I have one criticism (read below) but otherwise I highly recommend this mechanic for auto maintenance, repairs and inspections; very friendly owner and reasonable rates (when quoted properly!). I regularly take our cars here, but A WORD OF CAUTION: When a "total" is quoted over the phone, BE SURE to check that it includes costs and labor for EVERYTHING to be performed, not just an item you may have been talking about separately on a follow-up "call-back". D'Ambras runs a very honest shop, but they need to be aware that when a customer hears the word "total" that means TOTAL. Period. (With respect, this was a miscommunication on _their_ part, not a misunderstanding on _my_ part, as it was characterized. I think most people listen pretty carefully when a mechanic calls! A forgivable error--but at least do me the courtesy of admitting that you may have given me an incorrect figure, let alone an incomplete "total".) I do my best to support local businesses, but sometimes the devil is in the details and an omission like this makes for a nasty surprise...3 days before Christmas. Ouch. read more

Showed up for a scheduled inspection and was told to come back in 8 days. Don't waste your time.

Great service, family has used them for a long time and they've always been incredibly helpful. Never an issue with them

I have always had an excellent experience with the Dambra service station. The staff is freindly and courteous, the quality of work on my car is professional and thorough. I am always satisfied with the service on my car , as well as the repairs for my family's automobiles . The prices for repairs and labor are fair and reasonable . I trust the owner as an honest business man with the concern for the customers . I recommend this station for all your auto repairs . Sandra M read more

Untrustworthy. It's clear the owner is there for one reason only, and that's to make money. Watch out for overpriced parts, unnecessary work, and lots of extra fees. For example I was quoted three times as much for a tire than Firestone and Benny's quoted me for. I now drive much farther to go to a trustworthy mechanic and would not recommend going to D'Ambra's unless you hate money. It's too bad since the mechanics that work there are great and want to do the right thing. I've experienced them try to go a little above and beyond to help us out but the owner wouldn't let them. read more

Friendly, straightforward, excellent, honest service. There's a reason this service station has been in business at the same location for the past 75 years. Treat them right and they will treat you right. They've state-inspected my vehicles for the past 25 years. On those few occasions when a vehicle needed something, they always called first to get my OK. read more

I have a twenty year-old Jeep that two services stations said "Don't bother, get a new car" - basically they could not be bothered. But when I went to D'Ambra they said they could fix it and they did. Thanks much for giving new life to my old Jeep. Greatly appreciated and I will be back as there is lots more to do on this old machine :) read more

I love D'ambras! I've been going here for years. They run an old fashion shop so if you need to have your car in or out at a specific time please make sure you make that clear ahead of time. But they are extremely trust worthy! I've gone in thinking I needed a new starter and then only replaced a $5 part! Didn't even charge me any labor! You can't ask for better than that. I do expect that my car will be there for the day unless I specify I need it back sooner but they are reliable and honest about your vehicle. The price is a little higher than what I've seen at some places but I'd rather pay a little more for better quality and reliable service. read more

Great service station, with great staff that are always friendly and willing to answer all your questions. As I also live on the East Side, this service station is conveniently located for me. It really feels like a neighborhood business since the owner and his son work there every day. Oil changes are $35, which I thought was a bit pricey, especially since you can get them for $20 elsewhere in Providence. However, the service can't be beat. I left my car there for a few hours for them to change my wiper blades, top my engine fluids off, and lubricate my locks, and they only charged me a basic price for the windshield wipers. I would definitely go back again and again. read more

I took my 2000 Lexus LS400 to have the transmission fluid replaced; a few weeks later I realized that my transmission pan was leaking on the driveway because the gasket had been reused. Service is friendly, courteous and timely. My guess is that next time I will bring my own parts and have them work with them. Location-wise it cannot be beat, probably Swedish Motors is the closest alternative. Great if you live in College Hill and you need to have your car serviced. read more

I have been going here for over 35 years and I am extremely happy with the service. Mr. D'Ambra, the owner is an excellent mechanic, as our the other mechanics there, and a gentleman. His prices are reasonable and his word is his bond. He always calls before any repairs to give an estimate or to tell you the best way to proceed if you cannot afford to get everything done at once. I can't imagine how anyone could give less than an excellent review. I tend to keep my cars for about 10 to 15 years and he has kept both my cars in excellent working order as well as advised me on my next car purchase as to the best model that will meet my needs and that will have the fewest maintenance problems and costs. read more

Would not recommend taking your car to this place. It's conveniently located which is the only reason I went back there a second time. Both times I've taken my car to them, I've found them to be nice but very unreliable. They'll take down your phone number and say they'll give you a call to let you know what's up before the day's up and never do. Ok fine, I'll just call them, no problem. Then they say car will be done and ready for pickup by X on day Y. 0/2 on this regard also. There are the main things I can concretely say things about. There are more criticisms I have, perhaps speculative and circumstantial, but I'll leave be for now. read more

