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East Rock Auto Repair We combine the skill set and expertise with unparalleled customer experience. East Rock Auto Repair is a reputable automotive repair shop located in New Haven that is ready to handle all of your automotive and fleet needs. While fixing your car and getting you back on the road is our passion and number one priority, we understand that you have plenty of other things going on in your life. That's why East Rock Auto Repair focuses on maintaining a high level of communication with you throughout the entire repair process.
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Services
To keep your vehicle running properly at all times, we offer a number of services in the New Haven, CT 06511 area that are carried out by our certified, expert auto service and repair technicians who have years of experience performing everything from oil changes to a complete engine overhaul. We use high-tech diagnostic equipment to guarantee your vehicle is repaired and/or serviced correctly the first time around, and we only use the highest quality replacement parts, filters, oils, and components when it comes to your car.
At East Rock Auto Repair, we want you to take advantage of our full service facility! By joining our Car Care Club Rewards program, you'll get access to special discounts & coupons not available to non-members! You can save over $370.00 on general maintenance services.
Reviews (38)
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Lauren Blazing
Jun 22, 2022
I had an excellent experience at East Rock Auto. I'm not a car expert, but the technicians took the time to explain why their recommended maintenance would be advisable. They also sent me an electronic overview of their inspection that included pictures of any parts that needed repair, which was very helpful. I plan to take my car back here again.
John Houghton
Jun 05, 2022
Had some car troubles when in from (way) out of town, they squeezed me in no problem the day of! They were communicative and didn't waste my time. An amazing staff with fair prices too! One of the best shop experiences I've ever had!
Chloe Shevlin
Jun 02, 2022
I had a great experience at East Rock Auto. I was able to schedule an appointment online and on the day of service they were very responsive and reliable. They investigated my check engine light and I felt confident that they thoroughly checked my vehicle out. Very thankful for their great communication as well. Services: General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Auto maintenance
D. Allen
Apr 21, 2022
I had some antifreeze puddling under my car and another shop replaced my entire cooling system and I was still having a drip. No over heating or anything but I didn't want it to lead to that. Brought my car back and forth about 5 times. Seriously. Missed a day of work. Got a rental another day. I was told they pressure tested the system in the beginning but I don't think that was true.

So after the 5th time bringing it back and a month of wasting time and an upsetting amount of money on things I probably didn't need, I called East Rock Auto out of the blue for a pressure test and diagnosis right when they opened, they were able to get me right in, my car was there by 9am and I got a text it was ready before 3pm. It's been about 4 days and my engine is still nice and dry, coolant resivoir is right where they left it, no coolant under the car or pooling in my engine bay.

This is definitely going to be where I bring my car from now on. I loved the communication and also when they text you the link of things they find with pictures and you can select the work you do want and the work you want to hold off on. Very user friendly and efficient in my opinion. Great shop.
Sandie Crocker
Apr 17, 2022
I had a wonderful experience! Mike was very professional and attentive. All findings were documented, photographed then sent to me via text for my approval before repairs began. Price quotes were also sent so there were no surprises. I found prices to be very reasonable and I got "service with a smile" as well! I will be back! Thanks Mike!
Millie Allison
Feb 26, 2022
My wife's name is on this review but it was my car that was serviced. It should read Joel Allison. After a frustrating and costly year of having the Toyota dealer unable to fix the problem causing 3 of the warning lights to stay on in my Scion xB and leaving me thinking maybe it was time to part with my ancient 2004 auto I decided to have East Rock Auto take a look at it.

