Auto repair shop · Cedar Rapids, IA · reviewed since 2014
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%74+40.4Reliability 24%60+14.5Value 14%65+9.2Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Craft & service penalty85−1.5Momentum penalty79−2.1Experts Score= 68Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.68SCORE
BGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#41 of 50 oil change servicesiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 18%
4.7★★★★★733 Google reviews · 23 photos
90%five-star reviews
4.58★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
5.3%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate Brakes Plus 4.7 out of 5 based on 733 reviews, with the owner responding to 94% of comments. Customers frequently praise the shop for prompt service, clear communication, and fair pricing on brake repairs, oil changes, and battery replacements. However, several low-star reviews describe significant delays in completing appointments, missed mechanical issues during inspections, and instances where advertised prices did not match final charges.
Google rating: 4.7 out of 5 from 733 reviews (90% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 733 Google reviews (533 with written comments, 9 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 94% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 24, 2026.
Service: Oil Change Service serving Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Data from Google, last updated October 25, 2026.
Score profile vs other oil change services
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: replies to reviews and craft & service; weakest: reliability.
Brakes PlusOil Change Services median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Brakes Plus: 74/100 on this factor. Category median: 84.B
74
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Brakes Plus: 60/100 on this factor. Category median: 76.B
60
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Brakes Plus: 85/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
85
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Brakes Plus: 65/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.B
65
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Brakes Plus: 79/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.B
79
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Brakes Plus: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 59.A
100
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
733 Google reviews we collected
4.7of 5
5 stars66090%
4 stars172%
3 stars41%
2 stars41%
1 star487%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 533 written reviews
94%praise
Praise78894%
Complaints516%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
93%fair
Great price3244%
Reasonable3244%
Overpriced57%
Not sure34%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude20024%
Quality & results16019%
Speed & response15318%
Price & value13216%
Would recommend8410%
Honesty & trust617%
Communication496%
What customers talk about
We read 533 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“…extra time to get completed, the service was very good and they were courteous, friendly and explained everything in detail both before and after.…”
“…ls me it’s a wheel barring issue now and continues to laugh, be very unprofessional, and snarky.…”
“Had great service here Levi and his men got my battery replaced very quickly and just made my day!”
“When I started driving it I realized it was making a horrible clunking noise, and after further inspection I noticed the did not put the bolts back in…”
“Courteous mechanics, fast service, and reasonable prices.”
“Little slow even with an appointment made for my car”
“…cted and the manager on duty went out of his way to make it far more affordable for me and provided me with a Lyft to and from the place for when the…”
“Terribly over priced and took 25 minutes longer than expected even after I got there 15 minutes early”
“I will ABSOLUTELY recommend them and return for future work.”
“I would strongly recommend getting an independent second opinion before authorizing repairs here, especially if you’re being told that your vehicle is…”
“Totally trustworthy, dependable, and great to do business with.”
“I have never experienced a more dishonest, careless, and unprofessional auto repair experience.”
“…ted, the service was very good and they were courteous, friendly and explained everything in detail both before and after.…”
People customers mention
Tuffy28 reviews
John13 reviews
Ave9 reviews
Kevin8 reviews
Levi6 reviews
Emily6 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Brakes Plus for 8 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
Camron5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 18 hours ago★★★★★
Service was fast, workers were knowledgeable. Kept me up to date on my car in good time! Thank you Levi!
Jen1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★★★★★
This was my first time getting an oil change at Brakes Plus. The service was fast and friendly! Thank you for an awesome experience, Kenneth!
Great priceService not listed
Darian7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
Levi Brewster was exceptional at his job. Knew what he was doing and answered all the questions without beating around the bush.
Reasonable priceAuto brake repair
Jeremy1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 weeks ago★★★★★
Had great service here Levi and his men got my battery replaced very quickly and just made my day!!!
Great priceElectrical
Natasha1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 weeks ago★★★★★
I’ve taken two of my cars and every time they go above and beyond to help me. I would highly recommend for all your car needs.
