs!

They overcharge women. They quoted my almost 2000 fro axel replacement on my ford and I went somewhere else and they did it for 400

Fred does quality work and he's very experienced and he's very good with people. He is honest and straightforward about what you need done and will take it one step at a time. He will not do anything that you don't need done without taking the simplest things first out of the equation. Fred works hard to meet your needs and so does his staff. His honesty and knowledge has saved me hundreds of dollars. Thank you so much Fred and family.

Awful. Stay away! Right this moment, they are looking for my son's car. It was left for an a/c estimate. They did not communicate at all. He was left without transportation for days and was given the runaround. Their phone is not working, they did not respond to my email, there was no explanation and no apology. We will NOT be using them!

Fred and his team were top notch. Came in for ac repair, he gave me the run down on what could be wrong. He even mentioned depending on what year of my vehicle; the Freon could be double the price. After diagnosis He told me my vehicle took the cheaper type, where as he could of easily sold me on the expensive. 100% trustworthy & dependable. Will be back for any other vehicle needs

While driving from North Carolina to California to change military duty stations, the check engine light came on in my 2007 RAV4. Fred's got me in right away, ran a diagnostic for me, checked my brakes and engine, and talked me through any issues to watch out for. They were professional, quick, knowledgeable, respectful, and kind. If I lived in Waco this would be my go to auto shop. Thank you so much for your help this morning!

Got brakes done on same day! Go in tell them what’s going on. Leave them your info and keys. They’ll call you about the issue. Go from there.

I went to Fred's in 2020 when I moved here. They did brake work for me and they did an excellent job. They are a delightful group. I had a repair that was warranted. I wish that they accepted warranty because I was new in town and did not know where to go. Fred suggested Jesse Britt's. He said that they were the best, he wouldn'tsay it if it weren't true. Well, Honest Fred was right. I have been with Jesse Britt's since because ot the warranty, but if you have no warranty on your vehicle, Fred's is the place to go. The pricing is fair and the service is excellent.

So glad I came here! I had last minute car engine issues, and the owner of the shop even stayed after hours while my car was towed. The people were so kind and helpful! Service was fast and very reasonably priced.

Another place in town quoted my more than a thousand dollars to replace the radiator. Fred did it for less than half that. His guys got it done same day, on a cold and busy Saturday. Office and service staff were are friendly, approachable and knew what they were talking about. Refreshingly simple, straightforward and not overpriced. They take care of you at Fred's!

They replaced the radiator on my Mercedes GL. The service was prompt, professional, and affordable. Thanks.

I couldn’t be happier to do business with Fred! He took care of my Kia and placed the new compressor in. Very understanding and helpful through the process! Troy took care of my car and made sure it was top notch taken care of. Great pricing and good honest men. If anyone is reading this, do not hesitate to call them. They will give you their straight forward honest answer and will do everything in their power to assist and help make your car problems be fixed. I have no worries or issues post visit.