Alan's Auto - Melrose, Massachusetts

Kelsey L.

I come here every year for my inspection. and never have a problem! Service is good which makes me come back each year.

Amy M.

STAY AWAY ! You’ve been warned. My son brought his car here to get an alternator installed. Because the car is a show car and is from Japan the steering wheel is on the right side and my son purchased the alternator because actual parts from Japan are hard to get- and my son was willing to pay more because he knows mechanics make money from the mark ups on parts.
Al called my son at 12 saying the car was ready but that he had put a “small scratch” so he would take $100 off the $300 bill.
I am livid and will be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau because Al is shady, lying, dishonest and aggressive.
When we got there my son’s car had more than a “scratch”. Al had attempted to cover up the damage by using SPRAY PAINT- which ended up all over the fog light. My son immediately called his father on FaceTime to show him the damage. My husband is an autobody painter and knew IMMEDIATELY it was far more than $100 in damage. I asked my son to wait outside while I went into the shop. I walked in to find Al screaming at my husband on speaker phone (and of course my husband yelling back that Al was trying to take advantage of a 19 year old kid).
After 5 minutes of the yelling on speaker phone my husband hung up and Al came over and started yelling at me, pointing his finger towards my chest and saying his wife was mad at him (not my problem) and that he wasted 2 hours of work fixing the alternator.
In my whole life I have never had a grown man yell in my face. This business is a sham, Al is shady and dishonest and doesn’t deserve anyone’s business. EVER.
And the fact that he thought it was appropriate to yell in a woman’s face at top volume should tell you everything you need to know.
The least expensive estimate to fix the damage Al did to my son’s car- $900.
Do I think he will ever pay that?
No.
I just REALLY wanted to warn people- there is a reason this business has such terrible reviews- heed the warnings of all the bad reviews. Seriously.

Carolina M.

I took my brand new car to this place to get the inspection sticker, despite the low reviews. When I arrived, there was no one to guide me and no clear place to park. I started to drive into the open garage, thinking it was okay, but a man inside started yelling at me rudely to leave. As soon as he started yelling, a woman came out from inside the garage and told me to park outside. I decided I wouldn’t stay where the service was so disrespectful and will be getting my inspection done elsewhere. Terrible customer service.

Alexander H.

I come here for State Inspections. No nonsense.

Show up, listen to instructions, and wait in the waiting room.

They've only got so much space in these shared lots, so customers are expected to be ready to pick up their car and head out as soon as possible.

Fran

Alan is great! I have been coming here for my inspection sticker and now oil change. He gave me great advices about what needs to be done with the car and what is priority.

Thanks Alan!
Fran

Ian O.

For an inspection sticker, walk in, hand the guy thirty five bucks, walk out fifteen minutes later good for another year, assuming your car is in reasonable condition. Completely hassle free; just what you want for a car inspection.

Drew D.

They have a cozy waiting room. The guy appears to have done this for many years. Trustworthy service. Opens at 7:30am for inspections, even though it says they open at 9:00am. Gets the job done fast.

James G.

If you're reading these reviews, you're smarter than I. I've waited a few weeks so I could leave a fair review. I knew I needed a new heater core, and Alan gave a much better quote than my go-to place. Three hours after drop-off he called me to say that he broke a nozzle off my radiator. He would charge $1500 to replace the radiator, or $240 just for the diagnostic, in which he broke the nozzle. He refused to inspect/address the issue I brought it in for. It cost me $1100 to fix his diagnostic. I leave 2 stars, not 1, because he was honest about breaking the nozzle, which I verified myself when opening it up. Maybe he's fine to get a sticker, but I'll never go back for a repair. He's gruff, but that didn't bother me.