I go here for my annual car inspections. They are always good and prompt. Would recommend.

I normally don't leave reviews -- good or bad. I've always felt they don't truly reflect a business, and honestly, if a place is great, it speaks for itself. If it's not, maybe they're just having an off day. But today, I feel it's necessary to share my experience with Carlos Automotive Repair Shop, both as a fair warning to others and in the hope that the shop addresses some serious issues. I chose this place because it's only six minutes from my home and I like to support local businesses. I'm new to the neighborhood and found them through a quick Google search. First Visit: My first experience was with rear axle work. I was told it would be done by a specific date. I understand things don't always go as planned -- and I'm okay with that. The job was eventually completed, but they forgot to tighten my lug nuts, and I ended up losing two while driving. Their tech had to remove two from another wheel just to keep me going until I could get to AutoZone. I let it slide -- mistakes happen. Second & Third Visits: The last two visits, however, happened within 24 hours and were unacceptable. I stopped in for a simple annual inspection. As I walked into the office, the woman at the desk was polite and helpful. But before I could even speak, the only mechanic on duty shouted from the garage, "Ayo, is that your car? I need you to move out the way." It was loud, rude, and unprofessional. I stepped out to move my car and returned to ask about the inspection. The front desk lady said it would take a few hours because they only had one tech and inspections were first come, first served. Fair enough. She suggested I come back early the next morning. So, I did -- I came back and double-parked near the shop while waiting to check in. And again, the same mechanic came out and yelled, "Ayo!" while pointing, demanding I move because he was backing up. At that point, I realized this guy must think he's a traffic enforcement agent. He was more focused on shouting at customers than doing actual repairs. I drove by and looked into the shop -- just as I suspected, only one person working. Bottom Line: This business clearly does not need or want new customers. One mechanic, poor communication, and a complete lack of professionalism in dealing with people. The work ethic here is like flipping a coin -- maybe you'll get lucky, maybe you won't. I will never return to this shop. And if you value your time, money, and safety -- I suggest you think twice before doing business here. read more

Used this repair shop for many, many years. Got very good service until the last couple of years. Housing development in the area has exploded the number of customers. Now all I can get is overpriced repairs, day long waits and miscommunications which has made dealing with them a nightmare. Last visit resulted in a $1,000 repair that went bad the next week and they won't fix it. Won't go back and don't recommend this shop to anyone. read more

Gave me a $500 estimate to repair a squeaky brake. Took it to another repair shop that fixed the minor problem for $40.

These guys do great work. They don't jack up their prices and will work with you on payments. They won't try to sell you on unneeded repairs. read more

Nothing says more about a trustworthy auto mechanic than when they say you don't need something that you thought you might have or when they tried to reproduce an issue but couldn't and don't charge you. I had an electrical issue that they couldn't reproduce. They didn't make up a phony answer and suggested going to dealer to dig into an electrical issue because the dealer would have better diagnostic systems to hunt down the issue. I can't say how much I appreciate that honesty. read more

Carlos is always honest and does great work! You don't have to worry about being over charged or getting work done that isn't needed. I've used Alba for over a decade! read more

Carlos and his team have been wonderful and very helpful with our ever continuing dramas surrounding our older Volvo. He is very honest and gives us all the info regarding the wait k he does. read more

Excellent service. I have a 1994 BMW E34 540i with 115k mi and a 2001 Range Rover P38 with 110k mi. They've done everything from engine seals, leak down tests, AC repair, oil changes, brakes, steering components, shocks, etc- everything. This are two particularly expensive cars to work on, and they always give me a great deal and are very honest and responsive. I've been to probably abotu 80 or 90 mechanics in my lifetime and these guys are the most reputable, knowledgable, and trustworthy group of people I've ever worked with. 11/10 value, service, warranty, integrity. Thank you Alba - I will be bringing my cars to you as long as you're in business! read more

Carlos is my favorite mechanic ever. He's also a Jeep Wrangler person! Which is great, because we're a very special type, and he knows how to keep the thing on the road as long as possible. I've been bringing my '05 Jeep Wrangler to Carlos now for about 3 years. When I set out to find a mechanic, I was reluctant knowing the treatment that women tend to get at auto-shops, and a bit skeptical that a city mechanic would be best suited to a country-style Wrangler. I am very happy that Carlos and his team always level with me, and are good at giving their honest perspectives. I grew up with a trusted mechanic, too, and the one time that I brought my Jeep back upstate shortly after a visit to Carlos, that mechanic complimented Alba Auto's work and told me they were good, honest guys when he took a look at a recent bill. Gotta appreciate that kind of upstate Jeep country endorsement, and speaks volumes about Alba and their operation. If you're someone who needs lots and lots of communication and high-tech updates (text, email), you won't get it here. But you will get great work and dependability! And if you're a woman, none of that condescension that sometimes comes hand-in-hand with an oil change. read more

They've always treated me well and always got the job done. Highly recommend!!! Though they can get busy, depending on what you need done it's usually done in one day. After dealing with Pep Boys for so many years it was nice to deal with a small local shop. read more

