Central Avenue Automotive: Trusted Auto Repair in Kent, WA

Your car broke down. You need a shop you can trust. Not one that adds repairs you never asked for. Not one that hands your car to whoever is free. A real shop with real mechanics who know what they are doing. That is Central Avenue Automotive in Kent, WA. Since 1998, this family-owned shop has fixed cars for drivers across Kent, Renton, Auburn, Covington, and Federal Way. No franchise. No rotating staff. The same owners, the same address, for over 25 years. The numbers back it up. CARFAX shows a 4.6 out of 5 star rating from 93 customers. Customer satisfaction sits at 98.9%. The shop is ASE Certified, AAA Approved, Bosch Certified, and Costco Approved. This is the shop drivers return to not because they have to, but because it works.

Who Owns Central Avenue Automotive?

Blake T. Walker is the owner and President. Kristina Walker runs the shop with him. They have been at this together since 1998. The shop is at 1514 Central Ave S, Suite A, Kent, WA 98032. Same place for over 25 years. Three rules guide how they do every job:

• Honesty & Integrity — They never add repairs your car does not need.
• Quality & Value — Good parts. Fair prices. No shortcuts.
• Safety & Dependability — They care about your family’s safety as much as their own.

What Services Does Central Avenue Automotive Offer?

Central Avenue Automotive fixes all types of cars. Domestic. Asian. European. Gas. Diesel. Hybrid. One mechanic works on your car from start to finish.

Routine Maintenance

If you skip an oil change, the engine starts to wear out. If brake fluid gets too low, the brakes can fail. A worn belt can snap and leave you stuck on the road. Regular check-ups stop all of this before it starts.

Services include:

• Oil and filter change with a free car check.
• Tire rotation and brake look-over.
• Coolant, transmission, and brake fluid flushes.
• Air filter and cabin filter change.
• Battery test and replacement.

Every oil change comes with a free full-car inspection. No extra charge.

Brake Service

Kent roads are wet almost all year. There are steep hills. Traffic is stop-and-go every day. That is hard on brakes. Brake pads wear out faster here than in most other cities. Central Avenue Automotive checks your brakes for free. They swap out pads, rotors, and calipers. They also clean out the brake lines and test the anti-lock brake system. Do not wait too long. A brake pad job costs $150 to $200. But if the rotor gets scratched from worn pads, the bill jumps to $500 or more. Get a free check and catch it early.

Engine Diagnostics

The shop uses the same computer tools that car dealerships use. When your check engine light comes on, they find out why. They do not just turn off the light and send you home.

Engine work includes:

• Reading and explaining the error codes your car stores.
• Finding misfires and bad sensors.
• Finding air leaks in the engine.
• Timing belt and chain service.
• Engine compression test.

Transmission Repair

Transmission repairs cost a lot. The sooner you catch the problem, the less you pay. The shop fixes both automatic and manual transmissions. They change fluid, fix clutches, rebuild transmissions, and do full replacements too. Watch for these signs: gears slipping, rough or jerky shifts, or the car being slow to move when you press the gas. Come in early.

Additional Specialized Services

Central Avenue Automotive does work that many shops will not take on. Services include:

• Hybrid car service — battery checks and drivetrain repairs.
• Light diesel repair — for diesel trucks and SUVs.
• Fleet vehicle service — with a 2-year/24,000-mile warranty.
• Lift kits and accessories — for truck owners who want custom upgrades.
• Pre-purchase inspections — full check before you buy a used car.
• Standard transmission and clutch repair.
• Rear end repair and replacement.
• Gas tank replacement.
• Auto warranty service — they work with outside warranty companies.

Car brands they work on:

Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Jeep, Cadillac, Buick, Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Lexus, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Mazda, Acura, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Porsche, Land Rover, and Mini Cooper.

Why Regular Vehicle Maintenance Saves You Money

Miss one service. One part wears out. That broken part hurts a second part. Then a third. The repair bill grows every step of the way. Keeping up with service stops that chain from starting.

Engine oil.

Old oil gets thick and dark. It cannot flow through the engine properly. Parts start grinding. Over time, the engine breaks down. Fixing it costs $3,000 to $8,000. An oil change costs about $60.

