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SRS Automotive Repair Automotive Repair & Accessories, inc. is a professional auto repair and marine services workshop run by experts. We pride ourselves on knowing more about more cars, and their operating systems, than any other shop in the area. Our continuous training philosophy and advanced system software keeps us ahead of the game on Imports (European, Asian, etc.) and American cars and light-duty trucks.
Services
ARA is a licensed Bosch Service Center in Madison, WI specializing in marine and auto repair. We offer the highest quality auto service and over 35 years of experience in the repair of domestic, imported and vintage vehicles, sport cars, light trucks, 4x4s as well as all models of boats. All maintenance and auto repairs are done by highly trained professionals.
Automotive Repair and Accessories, Inc. is a full-service shop specializing in import and foreign car repairs. With over 35 years in business, and more than 115 years combined auto repair experience, our trained technicians will find and fix your problem with the highest level of quality service. No trainees or interns will be working on your car repair.
ARA of Madison can get your American car back on the road. Our experienced technicians service all domestic makes and models. With ongoing training and the latest in computer diagnostics, our staff can pinpoint, estimate and repair the most common or uncommon problems. Whether your American made car is a year old or over a decade, our staff will use trusted techniques and the latest in automotive technology to keep you on the road. Because we understand the value of quality products and service, we can also help you find the best parts for your domestic car.
ARA of Madison is a full-service auto repair shop specializing in European, Asian and other imported cars. Our technicians have more experience with a wider range of vehicles than any other auto repair service in the area. We understand the unique needs of your foreign car. Our expert service team will diagnose your problem, repair it and help maintain a higher level of performance.
Reviews (23)
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J. W.
Jun 12, 2022
Casey is overpriced and rude. Not to mention, he'll go as far as harassing you if he sees you in public if you complain about his services. Little does he know the minute he walked out of that bar, everyone was laughing at him about his childish behavior.
Dale Hron
May 12, 2022
My boat was running until opening day of fishing when it would not start for me, I thought I was going to be without a boat for the season as most places it was going to be a long time before they could even look at it. Then I called ARA, I dropped my boat off that day and the next week I was back on the water! Very knowledgeable and professionall, my motor is 35 years old and they have it running like new!

I could not be happier (60 hp Mariner) you will not be disappointed with their service, highly recommended. The work I had done was a lot of electrical components and carburetor cleaning. They are my go-to place from now on.
Roman Leclercq
Apr 23, 2022
I told this place it wasn't the starter on my car but they insisted on replacing my starter even though my starter was two months old. Charged me 800 and the car had the same problem I dropped it off with after 10 days of then working on it. I didn't know mechanics could be this bad at their job. As soon as I picked it up it started once off the lot and stopped after that.

Seem more like conmen then mechanics I wouldn't trust them with a go cart. They told me My door was broken because the mechanics were too incompetent to use a door lever. BBB is necessary for these situations. The shop told me they needed to get a starter before they could run diagnostics as soon as they got it started they charged me 800 without running diagnostics but 255 was for diagnostics that's neglect to complete a contract this place is a scam
Abby Van Der Puy
Apr 16, 2022
When looking for local repair shops, and asking for recommendations from friends I was sorry to hear of experiences of the blatant misogyny at ARA. It is apparent after reading all the reviews on here and calling them personally as well. Very noticeably more than the majority of bad experiences, and instances of over charging and unsafe/undone repairs accompanied by the lowest reviews, have been done to women. Casey specifically is a very unpleasant and unaccountable person when confronted about mistakes or issues and tends to follow up said reviews with "I've never heard of this person before." Will be looking elsewhere as should you.
Nathan Armstrong
Apr 12, 2022
Casey was the most disrespectful and sexist person I have ever interacted with. He blatantly talked down to both my sister and mother and overcharged us 580 dollars more than the estimate (320 to 900). Casey disregarded the recommendations of the mechanic, whom we spoke with, and is sporadically adding additional money as he pleases. When asked about where the charges were stemming from Casey said, "I have this fancy tool called word processing which I can type an estimate up in Layman's terms so you can understand" in a snarky and mansplaning tone. If you respect yourself or any women in your life, do not go to ARA. Would give 0/5 if possible.
Kendall McCluskey
Apr 05, 2022
I have been looking for a new shop in the area to take my car to for service. I had been looking to take my vehicle here, but was recently told by a friend about how his sister was treated when getting work done on her vehicle here. It is truly disappointing to know that in this day and age, sexism is still rampant in this industry. Casey's behavior was nothing short of disrespectful and, considering that, I will absolutely not be taking my vehicle here.
Aidan Murphy
Jan 23, 2022
Friendly people doing great work. I came in with an obscure part broken on my 60 year old vehicle, and they got it running again. They even went so far as to double check that my fluids were Wisconsin-Winter-safe, which was good for me bringing in a car from out of state. This is my new repair shop.
David Byrd
Jun 03, 2021
Critical: Professionalism, Quality, Value Took my car in to get the control arms replaced, got absolutely finessed, was quoted 1200 then got charged 2500 just for control arms and they took my old parts which some were brand new, these guys are crooks, terrible service, terrible work, highly don't recommend. Service: Steering / Suspension
Sara Tripalin
May 28, 2021
We take our vintage car to be serviced with Casey yearly and his knowledge of older cars is outstanding. Highly recommend this business! Services: Tune-ups, Electrical
Steve Mallmann
Apr 17, 2021
I read an earlier review about sending out an unsafe car and dismissed it, but now they just did the same thing to my son. Brought in overheating car, found cracked radiator, quoted $600, but not very forthcoming when asked if there were possibly some additional underlying causes. I decided to scrap the car. Provided no advice on scrap options. I arranged for junkyard to pick up at 4pm.

