Auto repair shop · Fremont, CA · reviewed since 2012
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%92+50.2Reliability 24%92+22.3Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%85+6Craft & service penalty60−4Experts Score= 89Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.89SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#142 of 348 auto repair shopsiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 59%
4.9★★★★★70 Google reviews · 6 photos
94%five-star reviews
5.00★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
0%1–2★, last 20 reviewsiShare 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 Cat's Automotive Repair 4.9 out of 5 based on 70 reviews, highlighting honest communication, fair pricing, and punctual delivery for services like brake repairs, AC troubleshooting, and general maintenance. Customers frequently note that the shop avoids unnecessary upselling and clearly explains which repairs are urgent. A minority of one-star critics describe the pricing as excessive and the staff as arrogant, though the owner responds to a portion of the feedback.
Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 70 reviews (94% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 70 Google reviews (53 with written comments, 1 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 41% of reviews.
Most recent review: July 13, 2026.
Service: Auto Repair Shop serving Fremont, California.
Data from Google, last updated November 2, 2026.
Score profile vs other auto repair shops
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: value and momentum; weakest: craft & service.
Cat's Automotive RepairAuto Repair Shops 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.Cat's Automotive Repair: 92/100 on this factor. Category median: 89.A
92
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.Cat's Automotive Repair: 92/100 on this factor. Category median: 86.A
92
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.Cat's Automotive Repair: 60/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.B
60
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.Cat's Automotive Repair: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
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.Cat's Automotive Repair: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
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.Cat's Automotive Repair: 85/100 on this factor. Category median: 60.A
85
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
70 Google reviews we collected
4.9of 5
5 stars6694%
4 stars34%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star11%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 53 written reviews
98%praise
Praise11498%
Complaints22%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
100%fair
Great price4100%
Reasonable00%
Overpriced00%
Not sure00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Quality & results2522%
Honesty & trust2219%
Staff & attitude2017%
Price & value1916%
Would recommend1210%
Speed & response119%
Communication76%
What customers talk about
We read 53 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“We had a great experience with Cat's Automotive Repair.”
“He’s super honest and actually walked us through which repairs were urgent and which ones weren't, which we really appreciated.”
“Cat is exactly the kind of mechanic you want to find.”
“…oling system (other persons thought there was an issue), he gave me a great price to do other maintenance that i knew was due on the vehicle and infor…”
“Very happy with their work and wholeheartedly recommend them for anything related to A/C!”
“New to the area and tried Cat's auto shop as most reviews I read online that Cat provided a honest and efficient service.”
“He’s the only mechanic I’ve came across that doesn’t make me feel stupid when I explain the situation to him!”
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Cat's Automotive Repair for 8 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
BBrian3 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. · Edited 4 months ago★★★★★
Used Cat's a number of times to for maintenace on my Hybrid car. Once I couldn't get the trunk open. He fixed by pushing the lock button inside the glove compartment (no charge). He doesn't try to upsell the customer. Delivers when promised. Good communication skills. Been serving the Tri-city area for decades.
Great price
ZZach3 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. · 5 months ago★★★★★
I recently was in charged with having our work vehicle serviced and look over for a coolant leak issue, Cat informed me that we had no actual issue with the cooling system (other persons thought there was an issue), he gave me a great price to do other maintenance that i knew was due on the vehicle and informed me…
Great priceElectrical repairAir & cabin filter replacementGeneral repairs & maintenance
BBaali3 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. · 7 months ago★★★★★
We had a great experience with Cat's Automotive Repair. We brought our 2012 Honda Civic in for a bunch of work, including new brakes, an alignment, and an AC recharge.
Mr. Cat is exactly the kind of mechanic you want to find. He’s super honest and actually walked us through which repairs were urgent and which ones…
Great priceTransmissionElectrical repairGeneral repairs & maintenance
RRay4 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. · 9 months ago★★★★★
Cat and so knowledgeable and reasonably priced. Made an appointment easily. The shop is conveniently located. Returns your car quickly.
QQuinn11 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. · a year ago★★★★★
Had an amazing experience here! I took my car somewhere else for a tune up and they suggested a ton of different fixes that would have amounted to a total of 7k! I brought it to Cat's for a second opinion and got a much better deal, plus a better understanding of what my car needs and doesn't need (since I only…
CCarol5 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 years ago★★★★★
Cat's Automotive Repair is the best repair service around. He is quick, knowledgeable, and very good service. I highly recommend his services.
Used Cat's a number of times to for maintenace on my Hybrid car. Once I couldn't get the trunk open. He fixed by pushing the lock button inside the glove compartment (no charge). He doesn't try to upsell the customer. Delivers when promised. Good communication skills. Been serving the Tri-city area for decades.
