Import Service and Sales in Chattanooga: Import-Specialist Repair with Diagnostic Transparency

Import Service and Sales is an independent import-focused repair shop on East Main Street that handles diagnostics, maintenance, and repairs for Japanese, European, and Korean vehicles, with ASE-certified technicians and a diagnostic fee structure that separates initial assessment from labor costs.

What Import Service and Sales actually is

This shop occupies a middle position in Chattanooga's repair landscape: larger than a single-bay independent garage, smaller than a dealership service department, and deliberately specialized. The business serves owners of vehicles outside the Big Three American manufacturers, a segment that often struggles to find local shops with the right scanner tools and technical depth. Import Service and Sales keeps two service bays open during business hours and maintains a waiting area with seating but no lounge amenities like WiFi or coffee.

Services and pricing

The shop charges a flat $85 diagnostic fee, separate from labor. This is a meaningful local data point: dealership diagnostics in the Chattanooga area typically run $110 to $150, so Import Service and Sales positions itself below that baseline. The diagnostic fee is waived if the customer proceeds with repair at the shop, a standard practice that removes the penalty for choosing not to move forward.

Labor rates run $95 to $105 per hour depending on job complexity, verified against recent customer communications. Common repairs include timing belt replacement (typically $400 to $800 depending on engine), brake fluid flushes ($150 to $250), and suspension work ($200 to $600 per component). The shop does not publish a price list online, so calling ahead with your vehicle's year, make, and mileage produces a faster estimate than walking in cold.

ASE-certified technicians handle most work; the owner manages more involved diagnostics and oversees customer communication. The shop does not offer extended warranties or service contracts beyond the standard labor guarantee.

How it compares to other Chattanooga repair options

Import Service and Sales differs sharply from dealership service departments (Toyota of Chattanooga, BMW of Chattanooga) in cost and flexibility. Dealerships charge $120 to $160 per labor hour, use only OEM parts unless you request aftermarket alternatives, and operate under manufacturer protocols that sometimes require repairs rather than patches. Import Service and Sales uses quality aftermarket and OEM parts based on your preference and budget, negotiates labor scope with you, and is willing to diagnose a problem without immediately recommending the most expensive fix.

Against independent generalists (Firestone, Monro), Import Service and Sales wins on depth: a general shop may have one tech who learned imports in the field, while this shop's entire operation centers on import diagnostics. A generalist shop will undercharge you or overcharge you because the technician is less certain what a repair should cost. The trade-off is wait time: a larger chain can absorb walk-ins; Import Service and Sales books a week out during peak season (spring and fall) because the bays stay full.

For chain tire-and-service operations like Costco or Firestone, Import Service and Sales is the better choice if your vehicle needs diagnostic work, suspension repair, or transmission fluid service. Chain shops excel at quick oil changes and tire sales, not complex diagnostics on vehicles where a misread check-engine code wastes hours.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

Import Service and Sales suits owners of Japanese sedans and hatchbacks (Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda), Hyundai and Kia models, and European vehicles (Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Mercedes) who want local expertise without dealership pricing. It also suits drivers who expect detailed communication about what is broken and what is optional, not just an invoice.

It does not suit drivers who need same-day service or mobile diagnostic work. It does not suit someone with a less common luxury import (Jaguar, Range Rover, Maserati) because the shop's scanner tools and parts relationships center on higher-volume import models. If your vehicle is under warranty, the dealership is often mandatory anyway.

What the first visit involves

Call ahead with your vehicle information and describe the problem. The shop will give you a rough estimate window and book you into one of the two service bays, typically within 3 to 7 days unless it is an emergency. You can drop the car off or wait in the shop; there is no shuttle service, so carpooling or rideshare is standard.

The technician performs the $85 diagnostic, which usually takes 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on symptom complexity. You receive a written estimate before any work begins. From there, you approve repairs in writing, and the shop texts you updates as work progresses.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Import Service and Sales operates Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. It is closed Sundays. Parking is on-site with room for 4 to 5 cars; the waiting area has basic seating and a restroom. There is no evening or after-hours emergency service; the shop does not answer phone calls before 7:30 a.m. or after 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. Call early in the morning to book a timely slot, especially in spring.

Import owners in Chattanooga often waste time and money at shops that do not speak their vehicle's language. Import Service and Sales eliminates that friction by making diagnostic and labor costs transparent and keeping the work focused on what actually needs fixing.