Wow I loved this place. I took my Prius in for its safety inspection. It was easy to make a fast apt and the guy working there was really nice. Best of all, they have a spacious office with a desk, couches, and good WiFi--I work remotely so it was great that I could just hang out and get some stuff done on my laptop while they inspected my car. Best of all, it was like $20 and they didn't coincidentally find anything wrong with my car... Thanks Art's! We'll be back. read more

I had used Art's once before so i stopped in to schedule a state inspection and oil change. I was pleasantly surprised that they were able to do it right then and it only took about 40 min. They did have a recommendation on brakes and took my out to the vehicle and showed me how much of a gap I had. It still passed but recommended doing something before to long. I was happy with the service and will probably get my brakes done there as well. read more

I scheduled an 8 AM Inspection appointment online and received confirmation and showed up promptly few minutes before 8 AM only to be told we don't have an inspector this week, If you book services online, you ought to align them with resources. In the meantime, when I got back to my car and tried to start it, the battery died and when I went back to the office and asked for a battery jumper, the attendant told me we don't have one. Imagine an auto service shop that doesn't have a jumper. I think he wouldn't give me one because I gave him feedback that they shouldn't book appointments that they don't intend to honor. Rude and unprofessional and unhelpful mechanic. I ended up having yo walk home (1.7 miles each way) to get my battery pack jumper. I only considered them because they sent a flyer to my home advertising their services and discounts they offered to lure new customers. Well you lost a customer by your unprofessionalism. read more

Recently I had some small repairs done on my Toyota Matrix ( heat shield needed fastening, interior lights replaced) my repairs were done same day... and the cost was very reasonable. I was extremely happy with the service and will refer my friends to Art's Auto for their vehicle repairs. Kind and friendly service!! Top notch!! read more

I am updating our prior review as I am even madder now, because two months later, our son's 2013 Ford Focus is still having the same problems that we took it in to Art's for, paid over $800 and the car only ran ok for two months. Nothing makes you madder than knowing you royally good ripped off. It's so hard to trust so called experts these days. My only remedy is to try to warn others . We did speak with Art, but he was very flippant and only wanted my review taken down; didn't car at all about us having the same issues with the car that he SUPPOSEDLY fixed. Also, if you DO decide to use him to fix your auto, double check your bill as we were charged for coolant which had nothing to do with the part they supposedly fixed. I also read in other reviews where a coolant charge was also padded on to others' bill as well. read more

Absolutely horrible service. I took my car here last week because it broke down on me. Vdot driver and tow truck man stated it was my alternator because my battery light was on. Took it it to art automotive because I use to have them repair my car back in 2012. Art automotive charges me for a new battery and spark plugs. The day i pick up my car Friday July 28th. As soon I drive my car out of the mechanic shop an hour later my battery light comes back on. I take it to AutoZone and guess what they tell me it's the alternator and that new battery he put in my car was at 76%. That so called new battery he replaced in my car has yellow and white stuff on the side of the battery. So now I have no car to drive and am taking a Uber and Lyft to my job and to take my child to daycare. He refuses to give me a full refund. This is very unprofessional. I have spoke to art the president by email about this matter. And still have no resolution. He will never get my business again. read more

Art's Automotive - Auto Repair Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

See all

Hey, I went into Art's for an inspection where I failed due to both front hazard lights were in need of replacing and a lug nut was missing. Including the inspection I was quoted $70+ for the adjustments in which I declined. Paid only for the inspection which was $20 and left. Went and spent $9 for the hazard light replacements and $6 for one lug nut which I got installed for $0 then returned to Art's for my passing sticker. While waiting for the rejection sticker to be replaced I walked around outside talking to my granny and came across a stash of lug nuts in the grass that appeared to be placed there. Maybe they were removed from a customers car so a tire could be replaced but not put back on which would be concerning considering tires take 4 to 5 nuts. My guess, they are intentionally taking lug nuts off to better profit the company and workers. read more

