(360) 555-0148 Text a photo Book service

Auto repair in writing, before we start.

Every visit starts with a written ticket and a free 30-point inspection. Nothing gets added without your OK.

Book service

4.9 average from 200+ reviews Sample rating

A technician fitting new front brake parts on a car raised on a lift

Northgate Auto Care1840 Northgate Rd, Bellingham

Repair orderNo. 24817

Customer
Reyes, M.
Promised
Today 4:30 pm
Year, make, model
2016 Subaru Outback
Mileage in
112,480
Concern
Squeal from the front when braking. Worse in the rain.
Cause
Front pads at 2 mm, wear tab on the rotor. Rotors in spec.
Correction
New front pads, slides cleaned and greased, road tested. Quiet.
Parts
$142.80
Labor, 1.2 hr
$150.00
Total
$292.80

Approved by text, 9:41 am

Rating
4.9 200+ reviews (sample)
In business
Since 199828 years in Bellingham
Warranty
36 monthsor 36,000 miles
Coverage
Licensed, insuredCovered while it's here
  • ASE-certified technicians
  • Two master techs
  • Hybrid and EV trained

Write up your visit

Check what your car needs. The ticket fills in with our counter prices.

Services and prices

See your ticket

Northgate Auto CareYour ticket

Repair orderNo. 24818

Services on your ticket
OpDescriptionEst.
LOFOil and filter change$79
TIRTire rotation and balance$59
BRKBrake service, per axle$229
ALNFour-wheel alignment$129
DIAGCheck-engine diagnosis$149
MNTScheduled maintenanceQuote
Check a service to add it here.
MPI30-point courtesy inspectionNo charge
Starting estimate, before tax
Your details
While we work

We call within one business hour to confirm. No work starts without your OK.

Ticket sent. On the live site it reaches the service desk as a text and an email, and we call you back to confirm a time.

What we check, every visit

A free 30-point inspection comes with any service. Anything marked yellow or red reaches you by text, with a photo.

Courtesy inspection, 30 points RO 248172016 Subaru Outback112,480 mi
  • OK: green, checked and fine
  • Soon: yellow, plan for it soon
  • Now: red, needs attention now

Under the car

  • Now: Brake pads, front 2 mm
  • OK: Brake pads, rear 6 mm
  • OK: Rotors and drums
  • OK: Brake lines and hoses
  • OK: Shocks and struts
  • OK: Steering linkage
  • OK: CV boots and axles
  • OK: Exhaust system
  • OK: Oil and fluid leaks
Under the hood8 OK, 1 soon
  • OK: Engine oil level and condition
  • OK: Coolant level and strength
  • OK: Brake fluid
  • OK: Transmission fluid
  • OK: Power steering fluid
  • OK: Washer fluid
  • OK: Drive belts
  • OK: Radiator and heater hoses
  • Soon: Engine air filter dusty
Tires and wheels4 OK, 1 soon
Tread depth by tire: left front 6/32, right front 6/32, left rear 4/32, right rear 4/32 inch. LF6/32 RF6/32 LR4/32 RR4/32
  • Soon: Tread depth, each tire
  • OK: Pressure, set to door sticker
  • OK: Wear pattern and alignment
  • OK: Spare tire
  • OK: Lug nuts torqued
Outside and in6 OK, 1 soon
  • OK: Headlights, brake lights, signals
  • Soon: Wiper blades streaking
  • OK: Windshield chips and cracks
  • OK: Horn
  • OK: Cabin air filter
  • OK: Battery test 78% health
  • OK: Dashboard warning lights

Concern, cause, correction

Every repair order has the same three lines. Here's what they mean on a typical brake job.

  1. Concern

    You tell us what's going on. We write it down in your words, not ours.

  2. Cause

    We inspect, then text you photos and a written estimate. Nothing starts until you approve.

  3. Correction

    We do the approved work, road test it, and save your old parts if you want them.

The fine print, in plain words
Warranty
36 months or 36,000 miles on parts and labor, whichever comes first.
Estimates
Always written, and good for 30 days.
Changes
If a job needs more than we quoted, we stop and call you first.
Your rights
Washington's Automotive Repair Act gives you the right to a written estimate, to approve added costs, and to get your replaced parts back.

Photos we text you

Anything marked yellow or red comes with a photo and a note from the tech, so you see what we see.

  • Close-up of a car tire's tread grooves
    SoonRear tires at 4/32 in. Safe for now. Plan on a new pair before the November rain.
  • A technician in blue gloves working on a car's front suspension from below
    NowFront sway bar link is loose. That's the clunk you hear over bumps.
  • A technician checking the underside of a car on a lift with a flashlight
    OKChecked underneath for leaks. Engine, transmission and axles are all dry.
  • Test leads clamped to a car battery under the hood
    SoonBattery at 61% health. Fine through fall; we'll retest at your next oil change.

Text us a photo of the problem

What customers say

4.9 average from 200+ reviews Sample rating

  • “They texted me a photo of my brake pad next to a new one. Easiest yes I've ever given a mechanic.”

    Megan R.Brakes, 2019 RAV4Sample review

  • “Quoted $640, charged $612. They called before adding anything. That's the whole review.”

    Luis P.Timing belt, 2011 OdysseySample review

  • “The shuttle had me at work by 8:15 and back by 5. My Outback has never driven straighter.”

    Priya S.Alignment, 2016 OutbackSample review
A smiling technician leaning into an engine bay with a flashlight

Two bays in 1998. Same rule today.

Ray Okafor opened Northgate with two bays, a used lift and one rule: write it down before you start. Today seven ASE-certified techs work six bays, from commuter sedans to diesel pickups, and every job still starts on a ticket you can read.

Ray Okafor, owner

Visit the shop

Hours

Open six days, closed Sundays.

Opening hours
Mon to Fri to
Saturday to
SundayClosed

Holiday hours change. Call to confirm.

Where

1840 Northgate Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226

Corner of Northgate and Birch, next to the car wash. Parking out front.

Get directions to the shop Call (360) 555-0148 service@northgateauto.example

While your car is here

Free shuttle
Within 5 miles, weekdays.
Loaner cars
For jobs that run past a day.
Waiting room
Wi-Fi, coffee and a desk.
After hours
Key drop slot by the office door.
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