Even before I started bringing my car into be serviced here - I called and talked to Nick about possibly getting an auto start put into my car. He was great to talk to and explained the process to me and why it wouldn't be all that easy to do based on the type of car I have. Very friendly, informative and helpful. Since then I have started bringing my car to them every time it needs so much as an oil change. They are near my work, so I can drop it off in the morning and pick it up at the end of the day. They are always more than fair on the pricing, and even put in parts that I had purchased previously for my brakes, when I thought my husband was going to fix them. Great advise about the little things I can do to prevent future problems as well. I trust these guys explicitly. With the high cost of auto repair it is nice to know there is a company out there that is not just looking to make buck or get you to come back for more repairs. They actually try to save me money. read more

Nick is an honest person who focuses on the needs of his customers, not his financial gain. Does not do any unnecessary work and he has the tool and resources to properly diagnose vehicle issues. Central Automotive is my go to for all things automotive! read more

Great and honest place. Very professional . Good quality of work . They replaced my water pump in my ford explorer and performed excellent work with reasonable mechanical price . Thanks again Mr. Nick . read more

My experience at Central Automotive has been positive from start to finish. They are honest, organized, and respectful. They do incredible work and they get it done in a timely manner. read more

Do not take your car too Richies auto care took my car in to have my tensioner pulley replaced and the mechanic that works there broke my pipe that goes too the resonator by prying up on the pulleyand used the pipe for a point of leverage and the owner Richie tried to tell me the pipe was rotten and rusted out not the case you can see where the point of the pry bar penetrant the resonator pipe instead of making it right he started yelling get my car off his property so with that being said do not let these people work on your car I'm taking it to another mechanic to have fixed what they broke and file paperwork in small claims court will blog after all is done read more

Honest, reliable and reasonably priced. Parking is a bit tight. Shop is conveniently located.

I took my car to Nick after reading his excellent reviews, and he did not disappoint. Nick could not find anything wrong with my car, and was honest enough to let me know. I will be making this my auto repair shop moving forward! read more

Outstanding, professional, and timely service. I've never had an auto mechanic check in after the service to ensure the maintenance was satisfactory. Not only was i satisfied, but also I will recommend all my colleagues visit their shop. Make sure to call for an appointment since they have a lot of clients, but you'll come away with a trustworthy professional who works diligently for the great reputation that the entire staff should receive recognition! read more

NEW LOCATION 1192 Hyde Pk Ave, Hyde Park 617-361-3100 same phone *** Central Automotive moved nearby, they are next to Dunkins on Hyde Pk Ave Nick earned my trust over the past year on my two older cars, by refusing to do unneeded repairs which my dealership had said had to be done. He told me what was crucial and what could be deferred without compromising the car's safety or function. My Toyota is in there today getting an evap done that he quoted lower than the dealership. Looking forward to picking it up this afternoon. Staff is friendly, the place is not hard to find though parking is scarce, if you have trouble parking just call the office. The number hasn't changed. read more

Nick is awesome! Went to him because of a recommendation a friend gave me and I'm so glad I brought my car to have the battery replaced, oil change and brakes done. Nick is the most honest mechanic I have ever met. I would gladly bring my vehicle to him again. Thank you, Nick! read more

Fifteen years, three cars, a boyfriend's car, another boyfriend's (turned husband's) car, a lot of life, and a lot of miles, all traveled safely under the supervision of Central Auto. I once had a argument with a classic car guy, both of us were adamant our mechanic was the best, turns out we were both right, because we had the same mechanic, Nick at Central Auto. I moved 55 miles away and It's not convenient to bring our cars here but there is no comparison to the incredible service you'll get here. Nick treats us like family. He'll treat you like family too. read more

Only good things to say about Nick & Central Auto. Decent guy who seems to be good at what he does & will do what he can to keep down costs as long as it doesn't put anyone in danger. Straight-shooter. My new brake job makes me sing, "I'm in heaven". read more

Nick and his crew are awesome! It's hard to find a guy that's honest and does quality work! He's the guy you want fixing your car! read more