Arts was recommended to us by a friend. When we first started going, the pricing was fair, the communication was decent and we would actually see/speak with Art. However, after the last multiple visits, it is clear that something has changed. We have to call them for updates and the pricing is absurd. This last visit (for the radiator that I diagnosed for them before dropping it off) they attempted to charge us $380 for a battery (which ours was still fine. Yes there was corrosion, but nothing 2 minutes with a brush couldn't fix). Even if it needed to be replaced, I'd rather go to autozone and replace it myself for a fraction of the cost. Next was the radiator, which they quoted just under $800. I called them and asked for them to break down the costs here and they just read the estimate back. I called autozone, got a new one for $172 and did it myself. When my significant other called to decline the other myriad of recommendations from them, they offered her a 10% discount, which would have maybe covered taxes. When I picked the car up, it was like a middle school break up. When I walked through the door the only thing the front desk associate Chris said to me was, "that'll be $75". There was no discussion, no attempt to salvage the relationship and he wouldn't even make eye contact. I paid and he said "I'll go get it." Walked out the front door, pulled up the car and said, "there you go", before walking off through the bay doors. Not only will we not be returning, but the friend who recommended them has stated they will be finding a different shop as well. Save yourself the headache, go literally anywhere else. read more

I had got a 2000 Toyota Avalon XL a week before, she has done more than 173k miles, but runs like a dream. Since I got it from Indianapolis to Richmond, the rules were different, in IN there is only one Registration plate at the rear bumper, but in VA you got to have on both ends, so I went to FIRESTONE in W Broad St Richmond VA to fix the front Reg, Plate, they charged me like hell just to drill 2 holes on the front bumper and fix the plate, I thought it was far too costly affair. Then I came to know about Art's Automotive Service center through AAA's website (I have a basic membership in AAA) I went there for Oil Change/VA Vehicle inspection and Driver side Headlight bulb replacement, I was surprises to see the bill, it was just $80.00 including all Labor and Spare parts. I am impressed :) they have Wireless connectivity, so that we can sit in their lounge and work, so that you do not miss your appointments. :) I'd really recommend Art's to everyone! Thumps UP!! UPDATE : after almost 4 years - my car is at 201500 miles now , got new tires and battery, not many maintenance issues, still Art's is the guy who looks after her :) read more

Good, honest, and quick work. I popped in same day for an inspection and I had my car back within 20 minutes. I appreciate these guys very much for how fast and efficient they were! read more

NTB, Firestone, PepBoys are hit or miss on quality of work and honest evaluation. Art's has provided service on all my vehicles since 2007. They accepted my AAA extended warranty service agreement until it expired and have provided me fair pricing and honest evaluation on service needs. Small shops like Art's are great for people who want to establish a relationship with a mechanic rather than taking it to a chain service brand. They aren't opened on Saturday's so i recommend calling ahead and setting an appointment. They can't always get me in right away but because I am a regular customer they try hard to accommodate any issues I've had with any of my vehicles. Top notch mechanics and have gotten all of my service needs repaired without repeated visits. read more

First visit was very good! We recently moved to Richmond and I've been looking for an honest mechanic with fair prices. I came to Art's to have an oil change and brake pads installed. They squeezed me in according to my schedule, finished the oil change in no time and let me know that my brake pads were not due yet. Other shops would have changed them anyways just to charge me! Check them out - I'll be back! read more

I went to get a Pre-Purchase inspection on a Toyota Sequoia I was thinking about purchasing from a private owner. The owner of the business Art performed and very quick and thorough review of the vehicle and answer my questions I had...very stand up guy! I will return with my own personal vehicles for service!! The SA Luke was very friendly, shop waiting area very clean and quiet if you need to stick around and get some work down while you wait for service...Great Shop! You guys earned a customer. read more

