R & D Automotive

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Kevin Ryan
2 months ago
I would give this company 10 stars if I could. Everything about doing business with R&D Auto is exceptional. Pleasant front office staff, mechanics communicate really well about problems and solutions for my vehicles, and the workmanship has been outstanding.

  Chris Paquette
a month ago
Recommended by VT State Police. Their roadside technician got my oddball blown trailer tire fixed on rt 4 swiftly and professionally. Latest experience is they fixed and delivered my excavator without any issues. I highly recommend these guys for roadside assistance and thanks VT State Police for the awesome recommendation.

  Mike Maloney
6 months ago
Was in the area on a fishing trip when a seal blew on one of my oil bath wheel hubs on my boat trailer. Came to this shop on a recommendation. Extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Got my bearing converted so I could make the 5 hour trip home, which I did with no issues. Reasonable price. If you live in the area, I would highly recommend these guys. Came through clutch for me.Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Patrick Rogers
4 months ago
Great service, very friendly, good follow up, and highly recommend them to repair and work on your car or truck.

  Gregory Werner
a year ago
My daughter was driving from downstate NY to UVM on a Sunday of thanksgiving weekend when she started to have problems with her car. She pulled over at a gas station in Fairhaven VT and we determined she could not drive her car. She asked the person at the gas station the best mechanic around and without hesitation they said R&D Automotive. There was no choice but to call them. They had a 24 hour service number. Had a flat bed tow truck there in 15 minutes (on a Sunday). The tow operator was professional and courteous. I was on the phone with them Monday morning and they said they would look over the car and get back to me. (They said they were pretty busy because of the holiday weekend). Early afternoon I got a call back with a very reasonable estimate. ( I was worried about being taken advantage of because I was 4 hours away). I gave them approval and they ordered the parts needed and said it would be ready Tuesday. Tuesday morning I get a call the car was done and they went the extra step to inspect the rest of the car to make sure it was good to go. The price was amazing, the service was amazing, the communication was beyond amazing. Thank you for making a bad situation turn into a positive experience.Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Kacy Chicoine
2 years ago
Excellent service center. They didn't inflate 2/4 of my brand new winter tires enough. No damage, no problem, but it just means I have to do it now.They're super fast, and have a reasonable hourly rate. Will definitely use them again if necessary when I'm visiting the area.

  anna olson
a year ago
Had an issue with my tire today and Nick showed up to the rescue quickly, kind, and professional. He was able to fix the issue right then & there, with no hesitation. Hard working employees are hard to find nowadays, you are lucky to have one working for you. Props to Nick for saving my day!!!Service: TiresService: Tires

  Marcia Weinreber
10 months ago
I wish I could add exclamation points with the 5 star rating I m giving! My RAV was locked, keys unavailable. Through my Allstate Roadside service Kai from R&D arrived with 20 minutes from the time he was called!!! Kai was very friendly, and my state of panic diminished immediately! AND, it s a Holiday weekend!!! Thank you, Kai!!!!

  Amanda Cavanaugh
a year ago
We were traveling from PA up to VT and had an issue with our horse trailer. R&D was right down the road and they were able to assist us right away and got us promptly back on the road. Excellent service and we are so thankful they could help us!Service: General repairs & maintenanceService: General repairs & maintenance

  Rebecca Day
a year ago
I have always had a great experience with R&D. They are trustworthy and reliable.They work with my budget when I need a major repair and I can always get an appointment within a couple days. I highly recommend them!!

  PETER REDFIELD
a year ago
I had a towing done with these guys and the guy damaged the frame of my car while unloading it from the tow truck. I asked in concern with the tower if that's normal and he was rude and told me to call the garage. I called the garage and reached the owner and he told me, "you shouldn't of crashed it in the ditch". How rude and careless can you really be to your customer.Service: Car towing

  Damon Straw
6 months ago
Great people great customer service. Have 4 trucks on the road Wouldn't take them any place else!!!

  Martin Conley
2 years ago
R & D Automotive! I was staying in Bomoseen, VT for vacation and upon trying to leave, my car decided that wouldn't allow me to drive back to Cleveland, OH. I was a bit stressed by this situation as I had to return home and obviously could not do it without my car. I called around to a couple places that were recommended by some locals and none of them were able to get me in for an appointment any earlier than 4 days later. I called R&D and I was able to schedule an appointment for first thing the next morning! The woman that I spoke with on the phone (I'm ashamed to say that I don't remember her name) was extremely understanding of my problem and was very nice about accommodating me. The following day I dropped it off and they were able to diagnose the problem (bad ignition coil/module) and give me a couple options for repair within an hour. They were then able to get the parts ordered, delivered and installed within another 2 hours. Once again both of the ladies at the front desk that I dealt with were super friendly throughout the entire process and made me feel as though everything was going to be okay. That was a HUGE weight off of my shoulders. I didn't meet the mechanic that performed the work, but I assume he was a true gentleman. You know... The type that would assist an old lady crossing the street lol. Seriously though, they saved my butt. Hopefully I never have to go there again (fingers crossed) but if I do have car trouble in the future while in town I will absolutely call them FIRST. Thanks R&D! Hope y'all enjoyed the cupcakes!!!Service: Fuel delivery

  Tom McMillen
2 years ago
Have been going to R&D Rich and Danny' place for repairs since they first opened. Before R&D, Danny was working on my cars at Fair Haven Dodge. So lots of trust in Danny.R&D gets it! Dependable, trustworthy and reasonably priced. They are the best!!!

