Honest Auto Repair since 1949
General automotive repair and Porsche transaxle specialist in Seattle’s Wedgwood neighborhood.
Straightforward advice. Quality repairs. No unnecessary upselling.
Welcome to Guards Rad garage
At Guards Rad Garage, we believe auto repair should be straightforward.
Our job is to help you understand your car, explain what it needs, and give you honest recommendations so you can make an informed decision.
We don’t believe in selling repairs just because we can. We prioritize safety, reliability, and what makes sense for you and your vehicle.
Whether you drive a daily commuter, a family car, a weekend classic, or a track-prepared Porsche, our goal is the same: fix it properly and treat you fairly.
Three generations one Philosophy
Our family's history of repairing cars in Northeast Seattle began in 1949, when Roy Johnson opened his service station in the neighborhood.
Johnson’s Auto Repair continued that tradition for decades under the Johnson family, earning the trust of generations of Seattle drivers.
Today, Guards Rad Garage carries that history forward with a smaller, enthusiast-focused shop combining old-school mechanical experience with modern diagnostics and technology.
The name may have changed, but the philosophy hasn’t:
Take care of the customer. Take care of the car. Be honest about both.
Maintenance & General Repair
From oil changes and scheduled maintenance to brakes, cooling systems, suspension, and mechanical repairs, we help keep your vehicle safe and dependable.
Diagnostics
Warning lights, electrical problems, strange noises, drivability concerns, starting problems, and the problems nobody else has been able to figure out.
We believe in diagnosing the problem before replacing parts.
A/C & Climate Control
Diagnosis and repair of modern automotive air-conditioning systems, including R134a and R1234yf systems.
Porsche Transaxle Specialists
The Porsche 924, 944, 968, and 928 aren't just cars we occasionally work on—they're cars we know, own, drive, race, and genuinely enjoy.
From routine maintenance to timing belts, clutches, cooling systems, electrical diagnosis, suspension, performance upgrades, and track preparation, we offer specialized knowledge for Porsche transaxle owners.
from the street to the track
Motorsports are an important part of Guards Rad Garage.
Our experience with track days, racing, rally, and enthusiast vehicles gives us firsthand knowledge of what makes cars reliable when they're being asked to perform.
That experience carries over to every vehicle we service—even if the most demanding thing your car sees is Seattle traffic.
Need something we don’t do?
We'll tell you.
Our Cheat Sheet is a collection of businesses, specialists, suppliers, clubs, and resources we trust.
We would rather point you toward the right person for the job than sell you something we aren't the best shop to perform.
Ready to Schedule?
Tell us what's going on with your vehicle and we'll help determine the next step.
Address: 9500 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Hours: Monday–Friday 7:30am-5:30pm
Phone: (206) 525-3387