Great recommendations from fellow Yelpers and FINALLY a garage in the local area I can trust!!! I know some items, but Art and his crew were super helpful and out to help ME, not necessarily make a buck. I am definately going back as I soooo missed my good old Ford dealer in Fairfield CA. :( I had been gun-shy due to horrid adventures with Sheehy Ford and one local mechanic shop on Broad...finally resting on a good garage in Ashland but now they are too far away for me. Thank you Art! read more

I am a do-it-yourselfer but I had reached my wit's end with my car's power locks due to a completely intelligible section in the factory service manual. I did a ton of browsing online and ran across this shop that hires only ASE certified techs to work there. Also I had previously directed a friend to go there to get a flat fixed a long time ago and was astonished at how clean the place was. That was 4 years ago and when I brought my car in a few weeks ago it was unchanged. I dropped the car off with some replacement parts I had pre-purchased from a used parts dealer and talked with Art about what I had tried and failed to accomplish. I also needed an inspection, alignment, and was planning on replacing brakes myself that weekend. He determined that both power door locks had died, and one of my used replacements was bad as well. Fantastic. Due to the design of my door latch, only a small electronic parts was bad, but was not available separately from the entire lock/latch bracket- at the tune of $190 per side in parts. Art and I figure he'd be able to use a universal aftermarket replacement with a little engineering, the same part used to add power door locks to cars that do not have them preinstalled. Great, they were $20 each at Best Buy. But this was Friday afternoon and I'd be without my car for the weekend, and unable to replace brakes as I had planned. No problem, he said just have the car back by opening Monday and it'd be fine. I returned the car with only the rear brakes done and requested them to finish the job with parts I supplied, along with custom alignment specs to apply to the car. It took a little longer than I had hoped, but Art engineered the aftermarket part into my factory door lock system for about the cost of 1 new part. The electronic connections were soldered and secured with the original clips, the brakes done perfectly, alignment so good (with computer printout! A MUST!) I can't stop speeding in turns, and a nice fresh inspection so I'm legal. If you must take your car to a shop, make sure it's Art's, he and his employees are honest, can hold a conversation, and charge you realistically and can even attempt to work with a mess you give them (as I did). read more

My car had been overheating and when I got it towed in Art was beyond helpful! He spent a lot of time double checking everything he could think of and explained everything he looked at/ did every step of the way. Pricing was very reasonable and I will definitely be coming back! (Hopefully next time just for routine maintenance haha) read more

Art will often answer the phone himself (if his wife doesn't). Art will fix your car properly and not overcharge you, Art will not be rude or fake. Art will not lie about things you do not need in an effort to get more $$$. Art has been doing this for over 2 decades. Art will look you in the eye & treat you with respect. Art is the last honest mechanic in RVA who has been doing it long enough to get it done right. Support this man's shop - foreign or domestic, new or old... read more

Wow! How great to find skilled, honest, wallet-friendly mechanics in this town in which I've chosen to spend the rest of my life! Hoped I could find an ANSI-certified shop where I'd get the same quality (and economics $!) of care PLUS know that a female customer was getting the same answers as the males. Found it. NOTE: Recently moved here from L.A. after having my car lovingly and expertly made worthy (and ready for my last almost 3-month road trip) by L.A.'s best auto shop: Jim Matteson, on Pico (Ed Little on Sepulveda is also v.g. It was Ed who put me on to Jim.) read more

I recently found Art's automotive through Yelp and decided to give it a try being new to the area. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable and they have not tried to oversell me on work that doesn't need to be done. Costs are very reasonable and The labor rate is on par with other shops in the area. Very satisfied customer so far. read more

Brought our 2000 Dodge Ram van in for a diagnosis on it stalling and an oil change, we drove all the way from Las Vegas, NV to the east coast. Art and his crew (especially Art) were kind and explained the issues with our van. We brought it in, stayed near-by, and had the van back by the next day. Despite the busyness of the business (say that three times fast) they were kind and quick! Recommended to travelers from distant places and locals. Would love to have a mechanic like Art back in our home. read more