Son showed up to pay minimum $66 charge for easy diagnosis and to empty out personal property, but they would not let him keep it on their lot for another 1.5 hours and made him drive it home. Overheated a mile from their shop. Irresponsible!
Lori Wessel
Jan 19, 2021
We've taken our 2005 Jeep Cherokee there for repairs. First time was over a year ago, for door locking problem. They charged us over $1000 for that visit ($546.25 of labor), and their parts and labor DID NOT fix the problem. We gave them another visit just recently, for transmission fluid change, and were charged $800 ($446.25 for labor), their invoice does not indicate how many hours on each service.

Also the estimate was $450, and no call for approval to go over the estimate. This place is definitely not the place for anyone to take their vehicle. We took the jeep to someone else, and come to find out the door locking problem was due to broken electrical lines in the door jam. This should have been fully noticeable with the first visit. Also, it does not take ($546.25 in labor to fix). We will never go there again. Casey should sell and retire.
Jon Stevens
Nov 29, 2020
In about 24 hours ARA techs fixed a not shifting to reverse problem on my outboard motor and was ready for pickup that is FAST. Technician identified sleeve on lower unit and was able to machine a new one in house so I didn't even have to wait for parts to get in. You get what you pay for, these guys know what they are doing. Service: Engine repair
Rose Johns
Aug 02, 2020
Owner didn't remember talking to me, I walked in and was charged $42 for an oil change for which I provided MY OWN OIL AND FILTER- came in at 8am exactly as requested, since guy needed to be at a dr apt. At 12.30. an hour and a half go by, no phone call, nothing. I walk back, NOBODY HAD EVEN STARTED MY OIL CHANGE. Never going back. Stay away.
Page Campbell
Jul 08, 2020
We've been taking our old BMW to ARA for years and they've kept it on the road, even with 200k+ miles! Everyone on the team there is extremely knowledgable and Casey is a good communicator. ARA is reasonable on price, and considerate of budgetary concerns, but the work they do is very professional.
Jon P.
Mar 20, 2020
Last week I was returning to Madison and my Check Engine light came on, then the engine started running rough like it was running out of gas. I knew that was not the case so I called Casey, the owner of ARA Auto. He said "Bring it in and I'll have Shaun put it on the scanner." I've known Shaun since 1989 when I lived across the street from his old shop, SRS Auto on the corner of Hamilton and Webster Streets in Madison. He's been fixing my cars since then.

When I got to ARA a couple hours later, Casey had Shaun looking at my 2001 BMW 330ci within an hour. He quickly diagnosed the problem as a bad coil. Casey found the part in Milwaukee and had it in his hands by noon the next day. My 5-speed manual transmission wasn't shifting right because I had the wrong fluid in it, Amsoil synthetic. Casey called Zimbrick and they didn't have any BMW fluid so he looked for an authorized replacement and found it.