Sloppy work and poor service. Left trash in the car, created new problems with the engine, performed work when I explicitly asked them to check in with me first. If they had spent as much time working on my car as they did driving it (there was an additional 25+ miles on the odometer) perhaps I wouldn't be writing my first yelp review. read more

I've been going to Carolos for years and I trust him completely. Sometimes it's expensive but that's how it goes. He also admits it when he can't do anything - about my Mini's computer screw up - take it to the dealer. He's done last-minute rescues too. read more

I feel compelled to review because I went to Alba based on YELP reviews. I needed an oil change and a few things checked out. They were fast, efficient, courteous and found a problem - that they then asked if I was under warranty (I am) and told me to take back to Dodge. I have limited experience with auto places in NY but so far the best. read more

It looks like nothing special from the outside. But they had great, speedy service for an inspection and changing a headlight on my VW Golf. Oh, and they were cheap. YAY! I'll go back next year. read more

This guys are honest and always great. Highly recommended. We've been taking our car here for oil changes, tire sensors etc. And they have not disappointed. read more

I love these guys. This is a quality shop that I've used for the past three years to perform all the maintenance and repairs on my car. They are honest and straightforward, and understand that even though my car has 130,000 miles on the clock, I want to keep it running well. They've handled my inspections, replaced my brakes, changed my oil, installed a new ignition coil and wires, performed a radiator flush, and fixed my power locks. They also fixed emergency work I had done when I was out of state. All their work has been neat and timely. They are an anomaly among auto mechanics: they actually care about doing a good job. Also, they haven't caught onto my scheme to drop the car off for maintenance to avoid Alternate Side Parking. Like I said, I love these guys. read more

I have been using Alba for almost 20 years. They really came through for me time after time. Keeping my 90's cars running. Countless situations where they got me in and out and at good prices. Dimitri and Carlos run the show and these guys are Amazing. They are my all time favorites mechanics ever. When I moved to area they were highly recommended by staff at a local Park Slope office. Their new location has more room and just west of 3rd ave - corner of union and nevins. I walk there - like a one min walk from slope border. Alba is AWESOME!!! read more

I've been coming here since i started driving(20 years). They stand by their work which is excellent. They don't overcharge you and they open at 7am. You can usually get your car back the same day. Carlos is the best. Wouldn't dream of taking my car any place else. read more

This may be the first time in the ten years I have lived here that I truly like a mechanic. They are so helpful, and more importantly honest. It really is like a breath of fresh air when you feel like you are being treated the way a customer should. Oh and by the way someone said they paid $19 for service here, one time I wasn't even charged as they found nothing wrong with it. Ummm, so does that ever happen anywhere else? read more

Dimitri, Carlos and the rest of the gang care greatly about their customers and hold themselves to the highest service possible. They won't charge for things that aren't needed and won't try to sell you on services you won't need. They are personable, thorough, stand by their service and are reasonable priced. I've been going to Alba for nearly 10 years and never once did I feel like I've been taken advantage of, overcharged or anything else common to auto repair shops. In fact, my car recently needed so much repair that Alba stopped charging me for labor (they also had to send me to a Nissan service center for a specific part where I got unbelievable ripped off. Alba also felt horrific about this). read more

Wow, I cannot really add much to the other great reviews here. It's ALL true and I've been going to these guys for 13 years. It's so great to have mechanics that you can trust. read more

My husband and I have been going to Alba for 25 years. All I can say is I trust them, they always do great work, and they treat me with a lot of courtesy and never try to sell unneeded repairs. In fact, the one time I didn't listen to Dimitri about replacing my clutch cable, it broke a few weeks later at 2 AM in Park Slope. Now I always follow their guidelines. Carlos is also excellent; highly recommended! read more

Alba Auto Repair - Auto Repair Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I want to love these guys because they are super nice and always take my car in right away, and the prices are good. But I've had two EVAP valves replaced here, one of which failed a few months after installation, causing me to fail a car inspection. Additionally, about a year after a muffler replacement, the poorly installed muffler bracket failed and caused the gasket to crack, also causing me to fail another car inspection. Maybe I'm the only one with these issues but that's two major strikes. read more

We are lucky to have such a great auto repair shop in our neighborhood. Dimitri and Carlos are highly skilled, knowledgeable, fast, and honest. Our last experience was a rush when our battery died in the middle of moving on a Saturday afternoon, Dimitri took us immediately and had the car up and running again in an hour! They have always finished work on time, as promised and done the job well at a very competitive price. The shop is convenient to anyone living in Park Slope, Gowanus and close to the subway lines. I highly recommend Alba Auto repair. read more

Fair prices. No bullshit. Speak-a English. Thank you!

