Fantastic! Very friendly, helpful, and quick service. They helped me to replace a tail light for an affordable price. I will definitely return for future car repairs! read more

3rd update: So maybe everything previous was an off week or something. My car fell apart awhile ago after 5pm and kind of like how my dog decides to eat a bee after the vet's office is closed for the day, I was kind of screwed. BUT since Aris has the gas station it's open a little longer and, well, it's still the only auto place I know, we had it towed there. The guys checked it out and told us they'd had someone come in with a similar problem a couple of months ago and that person got it fixed by Hyundai for FREE. So they gave us the number of the local dealership and with their handy info helped us get our car fixed by Hyundai for free and didn't charge us for their initial look. 2nd update: Been meaning to update this for awhile now. Two days after I wrote the review I got a call from the owner (or possibly the owner's son). He said they'd been thinking about the issues with the car (no word if he saw the review but I'm thinking yes) and asked what he could do to make it better. He also went through the reasons why it took longer than expected (their supplier couldn't get them the parts or something like that). I said all I really wanted was a lug nut and he said of course and to come in and pick one up on Monday or whenever it was convenient for me. Unfortunately, I realized we had to make a long trip before that (it was 4th of July weekend) so we just grabbed one from an auto parts store. Anyway, for trying to make it right, I'm giving them an extra star but if you're thinking of going to Aris for more than gas or an inspection still read my original review. read more

I'm not sure there is such a thing as a 5-star garage. I'm pretty sure this isn't it. I have enough car knowledge to sniff out being overcharged or otherwise not given all the info I need to decide what repairs to get and not get. At Aris, I get the feeling that Herbie, the guy who tells you what's up with your car, is honest, but not a go-getter. I needed a pretty simple repair and he gave me the highest price I could find to do it -- where as I could beat his offer by over 50% with three seconds of online research. Also, they had my car for 36 hours, and all they did was look under the hood and change over my plates. They're not bad, but not worth five stars, and not worth a drive when there are other average garages near by - or better. read more

I would like to say thank you to Aris Auto for staying late to inspect my vehicle. I had arrived 20 minutes before close and there were 4 cars ahead of me. I was in a panic because my sticker had expired and I use my car everyday to get to work. They could have turned me away like other places I'd tried, but they stayed until 6:30 helping everyone in line. The extra effort you put in to help customers didn't go unnoticed. I will definitely be back with any of my car needs. read more

Took our car here today to get an inspection based off of reviews of Aris and other inspection stations around Somerville. I can't say I was too impressed with the service, but at the same time, they did the job and I was on my way. For the record, Aris Auto is really a small auto repair shop with a gas station on Somerville Avenue. It's busy, and there's really no place to park while you wait. For an inspection, you're supposed to park in a line in front of the garage to the far right and they pull one car in at a time to do an inspection. It took me about 30-40 minutes waiting in my car to get in the shop, and another 10 for the actual inspection sticker. $29 and almost an hour later, I left with what I needed. I can't speak highly of this place, but I can't say they did anything to keep me from coming back. read more

My last review--from a year ago--predates my finally upgrading to a non-POS-mobile. Just wanted to report that the guys at Aris, rather than lamenting their loss of a steady income stream from the venerable Buick, actually cheered for me when I drove in with a new Subaru. All it's needed are oil changes so far, so, who knows. When I was going in with all manner of trouble from minor to serious, they were always great--no pressure, no hassle, honest appraisal and good work. One time there was a miscommunication about the cost of repair, and when I raised the question at payment time, they immediately and quite graciously went with the lower figure--even though it was clear that the miscommunication was as much my fault as theirs. To the reviewers giving one star for the gas price difference (cash v. credit), seriously, shame on you. Read the sign! If you're from out of state this may be an unfamiliar practice to you, but independent places all around MA do this all the time. Cash is cheaper because the shop doesn't have to pay transaction fees on it. read more

