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%65+35.5Reliability 24%57+13.8Value 14%76+10.7Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Craft & service penalty83−1.7Momentum penalty73−2.7Experts Score= 63Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.63SCORE
BGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#51 of 60 towing servicesiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 15%
4.7★★★★★148 Google reviews · 24 photos
87%five-star reviews
4.44★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
9.1%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 Mark Hansen Auto Repair Service 4.7 out of 5 based on 148 reviews, with the owner responding to 86 percent of them. Customers frequently cite fast same-day repairs, transparent pricing, and helpful communication as positive aspects of their experience. However, lower-rated feedback highlights concerns regarding high costs, missed mechanical issues, and a lack of clear updates on repair timelines or completed work.
Google rating: 4.7 out of 5 from 148 reviews (87% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 148 Google reviews (108 with written comments).
Owner responses: the business replied to 86% of reviews.
Most recent review: September 2, 2026.
Service: Towing Service serving Ames, Iowa.
Data from Google, last updated October 26, 2026.
Score profile vs other towing 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.
This companyTowing 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.Mark Hansen Auto Repair Service: 65/100 on this factor. Category median: 92.B
65
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.Mark Hansen Auto Repair Service: 57/100 on this factor. Category median: 89.C
57
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.Mark Hansen Auto Repair Service: 83/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
83
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.Mark Hansen Auto Repair Service: 76/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.B
76
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.Mark Hansen Auto Repair Service: 73/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.B
73
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.Mark Hansen Auto Repair Service: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 67.A
100
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
148 Google reviews we collected
4.7of 5
5 stars12987%
4 stars96%
3 stars11%
2 stars32%
1 star64%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 108 written reviews
93%praise
Praise18393%
Complaints137%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
88%fair
Great price338%
Reasonable450%
Overpriced113%
Not sure00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Price & value4121%
Honesty & trust4020%
Quality & results3417%
Speed & response3015%
Would recommend2412%
Staff & attitude2010%
Communication74%
What customers talk about
We read 108 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Fair pricing and most of all I trust them completely.”
“The service seems fine enough, but I am not happy with the price.”
“Honest, hard working, and they remember you when you come back.”
“They are extremely nice people and truly care about helping you get the best quality work done on your vehicle!”
“Now I have a broken car that they messed up.”
“So thankful I was able to get my car fixed same day within a few hours.”
“My wife and I are both very pleased with their service and we highly recommend Mark Hansen Auto Repair.”
“Can't recommend going there after what they pulled.”
“They have always been friendly, honest, fair, reasonably priced and done what they said they were going to do.”
“My car was towed and serviced here and the owner called me to explain what work needed to be done before completing it; he also gave me the overall pr…”
People customers mention
Jay4 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Mark Hansen Auto Repair Service for 8 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
SteveLocal Guide · 17 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 month ago★★★★
A true measure of a company's character is to witness how they respond when something goes wrong. We experienced this with Mark Hansen Auto. We broke down on I-35. They towed us into there shop. After looking at our truck it was determined that we needed a new transmission. They installed rebuilt transmission…
Car6 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 months ago★★★★★
Always get great service from them. Honest, hard working, and they remember you when you come back.
BriannaLocal Guide · 37 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. · 6 months ago★★★★★
Incredible. Dropped it off at 10:30 for diagnosis and service and they had it done before 5. No leg pulling on price just fast service.
20/10
Great priceAuto engine diagnostic
Kaye13 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. · 8 months ago★★★★★
Hansen's has been my go to for servicing my cars for as long as I can remember. They are always helping me out above and beyond the regular business. Fair pricing and most of all I trust them completely. They back up everything they do.
John5 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★★★★★
We have been going to Mark Hansen Auto Repair for over 10 years. They have done the routine maintenance on all 3 of our vehicles, sold us tires, rotated them as needed, replaced struts and shocks when needed and various other necessary repairs over the years. They have always been friendly, honest, fair,…
Calvin4 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. · 11 months ago★
TLDR, costs too much, fails to see issues
Go to Groat’s Garage
I get an impression of general confusion going here. Whether it be knowing when a part will arrive, when a repair will be done, or figuring out what’s actually wrong with a vehicle, it all comes off as good intentioned, but not really competent.
I came…
A true measure of a company's character is to witness how they respond when something goes wrong. We experienced this with Mark Hansen Auto. We broke down on I-35. They towed us into there shop. After looking at our truck it was determined that we needed a new transmission. They installed rebuilt transmission and we picked it up. Three months later we were stranded again because the transmission was over heating. Without going in to great details as to what happened next. Mark and his team went over and above to make sure we had a safe and working truck to tow our camper and get us on the road again. They bent over backwards to make sure we cared for and had a safe vehicle.
Thank you Mark and crew. Steve and Jean Jones
Priscilla SoteloLocal Guide · 24 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Priscilla has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Hansen's has been my go to for servicing my cars for as long as I can remember. They are always helping me out above and beyond the regular business. Fair pricing and most of all I trust them completely. They back up everything they do.
John Norem5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews John has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We have been going to Mark Hansen Auto Repair for over 10 years. They have done the routine maintenance on all 3 of our vehicles, sold us tires, rotated them as needed, replaced struts and shocks when needed and various other necessary repairs over the years. They have always been friendly, honest, fair, reasonably priced and done what they said they were going to do. My wife and I are both very pleased with their service and we highly recommend Mark Hansen Auto Repair.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Tires, Auto battery replacement, Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Auto engine tuning, Auto brake repair, Tire rotations, Engine repair, Wheel alignment, Car towing, Brakes, Auto maintenance, Battery, Oil change
Calvin Smith4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Calvin has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
TLDR, costs too much, fails to see issues
Go to Groat’s Garage
I get an impression of general confusion going here. Whether it be knowing when a part will arrive, when a repair will be done, or figuring out what’s actually wrong with a vehicle, it all comes off as good intentioned, but not really competent.
I came in recently with a broken control arm compliance bushing and a broken subframe bushing. Talking to Mark himself, and pointing them out he seemed to be confused about which was which and what was actually broken.
In terms of labor costs, they have a difficult time competing, giving a relatively high hour count compared to other places in addition to charging more. Generally this results in 1.5x the repair cost that something should be.
Price assessment: Overpriced
Xavier Bruening3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Xavier has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I’ve been taking my old, beat-up car to Mark’s since I bought it and he did the pre-purchase inspection. It’s been through a lot, so Mark and his team have been incredible in keeping it running smoothly. Jay is also super helpful and always ready to lend a hand. I highly recommend them!
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Auto power window repair, General repairs & maintenance, Vehicle safety inspection
Marissa SLocal Guide · 36 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Marissa has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Knowledgeable and honest, they do good work. Too many times at other mechanics, I felt talked down to just because I was a girl. Hansen's DEFINITELY does not do that, and I appreciate it very much.
NeverSayNever4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews NeverSayNever has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Professional, polite, and most importantly trustworthy! Cars are one of my least favorite interests but I know I have to keep it maintained. They were very helpful. I did not feel pressured into extra, unnecessary repairs. Also have my significant other’s approval ;)
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Tires, Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance
