Patti's Auto Care

Car people, not just mechanics

Patti's Auto Care is the kind of Berkeley shop where you end up talking cars at the counter. When Joseph blew the head gasket on his MX-5, he had it towed here after talking with the owners. They replaced the gasket, sealed up the engine's leaks while they were in there, and he left having made a few friends. "The owners are real "car people", and we had a good time chatting about our rides," wrote Joseph S.

The pre-purchase inspection you want

Buying a used Miata? Bo had a 1999 inspected here, and the owner, Jeffrey, likes to do those himself. The inspection was thorough, he pointed out the corrosion that mattered, and he even helped Bo negotiate a fair price. The shop also tells you up front that it won't charge to fully inspect a car that isn't worth it. "And now my Miata has a doctor if she ever needs one," wrote Bo K.

The shop's own service records show routine Miata work too, like a 2007 MX-5 that came in for fluid checks, a coolant flush, fresh transmission and differential oil, and a metal coolant tank the owner brought along to install.

Know before you go

Patti's will install parts you bring in, as that coolant tank shows. If you're booking a pre-purchase inspection, mention it when you call so the right person is there to do it.

Last updated on October 21, 2026.