This service station is absolutely terrible. Went here to get my truck inspected because it's nearby, to start with the person I spoke to on the phone asked me to drop it off at 8AM. I called at 1 and the person who answered rudely let me know that no one has even looked at it yet. Went in at 3:30 and the mechanic at the desk slammed my keys on the counter, did not inform me of what my truck failed for even after asking, and then charged me $55.00. The service here is awful and I would not recommend doing any business with these people. read more

Great place - the owner is very friendly and seems like an honest guy

Very pleased with my appointment this morning. I made an 8 am appointment last week to drop off my car for a state vehicle inspection. Got there right at 8 am and was promptly greeted. The gentleman took my keys, registration and phone number and told me he would call me when it was done. After reading previous reviews, I was worried about the length of time it would take to get a call. I decided that if I hadn't heard anything after a couple of hours at the local coffee shop, I would uber home to get chores down around the house. Well after only an hour and 10 minutes (!!), I received a call that my car was ready to go. The man was courteous and prompt with my payment, and I was on my way. I will definitely be back! Thank you!! read more

Great small mechanic shop! I only go to this shop when my car needs a repair or maintenance. I have had my oil changed, car inspected, brakes done, alternator changed, exhaust repaired and I get my gas pumped their weekly. Everyone at the shop is knowledgeable, friendly and trustworthy. The prices are not the lowest but you get what you pay for! read more

I have been going here for years because it is convenient to my home but today was the last straw. I dropped my car off for inspection. They called and informed me that I needed new brake pads and routers. I asked how much it would be and they told me $322. Knowing that he doesn't always quote the labor cost, I ASKED SPECIFICALLY IF THAT INCLUDED LABOR AND HE SAID YES. Well, I go to pick up my car and get a bill of $491! He said the price he quoted me didn't include the inspection but on my receipt the inspection is itemized under the $322 price. Just nonsense. They have lost my business and I encourage other customers to beware of extraneous "labor" charges. read more

D'Ambra's is a truly great place. My wife and I have been coming here for over forty years, since a time when the father of the present owner was in charge. Never in all that time have we been disappointed. The prices are reasonable and fair, and the service unfailingly smart, congenial and accommodating. The integrity and honesty of the operation is especially important since we are not savvy about automobiles and totally rely on D'Ambra's. Many the time we have thought something "had to be done" when the folks at D'Ambra's have told us the operation was unnecessary or could wait. Other times they have anticipated major problems we were completely unaware of. Friends' accounts oft how they've been "taken" at other service stations remind us how fortunate we are. We recommend this business continuously to friends (who have always been grateful.) without reservation and in the highest terms. read more

No negative experience here. I have gone to this place for Rhode Island vehicle inspection, and to inflate my tires. Tire inflation is free and self-service. They were friendly, and on time for appointments. I also asked additional auto services like detailing which they did not have, but they kindly provided a recommendation and directions to the location. read more

Brought my car in today to triage an oil leak. Shop did a great job of letting me know exactly what needs to be done. Unfortunately they do not do the service I needed. Bummer as I immediately trusted their opinion. As a bonus they did not charge for the assessment. I will definitely be taking my car there again. thank you. read more

My experience is identical to Bruce D's except it's been only 20 not 40 years. The service here is wonderful, the prices (esp. for labor) extremely reasonable, and you'll never meet a businessman more honest than the owner, Bobby D'Ambra. His concern is for your car, not for his own enrichment. He's on your side. Yes, I do have to call him to see if my car is ready--but what a small price to pay for such reliable care of my car (a Toyota Corolla). Mr. D'Ambra does all my servicing, and tells me when a service is unnecessary. On a rare occasion if the dealer can do something for me that he can't, he lets me know. I will be moving out of state soon and dread looking for a new mechanic. You who live permanently in Providence are very very lucky to have a service station of this quality. read more

Great service!! so happy to have found an honest, reliable and reasonably priced place to take my car. I am an extremely happy customer and highly recommend them. read more

The best service station around for all of your automotive needs, been using this place for 25 years, they bend over backwards to hep you.

Great for oil changes and car repairs. Great service. My family has been going here for generations.

Did you ever wish you had a personal mechanic you can completely trust? This is the place. They're not the cheapest, or the most expensive, but they'll stand behind their work. They'll also get to know you and your car. I only had the confidence to buy my second hand car on craigslist because they thoroughly checked it out for me first and they've maintained it beautifully since then. During the latest visit for an oil change they found an alignment issue and a worn-out tire (full disclosure: I'd been ignoring that shimmy for a while). They managed to find two replacement front tires to match the still-good back ones (my car is AWD) and had the alignment done, all in the same day. Highly recommended. read more