My job has a lot of perks. One of the best is having these guys right across the street from my office. Jimmy, Gary, and the gang have been taking care of my wifes car and my car long before we had a child. These days I bring my daughters car there, too, because I know they will care for it as if it were their own daughters. Advanced Automotive is reliable, reasonably priced, and they stand behind their work. I cannot recommend them any higher. read more

My dear departed husband used to say that Gary And Jim are Mechanics mechanics. He always trusted them with our cars. My boyfriend had his older Mercedes repaired here today Jim did an excellent job. My boyfriend was very pleased. I can't say enough about this family owned business read more

Updated February 10, 2019: Moved to Seacoast NH and still trusting and relying on Jim and Gary to take of our 2001 Lexus LS430 and 2008 smartcar. If they can't do it, they will recommend another service. Extremely reasonable priced and give my husband and I the straight talk regarding the value of the repair--or not. Been going there for years for our Lexus, F150 and my commuter car, a smartcar. For minor and major repairs. Honest and priced right. Gary, owner, and his son, Jim, are fair and extremely knowledgeable. Wouldn't go anywhere else!! Wilmington Resident read more

Don't hesitate- jim, dad and crew are amazing! I drive 30 minutes from Boston to get my car serviced here. They go above and beyond any service I have dealt with before. Added to that the location gives an advantage if you need something they can have it within hours. read more

Advanced Automotive is a wonderful garage for general auto repairs. What they don't do in-house, they will take it for you to get it done - like tires. I started going there because they are convenient to my workplace. I have stayed because: a) they always call you when your car is ready b) they keep in touch, letting you know if they find other things, or if the bill will go up. They are very conscious of your bill, always making sure you're OK with whatever work they will do. c) They are very friendly and don't ever make me feel stupid even though I don't know a lot about cars. Today I really got to experience how full service they are! I had taken my car in for a burnt-out clutch. Not only did they replace it and a few other things that had broken as a result. When I came to pick up my car, the owner asked to go for a ride with me. He identified what I was doing wrong when driving. Then he took over the wheel and gave me a driving lesson! I never formally learned stick, so I had a few areas where I was doing it wrong. He said he wanted to make sure I wouldn't be back there in 5 years for another clutch. Another cold day, he and his wife offered me a ride back to my office. Now, I could have walked but I appreciated that. Most car places make you beg for a ride, or you have to call a taxi. read more

As the daughter of a former auto parts store owner, I grew up accustomed to my Dad taking my car fixed for me without having to lift a finger. I always knew, even if he wasn't doing the work himself, that my car would be well-maintained and that all necessary repairs were done expertly. My Dad passed away just over 11 years ago. Since around that time, as I worked just up the street in Woburn, I started bringing my car to Advanced Automotive for oil changes. Over time, as minor issues would come up with my car (and my husband's) we would drop off to Gary and his team. We have come to rely on Advanced Automotive as our go-to guys. They are extraordinarily communicative - super responsive - and have GREAT prices -- and they are just the nicest folks you can imagine. If you can't have your Dad take care of your car for you - take it here - it's the next best thing! I now live in Somerville and work in Boston, but I still take my car to Advanced Automotive. Just this past week, my car just wasn't driving like it normally does. None of my Dad's gear-headedness rubbed off on me so I had no idea how to describe it to the guys at Advanced Automotive so they promised to take it for a spin and call me with a diagnosis. Gary explained that the culprit was a bearing - and since the required labor would be nearby my brake pads (which were nearing the end of their lifespan but not yet causing problems) he would be able to replace both in one fell swoop of labor, thereby saving me money on future labor to replace the brake pads - which would have been no more than 6 months down the line. I could tell you more stories like this one but I have never been let down by these guys and the bill when I pick up is generally spot on or a little less than Gary's initial estimate - which is always a good thing. read more

If you're planning on getting work done here - speak directly with Jim (Who I believe is lead mechanic or some sort of manager) about parts, diagnostics, and appointments. The owner of this business is unbelievably flaky and unreliable. read more

