Auto repair shop · Chico, CA · reviewed since 2016
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%89+48.5Reliability 24%77+18.7Value 14%89+12.6Replies to reviews 7%97+6.9Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 87Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.87SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#19 of 70 oil change servicesiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 74%
4.9★★★★★107 Google reviews · 21 photos
93%five-star reviews
5.00★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
5%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.
Customers frequently highlight the shop's honesty, fair pricing, and clear communication, noting that staff often perform additional checks without pressuring unnecessary repairs. Many reviewers specifically praise the team's expertise with European vehicles and their ability to provide quick, same-day service for routine maintenance. However, a minority of low-star reviews cite significant issues with diagnostic accuracy, including misidentified problems and repairs that failed to resolve original faults, leading to extended vehicle downtime.
Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 107 reviews (93% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 107 Google reviews (74 with written comments, 2 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 67% of reviews.
Most recent review: July 21, 2026.
Service: Oil Change Service serving Chico, California.
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: momentum and craft & service; weakest: reliability.
Chico Auto TechOil 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.Chico Auto Tech: 89/100 on this factor. Category median: 84.A
89
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.Chico Auto Tech: 77/100 on this factor. Category median: 77.B
77
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.Chico Auto Tech: 99/100 on this factor. Category median: 97.A
99
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.Chico Auto Tech: 89/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
89
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.Chico Auto Tech: 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.Chico Auto Tech: 97/100 on this factor. Category median: 69.A
97
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
107 Google reviews we collected
4.9of 5
5 stars10093%
4 stars55%
3 stars00%
2 stars11%
1 star11%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 74 written reviews
97%praise
Praise14197%
Complaints53%
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 price133%
Reasonable267%
Overpriced00%
Not sure00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude3121%
Honesty & trust2920%
Quality & results2416%
Price & value2114%
Speed & response1712%
Would recommend1510%
Communication96%
What customers talk about
We read 74 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“They are friendly, communicative, and there is no one else I would trust to work on our vehicles.”
“Honest work, fair pricing, and great communication.”
“Top notch service and I will definitely be returning in the future.”
“They charged me for more parts, but those didn't solve the problem.”
“Ben and his team got my wife’s car back on the road fast and at a great price.”
“They helped me get my car in the same day for some routine maintenance before a big to trip.”
“Highly recommend them if you need reliable work done on your car!”
“Very communicative and the quality of the work has never disappointed!”
People customers mention
Mark6 reviews
Ryan5 reviews
Ben3 reviews
Volkswagen3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Chico Auto Tech for 1 kind of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
Miguel7 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. · 3 months ago★★★★★
Brought both my Mazda 3 and my Volkswagen Passat TDI to Chico Auto Tech, and they knocked it out of the park on both vehicles. Working on a TDI can be a massive headache with emissions systems, sensors, and stubborn computer monitors, but they dialed it right in, got the mechanical issues completely sorted, and…
Reasonable price
Freddie6 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★★★★★
Definitely recommend this place especially if you own a VW. I have a Passat TDI and I’ve been skeptical on bringing my vehicle anywhere besides the dealership for service, but after talking to Ryan it was clear my car would be in good hands and their level of knowledge on my particular model was above expectations.…
Great priceGeneral repairs & maintenance
DannyLocal Guide · 19 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★★★★★
Ben and his staff were great. Even though my car would not pass Ca. smog, they were honest and very professional. I will absolutely do business with them again.
Danny Salado
Nelsen5 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★★★★★
Exceptional service, honest and fair. I have been very happy with Ben, Ryan and the entire team. Highly recommend
Joshua4 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★★★★★
Couldn’t recommend Chico auto tech more! Honest and hardworking people they are definitely people you can trust to work on your vehicle
Mel4 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★★★★★
Ben and his team got my wife’s car back on the road fast and at a great price. If you’re looking for a local shop you can trust and count on, look no further!
Brought both my Mazda 3 and my Volkswagen Passat TDI to Chico Auto Tech, and they knocked it out of the park on both vehicles. Working on a TDI can be a massive headache with emissions systems, sensors, and stubborn computer monitors, but they dialed it right in, got the mechanical issues completely sorted, and cleared out the persistent codes. Finding a shop that actually knows how to handle diesels properly and doesn't just guess is rare. Honest work, fair pricing, and great communication. Highly recommend them if you need reliable work done on your car!
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Response from the owner · 2 months ago
Thank you for the kind words and the 5 star review. We appreciate the opportunity to be of service. Please let us know if we can help in the future.
Timothy Ryan4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Timothy has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Definitely recommend this place especially if you own a VW. I have a Passat TDI and I’ve been skeptical on bringing my vehicle anywhere besides the dealership for service, but after talking to Ryan it was clear my car would be in good hands and their level of knowledge on my particular model was above expectations. Their quote was also cheaper than 10+ mechanic shops when I called for quotes (most of which did not seem to have any knowledge of my vehicle)
Price assessment: Great price
Services: General repairs & maintenance
Response from the owner · 9 months ago
Thank you for the kind words and the 5 star review. We appreciate the opportunity to be of service. Please let us know if we can help in the future.
Danny SaladoLocal Guide · 19 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Danny has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Ben and his staff were great. Even though my car would not pass Ca. smog, they were honest and very professional. I will absolutely do business with them again.
Danny Salado
Nelsen Family Dentistry5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Nelsen has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Ben and his team got my wife’s car back on the road fast and at a great price. If you’re looking for a local shop you can trust and count on, look no further!
Response from the owner · a year ago
Thank you for your 5-star review!
Anthony Kokinos12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Anthony has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
They helped me get my car in the same day for some routine maintenance before a big to trip. Promptly performed the service while using the correct parts for my finicky German car. Top notch service and I will definitely be returning in the future.
Teresa5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Teresa has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I called in to cancel an appointment that was actually a rescheduled appt., and I honestly was on the verge of tears. Lol. They were so nice. I have a Jeep who has been my best jump and run buddy for ten years now, and there is something quirky going on with it. I needed C.A.T. to drive it and run a diagnostic. I did have someone jump in and offer to run a complete diagnostic, no charge, and right now, that was extremely helpful. We discovered that the problem is relatively minor and I'm relieved. I will add that Chico Auto Techs was highly recommended by a local mechanic who has referred others when he is over scheduled with fleet work, etc. He said he has never been disappointed with the feedback he receives from their shared clients. So, with that said, I will have no inhibitions to return to them for major repair work when it is needed. Thank you, Chico Auto Techs, for your understanding of my little dilemma.
Response from the owner · 2 years ago
Thank you, Teresa. We are glad to here the issue for your Jeep is relatively minor. Please let us know if we can be of service in the future. We appreciate your support
William Holmes6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews William has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Have used them half a dozen times. I have caught them being honest more than a few times, and they are good at what they do. I have a service background and yes this is very rare nowadays.
Response from the owner · 2 years ago
Thank you for your 5-star review! We appreciate the opportunity to be of service