First off, they didn't fuck me over. And they could have if they'd been typical auto-repair a-holes. So, 3 stars off the bat for that. See, I brought in my old '91 F-150 truck. The exhaust had a huge leak (it had rusted out) behind the catalytic converter. So, I bought a catalytic converter from Advance Auto Parts and brought it in to have them put it on (another star for actually doing shit like that and not having the typical Meineke or Monro type of policy of "We have to order the parts ourselves and double the price for you so we can do this"). Anyway, the dude called me shortly after I dropped it off and said "Hey that 'universal' catalytic converter you brought in is too short and is the wrong diameter". So, he explained that he could fix the leaks (turned out to be more than one) and not need to put on a new catalytic converter after all (so I was able to return the thing saving me $85) So, he did this shit and I had the truck back roughly 2 hours after I dropped it off (5th star for expediency). Oh, and the price was reasonable for the work they did, too. So, to sum up, honesty, strait-forwardness, and efficiency earns this place 5 stars from me, and if I need to go to an auto-shop in the future, I'll definitely return here. One other bonus is that this place is close to the 50 and 32 bus, so you can leave and go about your day while you wait. There's also a bunch of restaurants and shops on River St. that look like they'd be interesting to check out too. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Updated Review: 01-03-08 Turns out I had two tiny pin-hole leaks in my exhaust and the inspection dude wouldn't do the tail-pipe test, so I took it back here and they fixed it all up no-charge in about an hour. They run their business correctly. read more

I went to this place based purely on previous Yelp reviews, and boy, I'm glad I did. Why? Well, first, the personal service is awesome! Nick was incredibly kind, efficient, and organized. He always called me back when he said he would, or he checked on or ordered parts when he said he would. He will get things done, but is also laidback, and didn't make me feel pressured. We had to order a special part, and it required him to do a considerable amount of work, and multiple orderings, and he did it! He was genuine, as welll - told me when I really needed to get an extra part and when I didn't. Second, the affordability is amazing. I had a part that needed to be replaced, and the Honda dealership quoted me at $400. Nick utilized an after-market parts place, and the whole process cost me $250. Third, they were just as fast as the dealership. Took it in the morning, and it was done by 5. Fourth, this place is conveniently located near a bus stop that runs right to Forest Hills. So, if you need to leave your car and travel, it's not a big deal. Easy! If I ever need car repair work, I'm going back, for sure. read more

I just moved here in August and my car broke down. Since I live in Brookline I originally went to a high-ranked place on N. Harvard but thought it was unfairly high. So C.A. was the next closest, high-ranked server center. Nick had me taken care of in one day, and he was much cheaper than the other place. Nick was really helpful, and I didn't get that vibe one gets when going to an unknown center. I was really, really happy with my service, so I started a Yelp account for the sole purpose of reviewing this center. I have to take my car in again tomorrow for more service. Take note: They don't take reservations, so to speak, but first come first serve. You might call the day before and see what their week looks like. The first time I called ended up waiting a couple days because he said he was back logged. This time I was able to take it in the next day. read more

Very pleasant to deal with, and they're the most honest and dependable crew you could bring your car to. I'm grateful to have a mechanic I can trust with my car who won't try to up charge or add on extra work. Highly recommend! read more

Was in from out of town (Colorado) A/c went out. With two kids no fun. Found Central Automotive on yelp and took my expedition to him' based on the yelp reviews. I'm Happy I did he got the front and rear a/c going in a day, replaced both expansion valves awesome! Now my a/c is blowing cold and ready to drive back to colorado. Thanks Nick And crew for doing such a great job, and doing it for a fair price! read more

I received a diagnosis and an estimate from Toyota. I called Central Automotive to see if they could get the job done for me at a better price. The person I spoke with was very honest, and told me that due to the nature of my problem (computer), that I would not save any money with them, and since I had already spent money with Toyota to diagnose the problem, I would be better of sticking with the dealer. Wow! read more