I have paid $428+ for spark plugs and oil change. I also had a rattling heat-shield which he charged me $92.50 to fix (which what he claims is an hour worth of work to put a single clamp on the heat shield...) The heat shield started rattling again a week later. When returned about 4 weeks later due to the rattling - Gary claimed that this rattling comes from the other side of the heat shield and he will charge me now only $35. When confronted and asked why the price gap he claimed that the $92.50 was for also deleting a "check-engine" code (which takes less than 3 minutes to do... Get it right, it comes to $57 bucks to check an error code and delete - A service which is free anywhere else...) Do not go there, they are expensive and do not guarantee their own work for a even a month. Avoid wasting your money. read more

I've used Advanced Auto several times for inspections and tire work. Nothing much more involved yet because if it's not something they can do while I'm at work I have to go closer to home. I do most of my own mechanic work when I can. When I can't I use these guys when I can. They answer my questions, quote me up front and the prices are reasonable for doing things I just can't do. It galls me to pay for something I COULD do myself, but I just can't store and buy all the tools to use them once every 4 years. So when I need a garage I think of these guys first. For all you folks out there who bust on garages for poor customer service and not calling when your car is ready. You have to take responsibility for yourself. These guys are busy working hard so they can keep their rates low. If you want all the bells and whistles and receptionists go to a dealership and pay for the overhead. If you want your car fixed at a fair rate by guys that work hard - this is a good garage for that. read more

Overpriced and the owner and mechanic are simply not on the same page. I give this place 3 stars because they were flexible with their schedule and kept their promises about speed and getting back to me with quotes. read more

Just starting using yelp. Took my truck here about a year ago. It was running rough and I heard good things about this place. They told me I need a new motor at a cost of 4500+. So I took my truck to another shop because it all felt a little funny. The other shop told me I need new plugs and one of the power packs needed to be replaced and tht came to under 500. So the people at this shop are either incompetent or there just scumbags. Beware..... read more

Had always brought our vehicle to AA. Part failed after a year that we paid several 100's for. I offered to pay the labor if they warrantied the part. The owner claimed "the parts store wont warranty" The bill came to more then the repair was last year. In short, to keep a customer I think something should have been done, if not the parts store that the shop uses, then AA themselves. read more

i've used this garage a number of times for simple to moderately complex repairs (oil change, burnt out headlights, changing belts, new brake pads, etc) and have always been happy with the service and price. the guys who work there are very nice and trustworthy - i tested them by asking if i needed new brake pads when i knew they weren't fully worn and they said they were fine. they also gave me a free tow when my car died a half mile from their garage and one of the main mechanics gave me a ride to get my rental car later that evening. i don't know if they can handle really complex repairs well but they certainly have my trust that they wouldn't milk the job for all they could and would be honest and easy to work with. read more

Great place. I took my 01' BMW in for some general repairs. The owner, Gary, was super responsive. He provided me with a cost estimate over the phone, before I brought my car in. The work got done on time and under budget and he was nice enough to drive over and pick me up at the end of the day read more

Took it in for another oil change, and nothing has changed. Not a single thing. Still very unsatisfied.

I"ve been bringing my car to Advanced Auto for years and would never go any where else. They always call with an estimate before doing work and are friendly and honest. There have been many times I've brought my car in without an idea what was wrong with it, or even thinking I needed new brakes. I've been pleasantly surprised when they call me with what turned out to be a minor repair or even letting me know that i still have a lot of life left in my brakes. They aren't expensive, but they aren't the cheapest. They are an honest group of people that work very hard. read more

Gary and Jimmy have been working on my family's cars and trucks for decades. They are the most honest mechanics I have ever known. They can fix everything. Plus they charge less than the dealerships. We are living all over southern New Hampshire and we still drive all the way down to Wilmington to get our cars fixed by them. read more

