Orinda Auto Repair

We consider our customers and therefore their vehicles members of our extended family, and when we are looking to add someone to our circle, we have to go through several precautions, including a pre-purchase inspection. A pre-purchase inspection is imperative to make sure that your potential vehicle is reliable and safe. When you bring this car to our auto repair shop, a technician will perform a thorough examination, leaving no stone unturned. We will look for both cosmetic and mechanical issues and anything else that may jeopardize the safety of your vehicle. The power of a pre-purchase is not to be underestimated, as this can prove extremely helpful in the buying process. Armed with this knowledge after a pre-purchase inspection, you can either decide to pass on the vehicle or go back to the seller with a counteroffer, especially if our technicians have come across any issues that will need to be fixed now or in the future. Without a doubt, a pre-purchase inspection is the most ... read more

Orinda Motors is a full-service, family-owned and team-operated auto repair facility in the heart of Orinda. We service and maintain all makes and models of vehicles, both new and old. We strive to be your one-stop solution for all things auto repair, from new car maintenance to classic car restoration.  At Orinda Motors, we make it our mission to be able to provide you with a stress-free, positive experience from the moment you walk through our doors. If you own a newer Honda Accord, for example, our technicians will provide thorough and accurate service. We also are able to service and repair your classic Ford Thunderbird. With us, you can expect to receive the best of both worlds: cutting-edge technology for the service and repair of both new and older cars.  Here are a few examples of the services we provide to vehicles of all ages (from vintage classics to brand new cars):  Scheduled Maintenance  Preventative Maintenance  Computer control Coolin ... read more

We are starting to see neverending blueness when we turn our gaze toward the sky and are beginning to feel the temperatures start to rise when we step out into the sun. The school year is almost coming to a close, as we navigate schedules filled with graduations and end-of-the-year parties. All of these signs point toward summer, which means it is the perfect time to start planning your summer activities. For many of us, this means summer road trips.   Even though summertime road trips spell fun, it can be challenging to keep our little ones entertained throughout the drive. Here are five summer road trip activities:   Edible Necklaces: Thread snacks with holes, such as pretzels, cheerios, or dried apple rings onto the string, tie a knot, and instantly keep your children both full and engaged in an activity for a reasonable amount of time. Audiobooks: Avoid both boredom and car sickness with audio books. You can set up your child with their audiobook or find one you a ... read more

Sometimes, our car is known to make an unusual sound every so often, and it can be stressful when we hear our beloved vehicle whining around a turn or grumbling every time we start it. But most of our vehicles are going to make an unusual noise from time to time. The auto mechanics at Orinda Motors are excellent at deciphering what those noises mean, how we can fix the problem, and have you back on your way in no time. Here are some unusual car noises our technicians have experience troubleshooting and fixing:   A humming or groaning noise originating from your tires: If you are hearing something along the lines of hum or groan coming from your tires, it could indicate premature wear along the inside of your tires. This wear could expose the steel belts on the tires, which puts your tire at greater risk of falling apart. Growling when turning: Do you hear a growling noise coming from your vehicle? This noise could be an indication that your front wheel bearing is defective ... read more

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so we imagine you are already planning the big day. However, we don’t want you to forget about your classic car. Let’s make sure to show your classic car some love this Valentine’s Day, and Orinda Classic Car Center is here to help give your vehicle so much needed TLC.   It doesn’t matter if your classic car or even truck needs complex engine work, authentic restoration, or auto detailing. We can handle virtually anything your vintage vehicle needs, as our team possess the experience and finesse to service your car with the precision and accuracy it needs. Just tell our team at Orinda Classic Car Center your dream for your classic car this Valentine’s Day, and we will figure out to turn your vision into reality. With us on your side, Valentine’s Day for your classic car will be a success.   At Orinda Classic Car Center, we aim to do whatever it takes to complete a project, whether that ... read more

