Ell-Bern Service & Tire

Stay. Far. Away. Incredibly rude staff, an unusually dirty and dingy place (which is saying a lot considering it’s a gas station). The gas prices are easily 50% higher here than elsewhere. And if you need to get your car inspected — literally anywhere else is better. Steer clear.

I’ve been going to Ell-​Bern for years for all of my car issues: maintenance, flat tires, inspection stickers, etc. These guys have consistently proven themselves to be honest, efficient, and really pleasant to work with.
Gary explains things patiently and thoroughly and I leave feeling like I have a good understanding of the problem issues and the work that was done. Great customer service with really reasonable estimates and no surprises.
I’ve always been really happy with their prices and they go out of their way to make sure you’re getting good value and are happy with their services.
It’s great to have a mechanic in the South End that I can trust. Highly recommend.

Certainly a hit or miss type of place, I’ve had very good luck with tire replacement (purchased my own tires on line and brought them in to avoid massive up charge) and then fell flat with small requests. For example, I do a lot of my own part installations. When I needed a front end alignment, the crew told me they couldn’t do it because I needed new tie-​rod ends. I told them I’d replace my tie rod ends and bring it in for an alignment. They told me not to bother bringing it back if they weren’t going to do the tie-​rod ends themselves. Why? They wanted twice the part cost for the tie-​rods and then Maserati technician level labor costs on top, which is crap in my book.
Steer clear. Unfortunately they are one of the only shows in town being located on the outskirts of the South End/​Roxbury. Evident as well by their «last stop before highway» gas prices.
On the bright side. They’ll do state inspections on a moments notice. Make sure you know the cash cost of a state inspection before going, they’ll BS you.

I just stopped here for an inspection (last possible day for me to get it done of course) and they did it right on the spot — I was probably in there for less than ten minutes. The guys weren’t super friendly but I didn’t really give too much of a shit. Side note: It cost me $ 35.

DO NOT go here for an inspection!!! They failed my 4 year old car for bad tires! I’ve gone to places in old cars that had no horns, bumpers falling off, windshield wipers that didn’t work and they either passed me or didn’t take my money and told me to come back when I fixed it. This asshat failed me for bad tires and kept my money. I’ve never seen anyone check the tires; especially with a fairly new car, this should be a formality. Don’t take the chance going to these guys.

I have used Ell-​Bern for years because I live in the Southend and they are a block from my condo. I’d recommend going somewhere else. I have given them so much business over the years and they continue to have bad customer service, high prices and are generally always in a bad mood. In addition, I always get the sense that I’m being scammed. I go in for something minor and always end up with a major repair and high bill.

Let me save you some major time, money and inconvenience by asserting that you should NEVER consider coming here.
I came here for a routine MA inspection. I was shocked when I had failed (I have a fairly new car that I get checked regularly). The repairs this shop was «suggesting» ranged anywhere from 200 to 500 dollars. Perturbed and suspicious, I proceeded to take my car to two different auto-​dealerships (in South Boston). Needless to say, I passed both of their inspections and was on my way. I think the South Boston mechanic summed it up best when he said, «That guy, he was trying to f#ck you. There ain’t nothin wrong with your caaah.»
Well Ell-​bern did already royally screw me because the «failed» inspection sticker he placed on my car earned me three tickets by the boston parking police (over two days of being parked on street until I had time to take it to another mechanic).
In summary, NEVER GO to to Ell-​Bern. This place is the WORST. They will RIP YOU OFF. There are much more honest, capable, great auto-​repair shops in South Boston.

I do not recommend this mechanic. I used Gary to service my truck for years and although I was never happy with his service, he was conveniently located at the end of my block so I put up with shoddy work and exorbitant prices… yes, I’m that lazy. But my last visit was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
I took my truck in for an oil change and asked Gary to check everything out because I was going on a cross country trip. A few hours later, he informed me the front brakes needed to be redone (but the rear brakes were fine). As I didn’t want any problems on the road, I had him do the work. The brakes didn’t become an issue again until California, but the truck battery died in Pennsylvania, and the engine seized up in Kansas.
I realize it’s a ten year old truck and not all the problems can be blamed on a lazy mechanic who failed to be proactive. But on top of everything, the front brakes he charged me $ 900 to «fix» continued to be an issue until a competent mechanic informed me the rear brakes were the real problem. They were actually in SUCH bad shape he was dumbfounded when I explained another mechanic had looked at them and done nothing, though he guessed it was because it was such a difficult fix. They were completely rusted to the brake shoe and had been for some time.
Gary is the kind of mechanic that gives other mechanics a bad name. He won’t be seeing any more of my business, nor do I recommend him.

