Buckingham Automotive

"Great mechanics and great prices. We take all are cars there"

"I struggled with even writing this. I am self employed for many years now and I know how detrimental bad reviews can be. It's often times a way for consumers to be abusive and lash out. My experience needs to be heard so management can improve service and perhaps no one else will suffer as I have. Buckingham Automotive came very highly recommended from a high rated auto shop I attempted to bring my vehicle to that was unfortunately over booked. My vehicle had broken down while vacationing with friends in Halethorpe and I needed to get back to Connecticut, where I lived and worked. I spoke to Jim, the owner, on the phone and he said he could get me in. Diagnosis was as suspected: Failed water pump and rusted out exhaust. A new timing belt was also installed as it would be easily accessible. My vehicle was left at the shop for two days. Repair cost came to over $1000. Almost immediately I noticed something wasn't right. A belt was squealing which didn't happen before I dropped it off. Also the car seemed to lose power when AC or heat was turned on. I suspected I would have to bring it back for corrective service when I returned home. I had scheduled clients and needed to get back on the road. Upon inspection at home in CT a local garage found a list of carelessness in repairs done by Buckingham Auto. - The oil dipstick was not fed through the proper channel in the newly installed part. While not a technical issue it was the first sign of a lack of attention to detail. - two bolts required to properly secure the new part were left on the fender underneath the hood. Just never installed at all and left to rest when they were originally removed. - a broken and un-repaired ground strap. A very cheap and inexpensive part that should have been spotted easily and repaired for proper electrical function - belts were left loose resulting in the squealing sound and poorly functioning power steering. - visibly loose bolts. The mechanic in Connecticut photographed and documented everything as he processed the vehicle. Bolts were not flush inside the proper slot at all. I'm not trained in repairs, but just visually looking at the photos I could tell it was half assed. - exhaust was left loose as well. A bolt was missing completely from one harness allowing the system to bounce up and down and strike the bottom of the vehicle and strain the already loose connection as it moved. - alternator bolt was loose which could have resulted in a loss of electrical power and left me stranded during my 5 hour drive back home in the middle of the night. - loose valve cover which resulted in excessive oil leaking. - valve cover was broken to avoid loosening a difficult broke. - most importantly the timing belt tensioner was left loose. Had this bolt failed it may have resulted in a blown motor and a very costly repair. These problems are all well documented and photographed. I strongly feel I was taken advantage of. Perhaps because I was a consumer who lived so far from the shop. Jim shook my hand and thanked me for the business. I thought that meant something. His demeanor put me at ease but this can not go with out notice. Jim if you can read this and the repairs were done by an employee than you certainly have someone on staff who is dragging your business down. I would terminate them. If these repairs were done by you, you should be ashamed."

"Always a great experience working with Mr. Buckingham and his staff."

"These guys are fantastic. They figured out how to do a $2,000 repair for $200 (and it worked!), make an exhaust pipe from spare parts on half a day's notice, diagnosed (and fixed) what the dealership missed. If they can't do it, they'll tell you why and directions for the dealership to follow. I only wish they worked on diesels."