Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs is a Repco Authorised Service Centre & RAA Approved Repairer providing car service in Hackham for more than 35 years.

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs has been serving the South with honest car service and competitive prices on your automotive spare parts and repairs for 35+ years. We offer car service and repairs with the experience and knowledge that can only be gained over that sort of time frame.

The Hackham service centre has extensive equipment on site for rebuilding engines and gear boxes, as well as head facing, valve grinding, flywheel and brake disc machining. We can also perform exhaust & steering repairs/replacements, arrange the re-gas of you car air conditioner for you and we include a cooling system check with all our services!

We service all makes and models of cars, including diesels, AWDs, 4WDs, caravans, campervans, trailers, light trucks, off-roads, minibuses, motorhomes, tractors, ATVs, boats, horse floats, utes, vans and your car!

Make sure your cooling systems are up to scratch and visit Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs in Hackham. 

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs can service cars of any age, even brand new cars which are still under warranty. New car servicing and tune-ups with the aid of up to date auto tech computer printouts and technical information with the latest scanning technology are also available at our Hackham workshop. Dont let new car dealers fool you into thinking you have to return to the dealership for service to keep your warranty, you have the right to choose who services your car.

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs care about the environment and have Arctick Authorisation to reliably and responsibly conduct automotive air conditioning service (AU60980). ARC Approved Car Air Conditioning Servicing reduces Fuel Costs and protects your health. The ARC Tick of approval helps ensure technicians have the skills and knowledge to correctly undertake service and repairs of refrigerated air conditioning to minimise environmental impact. Call to find out more about car air conditioning or Book a service online now.

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs are now a Master Installer for Clutch Industries who manufacture a wide range of clutch kits for the Australian market. When you have a clutch installed by us you qualify for an extended warranty of 5 years or 50,000kms (conditions apply).

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs can supply and fit tyres too. With every service we always check your tyres and can organise replacements same day. We supply Hifly and Maxxis.

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs is a Repco Authorised Service Repairer meaning all their work is covered by the Repco Authorised Nationwide Warranty.

By servicing their vehicles at our workshop all our customers can travel Australia wide, knowing they have nationwide warranty support from over 500 Repco Authorised Service Centres along the way.

At our reception you can pick up the national Repco Authorised Service directory containing every car service workshop in Australia that is member of the Repco Authorised Service group. Next time you're servicing your vehicle ask Dave to explain the advantages of the Repco Authorised Service Nationwide Warranty. 

While your car is being serviced, you can use our comfy waiting lounge with tea & coffee facilities, TV and bathroom facilities. It is also possible to monitor the repairs from a designated vehicle repair viewing area. Car products and accessories can be supplied. We are located close to public transport, and free parking is available in front of workshop with a key drop off box for your convenience. You can book our loan car to use as emergency transportation. Our mechanics can pick up your car for service and deliver it back to you when the repairs are complete.

If you live in the South of Adelaide and are looking for a good honest local mechanic, come in and check out Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs - for the best car service in Hackham SA.

Automotive Servicing and Repairs in Hackham

CABIN FILTERS are fitted to most post 2000 vehicles. Many people are familiar with the existence of air filters for the engine but are not often aware of the fact that a cabin filter also exists to protect the occupants.

As spring arrives, it brings with it warmer weather, longer days, and unfortunately for many, an increase in airborne allergens like pollen. For those who spend a significant amount of time in their car, the quality of the air inside the cabin becomes especially important during this season. Cabin filters play a crucial role in keeping the air you breathe clean, helping to reduce exposure to irritants that can affect your health and comfort. Ensuring your cabin filter is in top condition this spring is an essential step towards creating a healthier and more pleasant driving environment for you and your passengers.

Spring Driving: The Importance of Replacing Your Cabin Filter

Cabin filters, installed in most modern vehicles, serve as a barrier between the outside air and the air circulating inside your car. These filters are designed to trap particles such as pollen, dust, dirt, and even mould spores, preventing them from entering your vehicle through the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (AC) system. During spring, when pollen counts are often at their highest, this function becomes especially vital. For allergy sufferers, a functioning cabin filter can significantly reduce symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, and respiratory irritation by filtering out allergens before they can affect you.