They were able to take me right away. Repaired my brakes and inspected my car. They were informative and reasonably priced. I will be returning. read more

I called over 20 places and Luke the receptionist gave me confident to come in- Father and Son Business with Excellent Service. They broke down the prices and also called varies place to get the cheapest price for Parts. If u have distrust in Mechanics then COME HERE they Really work with U, Honest and Money Savers! Thank U Art and Luke, Ur Help is Much Appreciated... This is THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP FOR ME FROM NOW ON! read more

If you are looking for a friendly, reliable, reasonable, and competent repair facility, then look no further than Art's Automotive near Waffle House off Route 1. I like the way Art always takes the time to explain what needs to be done and various available options. The folks are very honest and highly skilled. They are the only reasonable facility nearby that can service my family's vehicles including my Humvee H1 and my Range Rover. Since moving to the area a few years ago, it took me a little time to find them and now, I am lucky to have a honest and skilled repair facility nearby. read more

Super nice guys. No pressure to buy unwanted services... And I felt like the prices were very fair. I will definitely be going back!

I was in a motel across the street and had a tire problem. They checked it out and fixed it in one day. They also told me other problems that were not dangerous but would need to be taken care of soon. I got home safely after a 5 hour trip. They were thorough and called me every step of the process. I would recommend these guys to anyone. read more

Apparently is too busy or unwilling to take in and oil pan change on my 1999 BMW 323i. Called it a "project". Guess they don't know it can be done in an afternoon without removing the engine from the car. Not impressed. My drain plug threads are worn out so I guess I'll be driving to Yorktown to get it done. read more

As a 23 year/4 vehicle customer of Art's Automotive, I highly recommend them for their expertise & trouble-shooting for anything one's car, or truck might need. They get the diagnosis done right every time, saving their customers both time & money and stand behind their excellent work. read more

Very reasonable guys! After having my car towed to them last night, and knowing it was totaled, they were very willing to work with me to get the car towed home so I can scrap it. It's refreshing to find some honest repair guys. read more

Been going to Art's Automotive for nearly 15 years, so thought it was about time I write a review to let the world know they are awesome!

I hate to be one of the first non-5 star reviewers but I think it is beneficial for others to see honest reviews like this. I specifically chose this place due to the great reviews. I was unimpressed immediately. Not sure who the man was that was at the front desk 2 weeks ago but he was rude from the beginning. I specifically said that I wanted to verify that a particular area in my car was broken (I wanted a second opinion) and then if it were I would get it fixed there and then get the state inspection. Instead, he took it upon himself to just fail my state inspection and restate that the particular part was in fact broken. When I asked about that part and how that affected my driving, etc. he just blew me off and failed to explain anything. Being that my father is a mechanic in a different state I find it particularly disturbing that some mechanics are treating customers this way and just overall disappointment. I found a different shop in the Fan area and am very grateful there were other auto repair shop options! read more

My tire had a hex-screw stuck in my rear-left tire and it was making a sound everytime the screw hit the ground when the wheel spun. I went to the Walmart, a person who seems to be in charge took one second look at it and came to a conclusion: "Yep! You need a tire change sir." I could tell he was just trying to earn more $$ for himself because I am a student and he probably thinks I don't know anything about cars. My parents and I could immediately tell that I don't need a new tire, but a seal. I came to this location right after searching on yelp and the experts here didn't even have to check my tire before taking my car in for the fix. This is when I came to a conclusion that locals are the best for car service. These guys are very honest, professional, and friendly. They got the job done in 20 minutes for $22 and I couldn't be happier. Even to this day(been 2 weeks - ran about 500 miles) my car runs smooth on highways and bumpy roads. Thank God I found this place on Yelp! read more