After a day or so a part arrived and the problem was solved and has remained solved months later. Boy, was I pleased since I love the car which someone described as looking like a WW1 ambulance. From now on East Rock Auto is my place to go.
Darrian Rivera
Feb 21, 2022
I had a great experience here with a fast turnaround. After I dropped off my Jeep at East Rock Auto, I received a text message later that same morning with a link to a full inspection report and the option to approve or deny an itemized list of jobs to be done on my vehicle. It was all very straightforward and while labor costs are always expensive anywhere you go, and a pain in the butt, I appreciated the convenience and professionalism during this process. Would definitely recommend this shop. My Jeep was in and out within two days.
Andrew Drehoff
Jan 13, 2022
East Rock auto was professional and timely with my car repair when my catalytic converter was stolen. They communicated with my insurance company, kept me informed and had the job done within a few days. Would not hesitate to recommend! Services: General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic
Joshua Sanders
Dec 22, 2021
I have taken my car to East Rock Auto twice and both times have been a good experience. The woman who works reception is helpful, patient and kind. Mike and staff do a great job on auto repairs and check up on your after to see how your car is running. I highly recommend for an honest shop to take your vehicle. Services: General repairs & maintenance, Oil change, Brake service & repair, Check engine light diagnostic
Rik W.
Dec 20, 2021
The team were thorough and prompt with the estimate and timely with the necessary repairs I'm traveling and greatly appreciated their input and efforts and reasonable charges Thanks again guys. Services: Oil change, Brake service & repair, Check engine light diagnostic, Brakes
Jordan Cox
Dec 07, 2021
Mike and the entire staff were great as always. Their professionalism is unmatched. My wife and I always appreciate their honesty and hard work when we go there Service: General repairs & maintenance
Betsy Branch
Nov 24, 2021
Needed general maintenance and was having a problem with the starter. Received a thorough inspection and careful diagnosis of the issue. The repair work was performed promptly and priced reasonably. I've relied on Paul and Mike for years for excellent, trustworthy service to keep my vehicle running smoothly and safely. Highly recommend!
Tyler Doleman
Nov 19, 2021
I really enjoyed my time working with East Rock Auto Repair. I was given options and I felt so comfortable making a decision. I have a Mercedes-Benz and Mike was very knowledgeable. I will definitely return!
Danielle Harwood
Nov 18, 2021
The service I received at East Rock Auto was amazing! I have had my car in their shop a couple of times and have walked away from there with a smile, because they are friendly, efficient and trustworthy. I will definitely be taking my car here for its future maintenance and I highly recommend you do too! Service: General repairs & maintenance
Joseph Canterino
Nov 18, 2021
Mike and the group at East Rock Auto are great. They took the time to investigate issues with the car and even followed up with me after the appointment. Superb! Services: General repairs & maintenance, Tyres
Ed B.
Nov 11, 2021
Brought my Prius 2009 in to get the CCM CAT shield installed (basic model) at 8:30am. Was out of there by 12pm. Good service and fair prices. At the front desk is Leann and she's very nice to talk to and coordinate with.
Kiara
Oct 28, 2021
Nice experience. Not sure if I already left a review but I wanted to be sure to say that the service was quick efficient and affordable even though I had to get a lot of work done. it was very fast. I was back on the road in 2 days or less. Mike the owner /main contact and Lianne at the front are fantastic
Kodie Daigle
Sep 22, 2021
From the first call to the pick-up they were incredibly personable and helpful. Their system for reporting their findings is incredibly detailed and comprehensive. I ended up needing my entire fuel pump replaced and they did it so quickly that I ended up needing to keep it there overnight anyways because I assumed that between diagnosis and work they'd need way more time. Overall a great experience and will definitely be back for more necessary work.
Tahlisa Brougham
Sep 01, 2021
As a woman, I'm usually hesitant to go to auto shops because they are notorious for pressuring women to get unnecessary work done. I really appreciate East Rock Auto because that is very much not the case. They are very clear and precise about the issues they see with your car, including how urgent (or not) those issues are--so you can make informed choices about what parts and services to spend money on. On top of that, they're thorough, quick, and good at communicating information.
Daniel K.
May 08, 2021
Charged me $1000 for a $300 repair, and when I asked why they just told me they will call me back the next day with an explanation. Never got a call. Do not fix anything you don't know the price for at this location.
Penny F.
Sep 01, 2020
We were in town from Missouri visiting our son when our Acura developed a noise in the rear wheel. What's worse than a broken car when you're out of town? After searching the internet we called East Rock auto based on their reviews. They had us bring it right in and had our issue resolved in less than two hours. All on a Friday afternoon! Many thanks to Mike and the crew. Highly recommend.
Ashley M.
Jul 29, 2020
I've had issues with my A/C for years and just haven't dealt with it. I had gone to another auto repair shop and they were about to charge me over $800 to fix something that they weren't even sure was the problem. I then went to East Rock Auto Repair, where they were able to do a refrigerant change and fix a few other things for about $180. I also got my headlights polished. I now have a working A/C and clean headlights :
Matt K.
May 27, 2020
My car's AC was broken, and I was able to bring it into East Rock Auto on short notice. They were upfront about pricing, and were able to resolve the problem quickly. However, they also performed a courtesy inspection and recommended over $1000 of additional repairs. Most notably, they found excessive play on the ball joints on both sides, which posed a serious safety risk.