These guys are the best. Fair and honest. Recently had a transmission line burst while pulling into work in Readville. I live in Plymouth so was unsure who to call. A co-worker recommended Central. Called them up and had it towed there. Promptly repaired by the next day. Nick even texted me a couple days later to make sure everything was good. Great service. read more

This review is long overdue, but I cannot say enough good things about this crew. They are respectful and helpful. I am blessed I found them, especially as my old Honda has hiccups. Before Nick, I didn't feel particularly heard. I'm lucky my brother works in auto parts so I could discuss what I needed vs. didn't need that a garage may suggest. I no longer have to do that because I can trust that Nick is going to give it to me straight. He's also the only one in my recollection to put things in an honest perspective - the car is worth the value it brings to my life, and even with upkeep, it's still cheaper than a car payment. Many others have tried to convince me to turn the car in for a newer one (especially at a dealership). He helps me maintain my car at the lowest possible cost. Nick and Maria have also been extraordinarily kind. I recommend this garage to anyone who talks to me about car problems. read more

This is the best service I could have asked for. I needed my A/C fixed before a heat wave. They found and appointment that worked for me the day after I called and Nick had a diagnosis and my A/C fixed within 30-45 minutes. It's been working great, and he even reached out the next week to make sure it was still running smoothly! This is the best it gets read more

They charged me 550 for a radiator when the receipt did not add up to 550. 2 weeks later my check engine light was on and it was not my radiator but my fuel pump. Shouldn't they have seen this the first time? They over charged me and gave me a false diagnosis to receive more money from me because I am a young woman. Do not do business with them they don't know what they're doing and they over charge. Go here if you have the money to spend for false diagnostic read more

We recently moved to Hyde Park and had to find a new mechanic for our 14-year-old car that runs very well. Nick has done several small to medium repairs for us and we've been really pleased. He is thorough honest and upfront. read more

Nick did a great job fixing our 2001 Toyota. Good job at a fair price! When we had a problem he analyzed it and fixed it quickly at no cost. Bottom line: competent, fair and trustworthy read more

After my car broke down last year (98 Honda Civic HX), I came to Yelp to look for a good mechanic in my area (Hyde Park). I read a review of Central Automotive by Adam C. that impressed me, so I decided to bring my car there to have it checked out. Nick (the owner) is an up front and honest individual. He wasn't condescending (some mechanics are). He did a fantastic job on my car and was finished in remarkable time. The following summer, my car was stolen. After the police found it, it had some problems, which Central took care of quickly, handling all of the insurance bullshit that usually comes along with a stolen car (towing, etc.) I would HIGHLY recommend this business to anyone that is in the area. They are honest, quick, and no-nonsense. They even try to save you money when they can (which is a huge help for me being a student). read more

Nick and the whole crew are great. I have taken my cars here a few times now when the dealership has tried to rob us. Nick explains everything and charges a very fair price. I even had to drop the vehicle off before they opened without calling first and they solved the problem by the end of the day. read more

I came across Central Automotive in Yelp looking for an honest and fair repair shop. In other words, repairs are done and don't need to return in days due to shoddy work. My 1st encounter with Nick was when my Ford Taurus had an issue with noises in the rear. He already knew that it was probably due to road conditions. My 2nd issue was no heat and I was reluctant for some time to get it checked out. Nick DREW A DIAGRAM of the heater core, etc to illustrate how it will done. Suggested flushing to radiator or something and BOOM, I HAVE HEAT NOW! And it didn't cost an arm and a leg. I'm so thankful for Nick and his crew. They really know there stuff. read more

I have a 2006 Civic and I needed the 65000 Mile tune up. Honda called me to let me know that I needed the work done. I asked them what the price would be (just for comparison) and they gave me a price that sounded ridiculously expensive. I shopped around for a couple of weeks, and I got various prices from several mechanics. I came upon a group of friends that highly recommended Central Automotive for their work and professionalism. Everyone I talked to had only the best recommendations for Central, so I decided to visit them and get a price. I was amazed to find out that not only they were highly recommended, they were the cheapest as well. I did all of the work recommended by Honda, and additionally I had some work done with the brakes, and a couple of new tires. All of the work, with the new tires, balance, and brakes, came to LESS what the dealer wanted to charge me for the original work alone. The car was done on time, and the crew was extremely professional. I am joining the team of Central Automotive enthusiasts, and I am highly recommending them to anyone who needs work done on their vehicle. Chris. read more