Next day, he had that as well. At 11:30AM, 26 hours after I called Casey, he called me to let me know my car was ready. It runs as well as ever and shifts like it's supposed to as well. Thanks Casey and Shaun!
Kevin Field
Aug 14, 2019
The quality of staff and the work delivered has made ARA my go-to mechanic for all my vehicles. I brought my Land Rover in after it was mishandled by another garage and they not only fixed it, but stayed in constant communication with me throughout the process to talk through their findings, any suggestions they had for fixes, and ensuring I knew the progress being made. I'd recommend anyone who wants a trust-worthy thorough mechanic to go to ARA.
Philip S.
Jul 02, 2019
Website offers services not actually offered. Individual who answered the phone was gruff and seemed to take personal offense when I attempted to clarify the error. Glad I called ahead! \_()_/
Ally Fies
Jul 01, 2019
I frequently take my classic car over to ARA. They always provide top notch work at reasonable prices. If it's got a carburetor this is probably the best place in town to bring it (they work on boats too). That's not to say they don't work on newer cars because they do. It's a challenge to find a good shop like this that can work on vehicles from the 60s and 70s, so I'm glad I found ARA. On a few occasions they've even found issues for me that other shops either missed or didn't care to mention.
Paula T.
Sep 12, 2017
To clarify to all reading this, the car was NOT picked up on Friday, but on Sat @12:00. The car had much maintenance done to it as well as having recall items replaced by GM after our purchase of the vehicle last fall. My son has had this vehicle seen by 2 other mechanics since our visit at ARA and were informed the car has been maintained, the battery and starter/alternator are in good shape. Casey made our son pay a penny to look at the wheel that squeaked after the wheel bearing was replaced. Finally, my son never test drove the vehicle after they adjusted the wheel bearing. "The mechanic even told my son the wheel bearing was not properly installed and that's why it squeked" Casey will reply to this with more denials and that's what you'll get. Fyi folks
Beth A.
Apr 13, 2016
This is a great place to get quality work done on your vehicle. It doesn't matter if it is a boat, domestic car, truck, or import. Anything can be worked on and ready for you soon. I do believe they even have storage. It is conveniently located on East Washington Ave. too.
Loren H.
Aug 11, 2015
ARA is sort of a hidden gem of a automotive and marine repair shop that I have passed many times and wondered what exactly they do here. You see food carts parked at one end of the lot and cars of all vintages parked at odd angles in front of three bays. At one time years ago there was a small breakfast and lunch restaurant where the office is now.

I needed some work done on a ten year old, 50HP two stroke Mercury outboard and a friend recommend ARA. I have had it in to the local marine dealer that specializes in Mercury and after three return visits the problem still wasn't fixed. It starts hard and idels rough. ADA has a guy that specializes in marine engines, especially older ones like mine, and so I had him take a shot at fixing it.

They aren't cheap here but either was the other place that did not fix my problem. I was told right out that it might take a return visit after the initial fix to do some fine tuning and it did. Since most of the marine dealers do not do on the water repairs its up to the customers to take it on a shake down cruise to check it out after the initial repair.

My carburetors needed rebuilding and the tech took it upon himself to get the right manual for this engine and correctly adjust the linkages to the three carbs to make my problems go away. I was not charged for the second visit or for the manual. It became a shop manual. There is a yard here to the left of the building with a locking gate but there are no fences surrounding it and it is open air, so if you drop something off have a cover for it and remove any valuables.

This is true of the other repair shops as well but thought I would mention it. All in all if you have a boat or car that you like and want running correctly ARA would be a good place to call. Judging by my visits here you might see a big ski boat next to a BMW one day and a Corvette and a boat like mine the next. Pay up and give them a shot. They have been here a long time and and seem to keep busy by word of mouth alone. Google did not bring them up for marine repair but I believe it may in the future.
Monica M.
Mar 25, 2015
I am very happy with the quality of brake work done on my car last month. They were down to metal-on-metal, This place is conveniently close to my work, and I was able to drop my car off in the morning and pick it up again by early afternoon. The price was steep, but I believe you get what you pay for. I'm about to have them replace my water pump, so I'm hoping the quality work continues!
Robyn S.
Oct 12, 2014
This guy is a crook. When I took my vehicle to my regular mechanic he was so pissed he wanted to know who ripped me off!