Emerson Auto Svc & Inspection
4.1 (114)
420 E 3rd St, South Boston, MA 02127
(617) 269-2107
emersonautomotive.com
Claimed
Offerings
- Oil change
Amenities
- Mechanic
Reviews
Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.
Geoff
a week ago
Needed a tail light replaced. Got an estimate. Made an appointment. Brought car in. At 5:00PM I called to check in on the repair. They said they called me as they had ordered the wrong part. However, they neither left a message nor did they call back a second time. They apologized for not doing so. That was the highlight of my interactions over 2 days. Could have had my car all day instead of spending $ on Ubers. I politely explained that they should try to communicate with their customers better, to which they agreed and apologized for not doing so. Left car with them for repair next day. When I picked up the car the cost was $70 above the estimate. Owner was disrespectful and said they told me plus labor. Which he did not. If they had accurately quoted me, I would have called around to other shops like Fran's Auto for pricing. BTW in 6 years, I never had an issue like this with Fran. And for the 25my prior town.I have learned my lesson. Do not trust Emerson Auto. I will never go back again despite them being the closest mechanic to my home.In summary:Incorrect estimates.Upcharges.Poor communication.Rude and disrespectful owner.Added the following comment after seeing response from owner:My mailbox was/is absolutely positively not full. I have received multiple messages since Emerson called and DID NOT leave a message. Should I be surprised that the owner would lie?
Alissa Howard
3 months ago
Emerson Auto used to be my go-to under the prior ownership. Under the new ownership, I have had nothing but bad experiences. Was told I needed a new turbo ($2500) when I just had a bad oil change. Was told I needed new brakes when my real mechanic told me I have another 30k miles. Most recent issue, had them swap winter tires to summers last spring, only when swapping back to winters this week to find out they had put them on so tightly that it will take hours to remove them and likely cause damage. I ve given them so many chances and even reached out to them earlier this year to explain my complaints instead of posting a public review but never heard back from them. The tires were the last straw. Hopefully things improve but I m never going back.
Alyssa Fanucci
2 weeks ago
Wow. Talk about Rude. I went to get an inspection, guy inside the shop was nice. So, I got in line, pulled in the garage and another employee literally started screaming at me that I was in the wrong part of the garage. He claimed I was "beeping" at other cars (I was not) and asked me "what in the world I thought I was doing". When he realized it was another car was the one beeping, he didn't even apologize. Just gave me a dirty look. At that point, I drove away. I will take my money elsewhere! Screw this place.
Roger Berman
2 weeks ago
Went here for an annual auto sticker (MA). Convenient, in-city garage. CASH ONLY; you've been warned! Crusty, old-school South Boston. Unfriendly office staff, but it's not personal. Inspections are organized and quick.
Adam Romanow
3 months ago
Abdullah and the team at Emerson Auto were lifesavers today. They squeezed me in for a tire patch and helped me get back on the road, all in less than 20 minutes. Friendly, fair pricing, and great service. Highly recommend Emerson Auto, and I will be back!
Helen Provost
a year ago
The owner is sweet as strudel! I was in a pinch and accidentally locked my keys in my car while it was running. He dropped everything to come help me - free of charge too! These guys are honest - and will definitely do right by you!Service: Auto maintenanceService: Auto maintenance
Meredith Vanderveldt
3 months ago
Don't go here - I used to go to Emerson when Gary owned the establishment but the new ownership are shady and terrible service. They replaced all 4 breaks in my car and as soon as I left their garage, my rear breaks were squeaking. I brought the car back 4x and each time they said "we don't hear anything". I also recorded the squeaking while driving, showing the video to an employee and he said, "I don't hear anything but I also have bad hearing". Now less than 1 year later, the rear breaks are shot and need to be replaced.A waste of time, money and a lot of frustration. They don't honor their work and as a woman, I felt like they just dismissed my claims the breaks were still squeaking (clearly something was wrong).
Connor Klingenberg
5 months ago
Pros: Very quick, professional, and friendly service from the gentleman up front.Cons: Mechanic told me that my car needed a full set of brakes (despite only being 13 months old). After two second opinions (both FREE, unlike here), I confirmed that the brakes are in perfect shape with minimal (and normal) rust and plenty of meat left on the pads. Emerson also quoted DOUBLE the price of a neighboring southie shop for wheel bearings. Turns out only one needed replaced. Going elsewhere saved me nearly $2,000!
SABRINA Monteiro
6 months ago
The business was very professional and very informative. When I went there I was helped by a man with a West Indian accent. Unfortunately I did not get his name. He was very helpful and made sure I felt very comfortable as I don t know much about cars he kept it very simple but also helps me to understand places were very affordable and I will definitely go backService: Vehicle safety inspection
Ray May
6 months ago
Wow! This is THE PLACE to go for your yearly car inspection. This guy is the most sincere and helpful car inspector. I had several small issues that would have failed me anywhere else and they allowed me to fix them on the spot (loose headlight connection/plate bulbs). I will never go anywhere else and they are so fast and friendly. Bring your registration and get that PASS!!!
Anthony Cruz
6 months ago
HUGE WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY! Had them replace rear brake and disc on a 2018 Chevy Equinox ($600+) and my car was returned with a ruined EPB Module. Through 3 months i had a terrible time trying to get a hold of the owner, several waste visits to the shop and terrible coordination by the owner in order for this to be taken care of. We end up paying an Additional $250 for the programming of the module. "Ali" "the owner" has terrible communication, very low credibility and a specific employee here (Jamaican accent) was very rude and unprofessional. The front desk employee Sean was a very nice guy and deserves a better work environment. Avoid at all cost.