I've had 2 very positive experiences with Aris Auto. A few months ago I registered my car in MA and needed an inspection, oil change, and new plates installed. Coming from PA where plates are only on the back, holes needed to be drilled into the front for the front plate. They did the plates for free and gave me a very reasonably priced oil change (MUCH cheaper than other places in this area). One of my windshield wiper blades wasn't working, and I just assumed it was just a casualty of winter, but the 'wiper blade transmission' was broke. They checked with several places to get me the best priced part. Everything could have really added up and cost a ton somewhere else, but I feel like they were totally honest and very nice about everything. Only "negatives" are: they didn't get around to working on my car the day I brought it in, but they took care of it the next day. I can't fault them for being busy though! Also, trying to park there and maneuver is difficult and awkward, but again, can't subtract a star for that! My second experience with them: I had to stop in yesterday because my check engine light was on... only to discover that my gas cap was not on tight (barely on at all). An idiot move on my part (still can't believe I did that), but they checked it right away to identify the problem, and then sent me on my way. I'm glad this place is down the street from where I live. I'll definitely be back in the future for oil changes or anything else that may happen to my car (or any time I forget to screw the gas cap on)! read more

Earlier this year I had applauded aris for their gas prices and their ability for quick fixes. Since then they proved to be honest, and competent (and entertaining). This was my '96 Lexus' first Boston winter, and basically went crazy on me mid-spring. Herbie not only explained every step of the repairs, but did everything he could to get me the best deals on all the parts. Alex (the owner's son) went through my car's past paperwork to figure out exactly what it needed. I've had unfortunate car repair experience before which has left me with a few "trust issues", but I can assure you that aris can give you expert advice and service at an extremely reasonable price. I'll be going back for a long time now (but hopefully not too often). : ) read more

Inspection done in 20 minutes. Very friendly place. They were very honest and didn't try to sell me anything.

As a female who has been scammed before at auto shops, I appreciate Aris Auto's respect for knowing that I am not a clueless car owner. I am in and out of my annual inspections (3 times now) here in less than 10 minutes. read more

I can't recommend Aris Auto enough! I've been taking my car here for the last year or two and always have a great experience with them. They're always honest and transparent about what needs to be done and why and never try to add in extra work. As someone with limited auto knowledge and an aging car, I can rest easy knowing that I'm in good hands and they'll work to get me the best deal possible. So glad I found them! read more

It's hard to know where to start in describing how great my experience was with Aris Auto. I brought my car to Alex at Aris after the dealership told me it needed $3,000+ in work. Alex was honest and clearly explained what did and did not need to be done (or what could be deferred and why). I left the car with the to do the work that actually needed to be done (~$800), and on my walk home, had second thoughts that maybe I should just sell the car (moving to NYC next week). I called and talked it through with Alex. He was incredibly understanding of my situation and willing to give me as much time as I needed to figure it out. I ended up selling the car with the provision that I did some work on it, and Alex again was willing to take the car any day and get the work done quickly while minimizing cost. They seemed to do a great job on the actual repairs, and were fun and enjoyable to work with along the way. The only bad part about this story is that I only found this shop the week before moving out of the area! I wish I could bring them as my mechanic anywhere I move. Would highly recommend. read more

7 cents more per gallon if you pay w/ credit. OOPSY, next time go to the ATM first. That said, the sign is cool what with its green and yellow color scheme. read more

Went here for an inspection - it was super busy, but they still got to it quickly. I was out of there in less than 20 minutes.

Aris has been taking care of my cars for at least 15 years. They are knowledgeable, skillful, trustworthy, courteous and honest. My car is a 17-year-old Toyota Rav 4. I am completely satisfied and recommend them without reservation. read more

Bob and Alex are the real deal. During a stressful time where I was flipping my out of state registration and needed an inspection amid starting a new job, the team was knowledgeable and professional in getting me through the process. Needed a new tire, and they ordered, replaced, and passed the inspection in record time. At no point did I feel I was being disregarded or taken advantage of. Bob kindly took my out of state registration sticker off for me for the price of a friendly conversation. They brushed off my thanks as unnecessary, but the speed, value, and peace of mind they provided really helped ease some of the pressure I was experiencing. Will definitely turn to them in the future for any repair, etc. needs. read more

I can't recommend this auto shop highly enough! They SAVED the day when I brought my car in. Fixed my headlight, tire, and power steering with no notice - I just walked in, pretty desperate for immediate help before a trip to NYC. Bob fixed all those things swiftly - and at a super reasonable rate. To top things off - and this is really where my stellar review comes in - Alex helped fix my window, without which I couldn't have driven. (The regulator was off, so the window wasn't rising electronically.) He fashioned this incredible DIY treatment: it was a physics/structural and ergodynamic wonder! He was super thorough and creative to make sure I'd be safe and secure -- and refused any payment. As I said, I give them an over-the-top 5 star review. I'll return to them whenever I have any car issues, and you should go too! read more

I got a state inspection done here. They were had me out the door within 20 minutes. Couldn't have been easier.

