Achin’s Garage

I live close by, inspections are quick and painless. They are old school, they use a calendar for appointments not a computer. Always friendly staff. They also are the local AAA tow guys

I paid them to fix something, but the problem continued. So I took car back and they fixed again (paid both times). This happened on more than one occasion –paying twice to have one problem fixed. I finally stopped going

I had the worst experience in service.
We had our car towed and the company didn’t deliver the car on the day we needed and of course they charged for that too. Not only that but our battery was swapped and my expensive sun glasses were swapped for cheap ones as well.
If anyone can avoid this company steer clear!

Just moved to MA and needed an inspection. They took my car right in, and I was done within 10 or 15 minutes. They even fixed an issue with my headlight at no charge. Everyone was friendly and nice to deal with. Easiest appointment of my day.

I have been doing business with Achin’s Garage for 40 years. The management and mechanics are honest, competent, and knowledgeable. Sarah, Donnie, and Brian are always pleasant to deal with. Once I needed a tow from Wal-​Mart for a flat tire, the driver arrived promptly, and the issue was resolved that day. Another time a piece fell off the front underside of my car and Donnie told me replacement was expensive and not necessary for the car’s operation. Equally important, Sarah and Donnie are extremely generous and willingly contribute to local causes such as Keep North Attleborough Beautiful and Friends of the North Attleborough Animal Shelter. I feel confident recommending Achin’s Garage for repairs and towing.

Achin’s «Den of Thieves, I’ll Never Have A Car Repair Done There Again!»
I called Achin’s when my car wouldn’t start, Secutity light was on and always thought that they are a reputable place. My car was towed back to the garage on a Friday then on Monday I got a call saying that my car only needed a battery and was all set. It wasn’t, later that day I had the same problem when the security light came on again while I was driving. I went back to Achin’s all they did was clear the fault and said I was all set again. Well, half a mile down the road the light came on again. I called Cereone and over the phone they told me that my computer just needed a reboot. «Turn the key of and then back to the ON position without starting the car and wait ten minutes. Then turn the key off and start the car, yes it worked. The security light went off and hasn’t come back on. For that Achin’s charged me for a tow, a new battery and labor totaling $ 333.73.

Coldest night of the year, almost 2AM this morning and my roommate’s car breaks down on our way home from Rhode Island. Called AAA and requested road service to get us and the dead car home. In less than an hour we were loaded on to the back of the flat bed and on our way to drop his car at the shop. Josh was AMAZING. Even though I called for service well before 2AM he didn’t get the call from dispatch until 2:10 and was on scene 15 minutes later. Super impressed with his caring and sense of humor, when we offered our card/​license upon his arrival and our rescue, said «forget that for now what’s important is that you guys get WARM. Get in the truck.» True professional with a dash (okay maybe more than a dash) of sarcasm was what we were really in need of at the moment. If the business owner reads this please pass it along to Josh how much his personality helped lighten the mood and thank you for your service, prior experience included. A solid work ethic is hard to find these days and I’ll be the first to compliment a job well done and recognize the effort. I’ve been a AAA plus member for years and certainly rate this tow as the best experience to date.

I had my car towed (using AAA) with these folks and the service was fast, courteous, and friendly. The tow truck driver found the shortest route possible for me to save money and was very careful with my car. He was super nice and carried himself professionally. I may consider using these guys as mechanics in the future.

Achin’s has never let me down. I bring my Accord to them maybe 3 – 4 times a year for a routine check-​up, oil change, and to diagnose whatever squeaks and screeches have been coming from under the hood. Every now and then they’ll need to replace a belt. Their rates are fair. Don and Sara are always pleasant to deal with.
My only minor gripe is that they can get booked-​up /​backed-​up quickly. But I guess that’s a good thing overall. Just make sure to schedule a time on the sooner side, if at all possible.

