Joe & Larry Auto Repair

I use to take my car here between the years 2011 – 2015. I never ever had a problem not even with inspections. This year I took my car in to update my inspection. the guy tells me I’m going to fail because your car needs some work on. It caught me off guard because he just looked at my old 2002 car and automatically assume, he didn’t even do a diagnosis. Not only that since I have history of getting inspections there, he put my car into the system and failed it when I told him to forget it. Really?
AND here is my second n last mistake going there. I needed new brakes A.S.A.P i went here the guy was telling me I need to change pretty much the whole «brake system» I was like ok how much would the estimate be. I was told $ 300-​$ 350. I agree. Then I got told over the phone that my car has other problems besides the brake system and that he would get it all fix for $ 688. I agree because My car does have other issue but nothin major. I get there and all I see on my receipt is all brake system changed and nothing else but for $ 688. The price I was told at the beginning was true came up $ 317 for only changing rear breaks, front, brake spring kit, & two wheel cylinder but I got charged even more because he said it took him 5 hrs to get it done. So pretty much the labor charge is more expensive. This is just a regular mechanic. Not only that he didn’t even fix the other problems and when I bring it up, he gives me another receipt stating that it would be another $ 600 to get it fix.

THIS PLACE IS A SCAM!!!
All this place Does is run scams. Every time I go there now they got these young scam artist there telling me I need this extra thing or they want to over charge for minor repairs. I went with an experienced Honda certified repair guy just to get something simple done. They tried to tell me I need $ 1200 In work. All I needed was a change of wires and plugs.
Another time they told me it was going to cost 1100 bucks to change a part on another car. Ended up getting the work done for $ 450 with labor and parts. Another time I was going to get a car inspected. The guy was telling me I was going to fail because of my tires. I knew right there he wanted an extra 20 bucks. KEEP YOUR CAR AWAY FROM THIS PLACE. THEY WILL LEAVE YOUR POKETS DRY.

* March 7 — took car to Joe & Larry for oil change. Mentioned the persistent squeak/​whine when car starts and drives. Mechanic indicated that there was a power steering fluid leakage and that the rack and pinion was becoming inoperable.
* Mechanic quoted a price of $ 854.00 to perform said repairs and it was agreed upon. In the interim, owner of said car (Nissan Altima Coupe 2008 3.5 SE) called mechanic to enquire about the possibility of sourcing a cheaper rack and pinion but was dissuaded.
* The car was scheduled to be complete on March 21, the car was not completed but the assurance was made that the car would be fully operable the next day, Saturday, March 22. Owner stressed need for car as she was preparing to undergo surgery March 31 and needed said car to perform chores and tasks leading up to her incapacitation.
* Saturday, March 22, Owner arrived and work was not yet complete nevertheless owner paid mechanic in full. After a short wait owner was advised that the car was functioning.
* Upon starting the car, owner attempted to utilize the controls on the steering wheel and found them to be non-​operational. This included the horn, airbags, cruise control, audio system and automatic turn signals.
* She waited for close to 2 hours while various mechanic on premises including Lincoln Tech intern pored over car. Finally owner was advised that a piece was broken I suppose inadvertently during the steering column reassembly process.
* I was told that the car could be driven, albeit gingerly and the part would be determined and ordered.
* The mechanic consistently complained that this work would cost him time and money, which in no way has any bearing upon owner, who in good faith, left her car and indeed PAID for a job that was improperly done.
* During the week of March 23, mechanic called multiple times to ask about make model and engine size of a CAR THEY HAD BEEN WORKING ON FOR 2 WEEKS.
* On Wednesday of that week, dealer indicated that part was in house and that unless owner was able to bring car in by Thursday evening there was no guarantee that car could be ready by Friday, March 28.
* Owner submitted car to mechanic as requested and on Friday evening was told that the wrong part was sent and the car was in fact NOT fixed.
* Once again, owner was forced to operate an unsafe vehicle until surgery which was March 31. Car was operated only 3 times between March 22 and March 31 due to safety issues.
* April 7 owner returned car to mechanic for re-​installation of part. Upon returning April 8, after repeated calls, owner entered car to find out that a new issue cropped up. The Vehicle Dynamic Control light and SLIP lights were on and the VDC control was inoperable.
* Mechanic indicated that «if I just drove it for a while» the lights would go out. Additionally and squealing noise occurred when car was immediately engaged in drive. Mechanic indicated it was a fan belt that was not a major issue.
* The lights did not go out and owner re-​contacted mechanic on Wednesday, April 9. Mechanic indicated they would do research to figure out the problem.
* On Friday April 11, owner went to mechanic and was told to go to a dealer and pay $ 115 for a diagnostic and that he had done all he intended to do to make this right.

This place is great. It’s owned by two honest brothers who alternate days running the shop. I really like them because they’re not trying to take your money on unnecessary work to be done on your car. I’ve been coming here for a number of years. Mostly it’s been for inspections, brakes and something very minor, but never a major job. Two weeks ago I was hearing a grinding noise and I took my car to them. They kept the car, rode it. They even had someone lay in the back to hear what I was hearing (LOL). Upon return, Joe told me what he thought it would be, how much it may cost, but suggested that I take it to the dealer service department to get a second opinion. Since it was a big and costly job, he didn’t want me to spend a large amount of money on any unnecessary work. Now, being female, another shop would have taken me for a ride, costing me hundreds more dollars. I took his suggestion and his suspicions were confirmed. Although I had to pay the dealer service $ 150 for the diagnostic, I ultimately saved a whole lot more (designer bag $) LOL.
I really appreciate their honest and work ethic. They’re a small shop with only three bays and can get quite busy at times, but they’re well worth the trip, wait and/​or return. I would recommend them to anyone.