Don't hesitate. From now on going to Aris auto,for all my cars needs. Alex stopped by my house to jump my car after light was left on all day yesterday. Alex got here fast, and was patient for me looking for my keys...which took around 10 minutes. He was friendly, knowledgeable,and went above and beyond my expectations. Not much more to say except I'm giving them 6 stars read more

I highly recommend this garage for repairs, because they're honest and don't try to sell you things you don't need.

I am very appreciative of Aris auto. I stopped by in the middle of afternoon rush hour traffic in a very bad thunderstorm because my car was making unfamiliar noises. Aris auto mechanic was very kind to take it for a test drive to identify the issue and address the issue so I could make it home safely with young kids in the car. Thank you so much. read more

Looking for a local auto shop? Aris Auto is your spot. Stop by and chat with Alex, he is phenomenal!! I scheduled an appointment with them on a Saturday as I knew they were busy and they took me right on time for an oil change. They also take walk-ins! 5 out of 5 would recommend! read more

Quick inspection sticker. Helpful, friendly and hilarious staff. Very satisfied.

They fix cars and do inspections, but I don't go there for that. I go because it is the cheapest gas in Somerville or Cambridge, hands down. The only thing that comes close in price is the Cumberland Farms across the street, only because they shadow Aris's prices (they have to, or they'd never sell any gas). Give yourself a little extra time if you're going, say, on the morning of a nice beach day or before a snowstorm, because people come from all around Cambridge and Somerville to buy gas here, and when demand is high sometimes there are lines. read more

Due to my car's horrible battery, I've needed to have my car jumped a few times this winter from the cold. This place was the closest. When I told the guy my issue, expecting to pay upwards of twenty dollars, the guy just went in the back, grabbed a portable jump-starter, and walked over to my car to jump start it for me. I didn't have to bring it over, and he said no charge! Which was way better than I expected. He even let me know about how to get a prorate on my battery's warranty when I replace it, which I didn't ask for at all. These guys are the best, and they are willing to help out a guy when he needs just a quick fix, even though it's inconvenient. Thank you! read more

They always take good care of me. The first time was when my tire needed air. I hate putting air in my tires in the cold, so I drove here and they took care of me. For my 2nd visit, I got my inspection done. They were super quick and the guys were so pleasant. They also popped the side of my bumper back in for me without me even asking. They are the best! read more

This review is long overdue. I've been singing Aris Auto's praises to my friends for months, and have finally created a Yelp account for the sole purpose of spreading the word to a wider audience. I moved to Somerville a little over a year ago with a car, which would have been a liability if I didn't have Aris across the street from my building. All the guys who work there are unfailingly friendly and helpful -- not just as mechanics, but as neighbors. I got my car inspected there and, as a lot of people already wrote, they were quick and efficient even though there was a quite a long line. It was super cheap and they even fixed something small for me that they didn't need to without charging extra. I had the check engine light come on twice and, again, things were fixed within seconds, in the most gracious manner imaginable. I know so little about cars that it can be embarrassing, but they don't make me feel like an idiot for it. But probably the best example of how consistently awesome these guys are doesn't actually have to do with car repair. I'm pretty absentminded and for a while I kept getting parking tickets for forgetting to move the car on street cleaning days. One day, I picked up the latest pile of tickets and was about to get into my house when one of the guys caught up to me and said that they've been seeing me getting ticked over and over again and feel terrible about it, and that if I gave them a copy of my keys, they would move the car whenever I forgot or was away. How cool is that?? These guys saved me a lot of money, and I owe them more than a good review for helping me out like that. I hope they won't mind my writing about this, because I doubt they want to start moving cars for the entire neighborhood. This anecdote just captures how honest, generous and considerate they are in general, whether or not you are a customer. When I moved to my street I wasn't that hot on the location, but now I feel like I hit the jackpot. read more

Stopped in for a car inspection. Unfortunately I had my check engine light on. Carlos was kind enough to pull the codes for me and sent me on my way with an understanding of what I needed to investigate. Got the problem fixed and stopped back a short time later. Car inspected. Passed. Friendly service. Sure.. the parking lot is a zoo, but guess what folks - Somerville isn't exactly known for it's wide open spaces. What do you expect? read more