Unilocal let me down on this place. I called on a Monday morning to make an inspection appt. for my car. I spoke with Sarah and I informed her I just bought my car and would like an invasive inspection. I was told that they could perform a 30min used car inspection for 37.50. I reluctantly opted for the used car inspection in addition to the state inspection immediately following. The state inspection costs an additional 29.00. I just hoped the 30min inspection would give me more peace of mind.
I arrive at the dealership a 11:30 and wait patiently. My car does not move until 12:15. I still had to wait 45 min even though i had an appt. As I see my car pulled into a stall with no lift I get concerned the undercarriage will be overlooked. 12:30 rolls around with my car inspected with a state inspection sticker and the 30 min used car inspection completed and I was told my horn doesn’t work. Really? First I am in shock at the lack of time my car was inspected. I voice my dismay on the charge of two inspection prices when I should have just asked for a state inspection. Clearly I was awarded no due diligence with the additional inspection. I pay my bill and leave disappointed. The first thing I check is my horn and it wakes the whole office up. I go back in the office and say if you can not diagnose a horn correctly what other technical items have you misdiagnosed. I want my money back now on one of my inspections. Doesn’t happen. Don’t go to this money pit.

I only stopped in for an inspection, but everything went impressively fast. I showed up just as they opened and left about 15 minutes later. Unless you have other maintenance scheduled the inspections are first come first served.

It’s funny I am kind of torn about this place and I will explain why. About two years ago (I just joined Unilocal so deal with me) I was on my way to work and my 1994 Nissan broke down, I knew instantly it was the alternator (wipers wouldn’t work, windows would not go down). I broke down on I 295 and did make it to the break down lane. I called AAA and an Achin’s two truck arrived about 40 minutes later. Tow truck driver was very nice and hooked me up quickly and brought me to Achins. Car was brought in at 9 AM and I had it back by Noon and was able to get to work. The price, well, it was a bit high but I didn’t mind that so much because it was done so efficiently. However, about three months later, I am driving home from work, same problem (wipers/​windows won’t go down) I made it to my driveway but that was it. I had it towed back to Achins, yup, alternator again. Well, it was under warranty, so they fixed it and I had it back by the end of the day. Great, right? well, no. Six months later. YUP, alternator again. Only this time it «rattling loudly» and I had multiple mechanics tell me it IS the alternator and that it’s the bearing inside the alternator. I brought it back and left it for Achins (left a note in late night slot) and waited to hear. I heard back from Sarah (who is an absolute sweetheart, pleasure to deal with) and she really felt that it was not the alternator but the battery. Additionally, she felt the noise, well a great deal was coming from the AC compressor belt and they removed that. They replaced the battery as well. Now, the car is old, I bought it used. It had been barely over a calendar year (so alternator was technically not warranty any longer). Sarah stated if it is the alternator we will see what we can do about a price. I felt since I was back for a THIRD time, for the same problem, in a little over a year, that I should not have to pay for anything. Anyway, she really wanted to try the compressor belt and put in a battery. Knowing the car could use a battery, I felt it was worth a shot. Well, I go to pick up the car, NO charge! I was NOT expecting that. If that battery worked, I expected to pay for that, they did NOT charge me. The car was a BIT quieter but definitely still makes that racket (which again i have been told is the alternator) but the alternator does appear to be doing its job as I have had NO problems since the battery was put in. I do have that racket to deal with but the car has operated nicely since the battery was installed.
So, I would recommend Achin’s to others and I am certainly one of those people that are VERY skeptical about garages (I once worked in one and know what mechanics/​establishments will do). But Achins seems honest to me. Sarah was SO extremely nice and professional. Give them a shot!