  Gregory Lehoisky
a year ago
Great customer service some of the nicest group of people I have ever dealt with. Best price on tires and service. Highly recommended..

  Duane Goewey
4 years ago
My granddaughter attends the local college and when her car wouldn t start she had R&D tow it to their shop to be diagnosed. Besides finding the the cause of the starting issue they found two problems that were totally unrelated and actually very dangerous. They made the necessary repairs in a very short time at a reasonable price. It s comforting to know that she has a thorough and trustworthy place get her car fixed when she s so far from home.

  Ray Alex
7 years ago
Absolutely The Best place, way more Honest than car dealer ships.R&D started out small but their Business grew Because of Good & Honest work. That's why so many people keep coming back. Don't trust car dealerships, You want your car Fixed right the first time then Go to R&D!

  Grace Fordham
2 years ago
I've taken my cars here for 12 years and, unlike other places, I've never once had a wrong diagnosis or a problem following a repair. Enough said. Fantastic service, great prices and great people!

  Amy Mook
6 years ago
Had an RV dualie blow out late on a Sunday afternoon. They came quickly to tow us to their facility. Replaced it with our spare on Monday & we were safely on our way. Very caring & conscious folks - would HIGHLY recommend them!

  James Smith
7 years ago
Our daughter was a student at Castleton University. We had some issues with her car and brought it to R and D over the last three and one half years. They were extremely professional and took great pride in their workmanship and fair pricing as well. It was difficult having car issues so far from home with our daughter, but the folks at R and D are to be commended for all the help we needed. I highly recommend them.Jim and Carleen SmithJefferson, MA

  Rebekah Richards
2 years ago
R&D is one of the few honest garages around! They are reliable,friendly,and reasonably priced. I recommend R&D to everyone, even people an hour away!Services: Tires, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Brakes, Battery, Oil changeServices: Tires, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Brakes, Battery, Oil change

  wood y
2 years ago
If you cherish your health and safety go elsewhere. Over $1000 spent only to have a critical failure within two months of the work, then when calling in their main concern was Scheduling conflicts! Not fixing their mistakes in a timely manner. Do not have your work performed here.

  Sandra Deitch
2 years ago
Got a phone estimate, scheduled the service a week out. New brake rotors and pads. Reasonable price! Respectable service. We will us R&D Automotive again.Service: BrakesService: Brakes

  Kathryn Byrne
a year ago
The business is pleasant to wait in. It is clean, spacious, and has wi-fi. The staff is responsive and friendly. I find them to be fair priced and they have proved to be excellent mechanics.

  R
4 years ago
These people like to see your car when you buy it and tell you only a few things that need to be fixed when you buy it. They tell you that it will be a good solid car for you. We have been with this company for over 20 years and have watched them slowly yet surely turn into a sloppy business that likes to get your money and who doesn't care who you are. The last two cars that we have brought to them to look over before we bought them and they have said the things that need to be fixed and so we buy the cars and get them fixed. One car lasted 2 years and we are still paying for it and the other didn't even last a year. They have turned into tricky people that want your money!!! BE AWARE before you do business with them.

  Dyllan Winters
5 years ago
TLDR: Shady people, will never get my business again.I had initially gotten a quote to replace the suspension (front+back) on my Audi A4. I dropped the car off the night before, when I called at 1pm the next day they ..were just getting into it. I received a call around 3:30 that same day stating that they had broken a part (steering knuckle) in the process of attempting the job. The gentleman continued on to say that they were going to get a replacement part from a salvage yard and then put it back together, but because it was going to be too much of a hassle that s all they were going to do. I was told that I would need to pay for the broken part but they would eat the labor. I asked if they could at least change the oil (oil+filter provided) they said they would. The following day after they had replaced the knuckle they broke I went to pick up my car. Begrudgingly I paid for the repair and my oil change. When I went out to start my car it was completely dead (first time this has ever happened, up until this point I had never had an issue). I went back inside and was told well, they did have the door open the whole time. The gentleman jumped my car and I was on my way. The following morning my car started relatively normal with only a slight delay (as if the battery was having a little trouble), but seemed fine. I went to work and on my lunch break I went to start my car, dead again. I called R&D where I was told that it was probably my battery and that it couldn t possibly be their fault, Rich (the R in R&D) then went as far to say ...it s not like we swapped your battery for a bad one, if that s what you re thinking. (I hadn t implied nor even mentioned this as a possibility). Rich then stated that he couldn t tell me anything over the phone and I would have to bring it in to be tested. I showed up at 5pm (after I had gotten out of work)and waited patiently for the women at the desk to acknowledge my presence while she was on the phone (8 minutes later), she then went on the floor and informed Rich I was there. Rich came out and asked what he could do for me, I stated I was there to get my battery tested. Rich told me well all my guys have gone home.... *sigh* are the keys in it? To which I replied yes, and it s still running, I don t want to turn it off incase it dies he pulled my car into the shop where 4 men gathered around my car (everyone was supposed to be gone). He came back and presented me with a readout of the battery and told me that it would need to be replaced. Alright, thanks I said, and left. I went to advanced auto parts and picked up a new battery. Went to my local garage and had them replace the bad battery with the new one. I brought the old one back to advanced auto parts to get the cell deposit, but asked him to test the battery before he took it, because the whole thing just wasn t sitting well with me, he tested it and the battery tested fine. So needless to say, I will not be going back to R&D ever, and I will continue to tell this story in hopes that it saves someone else from similar circumstances.