This repair alone would have cost over $800. I brought the car to another local mechanic (who came highly recommended) for a second opinion. According to him, the ball joints were perfectly fine (though he agreed with some of the lower cost repairs recommended by East Rock Auto). I would use East Rock Auto again if I have specific repairs that need to be done, but I would take their courtesy inspection results with a big grain of salt.
Michelle B.
Mar 25, 2020
I have had a couple bad experiences with Toyota Dealerships and took my car in to East Rock for routine maintenance. As other commenters mention, they did offer services that were a bit upcharged compared to what I could do at home (flushing brake fluid, etc.), but they did not pressure me when I declined those services, so I really do not hold that against them.

After they do an inspection they send you recommendations including pictures. Once again, they did not pressure me into doing more expensive maintenance and had no problem waiting for me to think it over and call my sister for a second opinion. Their pricing is very transparent (in comparison, A-1 Toyota struggled to give me any form of itemized receipt prior to service).

Overall I highly recommend taking your car here. They will be honest with you and not pressure you. However, as with any car mechanic, make sure you do your homework and know which services you need and which you can do easily and cheaply from home.
Boots B.
Dec 31, 2019
Fair prices, great service, and friendly staff. I've been coming here for over two years now because I trust their prices and their work.
Jordan L.
Apr 25, 2019
I've been going to East Rock Auto Repair since first moving to New Haven 4 years ago. In that time, I've had nothing but great experiences and cannot recommend them enough. I've always been weary of trusting repair shops at face value due to personal experience and some horror stories, but have never had that problem with East Rock.

They take pictures of everything they suggest repairing and have taken the time on multiple occasions making sure I understand everything about the work being done and why it is necessary or can wait. On top of great customer service, they also have a complementary shuttle for local trips which is very convenient in a pinch! As I read some of the reviews on here, I have no idea where the negative ones come from, only that some people are impossible to please or must not take the time to ask questions about their bill or service. I am only one person but I would recommend this place to anyone!
Judith T.
Apr 11, 2019
Being new to the area, I took my 2013 Mazda to East Rock Auto yesterday for the first time to get the oil changed and for it's annual "check-up." I was shocked to be told that it needed over $2000 of work done, including (but not limited to) 3 new tires, a new battery, and new front brakes. Before letting them do the work, I decided to at least check the price of the new tires with a local Mazda dealer who quoted me over the phone a price (installed) for the same tires that was $200 less than East Rock's price.

I then decided to go to the dealer instead of having the work done at East Rock. Today, the dealer inspected the car and said it needed the front brakes replaced for a cost of $343 as compared to East Rock's quote of $465. Nothing else needed to be done according to the dealer. I spoke to the owner of East Rock and he insisted that all the additional work needed to be done.

Maybe it's an honest difference of opinion between him and the dealer, but I don't believe him. I can see why a company might try to inflate a bill, but the dealer had no reason to make the bill so much smaller. There is also no denying that East Rock's estimates for the cost of the work were much, much higher than those of the dealer.

So consumer be warned. PS - Paul, the owner, has responded that some of the suggested repairs were for my future benefit although not necessarily needed right away and that this was explained to me. This is not the case. To the contrary, all of the suggested repairs were included in his inspection report which was emailed to me and they were listed under a large red title stating that they "need immediate attention" and nothing else was discussed.
Emmanuel D.
Mar 07, 2019
Took my 04 Titan with some issues, they were able to determine issue fast. They were also very honest, friendly and reasonable pricing. Would definitely go back.
Diane C.
Jun 13, 2018
I've been going to East Rock Auto for a year now and this is my honest opinion about their service. Pros: * Their membership offers lots of discounts and free oil changes for a fair price. They also mail out coupons every once in awhile. * Lianne is very kind and helpful. She is upfront about all the costs associated. Cons: * They recommend unnecessary repairs.

I went in a week after flushing my transmission fluid. I was there for an oil change and they recommended I get my transmission fluid flushed ASAP. I was disappointed by their dishonest tactic. They recommended several other unnecessary repairs and false statements about my car that another mechanic confirmed wrong. * They will charge you for everything.

My brake was having some issues so I called to make an appointment to get them looked at. Any shop in the US will look at your car for free and make repair suggestions with a quote. Not East Rock Auto. They will charge you $60 just to take a look. * I got my brake pads replaced at East Rock Auto, which started to cause issues after only 4 months. I took my car to a different mechanic and they confirmed East Rock Auto performed a very poor job and did not even resurfaced the rotor, which caused uneven wear of the brake pads and vibration when braking.