I've been using repair services here for 3-4 years. Nick has worked in the field for many years. For me his problem diagnosis and repairs have been flawless.More important, I trust him completely. Rates seem very reasonable, especially when you consider the level service he provides. read more

Nick refused to work on my car!! And, it was the best thing he could have done. This occurred last fall, when I (again) came in with a '91 Grand Marquis just barely on its last legs. I was a confirmed customer from his having done very good work on several occasions before, to extend its life as far as possible at my insistence, when no-one else had been able to figure out its maladies. But it was finally the end for it, though I could not see past it at the time. It was a classic situation in which a mechanic could have (figuratively) taken me, uninformed as I am, for a ride and made a lotta dough -- and -- he didn't do it! My lay-person trepidations about mechanics generally, are even more compounded, into fear, when in contemplation of approaching a car dealership, or being responsibly astute about a private car sale situation. So, he took it upon himself to scope out availabilities and recommend to me a car dealer who happened to have one car that was just what I needed. There was also another one that wouldn't have been quite right, which I could have been talked into, but Nick forewarned me about it. The dealer treated me very kindly, I got the car for an excellent price, and Nick dealt with the minor issues to be expected in a used vehicle "of a certain age", with the efficiency of dispatch for which I see him praised in other reviews generally, and whose views I reiterate herein. I have been very happy driving ever since. I will be taking it in tomorrow for some routine and other incidental issues, and will be doing so in full confidence of being well treated, fairly and with all the expertise one could wish to find in a mechanic. read more

The owner and guys at Central Automotive on Central Ave are absolutely great! I have had them do work on my car and friends' cars. ALWAYS honest and straightforward and NEVER anything overcharged. Even to the point of hunting on my behalf for alternative lower cost auto parts that are not totally chinese made lowest quality c**p. They researched and found decent brand parts that were of acceptable qualtiy to both them and me. I am very veryt satisfied with Central Automotive. read more

Good service, but it might get really pricey. I was charged $165 for oil and filters change.

Great service, price, professionalism and honesty. I was initially quoted a price from another nearbye business, for axel damage.. (I hit a pot hole).... Nick fixed the whole thing by about half price. read more

Friendly. Honest. Practical. Capable. These guys provided a fair, thorough assessment of the problems my car was having, and they provided several reasonable, wallet-sensitive options for how to move forward. You can't ask for more than. The result is the car's running great and I trust them to handle any and all vehicle-related issues down the road. read more

Nick and his crew are awesome have being going there for a long time and I would trust him to do anything don't go anywhere but here honestly trust him 100% read more

This is seriously the best place I've ever brought my car to. Nick is amazing and extremely honest! Super accommodating, fast turnaround, and very very fair prices. I won't trust anyone else with my car. read more

I will never take my car anyplace else! I have been going there for the past year. We used to go to a mechanic in Roslindale who was a "friend" and the quality of work kept going down, and the prices up! A friend told me to go to Central Automotive and see Nick. He is the best! His work is excellent, his prices are far below other places, and if he can "fix" something to save you money he will(good for older cars like mine!) I tell everyone I know to go to Central.there aren't enough stars for this rating!!!! read more

i just picked my car up today..5/2/13 and i would just like to say....this place is the bestttttttt....efficient,patient,on time,issues definately resolved in a timely manner, great customer service...and does not leave your pockets (empty),,love this place...i am soooo blessed to have been refered here.there are not enough stars to rate this place.....i give central auto (6) stars......and will refere anyone here to get there vehicle fixed or whatever is needed for it...they will resolve and rectify,,,...nick(#1) and nick(#2) awesome servants...thank you so much for your great work and resolveing my car issues...my car runs like new..... . read more