Went in for a state inspection 15 minutes before closing on a Friday and the fellas there were amazingly entertaining! I don't usually stop here for gas because they charge more if you use a credit card, and in this day and age who carries cash? read more

They are efficient and honest. For all your auto needs, I recommend this outfit. Alex is quite knowledgeable and friendly, and Bob is great. Keep up the good work men! Repair on! read more

I chose this business due to the excellent yelp reviews. I am more than 5-star thankful and pleased with the service. I was able to receive same-day, quick turnaround service for coolant & oil fill-up, tires filled, and an overall fluid check. They took note of when my next full oil change service is due and welcomed my return. The staff has a very kind, courteous, and helpful demeanor. I was nervous about finding a new maintenance location as a new resident but this business provides an ease of mind. Thank you Aris Auto Inc.! read more

I got to Aris late last night, around 5:30 with a very very flat tire. It was right around closing time and to be honest I didn't think that they would be able to take care of it that evening but I wanted to make an appointment for the next day to get my tire fixed. The owner was busy with a lot of other cars but he made time for me. I was really impressed how the entire staff helped me. I tried to put air in the tire but the valve stem was not taking any air. It was down to 9 PSI. I didn't know what I was going to do. I didn't want to drive the car anymore in fear of doing more damage to the tire. The staff was able to get my car into the garage. I was willing to have them order me a new tire but the owner said wait let's take a look at it they discovered that I had a bad valve stem which was easily replaced by the capable mechanics. After 25 minutes they had my valve stem replaced, my tires re-inflated and my car back down off of the lift. I left that night a very happy camper. Thank you to all who helped get me back on the road so quickly. read more

Have done a couple oil changes here ($35-$40 if I remember correctly) and always appreciated that if they noticed something (serpentine belt needed replacement, rotors were rusted and starting to develop ruts), they would mention it and show me on the car (Bob, I think) without pressuring me to get it done with them. Would go back read more

I highly recommend Aris Auto! The mechanics there are very honest. As a woman I have been told too high prices at many places before a friend recommended Aris to me. At the time I had an old car which I was hoping would make it through grad school without expensive repairs. Herbie (the manager or Aris) once told me not to spend money on fixing the next thing (no safety concern he told me) but to just drive the car into the ground. Imagine many other mechanics being this honest? At another time I left my car at Aris, asking to call me before fixing so I can see if I can afford it. Didn't hear back from them, so called them myself in the afternoon only to find that it was something minor and they fixed it for FREE. I have been recommending Aris Auto to my friends and everybody who used their services was very happy! read more

If you want an honest and hard working mechanic, this is your spot. I had a check engine light and they surely could have charged me for unnecessary diagnostics and repairs, but Bob recommended I replace my gas cap to see if I could clear the code cheaply before doing the costly work. The advice paid off and I really appreciated the honesty, will be coming back with all my auto-related business! read more

took my car here for an inspection based on the reviews. They were great. Very friendly and took the time to explain the inspection results as well as some of the local parking laws as I am new from out of state. Will definitely come back here. read more

Went by for my car inspection. It was surprisingly fast, and the mechanics were all polite and friendly. I'd love to write more about my experience, but I was only there for ten minutes, so there isn't much to say! I will certainly keep Aris in mind for future auto work, though. read more

Since I live close by it's convenient for me to bring my car to these guys for servicing. Not knowing much about cars (and being female) I've had some experiences in the past where repair places have tried to convince me that I need expensive repairs/maintenance when it hasn't been necessary. I've been driving my 1997 Rav4 for over 10 years now and these guys have serviced it for the last 6 years. It still runs great, and when it doesn't, I just bring it in and they fix it! What I really like about this place is that they are honest and try to save you money, not get you to spend money on stuff you don't need. My only problem with them is that they are BUSY and sometimes can't offer a very quick turnaround. read more

I think it can be very tricky to find a place you can trust. The mechanics were friendly, timely and professsional. I'd definitely bring my car back here again! read more

Got my inspection sticker here. One car ahead of me and it only took 20 mins total. Very friendly nice guys. Right across from car wash and short walk to starbucks and cumberland farms. read more