I would not recommend this place to anyone. I thoroughly believe they attempted to screw me over because I’m a blonde woman because they thought I knew nothing about my car. They severely overcharged me on labor. Over the phone I asked how much their per hour labor charge was and they quoted me a much higher number than is listed in their office (which I saw later). They also wanted to charge me $ 600 for something I though was going to be much less and when I slightly contested they said they had «done the math wrong» and it was only $ 400 (still high but I needed my car). The last straw was when I was picking up my car for this last repair and the guy said that I definitely needed all new tires, I asked really, all of them? And he reaffirmed his statement. The things is, while most of my tires are a little old, one was only 2 years old. I am never stepping foot in there again.

They’ve helped keep my 1997 Rav4 alive for years. Replaced a radiator and fixed the AC for $ 500 less than the dealer quoted for the AC alone. I’ll keep going back as long as I live in the South End.

In summary:
— Atrocious customer service
— Uncomfortable/​inexperienced working on newer cars
My obligatory disgruntled customer rant follows :-P
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I have had 2 negative experiences at Ell-​Berns and would not recommend anyone else to go there, although chances are they will outright turn you away themselves.
I purchased a coupon through Google Offers in May of this year that offered 3 oil changes for $ 30 at a location that I could choose from a short list of local businesses. Ell-Bern’s was one of the closer ones and, surprisingly, at the time had mostly positive feedback here on Unilocal so I chose their coupon which came with a nice big picture of the 2 guys that run the place front and center on the nice glossy cardstock it was printed on (one of those punchcard-​style coupons).
EXPERIENCE 1:
So fast-​forward about a few months, my at-​the-​time recently acquired 2011 sedan needs its first oil change. The dealer I bought it from offers the first oil change for free but since its kind of far I decide to go ahead and make use of Ell-​Bern Service & Tire. I scheduled the appointment for 8:15am (the only time they’ll service you if you want to use a coupon). Alright cool, no problems so far although I sense some uneasiness when they hear the model year. I show up on time, they are pretty quick to attend to me. I deal with the taller guy of the 2 who wears glasses (don’t remember his name). He tells me I’ll have to pay an additional fee that the coupon doesn’t cover (something like $ 7, which I did not object to) then immediately goes ahead and punches out 1 of the 3 oil-​change punch areas on the coupon before taking my keys to pull the car into the garage. A while later he comes out and instead of telling me «Great, you’re all set!» he says that they cannot do it because the engine oil cap is «too tight» and «probably cross-​threaded and will break» & tells me to return to the dealer where I bought the car.
So, I free up a day in my schedule the following week and make the 45-​minute trip to the dealer. I warn them of what Mr. Mechanic from Ell-​Bern said before handing over the keys. They do the oil change without issue, and when the auto technician returns he tells me that «if anything, the cap was actually a bit loose,» and says he’s pretty sure Ell-​Bern simply didn’t want to do it.
EXPERIENCE 2:
Fast-​forward to Wednesday, 2013÷11÷06: I figure I’ll give them another chance as I’m overdue for another oil change. I call and they schedule an appointment for the following Tuesday at 8:15am. I make my way there, passing 3 to 4 local car service businesses in my own town. Despite snow and horrendous traffic I get there right around 8:20am. I deal with the same guy who at first appears willing to help. However, the second he catches a glimpse of the coupon before I can even present it he immediately changes his tune. He blurts out «What date is on that coupon? Let me see» (the coupon is stamped with May 28 2013 as the date of purchase). He then says «You need to go back to whoever sold you this coupon and ask for a refund, we had an agreement with them but they sold you this after our agreement expired… they were supposed to stop selling those in March». Before he continues I simply smile and say «Okay» and walk right out.
Apparently they have all the business they need and can afford to blatantly turn away prospective customers. If that’s the case, they need not worry from me as I certainly don’t intend on «bothering» them with any future business.
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*steps off soapbox*