  Bryan Mollison
a year ago
My truck broke down while traveling thur the area called them for a tow and they were able to get it repaired the same day.Very friendly service and Reasonable prices Would definitely recommend themServices: Electrical repair, Car towingServices: Electrical repair, Car towing

  Richard Sensei Smith
4 years ago
Rich and Dan are great mechanics, however growing in size from service bays to more mechanics that are not Rich or Dan. I personally always want the mechanics that run and operate the business. They still have good services. Its more a combination of newer State laws for inspection to several other mechanics. The new mechanics, I personally do not know them, nor anything other than because they're newer mechanics trained, taught and licensed without any or barely any practical skills vs books and exams passed. Meaning the knowledge is there, but the on hands training not so much anymore. Not because of R&D but because of State standards, allowing people to be certified without much on hands experience that is critical for proper repairs and results of such repairs. This is a problem across the board for all repair shops in VT, possibly across all 50 States. R&D did not create this in experience problem, they like all Automotive repair shops have to deal with the consequences of the new laws passed by legislation even though the Public never voted for such extreme measures to simply pass an inspection, where C.A sets the standards it seems for all other States, not even putting it to a public vote.They pass these partisan measures that really have ZERO effects in VT in comparison to C.A. politicians created the problem.We all know that manufacturers & States are pushing an agenda to force everyone into NEW vehicles. When a vehicle is 100% safe, and the only reason it will not pass an inspection is because of a Secondary (not primary) mass air flow injector. A very expensive and rather small part of the charcoal system in between the gas tank and fuel lines. The stupidity of the charcoal system simply adds more parts to go bad costing more. There was NO reason to add a charcoal system, the old standard gas lines were enough. If you had a gas leak or could smell fumes it was far easier to replace or repair than this system added.I personally will not waste $400+ on a part and possible 2+ labor hours that guess what...After a vehicle is 15 years or older, it no longer matters according to VT law and will pass with this particular error code. In fact your allowed up to 2 code errors and still pass so long as the car is physically safe and no gas or exhaust leaks are detectable. No drips, no smoke, no loud noises yet it will not pass?15 years is 15 years. That is really my only issue. A 2005 car as of January 2020 is now a FULL 15 years old starting into the 16th. Why can other places tell you yes the year is now good to go as of Jan 1st and the place I've used for several years for inspections tell me it's not until 2021, Wish someone could explain the difference in Math vs the others?If all the other shopsi spoke with say yes as of January 1st it meets the requirements to pass . Yes of course all physical parts, tires, mufflers, wheel bearings etc must be in good shapefrom a business perspective that is loosing out many potential customers who are simply going to use a shop that is allowing 2005s. For some reason R&D are behind one year compared to 3 other places I spoke to and the State as well. I simply cannot fathom loosing business over such an issue. It makes mo sense to loose paying customers.i would want to know why others can yet "my shop" can't? Personally in past experiences dealing Solely with Dan or Rich things were always good. The last couple of years, have caused much changes. I truly hope they are able to find a balance that brings them back to where they were 4 to 5 years ago. I rather miss having Dan or Rich doing the work compared to far less knowledgeable ones. People want to pay for the the names they see on the sign. If I did this review 4- 5 years ago I would be saying what great work Rich and Dan do and back then it was at a rate locals could better afford. Growth can often be more a struggle to sustain, I wish them well of course.

  T Matava
3 years ago
Girlfriends Subaru needed a water pump timing belt & minor repairs. Having only one vehicle at this time we were worried about getting around. Danny sent tow truck right out and had the work done on time at a fair price. Thank you

  Kayla Bronson
7 years ago
I have been doing business with Danny for years and and years and have jnkwb rich lersonally just as long. They are the only business I trust to work on my vehicles or give me an opinion. They go above and beyond for their customers. I know they would never let me leave their business with a vehicle that is unsafe for my children to ride in ever. No excessive work is done. If they see something else that needs repair while they are working on my vehicle, they will contact me about it and let me know before even considering going forward and doing more work than originally agreed upon. There is no salesman type service where anyone there will just tell you what you want to hear. They tell you exactly how it is and don't sugar coat. While they're a business looking to make money to keep their business running, they are there for their customers. A trustworthy business that I continue to refer people to year after year.