I realized in the FAQs that there wasn't a mechanic suggestion for Ballard, Seattle, and neighboring areas in WA State so thought to add this since I have always had a great experience with my mechanic.

His name is Jason Rathburn and he owned Rathburn automotive (his own shop which he had to close because of high rental costs) for many years before becoming the service manager at Salmon's Service in Greenwood. I am not promoting Salmon's Services and the only reason I go there now is because of Jason. I always call him in advance telling him I will be bringing in my car and he works on it himself only.

We have older (40 year old) cars in our household, brand new 2022 cars, SUV, minivan and we take all of them to Jason only.

He is the only mechanic that I will take his word without even asking for the old part or doubting his diagnosis or how much he is charging me (from day one without me even asking he always offers the old part if the customer wants it back). He has never tried to oversell parts or repairs; he fixes only what is really wrong and that's it.

If an issue is not worth fixing he will tell you. If there is something that doesn't need a mechanic to work on he still tells his diagnosis and where to get parts and what to do to get it fixed (knowing that I do some work myself if I have time so I can do some stuff myself). He isn't looking to rip off customers and even though being a mechanic is his job and income source, but he doesn't see customers as profit generators.

One time I took to him a car that gave me an extremely hard time one day with starting. He called me few hours later and told me I didn't find anything wrong with the car and it was just your luck that day. He did not charge me a single penny for even checking the car because he said I haven't done any work on it. And he was right, after that day it always started and I guess was just my luck.

So if in this area or even surrounding areas it is definitely worth the trip to have Jason work on your car. You can find his contact info on his Facebook page @RathAuto)

rathburn automotive