Cabin filters don’t just stop pollen—they also prevent larger debris like leaves and other external particles from clogging your AC system. This helps maintain a clean and fresh airflow, ensuring your car remains a comfortable and healthy space, particularly during the peak of allergy season.

It is recommended to replace the CABIN FILTER every 15,000 to 30,000kms depending on the vehicle manufacturer recommendation and the way you use your vehicle. The photos here show a new white cabin filter, compared to the state a cabin filter can get into when it is not regularly checked and changed.

Replacing your cabin filter regularly, especially during spring, is an important part of car maintenance that benefits both your health and your vehicle’s performance. A fresh cabin filter improves air quality by efficiently removing allergens and pollutants, creating a cleaner breathing environment for you and your passengers. For those with hay fever or other sensitivities, this can mean a noticeable reduction in discomfort while driving

Additionally, regular replacement of the cabin filter supports the efficiency of your vehicle’s AC system. A clogged or dirty filter can restrict airflow, causing your heater or air conditioner to work harder than necessary. This can lead to higher energy consumption and reduced performance. By ensuring your cabin filter is clean and functioning optimally, you can enjoy a consistently comfortable temperature inside your car, regardless of the conditions outside.

Why Regular Cabin Filter Replacement Matters

Spring is the perfect time to give your car the attention it needs to keep you and your passengers breathing easy. Schedule a vehicle inspection today and let our experienced mechanics check and replace your cabin filter as part of our thorough service. Besides providing a much cleaner breathing environment for you and your passengers, regular replacement of the CABIN FILTER can assist your heater and air conditioner to work at peak performance.

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs check the condition of your CABIN FILTER as part of our 65 point Vehicle Inspection with every full car and log book service.

Just how bad is the air inside your car? Don’t let allergens and irritants spoil your spring—take proactive steps to improve your in-car air quality now. Call Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs today.

Cabin / Pollen Air Filter Inspection and Replacement in Hackham

Is the air in your car dangerous to health?

CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE is usually caused due to no engine oil in the system. This is a major safety issue, as this damage will happen while the car is occupied and moving.

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs recently diagnosed and repaired a vehicle which had this exact situation occur. We explain what happened to the engine.

The big end bearing turns the reciprocal motion of the piston into the rotating motion of the crankshaft. It has a bearing lining the inner circumference, which is made up of two pieces that slot together. There’s also a hole in the main body of the con rod, through which oil is supplied to keep the bearing lubricated. The bearing is made of a softer material than the rod itself. If the bearing is allowed to wear excessively - something which can happen if oil levels are too low - the bearing will be compromised, allowing for the big end to move around more than it’s supposed to, producing a knocking sound. If the bearing is not replaced, a rod failure will eventually happen, possibly with the rod splitting between the big and small ends. This will result in the crank smashing one half of the broken part through the crankcase. 

The steel con rod,  is often subjected to large and repetitive forces:
- shear forces due to the angle between the piston and the crankpin, 
- compression forces as the piston moves downwards, and 
- tensile forces as the piston moves upwards.

Failure of a con rod often forces the broken rod through the side of the crankcase and thereby rendering the engine irreparable.

Catastrophic Damage can be avoided by regularly checking engine oil levels and having oil leaks repaired. If in any doubt about your car's health contact us and make a booking to have your vehicle inspected.

CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE is usually caused due to no engine oil in the system. This is a major safety issue, as this damage will happen while the car is occupied and moving. Contact Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs today to hae your car system checked out.

What can cause Catastrophic Damage to your Car?

Keep your car running like new with professional Log Book Servicing from the experts at Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs  in Hackham.

We provide fully qualified log book services for a wide range of makes and models, including Holden, Ford, Mazda, Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Audi, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, and many more.

Regular log book servicing is essential to keep your vehicle performing at its best and to maintain your new car warranty. Following the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule helps prevent costly breakdowns and keeps your car in top condition.

Why Log Book Servicing Matters For New Cars

You don’t need to bring a physical log book to get your car serviced. A log book service simply means we follow your manufacturer’s guidelines. We can also provide a log book to record your car’s service history—valuable if you plan to sell your vehicle in the future. 

