About Us

Why Total Auto

Our team of technicians and service advisors are qualified and specialise in all European, American, Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Australian vehicles, using the latest in diagnostic tooling and specialist analysis.

The Total Auto team will ensure your vehicle is serviced, repaired and cleaned inside and out while keeping you fully informed duing the entire process.

Paul Cruickshank brings 35 years automotive industry experience, including 25 years spent in elite motor racing, providing Total Auto with expertise unparalleled to any other Bayside service centre.

Our team are qualified and specialise in all European, American, Japanese, Korean and Australian vehicles, using the latest in diagnostic tooling and specialist analysis.

Paul and our team will ensure your vehicle is serviced, repaired, maintained and safe for you and your family.

BOOK A SERVICE

About Paul

Paul began his career working in top level motorsport, progressing up the ranks from a team mechanic to team owner of a V8 Supercar & Porsche race team.

As a young New Zealander, coming to Australia in 1986, Paul worked for the elite race teams of the period and racing legends including, Dick Johnson, John Bowe, Mark Skaife and Jim Richards.

During most of the 1990’s Paul worked in the UK, predominantly based at West Surrey Racing, working with the world’s best drivers of the era, Rubens Barichello, Pedro Delarosa & Craig Baird.

In 2000 Paul assisted several prominent Melbourne businessman set up Prancing Horse Racing, a customer based race team supported by the Ford Motor Company and Ferrari. Prancing Horse Racing was the largest customer racing operation in Australia.

Post Prancing Horse racing Paul set up his own team, PCR (Paul Cruickshank Racing).

Paul was the first person in Australia to establish a V8 Supercar development team and graduate the team into the main V8 supercar series, whilst running a successful Porsche Carrera cup team.

PCR drivers included Fabian Coulthard, John Bowe, Alex Davison, David Wall and Jonathon Webb. Paul achieved race and championship wins at Bathurst 1000, Australian Touring Car Championships, New Zealand Grand Prix, New Zealand Formula Ford Championship, Multiple Porsche wins, V8 Supercar podiums.

Paul’s career also includes 2 years heading up the Swire Group Diesel Research which analysed various technologies on vehicles, from road transport to tug boats in Hong Kong Harbour. During Paul’s tenure at The Swire Group he won a national environmental award, in one of the road transport divisions.
In 2011 Paul relocated to Melbourne and founded Total Auto.

Paul’s vast experience in the automotive history provides Total Auto in Brighton, with expertise unparalleled to any other Bayside service centre.

Chris Kenny partnered with Paul in 2025 to combine decades of automotive technical expertise with business acumen to manage and run the Total Auto businesses with expertise unparalleled to any other Brighton service center.

Hear From Our Customers

    
 
 
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   Ed Cook 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very impressed with Total Auto Centre. Good communication and honest, quick service. Also the staff are polite and efficient.
  
 
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   Marc “Marc Cam Home Loans” CAM 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Huge shoutout to the team for the outstanding work on my Mercedes EQC. Special thanks to Chris and Paul. I already knew they were exceptional with petrol vehicles, but seeing their expertise extend seamlessly into EVs was seriously impressive. The level of knowledge, precision, and care they brought to the job was next-level. It’s clear they’ve not just adapted to electric vehicles, they’ve mastered them. Brilliant service from start to finish. Highly recommend and we will be back :-)
  
 
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   Paul Kenny 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. After 20 years at the same service centre, I gave Total Auto a try. The difference was amazing. I hadn’t realised the number of required servicing items that my old service provider had not done. I recommend Total Auto to always complete the servicing requirements of your vehicle as per the vehicle specifications.
  
 
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   Anthony Sim 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service - really appreciate Paul and Liam’s  work on my car and the small amount of follow up needed within the next month or so
  
 
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   Lachie St Leger 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The team at Total Auto were extremely helpful particularly Chris. I had several issues with my car and their team provided the best service at a very affordable price. Thank you so much, couldn’t recommend more!
  
 
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   Yui Kanata 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very friendly and efficient team! Chris was very prompt in getting back with a quote and was able to book in a windscreen repair straight away. The mobile service comes directly to your place. Jai did a fantastic job of replacing my windscreen. Great customer service, would recommend!

Total Auto
Proudly Support Community Endeavours

Total Auto

CALL US

(03) 8677 5720

Email US

admin@totalauto.au

Find US

460 New street,
BRIGHTON, VIC 3186

Services

Total Auto 12-Month Workmanship and Parts Guarantee

We guarantee all of our work. If at any point you are unhappy with our service, please advise us and we will do our best to ensure you are completely satisfied.

All of our parts are high quality. If the part supplied and fitted is faulty, we will replace this part within a year of the fitting date.

At Total Auto, we stand behind the quality of our automotive care. Every service and repair performed by our highly skilled technicians is backed by our 12-Month Parts and Workmanship Guarantee

Minor and Major Services

35 years automotive industry experience,
including 25 years spent in elite motor racing.

Brake Services

35 years automotive industry experience,
including 25 years spent in elite motor racing.

Steering & Suspension

35 years automotive industry experience,
including 25 years spent in elite motor racing.

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) & EGR

35 years automotive industry experience,
including 25 years spent in elite motor racing.

Tyres

35 years automotive industry experience,
including 25 years spent in elite motor racing.

RWC & Vehicle Inspections

35 years automotive industry experience,
including 25 years spent in elite motor racing.

Engine Services

35 years automotive industry experience,
including 25 years spent in elite motor racing.

Cooling Systems

35 years automotive industry experience,
including 25 years spent in elite motor racing.

Exhaust Services

35 years automotive industry experience,
including 25 years spent in elite motor racing.

Air Conditioning

35 years automotive industry experience,
including 25 years spent in elite motor racing.

Auto Electrical

35 years automotive industry experience,
including 25 years spent in elite motor racing.

Total Auto Glass

35 years automotive industry experience,
including 25 years spent in elite motor racing.

Wheel Alignments

35 years automotive industry experience,
including 25 years spent in elite motor racing.

About Us

Why Total Auto

About Paul

Hear From Our Customers

Total Auto

Services

Total Auto 12-Month Workmanship and Parts Guarantee