Preferred Automotive Frequently Asked Questions

You’ll find us at 12356 Wilkins Ave, Rockville, MD 20852. We’re open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Saturday and Sunday.

Call 301-881-8530 or use the online booking button. If you book online, look for a text confirming your appointment. During busy weeks, appointments can fill four to seven days ahead.

We take walk-ins when the schedule allows. Call before you head over, especially if the repair is urgent. We can often finish an oil change, battery replacement or tire service the same day.

Look for the brass mailbox at the first bay door. Take a night-drop envelope and write down your name, phone number and what you’d like us to check. Seal the key inside and slide the envelope through the slot in that door.

Yes. You can use any towing company. Have the driver bring the car to 12356 Wilkins Ave and use the key drop at the first bay door. Leave us a voicemail or email with your contact information and what happened. If you need help arranging a tow, we can call Auburn Towing and usually add their charge to your repair bill.

Yes. Speak with Todd, Mike or Gary at the front desk before closing. We can take payment by phone or text and agree on how you’ll get your key.

We don’t charge for overnight storage if a repair takes more than a day or you need to pick up your car the next day.

Our shuttle usually travels within a few miles of the shop. Tell us where you need to go when you book so we can check the route. Twinbrook Metro is also within walking distance. We don’t offer loaner cars or pick up and deliver customer vehicles.

Yes. The designated accessible parking space is directly in front of the office door. The entrance to the waiting area is level with the parking lot. There’s coffee and Wi-Fi inside. A wheelchair-accessible restroom is available to customers.

Yes. After the inspection, we send you a digital report by text and email. You can see the technician’s notes, photos or video before we call to go over the estimate. We price each concern separately and give you a total with parts, labor, fees and taxes. We ask for your approval before starting repairs or doing additional work.

No. We supply the parts we install. We normally choose parts from an original equipment manufacturer, though we may recommend another supplier if they make a better part for the repair.

We accept cash, approved checks, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay and Android Pay. Synchrony Bank offers six-month promotional financing on qualifying purchases, subject to credit approval. Ask us for the terms before you apply.

It takes $50 off labor on your first visit. State inspections, tire work, wiper blades, light bulbs and oil changes are excluded. Limit one per immediate family. See the coupon on our Specials page for the expiration date. It cannot be combined with other offers.

Bring records of recent work, even if another shop did it. We can add them to your service history and send reminders by text or email when maintenance is due. If the car has an ignition problem, bring all its keys.

We accept extended warranty plans. We charge our regular repair rate and deduct what the plan pays. You’re responsible for the balance.

Our standard warranty covers parts for 1 year or 12,000 miles. Labor is not covered. If the parts manufacturer offers a longer warranty, we honor that coverage on the part. For a replacement transmission, the warranty depends on the manufacturer or rebuilder.

Report the problem to your insurer and arrange to bring the vehicle to us. We work with the adjuster on the estimate and can bill the insurer directly for covered repairs. The insurer’s estimate determines what it will pay and what you owe.

Diagnostic work starts at $212. Allow at least an hour for a typical appointment. A problem that comes and goes can take longer to find. If we need more time, we explain the added cost before proceeding.

We repair and replace engines. We don’t rebuild them. If you’re deciding what to do about an engine problem, we can inspect the vehicle and explain the repair or replacement options and their costs.

A typical transmission diagnostic takes 1 to 2 hours.

A transmission repair or replacement usually takes one day to a week. The timing depends on the parts we need and whether a replacement transmission has to be ordered and shipped.

We don’t repair transmissions in Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Porsche, Land Rover, Range Rover or Saab vehicles. For other makes, tell us the year, make and model when you call. We handle selected transmission repairs and install new or rebuilt replacement units, but don’t rebuild transmissions in-house.

Yes. We offer pre-purchase inspections and explain what we find, including repairs or maintenance the vehicle may need. Call 301-881-8530 to arrange the inspection before you buy.

Yes. We service hybrids, electric vehicles including Teslas, and diesels, as well as pickups and commercial vans. When you call, tell us the year, make, model and what you need checked so we can confirm we handle that job.

Yes. We offer road-trip inspections. When you book, tell us when you’re leaving and mention any noises, warning lights or other concerns you’d like us to check.

Our Minor Service costs about $195 and includes an oil change, a tire rotation and a digital vehicle inspection. We’ll go over the report with you so you know what we checked and what may need attention.

A typical brake repair takes about half a day. Once we’ve checked the brakes, we can give you a better pickup time based on the work needed and whether the parts are available.

Yes. We maintain fleet vehicles. Payment is due when you pick up each vehicle, and we don’t offer fleet billing accounts.