Grace Ferranto
5 months ago
I ve had nothing but awesome experiences with this place. My go-to. The dealership told me it was $370 just to diagnose my leaky sunroof problem. Emerson cleared my clogged drains for $65.Services: Tires, Auto water leak repair, General repairs & maintenance, Vehicle InspectionServices: Tires, Auto water leak repair, General repairs & maintenance, Vehicle Inspection
Kelly Holly
7 months ago
I bought 4 tires for my car. I was told I couldn't have bought them there, even though I still have the receipt. 1 of my tires blew out, and I went to Emerson Auto to replace it. Not looking for any deal, but I was told, just bring it down, and we'll take the rim off and put on a new tire & I would pay whatever it costs. Never told me he had to order 1, & when he did get the tire, he said he would call me, needless to say, I had to call him the next day and he said, Oh, ya that's ready to be picked up. I'll NEVER use Emerson Auto again, nor would I recommend it to ANYONE
Danielle Dowling
6 months ago
Had to get an inspection sticker and they could not have been nicer or more prompt with getting the car checked and sticker renewed. Highly recommend!
Guy Guenthner
10 months ago
These guys absolutely rock and the owner is the man. They ve helped me countless times with work and even helped me in a bind for free when I couldn t get a bolt undone from a piece I was replacing on my car myself. Can t rate them highly enough.
Ray Oliver
6 months ago
These people are thieves. If you agree to do an emission test with them, they ll force you to buy their wipers or tires even if they show minimal wear. And their prices are ridiculous. And they won t refund your money if you don t buy their products
Miguel Balbuena
6 months ago
Lost my money here!! My car is 4 yrs old it passed the test but he denied because he said I needed to replaced the wipers which he was trying to sell me for a very expensive price! Crazy!!! Don't ever come to this place!
Hector Negron
11 months ago
I reached out via txt chat and the response was quick and very Helpful, the availability was great and pricing was very good. The Owner/Manager was Great and his staff do Great work in very good time. Aside from being a 3min walk the work is very good and will be my go to place for any work I might need.
K Y
a year ago
Friendly and helpful services.Get my MA inspection here but also have stopped by for those funny noises that happen now and again.Recently came by and although they were busy and said they couldn t fit for an appt, staff came out and listened to the problem anyway. Turned out they knew exactly what it was and made time for me.Really great to have a local service who really do value your business and want to help you.
Laura
a year ago
Came in not knowing if my brakes were ok, and the front desk man was extremely nice and offered great advice. They found nothing wrong with my brakes and didn t charge me. Will definitely be going back!Service: BrakesService: Brakes
Jeremy Moy
6 months ago
Bunch of cowboys avoid this place ! Brought my car in for a Evap emissions code , they charged me for repairing something that had nothing to do with the problem I bought my car in for , this place was sold , used to be a good neighbor shop , not anymore, terrible and rude
Michael Gordon
a year ago
I've only brought my car in for inspection a few times, but the staff is always friendly and helpful. Service was fast. I'll definitely be bringing my car here next time it needs maintenance.
Diana Fischer-Reddick
2 months ago
Good mechanics,prices and service...yay for Sean!!
Katie Sacco
a year ago
SCAM Alert!! Car was brought in for an oil change. They "found" something which needed immediate repair for $400. Went to pay for the car and it was on the street with a PARKING TKT. Desk told me i would have to fight it as they thought they parked the car legally. What???? Your'e suppoed to fight the ticked when they park your car on street? ??? Even worse car broke down on I93, one month later. Trusted mechanic said they used old parts which made the problem worse. DON'T COME HERE!!Service: Engine repair
Stephanie Cummings
4 years ago
Everyone here is very friendly and personable. I have never felt pressured to get any work done on the car that I wasnt sure about. So far, I have taken the car for an inspection sticker and an oil change (so fast, great communication on timeframes) and new brakes (fast, inexpensive compared to previous work I've had done on the car, and again, great communication about the timeline)! I will definitely be bringing my car there whenever it needs a little love!
Roman Stolyarov
2 years ago
I had a very poor experience at this place. I brought in my 2004 VW golf to get a state inspection. The place reported a problem with my ball joints preventing passing of inspection. Kept car for three days to fix the ball joints. After all said and done, I drove the car away and noticed a lose component banging around somewhere in the chassis, indicating car was not test driven after repair. Gave the car back for another day, problem with lose component was resolved, but a new problem was introduced causing a knocking during steering that was not there before. Place refused to admit that they were the ones who caused the new problem, and told me I had to pay an additional $710 to get it fixed. Unprofessional, inconsiderate, and likely intentionally creating new problems on older cars as a way of keeping the business going.Service: General repairs & maintenance
Mark Adair
a year ago
Quick auto inspection while you wait. One car was in front of me. It took a total of 20 minutes. Credit cards are accepted, but there's a $2 service charge. Pay cash to avoid the fee.
William Murphy
2 years ago
Was in a panic after noticing my tire pressure was low heading out on a 4 hour drive and gave the guys at Emerson a call and without hesitation they fixed up my tire late on a Friday. Great guys, amazing service!Services: Tires, General repairs & maintenanceServices: Tires, General repairs & maintenance
Sean Elliott
6 months ago
Quick and easy state inspections. First come, first served approach and cash is strongly preferred.
Colin Sacco
a year ago
This place is HORRIBLE and a scam. I went to get my engine valve fixed and they charged an obscene amount. They also did a horrible job and I had to get it fixed again a month later. Went to Frans Auto Body and they did the job for half the price and the car is running great. Do yourself a favor and don't go here and go to Frans Auto BodyService: Transmission replacement