Probably the rudest, most useless service centre I have encountered. I don’t see them hanging a PhD in car mechanics for them to be so rude as though they are doing you a favour for paying them to do you a service. I would definitely rather go further out next time to get my car inspected. I am not impressed at all with this service «garage» So, if you want rude service from mechanics who believe in their heads they obtained a mechanical engineering degree from MIT or Harvard then go here. Otherwise I would rather take my money for a state inspection elsewhere where you feel your business is appreciated!

I have had two positive experiences at this place.
Disclaimer I have no car knowledge.
The first time I took my car there, it had a rattle that they fixed for under a hundred bucks.
The second time I had an unidentified scary loud car noise. They checked it out and did not gouge me with unnecessary work, telling me to return if it came back. No charge.
They’re grumpy but seem honest.

Gruff service but fast and painless inspection.

Don’t take your car here. Will not change your oil without appointment, even if the garage is empty. Then, after making appointment at 8:30 AM the next day (he only takes appointments in the dead of morning), he changes his mind and doesn’t serve you then either. Avoid at all costs.

I stopped by without an appointment at 8am this morning b/​c I got a flat two days ago and have been rocking the donut since. I requested 4 new tires and was given multiple options at different price points (love that) and told they would also give the car a once over since it was in there anyway.
They called a couple hours later and informed that my rear brakes were shot (not shocking to me) and everything else could wait for 5−7k more miles, which is like a year’s worth of driving for me, woohoo!
I dealt with Gary in the morning, and then someone else on the phone, found them to be helpful and courteous. Car was done by 3pm.
Like others, I am not going to proclaim this to be the cheapest place ever (because, you know, I am such a mechanical pricing expert), but to get in and out in one day without an appointment is pretty fabulous in my book, especially in the city. Plus apparently I won’t die now that I have some brakes, bonus! Will definitely go back.

These guys are the real deal! I took my 2007 Honda Accord EX-​L here in for a tire swap, oil change, and an alignment — couldn’t ask for better service! The location is convenient and the mechanics know their stuff down cold. I’ll definitely be bringing my car here for any future service I might need.

I was very surprised to read all of the positive reviews regarding this company. If you want a quick car inspection… this is a great spot. If you want good customer service… GO ELSEWHERE! I went there today to get an inspection, and the guy told me that my car would not pass inspection. He did, however, offer to do the inspection for $ 29 dollars, fail me, give me 60 days to fix the problem with my car, and then do the inspection again for another $ 29. How courteous of him!
This place helps you with the bare minimum… but don’t ask questions and expect to get any helpful answers. I would not recommend this location.

I drove in and drove out of Ell-​Bern within 10 minutes for my car inspection. I, like Jeffrey H. didn’t realize I had an expired inspection and spent weeks trying to avoid additional tickets (I used snow instead of flyers but was unsuccessful). Ell-​Bern was super easy, the people were decently friendly and they fixed my car up with a new sticker with very little effort.

I hardly ever drive anymore — which was evident when I found a $ 40 ticket on my windshield because my inspection sticker had expired — woopsies.
I spent a week dodging the meter maids — hiding my car in the depths of the South End/​Roxbury and covering my windshield with old flyers… A bit of advice — if you use Dominos coupon flyers, people will steal them. I recommend political and gym advertisements — nobody will touch those!
Ell-​Bern is conveniently located and doesn’t require an appointment to get your car inspected. The staff here is kind of cold/​unfriendly but they get the job done quickly. I don’t think I’ve ever been in and out of a service station so fast — which was awesome since it was Columbus Day and I had to get back to my drinkin’ on the couch.
Also, this place is cash only so be ready with your $ 29. I, of course, wasn’t ready so it took me a few minutes to gather the dollar bills scattered throughout my man purse after a day of drinking at Oktoberfest… hot mess anyone?