Dan9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 weeks ago★★★★★
Instructed me on what my car needed for rear brakes and gave me a very good deal on parts. Though it took a little extra time to get completed, the service was very good and they were courteous, friendly and explained everything in detail both before and after. Service tech was Levi.
10/10 Service, fast and friendly.
Levi was very helpful !
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Auto brake repair
Response from the owner · 18 hours ago
Thank you for trusting us with your vehicle's maintenance needs and making us your shop of choice! We appreciate your business and thank you for taking the time to share your experience at our shop!
Camron Stockley5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Camron has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Service was fast, workers were knowledgeable. Kept me up to date on my car in good time! Thank you Levi!
Response from the owner · 18 hours ago
Hi, thanks for the awesome feedback! Our team is always happy to service your vehicle, and we’re thrilled to hear these words about the knowledge of our staff! We look forward to seeing you whenever you need us!
Jen V1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Jen has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
This was my first time getting an oil change at Brakes Plus. The service was fast and friendly! Thank you for an awesome experience, Kenneth!
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Service not listed
Response from the owner · a week ago
It’s always a pleasure seeing you! One of our top priorities is to provide the best customer service around and we’re happy to hear your positive experience! See you down the road!
Wade Burrell3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Wade has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Terrible place terrible management. I know quite a bit about mechanic work and tend to do most of my stuff myself. Since I was in a time crunch to get my brakes fixed and didn’t know much about drum brakes I decided to take it to this place… bad choice I should’ve read the reviews. Along with other bad reviews on this place within the last few months I went in for a rear driver brake cylinder that was spraying fluid. I was told it would be a 3 and half hour fix and decided to stick around. During this time they lost the parts needed to make the repair(1 hour behind), messed up my rear passenger side brake cylinder and had to re-fix that, and after all this my brakes were worse when I went to leave then when I got there. They then looked again and tried telling me I needed a new master cylinder… this wasn’t on the initial inspection nor was it a problem I could see when I figured out the first leak. Manager who is an absolute joke tried telling me that it had been broken for a while and that they didn’t mess it up when I had no issues before this leak with my brakes and laughs at me when I tell him that it was fine before. I go to leave with a quote for that and don’t even make it 200 yards down the road when my rear driver side wheel starts grinding. I go back, the manager again who doesn’t seem to know anything about cars tells me it’s a wheel barring issue now and continues to laugh, be very unprofessional, and snarky. The only bright person in the whole building Levi the counter guy comes up and takes the wheel off and realizes that it’s not a wheel bearing it’s just the rusty brake drum rubbing. After spending a whole day from 8 to 5 at this place I will never being going back the managing needs fixed and so does the quality of work and knowledge about vehicles.
Response from the owner · 2 weeks ago
Thank you for choosing us to service your vehicle!
Darian Brewster7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Darian has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Levi Brewster was exceptional at his job. Knew what he was doing and answered all the questions without beating around the bush.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Auto brake repair
Response from the owner · 2 weeks ago
Thank you for trusting us with your vehicle's maintenance needs and making us your shop of choice! We appreciate your business and thank you for taking the time to share your experience at our shop!
Jeremy Powell1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Jeremy has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I’ve taken two of my cars and every time they go above and beyond to help me. I would highly recommend for all your car needs.
Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago
It’s always a pleasure seeing you! One of our top priorities is to provide the best customer service around and we’re happy to hear your positive experience! See you down the road!
Dan Schuster9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Dan has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Instructed me on what my car needed for rear brakes and gave me a very good deal on parts. Though it took a little extra time to get completed, the service was very good and they were courteous, friendly and explained everything in detail both before and after. Service tech was Levi.
Services: Auto brake repair
Response from the owner · 4 weeks ago
Thank you for the positive words! When our customers are happy, we’re happy. We look forward to doing business with you again in the future!
Natalie Hull3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Natalie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
OMG Kenneth was Gods Angel in disguise. Such an amazing guy..
Response from the owner · 4 weeks ago
Thank you for trusting us with your vehicle's maintenance needs and making us your shop of choice! We appreciate your business and thank you for taking the time to share your experience at our shop!