Brake pads.

When pads wear all the way down, metal digs into the rotor. Now you need both pads and a rotor replaced. That is twice the cost. A free brake check at central avenue automotive finds the wear early — before the rotor is damaged.

Transmission fluid.

Old fluid stops protecting the gears inside the transmission. A fluid change costs about $150. A new transmission costs $2,500 to $5,000.

Your car warranty.

You do not need to go to a dealership to keep your warranty. The law says any good repair shop can do the work. Central Avenue Automotive counts as one. Just keep your receipts.

Selling your car.

Cars with service records sell for more money. A buyer trusts a car that has been looked after. Keeping your receipts costs nothing but pays off when you sell.

Auto Repair Tips from Real Experience

These tips come from what mechanics at Central Avenue Automotive see every single week.

1.Do not ignore dashboard warning lights.

A steady check engine light means the car’s computer saved a fault. A flashing light means stop driving right now. Take it in the same day. A small problem left for weeks can turn into a big engine repair.

2. Check tire pressure once a month.

Cold weather makes air shrink. That lowers your tire pressure. Low pressure wears out tires unevenly and uses more gas. The right pressure number is on a white sticker inside your driver door. Do not use the number written on the tire itself.

3. Know your brake warning signs.

A squealing sound when you brake means the wear tab is rubbing on the rotor. That is the pad telling you it is almost done. A grinding sound means the pad is already gone. A soft or spongy pedal means the brake fluid is low or there is air in the line. All three mean come in today — not next week.

4. Get a written estimate before work starts.

Central Avenue Automotive sends you a written estimate and inspection photos before any work begins. You say yes or no. If a shop starts work first and calls you after, that is a problem.

5. Keep a service log.

After each visit, write down the date, miles on the car, and what was done. A small notebook in the glove box is all you need. This keeps your warranty safe and helps the mechanic understand your car faster.

How Choosing the Right Shop Saves Time and Money

Go to the wrong shop. They fix the wrong thing. You come back. You pay again. Here is what makes central avenue automotive a better choice.

They find the real problem first.

 Certified mechanics use dealer-level tools. They find what is actually broken. No guess work. No parts you did not need.

The warranty is better than most dealerships.

Every repair comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty on parts and labor. Fleet jobs have a 2-year/24,000-mile warranty. Most dealerships only cover 12 months or 12,000 miles. If something breaks at month 14, you are still covered here.

They tell you what can wait.

 Customer reviews say the shop is honest about what needs to be fixed now and what can wait. You get to choose how you spend your money.

Costco members pay less.

The shop is Costco Approved. If you have a Costco card, bring it when you drop the car off. You get lower prices on parts and labor.

Most jobs finish the same day.

 If you cannot come during work hours, use the night-drop. Leave the car after the shop closes. Pick it up the next morning.

What Verified Customers Say

One CARFAX reviewer has used this shop since 2001. They brought in multiple cars over the years. Family members came here too. They said the team never added repairs that were not needed and always called before doing any extra work. A customer on a local Kent board said the shop saves every service visit in the computer. When you come back, the mechanic already knows your car. You do not have to explain the whole story again.

Another customer said there are never any surprise charges when they pick up the car. The mechanic shows photos of what was found, gives the price, and waits for a yes before starting the job. Some reviews do mention longer wait times when the shop is busy or delays when parts need to be ordered. That is fair. But a 98.9% satisfaction score built over 25 years and hundreds of visits shows this shop gets it right far more often than not.

Shop Details

Detail	Information
Address	1514 Central Ave S, Suite A, Kent, WA 98032
Phone	(253) 854-6762
Hours	Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Certifications	ASE Certified, AAA Approved, Bosch Certified, Costco Approved
Warranty	3-Year / 36,000-Mile on Parts & Labor
Website	centralaveauto.com

Conclusion

Central Avenue Automotive has been fixing cars in Kent, WA since 1998. The shop is ASE-certified, AAA-approved, and Costco-approved. Every repair comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty. The customer satisfaction score is 98.9%. They work on all makes and models. Keep your car serviced on time. Pick a shop you can trust. Do both and you will save a lot of money over the years.