Art Giannini, Jr. and his staff were miracle men! We were traveling through from PA to NAS Oceana to greet our son who was flying in with his squadron, returning from a 7 month deployment aboard the carrier: G.W. Bush. Our issue was caused by the man who owned our vehicle and sold it to us without explaining his improper repairs. Art & Staff diagnosed the issue, created an alternative solution and got us back on our way in record time at the end of a busy day for them. They save the trip and enabled us to enjoy our reunion with the returning heroes of VFA-37 - "The Raging Bulls". I have a great mechanic back in PA, but if I lived anywhere near Richmond, Art Automotive would be my only source for service! read more

Great place to get your car fixed. Ive let Art wrench on many cars ive owned in the past and now in the present. Porsche, Mercedes and BMW's ive owned over the years have always been repaired efficiently and in a timely manner for a very fqir price. Especially for German imports. Would recommend 100%. read more

Amazing customer service. My daughter's car broke down in the area when she was driving through. Not only did Art's repair at a reasonable cost, they also provided information about other issues they noticed. All without me or my daughter ever meeting them in person. Thank you, Art! read more

I was on a trip over 1000 miles away when I developed a noise under acceleration. I took the car to a big-name place that misdiagnosed the problem. Fortunately I was skeptical of the repairs that the big-name place suggested, and decided to take the car to Art's. The technicians at Art's were professional, knowledgeable, and understanding of my predicament. Despite being very busy, they took the time to drive the car with me in it so I could point out the intermittent noise. They clearly understood the nature of the problem, formulated a list of diagnostic possibilities, applied their diagnostic skills, and found the part that was damaged. All the while keeping me well informed. Then, even though their appointment slots were full for several days, they probably realized that I was far from home, and offered to repair the vehicle. All of this at a fair price!! I highly recommend Art's Automotive Service for their knowledge, skills, customer service, and ethics. read more

Been going to Art's Automotive for over 10 years. Always fair and honest. I have recommend Art's to many friends because I know he will take great care of them. read more

I can do most of my auto repairs myself, so it's hard to justify taking it to someone else, and often times when I do I know I'm getting ripped off. My Daughter found Arts and saw it had great reviews and that he worked on German cars. They treated her fairly on her VW. So for the sake of time I took my BMW in for an oil leak in the rear differential. Arts treated me very good. Like the other reviews, I found Art to be very honest, he quoted me a price to do the job, and thought for sure he would, as most shops do, come up with some reason why they had to add a few more bucks to the bill. When I picked it up it was exactly what he said. So I've started delegating more of my work to him. It's nice to have someone you can trust and who does quality work, at a fair price. Thank you Art. It's great to have a place I can trust - I can just drop off one of my cars and let them do the work without the worry of getting poor quality, or paying to much. This is the only repair shop I trust 100%. read more

Art's is the only place I trust with my car. Everytime I take my car there Art is very honest about the maintenance and/or repair that needs to be done. I have taken my car to other places before where a mechanic was telling me there was a lot wrong with my car. So I decided to get a second opinion at Art's since it is rated highly on yelp. I am very glad I did because Art's told me that there was nothing wrong with one of the most expensive parts the other mechanic was trying to "fix". This place has a very confortable atmosphere, and you don't feel like they are trying to screw you out of money. I recommend Art's to everyone I know. read more

Great experience with Arts.Much better pricing and diagnostic skills than my volvo dealer. Dealer gave me wrong info and wanted to gouge me on work not needed. Arts replaced the correct sensor and the car has been running great.Glad to find a trustworthy shop! read more

My car broke down on my way home from Florida on I95 just outside of Richmond. On AAA's recommendation I had the car towed to Art's for repairs. Art took my predicament into consideration (I was heading home to Hopewell Junction,NY with another friend and towing a boat) and immediately looked at my car, found the problem, and continued to examine the car till all the issues were corrected. His knowledge, experience and genuine concern for his customers was the best I have ever seen. The car was fixed quickly and thoroughly and got me home to NY without one more bit of trouble. My sincerest thanks to Art and Luke and my highest recommendation if you need car repairs in the Richmond area. read more