The folks at Advanced Automotive will treat you right. They are fair and honest, and communicate with you every step of the way. I've brought several cars there for a variety of jobs, large and small, and have been highly satisfied each time. The guys here definitely put the customer first. Thanks again. read more

Serviced my car at advanced automotive twice and will never go back again. 1- Very expensive - 2- The owner Gary is very rude. 3- Second time they had the wrong diagnostic. You would think on the 2nd trip back for the right diagnostic they would give you some type of discount, nope! I found a great mechanic at reasonable prices and they guarantee parts and labor. Do your research. read more

Very over priced. Took my truck for an oil change and it cost me 63$. They said all of my fluids needed to be filled but I've been getting oil changes for over 20 years and I'm pretty sure filling the fluids is part of the price. I've never paid so much for an oil change in my life. They are very nice but both times I've been there I could not believe how expensive they are. I was quoted $900 for something that I paid $500 for at another garage. Too expensive for me! read more

Do not waste your time going here for your sticker. Have no problem getting a fail sticker but the prices they want to charge to fix the major repair to the simple fixes are at least double what you can get fixed somewhere else. Most simple fixes you can do yourself (bulbs, wipers,etc.) or have a friend or family member do. When I came back within the time frame to get a "free" reinspection with my problems fixed the "owner" himself was not happy since they did not do repairs. He tried to come with new reasons to charge me but realized he couldn't, since on the reinspection they are only supposed to inspect what you failed on. So be aware of your rights for reinspection if you do make mistake and go to Advanced. read more

So far I've only had simple work done (oil changes, tire rotations, inspections) but no complaints. Easy to schedule and friendly service.

Came by to get my car inspected during my lunch break a little while back. I was told that the plastic dealer rim around my rear license plate was not legal in Massachusetts. While I'm sure they weren't lying to me about that, I was given the option to either leave, remove the piece myself, and then return (not possible given my time restraint, especially because I'd have to wait my turn again) or to have them remove the piece for an additional labor cost of $15. I found the additional charge to not properly represent the additional work required (removing two screws from a piece of plastic), and I have been to several other automotive shops that would have performed the service free of charge (maybe a future warning at most). I've since decided to get work done at places that won't nickel and dime me. read more

Incompetent, not reliable, poor customer service. I have used this automotive place several times, and have been disappointed time after time...everytime they say they're going to call me to get my car they "forget" until I call them 15 minutes before they close. No real customer service--everyone is just another customer, and we can all be replaced. I never understand the explanations they give me, which makes me question whether they understand the problems themselves or whether they're being honest. Not the worst mechanic I've ever been to, but certainly not the best. There are other great mechanics in town I'd recommend over this one. read more

I've been working with Gary and Jim for 9 years now, they're the only garage I use unless I'm forced to go to the dealer for something real specific. I've never had an issue with pricing or quality of work. I've even done the "blank check" visit on 2 high mile cars asking them to go over it and let me know what it needs. Both time, they focused on the major issues only and didn't try to nickel and dime me. read more

I've been bringing my cars to Gary at Advanced Auto for over 15 years. Now Jim is taking the reigns and continuing his father's high level of quality service. I know I can count on Advanced Auto to provide an accurate assessment of needed repairs. Sometimes they'll tell me a repair is important, other times it can wait or there may be a cheaper interim fix. They tailor the service to my needs and expectations - just what I want from an auto repair shop. read more

Advanced Automotive provides excellent service. I have gone in multiple times for different things. They are very honest, reasonably priced and the service is exceptional. They go above and beyond to make sure your needs are met. Gary is very friendly and won't try to sell you anything you don't really need. It's nice to know that you won't be taken advantage of (especially being a female). I will continue bringing my car to Advanced Auto for anything I need done. I work nearby, so the fact that it's convenient is also a plus. Thanks for the great service guys! read more

Jim and Gary are great guys who do a great job with whatever task they get handed. They are always very fast with there work and fair with there pricing. I have never had to bring my vehicle back for a re-do after advanced worked on it. Very fortunate for Jim and Gary over the years. read more