Price assessment: Great price
Response from the owner · 5 years ago
Brian, thanks for taking time to leave your review! Give us a call if there's ever anything else you need. -The Team at Cat's Automotive Repair
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Zach Depratti3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Zach has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I recently was in charged with having our work vehicle serviced and look over for a coolant leak issue, Cat informed me that we had no actual issue with the cooling system (other persons thought there was an issue), he gave me a great price to do other maintenance that i knew was due on the vehicle and informed me that my brakes were in great shape.
I WILL BE COMMING BACK, BTW great guys
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Electrical repair, Air & cabin filter replacement, General repairs & maintenance, Tire rotations, Vehicle safety inspection, Auto maintenance, Oil change
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Rafael Ortiz7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Rafael has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Services: Transmission, Electrical repair, Air & cabin filter replacement, Exhaust, Auto battery replacement, Steering & suspension repair, Auto water leak repair, General repairs & maintenance, Auto A/C recharge, Electrical, Auto engine diagnostic, Auto engine tuning, Auto brake repair, Tire rotations, Engine repair, Vehicle Inspection, Transmission replacement, Auto A/C replacement, Transmission repair, Brakes, Auto battery maintenance, A/C installation & repair, Air conditioning, Brake service & repair, Auto maintenance
B
Baali Goga3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Baali has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We had a great experience with Cat's Automotive Repair. We brought our 2012 Honda Civic in for a bunch of work, including new brakes, an alignment, and an AC recharge.
Mr. Cat is exactly the kind of mechanic you want to find. He’s super honest and actually walked us through which repairs were urgent and which ones weren't, which we really appreciated. The pricing was very fair, and it was a huge relief to find a shop that provides such great value without pushing unnecessary services. The car is driving much smoother now and the whole process was easy. If you’re in Fremont and need a shop that’s reliable and fair, we’d definitely suggest checking them out.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Transmission, Electrical repair, General repairs & maintenance, Auto A/C recharge, Electrical, Auto engine diagnostic, Auto brake repair, Air conditioning, Brake service & repair, Oil change
R
Ray Scherer4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Ray has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
There is something special about Mr. Cat and his team. You'll notice that there are many places to take your vehicle to. You'll notice multiple mechanics near Cat's Automotive and I'm sure they're great in their own way too. I happen to be struggling financially and starting life over. Autozone told me that my alternator was toast, so I went home and built up the courage to prepare myself for the daunting task of "calling around." I browsed my search engine, threw a dart and the first place I called was Cat's Automotive. I was exhausted from work but it was a Thursday and since work is slow at the moment, I had a three day weekend. Mr. Cat took my call. He was truly thoughtful and empathetic to my current situation. He told me he'd check on the price for a new alternator and call me back. I waited roughly ten minutes and he called back with a quote that was below even my price range. I felt joy and I felt like I made the right choice in one phone call. I'm not going to mention my model of car or the quote but I'm going to tell you that Mr. Cat went even further. He said, "can you come in tomorrow? I open at 8 a.m. I have three people coming in but I can fit you in." I said absolutely. He said: "before we rule out the alternator, we'll look at everything else." I arrived at the shop about 45 minutes before they opened. Mr. Cat was on time. I had never seen him or met him before but I knew the voice matched the face. He waved. I got out of my car, introduced myself and he went inside, opened the shop- we popped the hood and he did a few checks and we were both pretty sure it was the alternator but his shop guy would double check. So I left, I went over to the Cafe around the corner for coffee. About an hour later, Mr. Cat called and told me that my battery was four years old. The things going on with my car were normal and that I didn't even need a new alternator. This is where I point out that Mr. Cat could've easily just taken my money and put a new alternator in but that guy, his shop- they have heart. They have integrity and honesty and I'm sold. He advised me on what to do next, told me not to spend all the money I had for the new part and sent me on my way feeling more joy than I expected or experienced from any mechanics I've ever brought my car to. I may be superstitious but I feel like my car runs better by just bringing it in. I left with knowledge, confidence and a new place that I'll ALWAYS be bringing my car. I almost didn't want to let this gem of a shop be known with a review and gatekeep the secret that this place is the only place you should be bringing your car, especially if you're low on money and need honesty more than you need repairs on your car. God Bless Mr. Cat and his team.
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Quinn Levine11 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Quinn has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Had an amazing experience here! I took my car somewhere else for a tune up and they suggested a ton of different fixes that would have amounted to a total of 7k! I brought it to Cat's for a second opinion and got a much better deal, plus a better understanding of what my car needs and doesn't need (since I only expect to use it for another couple years). Plus my car finally sounds normal now after years of loud exhaust sounds. Thanks Cat's!
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Lisa Newstrom3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Lisa has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
good quality honest service. Cat and James are great. not the cheapest but sometimes you gotta pay for quality and auto service/maintenance is worth paying for honesty.