Did you know? Many drivers think they must return to a dealership to maintain their warranty. However, under Australian law, you are free to have your car serviced at any qualified workshop, including ours. Want to know more about log book servicing - click here.

Our qualified mechanics ensure every service is carried out correctly to protect your warranty and prolong the life of your vehicle.

Whether it involves topping up the brake or transmission fluid, checking the serpentine belts, replacing the brake pads, or simply inspecting the shock absorbers, the actual tasks carried out in each individual log book service will vary from car to car.

New Car Warranties … the Facts.

Regular log book services by a qualified mechanic will also help ensure that your cars warranty will be upheld. Don’t wait for a problem to occur—prevention is better than repair. The experienced team at Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs is ready to handle your next log book service quickly and efficiently.

Keep your car running like new with expert log book servicing with the team at Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs. Fully qualified mechanics, all makes & models, and warranty-safe service. Book online today!

New Car Log Book Servicing in Hackham

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs can conduct a vehicle Inspection with your next car service and provide you with a free Vehicle Condition report. 

Mention this offer when you book in your car for any service, and we will happily provide you with a fully itemised written report.

During this visual inspection (carried out by a qualified mechanic) we will check 65 important areas of your car.
The Vehicle Condition Report can alert you to any issues before they impact you or your family and before they cost you extra time and money.

The Repco Auto-Tech trained mechanics at Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs are fully qualified to advise you on every aspect of car service and repair, across most makes and models of vehicles.
The Repco Authorised Service 65 point Vehicle Condition Report offers you additional peace of mind.

Book a car service in Hackham with Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs to ensure you are inspected and protected, because safety matters.

Ask about a 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report with your next car service at Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs.

Vehicle Inspection Report - Inspected & Protected

Imagine our customers reaction when we showed her that rats had been living in her car.

The rat droppings had clogged up the cabin air filter AND the rats had ripped up the air filter to make a nest.

The rats weren't under the bonnet when the car came into the workshop, so we are hoping they have now found somewhere more suitable to live.

The toxins and contaminants the cabin air filter is designed to block may cause nausea, tiredness, headaches or more significant health issues for people with asthma or chronic respiratory issues.

At Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs we check your cabin air filter as part of our free 65 Point Vehicle Inspection report which you can request with every full car service.

Call us now for a cabin air filter inspection or book a service online!

Dirty Cabin Filters - What are you breathing in?

What is it that you are really breathing in?

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs in Hackham can conduct a vehicle condition inspection to assess the condition of most motor vehicles and provide you with a Vehicle Condition Report.                     

Whether you are purchasing a used car, embarking on a long trip, or just trying to decide whether to keep or sell your car, our Vehicle Condition Report will help give you the information you need to make a decision*.                     

The Vehicle Condition Report covers a wide number of critical areas of the vehicle. The report can be carried out on all passenger, 4WD and light commercial vehicles. To help give you peace of mind, our Vehicle Condition Report offers you a thorough understanding of common issues that can arise.                      

An itemised condition* report performed by qualified  technicians

Testing is completely independent of car dealers

*Important. There are certain items that cannot be checked without complete dismantling of components which are not covered in this report.                             Please call Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs if you have a specific concern you’d like addressed.                         

The Vehicle Condition Inspection goes deeper than a roadworthy inspection.

150 Point Vehicle Inspection Report in Hackham

Vehicle Condition Report

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Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs is serving the South for over 35 years with honest car service and competitive prices on your automotive spare parts and repairs.

The service centre has extensive machinery on site for rebuilding engines and gear boxes as well as head facing, valve grinding, flywheel and brake disc machining, along with exhaust and steering repairs or replacements. Keep in mind, we include a cooling system check with all our services. At Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs you will find that customer satisfaction is the first priority at our car service. 

Car service also available on Saturdays by appointment.

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs

Vehicle Condition Report

A Vehicle Condition Report provides:

Let's get started with your booking.

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Car Service and Repairs in Hackham

Is the air in your car dangerous to health?

What can cause Catastrophic Damage to your Car?

New Car Log Book Servicing in Hackham

Inspected & Protected

What is it that you are really breathing in?