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October 2025 by Christopher Walker
⭐☆☆☆☆ (If I could give negative stars, I would)
I recently took my 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 to Southern Automotive in South Boston, VA for what I thought would be a thorough, professional maintenance service. The requested work included sway bar links all the way around, control arms, new brake pads and rotors, and a full drivetrain inspection from front to back. The total came to $2,900.00, which was about $450.00 more than another shop had quoted me. I agreed to the higher price, believing I’d receive a more complete, careful, and professional installation. Unfortunately, that could not have been further from the truth.
Over the course of four separate trips (and it would have been five if I hadn’t told them to stop), the experience became nothing short of a headache. On the first visit, they replaced only the rear sway bar links, telling me they’d ordered the wrong ones for the front. Once the new parts arrived, they had me come back again to install the front links. After that, I brought the car back yet again for the brake pads and rotors, only to discover that they had again ordered the wrong parts — the front rotors were too large in diameter. This meant another delay and yet another wasted trip (each visit being 43 miles round-trip for me).
I received a call today — still with no resolution — telling me they’re continuing to have issues getting the correct front pads and rotors. That was the final straw. I told them to leave it alone, and I’m now forced to take my Mustang elsewhere to have the job redone properly.
To make matters worse, they didn’t even use OEM sway bar links as originally expected. Instead, they installed parts with polyurethane bushings, not the correct factory rubber hydro bushings that belong on the car. Because of this, I now have to find another reputable shop to replace brand-new parts that never should’ve been installed in the first place. And despite my original request, they never checked the drivetrain at all.
I had truly hoped Southern Automotive would become my primary service shop, but this experience completely destroyed my confidence. I’m now in the process of pursuing a lawsuit for a full refund and compensation for time lost driving back and forth.
In summary:
Incorrect parts ordered multiple times
Four wasted trips (43 miles each)
Overcharged compared to other quotes
Wrong materials used (polyurethane instead of OEM rubber bushings)
Drivetrain inspection never performed
Zero accountability
If I could give them –1 star, I would. I absolutely do NOT recommend this shop to anyone who values accuracy, integrity, or basic professionalism.
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September 2025 by Keith
Came in to get a flat patched up on a fleet vehicle. Super fast and had no issues with billing like I generally do at other shops
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September 2025 by Keith Washo
Great service and very kind and honest: they took care of our gmc Arcadia to ensure all fixed and stood by their work and warranty. Very kind and truthful people you can trust. Recommend. Thank you.
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July 2025 by Lisa Kipps-Brown
The people at Southern Automotive are always professional and prompt, and the prices are very fair. They go above & beyond to provide the best service and don’t try to upsell you on things you don’t need. I highly recommend them!
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May 2025 by Natty Jones
Great service with great people!!
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May 2024 by Bob Keill
Won't mount tires unless purchased from them
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April 2024 by Kyle
Won't mount tires unless purchased from them
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January 2024 by Natalie Allen
Expensive, however better than a backyard mechanic. Everyone is very friendly.
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January 2024 by Kimberly Pagano
Excellent customer service.
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November 2023 by neal dale
Rip off they look for stuff beyond what you went in for n write up a major estimate screw this place ! Even though your vehicle does not need those repairs they need to be investigated !
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August 2023 by Holli Clay
Nice people ? professional work
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August 2023 by Gregory Womack
Good place,good service
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August 2023 by Tokey Farrell
Went to them for door rod to be put back in place that said 900.00 for new parts but the old ones are just fine went there before for motor mounts and I don't thank thay change them the van still shaking on the front called them had to take it back in and that said that that we're loose when thee porson did not putting them in correctly so if you like throwing away money that is the place to go a bunch of scammers a brand new door only cost 500.00 very disappointed if you don't know how to work on stuff don't do it shouldn't have cost around 80.00 to fix it won't happen again and thay charge 50.00 just to look at it
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July 2023 by Karen McAden
Had a front-end alignment down last week. Was in and out in no time. Great customer service and friendly and knowledgeable staff.
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June 2023 by Brenda Wren
Friendly, GREAT communication, good prices, quality work every time and fast…..we take all 3 of our vehicles here for maintenance and repairs….we wouldn’t go anywhere elseService: General repairs & maintenance