It was clear they aren't very meticulous about their work. * You have to keep your car at the shop all day for an oil change. An oil change. That's a great inconvenience for an oil change.
Nathan E.
Jun 06, 2017
It's been a year and a half since I first reviewed East Rock Auto. Since then I've had multiple oil changes and a number of other repairs given the car's age, and also gotten married and had them do work on my wife's car too - and my review remains five stars. Just today, I took my minivan in for what would have been a $300 repair. Paul, the owner and head mechanic, said it was optional and recommended I not do it since the car is so old!

Good advice, but when does a mechanic ever suggest you NOT give them money? In my first review, I wrote that I hadn't met the mechanic, just the customer service person (Lianne is always professional and friendly), but since then I've met Paul several times, taking advantage of his free shuttle service in the morning and evenings. I enjoy talking to him on a personal level, and on a professional level, he always levels with me. I definitely recommend his services and am happy I found him.
David S.
May 22, 2017
East Rock Auto is awesome. I've had to get quite a bit of work done on my car over the last two years and they have always been extremely upfront about everything that needs to be done, and the urgency of each issue. You never have to worry about being pressured into getting any repairs you don't need. They call you and go over all repairs that are needed, and let you decide which ones you want to address.

I can usually get my car in the next day, and they'll have all the work done within a day or two at the most. I've never had any issues with any of their work. A great business that I would recommend to anyone.
Jarrett R.
Feb 16, 2017
I own a service company with 5 vehicles and have East Rock service them. They are always thoughtful in how they spend your money making recommendations as to what to and what not to do. Everyone from the office to the mechanics are friendly. We have used them since 2005 and no reason to go anywhere else.
Elsa H.
May 10, 2016
I had a great experience at East Rock Auto yesterday. I brought my car in for a routine oil change and general check-up. The receptionist was friendly and responsive to the appointment request form I submitted online and I was able to get an appointment for the day I wanted. The service was great, my car was seen immediately, and the oil change was quick and affordable.
Chris D.
Apr 09, 2015
I have trusted Paul and his team with my automotive needs for the last 4 years. They have performed multiple maintenance and major repairs to our vehicles. Paul has always been fair and straightforward with his recommendations. He has even told me in the past what was necessary and what could wait. The bottom line is that all automotive repairs can be expensive, regardless of the garage one chooses, but the ability to trust the team is invaluable. I will be taking my vehicles to him in the future as well.
Mark L.
Sep 26, 2012
Great "service, " shoddy work. I dropped my car off to have a window with a broken regulator put up and bolted in, lured by the free shuttle service. The owner and employees are perfectly pleasant people - but not particularly impressive mechanics. I dropped my car off at 8AM on a Wednesday, and got a call at 5PM saying that the car was done, and I could come pick it up before 5:30.

But it was not done. When I got there, they said it had broken again, and could I bring it back tomorrow. So the next morning, Thursday, I dropped the car off at 9AM, getting a call at noon that it was finished. They were supposed to pick me up at 1, but it took 3 phone calls (two of which went unanswered) for them to finally show up, at which point it was already 1:45.

I drove my car home, and when I got there: the window was not closed. There is still a crack between the window and the frame, through which water flows whenever it rains. They offered to perform a different service (five times the price) that would also "fix" the problem and not charge me labor, to which I politely responded that, if they could not fix the car properly with the initial plan of repair, they should have told me before doing the work.

This was, at best, a huge oversight, and at worst, outright dishonesty. This is a poorly run operation which does shoddy work, and I would not take anything there ever again.
Walter L.
Jul 17, 2012
Being new to the area, I chose this car repair based upon the association with AAA and courtesy shuttle service. The car needed brake pad change. After getting the car back, the brakes squeaked which they told me to expect. 3 years later, I've had the car checked at the dealer, and the brakes were installed incorrectly and have missing screws. Bottom line is if you can't do it right, don't do the job and overcharge the client.
Sarah G.
Apr 15, 2010
This place is great! Super friendly and extremely convenient! I dropped my car off in the morning, they drove me to work, called me in the afternoon to discuss my options (and didn't press me into repairs I didn't want to do), and then they picked me up from work to get my car in the evening! I would definitely recommend this place.
Alark J.
Jun 26, 2008
This place is the best place to get your car repaired. You call in to get an appointment. When you get there, they are extremely friendly and polite. The BEST part is that they even come and drop you off after you drop your car at their place. They then call you (as do most garages) and tell you what the problem is, before they make any changes. Then again the evening, they come and pick you up and take you to their garage. They are very honest, sincere and overall friendly people. The price sounds a bit high, but then everything sounds high for me since I own an old nissan sentra :)