Advance Auto Parts

Category:	Auto Parts Store
Address:	5117 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310, USA
Phone:	+1 703-922-2298
Site:	stores.advanceautoparts.com
Rating:	3.4
Working:	7:30AM–9PM 7:30AM–9PM 7:30AM–9PM 7:30AM–9PM 7:30AM–9PM 7:30AM–9PM 9AM–8PM

Location

Photos 35

Reviews 17

Kate Fitzpatrick

If you know what youre doing, this place is fine. If, like me, you take your car to a shop for major repairs, be aware that you should continue to do that. The service at the store has mostly been good. However, what drove me to write a review, is a long string of issues with my Mazda Miata related to getting a new battery here. Ive always taken cars here in the past to get new batteries--its always been friendly and easy, so maybe 1 out of 5 times has not (this time). The guy who tried to put the battery in was very nice, but got the polarity switched, and blew one or two fuses. I didnt know this at the time. Thats when all of the other problems began. The mechanic attached to the store--"Mr. Brown" came over to see what was up, and found that the main fuse had been blown. He replaced it. Then, he found the alternator was bad when he tried to start the car. He very nicely offered to follow the car to my house to fix it, as hed get a ticket if he fixed it in the parking lot. I have a regular shop that I take cars to for repairs (not just batteries), but I thought what the hell, and agreed. Putting in the alternator took hours. 3 or more. I came out to check on him, and he was trying to figure out why the "check engine" light was on. I said (just to move things along) that it had been on before, and wasnt a big deal. I paid him, and he left. The next time I started it, the check engine light came on again, and one of the back tires was flat anyway, so I took it to my regular shop. A nail in the tire, and...another fuse had been blown. "Did someone possibly reverse polarity when the put in the battery?" was the shops question? "Yes". That caused the other blown fuse. More $$. THEN. I drove it back from the body shop after a neighbor had backed into it, and the check engine and the battery light were both on. The coolent was boiling over. I called my regular shop, had it towed in at their reccomendation, and the guy told me that Mr. Brown had cut through a brace to get to the alternator, and used a different bolt to attach it back on. The original Mazda bolt goes through the front and back to hold it into place. This bolt only held it in place in the front. The alternator had come loose and damaged both belts. He said I was lucky that it hadnt damaged the alternator as well. In the end, the battery replacement ended up costing me probably $250 extra (not counting the alternator or the battery). And hours of time, and no car. I will never, never get my battery replaced here again. To simply buy parts? Sure. But, the store mechanic? H*** no.

Ideen Solhtalab

If youre a DIY guy/gal, places like this are great. Dealerships, auto shops, and gas stations will charge you a PREMIUM for basic services that you can complete on your own, or with a little help from the staff at Advance Auto Parts. Got a blown fuse or burnt light? Need new wipers, or a new battery? Open your owners manual, learn a little, and come here rather than the dealership. For example, if youve got a state inspection coming up, something like a burnt lightbulb will get flagged by the inspector and theyll offer to replace it right then and there; but for probably 3-4x what it would cost if you visited Advance Auto Parts beforehand. Keep in mind -- its not an autoshop, so were talking basic services. The only even semi-negative thing I can say about this place is that it sometimes gets really busy, and can be hard to get a staff member to help you out (especially if your question/situation is a little more involved). If you can, shop during non-peak hours for a quicker experience.

Milton Medina

Today was my third time visiting this store, and unfortunately I wont return. I rather go to Napa or other store. My experience was awful, and the person who helped me did not represent what this company stands for. The cashier or helper was unfriendly. He was rude when I was being a nice customer. He failed to assist me to find what I needed. Thanks to this rude employee, my day became blue, and I wont visit or recommend this store to my friends. I believe Advance Auto Parts can do better than this!

A Private User

really bad they laughed at my sister when she asked them to help her check her fuse box and stated no one does free car checks.... low and behold the auto zone down the street does do free car checks..... Dont go here. They are rude.

Mike Lambert

Pretty helpful staff on the floor here...fair sized store with a pretty good selection of items. One of the most convenient auto parts stores in this part of southeastern Fairfax County.

ron e

The service in here s sometimes slow and the people behind a counter are not that knowledgeable but overall its okay place to get Auto Parts.

Jason Rubin

The staff here has always been helpful and friendly. One guy saved me $20 by pointing out some special offers I was eligible for.

petey tackle

Check.your internet order three times they cant even take it from a piece of paper and pull it off the shelf awful

A Private User

Ray did a great job showing me how to save money on an oil change and offered to test my battery for free!!!

Mario Cedillos

Employees are very nice and were to find the materials I needed quickly

Matt B

Most of the employees are very knowledgeable and very nice to talk to.