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Livingston's Automotive

Auto repair shop · Des Moines, IA · reviewed since 2014

How 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%86+20.8Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%31+2.2Experts Score= 86Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.86SCORE
AGradeLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#321 of 687 auto repair shopsPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 53%
4.9 ★★★★★ 166 Google reviews · 2 photos
95%five-star reviews
4.95★last 12 monthsAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
2.2%1–2★ in 2 yearsShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
1%reviews answered by the owner
Oct 2026latest review

Livingston's Automotive at a glance

  • Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 166 reviews (95% five-star).
  • Reviews on this page: 166 Google reviews (127 with written comments).
  • Owner responses: the business replied to 1% of reviews.
  • Most recent review: October 28, 2026.
  • Service: Auto Repair Shop serving Des Moines, Iowa.

Data from Google, last updated November 3, 2026.

Score profile vs other auto repair shops

Score per factor (100 = best)Each 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: replies to reviews.

Satisfaction89Reliability86Craft & service–Value100Momentum100Replies to reviews31Satisfaction: 89 (median 87)Reliability: 86 (median 84)Value: 100 (median 100)Momentum: 100 (median 100)Replies to reviews: 31 (median 56)
Livingston's AutomotiveAuto Repair Shops median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactionSatisfaction · 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.Livingston's Automotive: 89/100 on this factor. Category median: 87.A
89
ReliabilityReliability · 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.Livingston's Automotive: 86/100 on this factor. Category median: 84.A
86
Craft & serviceCraft & 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.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 99.–
–
ValueValue · 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.Livingston's Automotive: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
MomentumMomentum · 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.Livingston's Automotive: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsReplies 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.Livingston's Automotive: 31/100 on this factor. Category median: 56.D
31

Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.

Star ratings

166 Google reviews we collected

  • 5 stars15895%
  • 4 stars53%
  • 3 stars00%
  • 2 stars11%
  • 1 star21%

Praise vs complaints

Phrases our text analysis found in 127 written reviews

  • Praise21898%
  • Complaints42%

PriceGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.

Price verdicts customers left with their Google review

  • Great price1271%
  • Reasonable424%
  • Overpriced16%
  • Not sure00%

Topic share

How often each topic comes up in the written reviews

  • Honesty & trust4922%
  • Price & value4721%
  • Staff & attitude3516%
  • Quality & results2813%
  • Speed & response2612%
  • Would recommend2210%
  • Communication157%

What customers talk about

We read 127 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.

  • “They made time, got me in, were honest, went the extra mile.”
  • “The technicians do excellent work at very affordable rates.”
    “Pricey, but good service!”
  • “The guys at the shop were knowledgeable and provided honest feedback.”
  • “…half because he doesn’t have google 😝 but wanted to share about the excellent service he received from Chad and Gaige this week.…”
  • “I've been going to them since 2018, and they've always been honest, reliable, and efficient.”
  • “If you are looking for excellent mechanics, look no further than Livingston’s Automotive.”
  • “They were very good about communication and explaining what they were doing.”

People customers mention

  • Chad 11 reviews
  • Gaige 5 reviews
  • Livingstons 4 reviews

praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.

Reviews for your job

Customers hired Livingston's Automotive for 8 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.

Recent reviews

ShawnLocal Guide · 24 reviewsTotal 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★★★★★

They were very good about communication and explaining what they were doing...very good service!!!

Great priceTransmission
Joleen6 reviewsTotal 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★★★★★

Well Ladies, if you need auto help you can count on, Livingston’s on SW 9th. Chad took good care of me. They made time, got me in, were honest, went the extra mile. They were more than fair and reasonable in cost. I was a stranger to them and they took good care of my car! They have a clean and orderly place. Thank you Chad at Livingston. I’m grateful!

Todd8 reviewsTotal 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 month ago★★★★★

The guys at the shop were knowledgeable and provided honest feedback. Job was completed ahead of schedule. Price was significantly lower than other shops. Will definitely return for future repairs on vehicles.

TiresSteering & suspension replacement
AnnetteLocal Guide · 12 reviewsTotal 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 months ago★★★★★

We’ve been here twice since moving to Des Moines and we will not take our car to anyone else. They are very honest, do their job well, and are reliable/trustworthy. Both times we never felt pressured for other items, and they just handle everything with such ease and confidence. Great place! This will be our mechanic out here!

Great priceTiresGeneral repairs & maintenanceAuto brake repair
BradleyDiscGolf15 reviewsTotal 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 months ago★★★★★

Chad at the front desk was polite and got my German car in for a fluid change. Bonus that they let me bring my own fluids.

E.Local Guide · 24 reviewsTotal 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★★★★★

I've been going to them since 2018, and they've always been honest, reliable, and efficient. I've never felt scammed or let down here.

Photos

Customer reviews

4.9 ★★★★★ 166 reviews on Google · rating breakdown

Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).

Jobs customers hired them for — from Google's service tags and the review text
Team members customers mention
Filter by topic — each topic is highlighted in the reviews in the same color
Shawn LeonardLocal Guide · 24 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Shawn has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

They were very good about communication and explaining what they were doing...very good service!!!

  • Price assessment: Great price
  • Services: Transmission
Joleen Mahaffey6 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Joleen has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Well Ladies, if you need auto help you can count on, Livingston’s on SW 9th. Chad took good care of me. They made time, got me in, were honest, went the extra mile. They were more than fair and reasonable in cost. I was a stranger to them and they took good care of my car! They have a clean and orderly place. Thank you Chad at Livingston. I’m grateful!

Todd Seeley8 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Todd has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

The guys at the shop were knowledgeable and provided honest feedback. Job was completed ahead of schedule. Price was significantly lower than other shops. Will definitely return for future repairs on vehicles.

  • Services: Tires, Steering & suspension replacement
Annette LuceroLocal Guide · 12 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Annette has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

We’ve been here twice since moving to Des Moines and we will not take our car to anyone else. They are very honest, do their job well, and are reliable/trustworthy. Both times we never felt pressured for other items, and they just handle everything with such ease and confidence. Great place! This will be our mechanic out here!

  • Price assessment: Great price
  • Services: Tires, General repairs & maintenance, Auto brake repair, Tire rotations, Wheel alignment, Brakes, Auto tire replacement
BradleyDiscGolf15 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews BradleyDiscGolf has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Chad at the front desk was polite and got my German car in for a fluid change. Bonus that they let me bring my own fluids.

scott savoLocal Guide · 20 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews scott has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Used them for years the best around a little expensive but it's done right

E. BosworthLocal Guide · 24 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews E. has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

I've been going to them since 2018, and they've always been honest, reliable, and efficient. I've never felt scammed or let down here.

Kathy Barsetti3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Kathy has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

We have been taking our vehicles to Livingstons for years. The technicians do excellent work at very affordable rates. They are very trustworthy and knowledgeable friendly and prompt!

  • Price assessment: Great price
  • Services: Auto brake repair, Auto A/C replacement, Auto brake replacement, Oil change
Heather1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews Heather has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Very honest and reasonable shop to take your car to. The whole family uses this place with never any issues or upcharges.

Susanna Barsetti5 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Susanna has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Livingston Auto is best place to bring your vehicle for Electrical repair!

  • Services: Electrical repair

Livingston's Automotive on Google Maps →

Business details