Happy 2018 everybody! With the New Year upon us, you may be thinking “out way the old, and in with the new.” However, does this saying apply to your car; is now the right time to purchase a new car? We, at Orinda Motors, have compiled a few questions for you to answer. If you are saying yes to most of these, then you may think the New Year means getting a new car.   Are repairs costing more than the car is worth? If you are unsure about your answer to this question, bring your vehicle to Orinda Motors, and let our technicians have a look. We will be honest about the condition of your car. Is safety becoming an issue? It doesn’t matter how well maintained your car is. If it is unsafe to operate, it is time to go. We don’t cut any corners with safety, and we don’t think you should either. Is the cost of auto insurance rising? Older cars, on average, tend to be more expensive to insure, but pay close attention to your premium. You may end up payin ... read more

Orinda Motors is delighted to have a new division to serve our customers: Orinda Classic Car Center. At our facility, we truly enjoy working on vintage vehicles, and we think our passion shows in the work we perform. We think the honest and heartfelt reviews left by our clients are a testament to our actions. Take a look at this recent review from one of our beloved customers, who frequents Orinda Classic Car Center:   “The Appraiser said my fully restored stunning Aquamarine 1960 Thunderbird was a "Cream Puff Extraordinaire ". You can't get a higher rating than that, right? Thanks, John V. and Staff for getting me to the finish line on my dream car restoration. I feel like Doris Day driving over the Golden Gate bridge in one of her movies. Nice. Spoiled. Just Spoiled. I tell John V. what I want and please keep me on a budget and 3 days later he has 3 or 4 ideas of what needs urgent attention for safety and throws in some glamour as well. My rear view mirror ... read more

Your car is often your second biggest investment, right behind your home. It is incredibly important to protect such a precious investment, and our team at Orinda Motors is here to help to keep your car safe and secure for the long-term. Along with providing exceptional auto service and detailing, we have a few tips and tricks designed to prolong the life of your beloved car.   Here are the top 5 ways you can protect and preserve your car’s value:   Protect your vehicle’s paint job with Opti-Coat Pro coating: Opti-Coat Pro will protect your car’s surface indefinitely. It is thicker than any other clear coating, as it prevents scratches, swirl marks, and acidic environmental substances. This product is only available at authorized installers. Fortunately, Orinda Auto Detail is one of these installers. Never underestimate the importance and necessity of Oil Change Service: An oil change service is vital to the safety and longevity of your car. If your ... read more

Orinda Motors cares about the safety of you and your family, and we want your Halloween celebrations to go off without a hitch. From goblins to princesses, we think there will be a quite a few distractions out there on the road. That’s why we have put together some safety tips for driving on Halloween. We want your Halloween night to be more treat than trick, so we encourage you to take a look at the list of the safety tips we have put together:   Don’t use a cell phone or any other electronic device. In fact, we recommend putting it completely away, so it won’t even have the chance of distracting you. This way, you can focus on what’s in front of you. Who knows you might see a ghost gliding past you across the street? Pay close attention to crosswalks and intersections. Kids tend to dart across the street, eager to get to the next home and fill their bags with even more goodies, so be prepared for those enthusiastic trick-or-treaters. Make sure you ... read more

Orinda Auto Rental is an affordable alternative to rental car agencies. We have one convenient car rental locations. Our main location is at 63 Orinda Way, and it is only a 3-minute walk away from the Orinda BART station. We offer clean, well-maintained, and affordable rental cars for you to choose from. You have the choice between compact, mid-, and full-size rental vehicles.   To make things even easier for our customers, Orinda Auto Rental offers local pickup and delivery service, free of charge. We can easily pick you up from the Orinda BART station and bring you to your waiting rental car. We are open 7 days a week, and we will try our best to work around your busy schedule.   Orinda Auto Rental is located in the heart the Lamorinda area, and we make sure to be involved in our beloved community. Our location is fitting, as we put our “heart” into helping our community anyway can. We are the original founder of the Classic Car Show, which was designed to ... read more