I have used Alba a few times. It helps that they are 2 blocks from my house. They are very friendly, honest and i never feel like I have been taken for a ride with them. In fact my car is there today! I would recommend them without any hesitation. read more

Carlos and all the mechanics at Alba are the nicest guys, who have rebuilt my 2002 Subaru Outback engine in the most inexpensive way and saved me from the shoddy work of my previous mechanic. They are knowledgeable and VERY fair, and it is a pleasure to have my car regularly serviced at this garage. Highly, highly recommend. read more

I received a response, however your response had nothing to do with the problem. Yes you recommended brake work--I was told by Carlos not to take my child in my car, specifically because the brake pads were as Carlos put it "metal to metal"! My problem was that this was a LIE and when I looked at the brake pads with another mechanic, myself they were OVER half left. My problem is not that you recommended brake work but that your policy was to frighten me and LIE in the first place. It is my belief that your mechanic saw a woman and tried to dupe her into more work than was necessary for her car. The reason I was granted a 10 extension was because the computer of the car was not ready. My problem is with your fear mongering and your attempt to get me to pay for work that was NOT NEEDED. read more

Carlos and Demetrios have been my mechanics for more than ten years. They are honest in a business replete with swindlers. They will do only the work necessary and give you a good price. They will help you out in an emergency. In this world, you need a doctor and an auto mechanic you can trust. If you use Alba, you're 1-for-2 already. read more

Alba auto repair "replaced" the rear brakes, rotors, and the front wheel bearings on my car. Exactly 6,413 miles later they told me that I would need new front wheel bearings and rear brakes, I told them that was impossible because they had been previously changed and I hadn't even driven 10,000 miles. The man then told me the parts were the originals that came with the car. I went to the shop and gave him the service receipts signed by him and he said he was incorrect, it wasn't the original parts, but they still needed to be replaced. There is a sign on their wall guaranteeing all work done under 13,000 miles but this guy still wants to charge me? Nah, I already reported this scammer to the BBB. An average sealed wheel bearing lasts 85,000 to 100,000 miles although some can last as long as 150,000 miles. The average rear brakes should last approximately 20,000 to 30,000 miles. I guess because I'm a female they thought I wouldn't know this. read more

$19. No, seriously. That's what Alba charged us to fix a flat and replace a spare tire. Instead of rooking us for two new tires, they patched the nail hole in the Pirelli, and told us the spare just needed to be properly inflated. Which they did. Then they told my man it would be twenty bucks if he paid cash. But he only had $19, so they took it. SCORE. read more

I found Alba Auto on Yelp when my boyfriend called me from Propect Park West where his Jeep had stalled. They installed a new battery. Complete cost for parts and labor? $120. And it's worked great since. They are nice guys and super reasonably priced. read more

Nice guys but they've cost me a ton of money. Brought the car in last week for $950 worth of work and was assured that the car is in good shape - two days later the tranny goes in the middle of nowhere PA. The work they did was unrelated to the transmission so unless they hit a line or improperly flushed the T fluid, then it's just an unfortunate coincidence. However, they were the one's who rebuilt the transmission 2.5yrs ago. If I had known that the rebuild would only last a couple yrs, I would've gotten a new system with a better warranty. My car is currently in some lot in central PA waiting for a new transmission. read more

I had a great experience here. I needed a bunch of stuff done to my car and I don't know anything about cars and I was afraid of getting unnecessary work done, so I went here based on reviews. They were great! I consulted with my dad about what they were doing and he told me their price was great and much less than he could have gotten done at his mechanic in Cleveland. They were also friendly and super fast. Thanks for keeping my car in great condition! I wish I hadn't moved away or I'd never go to another mechanic again. read more

I took my saab here to get the brake booster fixed. I was in a rush and they said they would look at in a couple of hours. It took them six and a half hours to look at the car. After they fixed the booster, I drove the car for an a hour and a half, and the check engine light came on. I took the car to a saab specialist and he told me that they had ruined the vacuum while fixing the booster. He also told me that they charged more than he charges to fix a booster. That was not a huge problem, but now (two weeks later) the power brakes are not working again. I took the car to another mechanic and he said they used an old booster which needs to be replaced. I do not recommend this place. read more

I'm trying this again, as it did not post last time (back in August). Yelp should know that just because someone is not on facebook, doesn't mean they don't exist! So here is my new Alba review- They have moved locations and the spot at Nevins and Union is even better. Another great sign you've found the right auto mechanics - year after year, after different cars they continue to offer amazing, honest and reasonable service. They explain everything to you without patronizing, but to inform, as one intelligent person to another. And best of all they are decent people. The whole team! Dimitrios and his crew helmed by Carlos know what they are doing, and they care. Look no further! These cats rule! read more

I've been going to Alba for about 5 years and they've always been on the up and up. I deal with Dimitri and Carlos and they are both very straight forward. They've never overcharged me. Recently when I had problems after they replaced the timing belt, they worked through it until the car was back to normal. They're decent guys, I've found them to be honest and fair. I strongly recommend them. read more

Good experience here. They were very nice and quick, honest and fairly priced. Everything you want from a good mechanic. They don't try to oversell you on repairs and in fact if you don't need something they will tell you straight up. I mostly dealt with Carlos and it was great. Thanks guys, I will be back. 99' Honda CRV read more

Totally agree with the other reviews. These guys are super friendly, honest and do great work.