Achin’s…for when your car goes «thunk» (or for when a car other than yours is in your parking spot!).
Yes, it’s true… my poor poor Mecury Sable hand-​me-​down ALMOST bit the bullet last week (apparently the transmission is an essential part of the car, sheesh). I called AAA who sent a tow driver out my way — and «under 60 minutes» (more like 15!) later: Josh had arrived.
Introducing JOSH: the nicest, most honest tow driver I’ve ever met. After introducing myself, Josh asked what the trouble was. When I explained that my car had spontaneously decided to stop accelerating up a hill (that’s right… ON A HILL) and I mimicked the corresponding sound effect, Josh confirmed my worst nightmare: the transmission… was…crap. (insert long line of profanities here)
Josh tried to comfort me with mechanical knowledge; apparently I’m not the only Mecury owner who has faced this problem when reaching 100,000+ miles. He also suggested a mechanic who was in the area and could offer primo work, fast results, and lower prices than the place I had been planning on taking my car. It was due to his recommendation that I was able to drive to work today (as in my car broke down Thursday night and Monday afternoon I was back on the road).
Achin’s was established in 1919 — and it appears that they’re still supplying trustworthy and quality service to the community. They are the company our condo association used for towing and I’m sure I’ll be needing a tune-​up at some point mid-​winter. **If you can’t have a reliable car, have a reliable mechanic!** Thanks, Achin’s! For the tow and the advice!

I wouldn’t trust this place. My sister had her car towed here this past week after breaking down. We called AAA and a tow truck came over from Achin’s to pick it up. I told AAA to just have it towed to the nearest garage, so the tow guy asked us if we just wanted to bring it to Achins. I said sure, as long as that was the closest. It was about 2 mi away so that worked out. He said they would call when they found out what was wrong with it and that it sounded like the timing belt had snapped and would most likely be an expensive job. Got a call about an hour later from the shop telling us that yes, it was the timing belt. But the issue was that it *may* have caused damage to the valves as well. Timing belt would be about 400 – 500 to fix, but they said there was no way of knowing if the valves were damaged without fixing the belt first. And if the valves were damaged, it would be a few thousand dollars worth of work (not worth it for my sisters car). The mechanic said to think it over and call him the next day. We called our own mechanic and he said there ABSOLUTELY was a way to tell if the valves were damaged without doing the belt job. So we decided to tow it to our own trusted mechanic. Thats when Achin’s notified us that we owed them 37.50 just for looking at the car. Would have been fine if they had told us this upfront, but they did not. I’ve rarely heard of being charged just to look at a car. Especially when they weren’t sure what was damaged or not, so it wasn’t even a full diagnosis. Not a great practice in my opinion.

A couple years ago they towed my car (via AAA). I had all kinds of problems that day, and the driver was patient and helpful so when I needed a new mechanic I decided to try them.
I had my front brakes/​rotors replaced on my car. I dropped it off at 8am, and was able to pick it up at noon. It cost about $ 300. They called with an estimate for my approval before they did any work.
Recently, they replaced the secondary air pump in my husband’s car. I dropped it off at 8am and had it by 3pm. It cost $ 429. Three days later the check engine light came on again. We brought it back in and was told that there was water in the hose (which is not something that should be happening had the airpump been working properly.) Nonetheless, they charged us $ 75 because they drove it 50 miles to «get it ready for inspection». Three days later, the light came on AGAIN. Same code. This time we told them we weren’t paying for them to fix something that should have been fixed the 1^st time we brought it in. The problem turned out to be a sensor which they did replace at no cost to us.
Initially, I thought they were friendly, honest, reasonable and accommodating, but after being charged for having to bring our car back a second time I started to feel like I was being ripped off. Also, I don’t think we would have gotten the sensor fixed for free had we not insisted. In light of this, we paid more money overall than we would have had they found the real problem in the first place.

I’ve had to use them as a tow and as a place to have my car repaired.
The people there are very friendly. And they are honest. I had work that I thought was going to be very expensive. They found that it was something else, and it didn’t cost as much.
I got a phone call to ask if I wanted to still do the work, as it was cheaper…
You don’t get better than that.

Some of the nicest people ever. I use to work at honey dew and would always hook the drivers up. One night my friend left lights on in her car while we went to a party calling AAA they sent an Achin’s guy. The guy was polite and recognized me as that girl from the dew as i recognized him as Large iced mocha madness. He was talkative and friendly, jumped the car and was on his way. Now i know thats his job but after having to be jumped by other garages i found the guys out working at 1:00 a. m are not always the friendliest. Achin’s as guys out all night and there local so it takes them no time flat to get to you. Also take my car there to get work done and they are fast to do inspection stickers. I dont know why i am smitten with this place it might be the hot tow truck drivers or just the great service