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About Triplet Auto Repair

A local workshop serving Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley since 2008.

Our Story

How We Started

Triplet Auto Repair opened its doors in 2008 on Lynden Street in Abbotsford. At the time, it was a small operation — two service bays, one full-time technician (Rick Hofstede, who still runs the shop today), and a focus on straightforward mechanical work for local residents.

The name "Triplet" comes from the original partnership between Rick and two colleagues he trained alongside in his apprenticeship years. While the business structure changed early on, the name stayed — as did the approach those three brought to the work: do it right, explain it clearly, and charge a fair price.

Over the years, the workshop grew steadily. By 2014, we'd expanded to five service bays and added a dedicated diagnostic station. The team now includes six people, all of whom have been with us for more than four years.

Triplet Auto Repair workshop floor
Our Values

How We Approach the Work

Written Estimates, Always

We provide a written estimate before beginning any repair work. If something additional is found during the service, we call you before proceeding. The final invoice will match what was agreed upon.

Diagnosis Before Recommendation

We diagnose before recommending. If we can't accurately identify the problem, we'll tell you that rather than guessing at parts. Accurate diagnosis saves time and money — yours and ours.

Plain Communication

We explain what we find in terms that make sense without a mechanic's background. If you want more detail, we're happy to go deeper. If you just want the bottom line, we can do that too.

Workshop Timeline

How We've Grown

2008
Triplet Auto Repair Opens

Two service bays on Lynden Street. Focus on mechanical repairs for local residents. Rick Hofstede as sole technician and owner.

2011
Second Technician Hired

Growing demand led to hiring Danny Tran, who brought engine and drivetrain specialization to the team. Wait times shortened considerably.

2014
Workshop Expansion to Five Bays

Expanded into adjacent space. Added a dedicated diagnostic station with professional-grade scan tools. Hired Sonja Reimer as service advisor.

2017
Keisha Martin Joins as Diagnostic Tech

Added electrical and electronics specialization. Began offering more comprehensive diagnostic services for complex fault codes and drivability issues.

2020
Online Booking Introduced

Adapted operations during a challenging period. Introduced contactless pickup/dropoff and online appointment booking for customer convenience.

2024
Updated Equipment and Website

Invested in updated scan tool software and equipment calibration. Launched the current website with educational resources for vehicle owners.

The Team

Meet Our Technicians

Six people, 60+ combined years of hands-on experience across domestic and import vehicles.

Rick Hofstede
Rick Hofstede
Shop Owner & Lead Technician

22 years in the trade. Red Seal certified. Handles the full range of mechanical work with a particular focus on drivability and engine performance. Born and raised in the Fraser Valley.

Danny Tran
Danny Tran
Senior Technician – Engine & Drivetrain

16 years experience. Red Seal certified. Specializes in engine rebuilds, timing systems, and drivetrain repairs. Has worked on virtually every domestic and Japanese import platform.

Keisha Martin
Keisha Martin
Diagnostic Technician – Electrical & Electronics

11 years experience. Red Seal certified. Handles complex diagnostic work, wiring faults, sensor diagnostics, and module-level issues. Trained on multiple professional-grade scan tool platforms.

Pavel Novak
Pavel Novak
Brake & Suspension Technician

9 years experience. 3rd year apprentice with Red Seal exam scheduled. Handles brake system work, suspension repairs, and wheel alignment. Reliable and thorough.

Sonja Reimer
Sonja Reimer
Service Advisor

8 years with Triplet. First point of contact for most customers. Handles scheduling, estimates, and communicating findings. Her automotive background means she can explain technical work in accessible terms.

Ben Lacroix
Ben Lacroix
General Service Technician

5 years experience. 2nd year apprentice. Handles oil changes, tire service, fluid maintenance, and assists on larger jobs. Scheduled to begin 3rd year training in the coming semester.

Community

Part of the Neighbourhood

Most of our customers come from Abbotsford, Mission, Langley, and Chilliwack. A significant number have been coming to us for years — we've serviced second cars, spouses' vehicles, and children's first cars for the same families.

We don't advertise heavily. Most new customers find us through word of mouth or online searches. We think that's a reasonable reflection of how we try to operate — do good work, communicate clearly, and let the results speak.

We're a small shop by design. We have enough capacity to take on most of what comes our way without overpromising on turnaround times. When we say a vehicle will be ready by a certain time, we mean it.

Vehicle on hoist in Triplet Auto Repair workshop