Centre City Auto Repairs - Central Dunedin

Disappointed. A few weeks ago I took my two cars there and the service was excellent. However, on the 30th December after 4pm, my battery went flat as I was parking in a loading bay at the back of the Mall in Filleul St. I was almost certain that being a registered costumer I was going to be helped. To be fair, it was closed but I saw people inside and respecfuly went around to talk to them. I politely explained my situation. But having a jump starter in front of my eyes, the person there refused to help me. He was busy, which I totally understood so I asked to borrow the gear and pay for that. He couldn't trust me, he said, "people don't bring them back". I felt a bit offended but I was desperate, I even offered to leave my wallet with him as a guarantee for me to return the equipment. Although I spoke to the people at the Mall I was parked in a towaway bay. I was lucky enough to find a kind person in another garage nearby who helped me. This is not a complain but an observation for you to think if this could have been sorted in a better way. Opportunity for improvement? All the best.

Worst experience ever. Very dangerous, PLEASE READ THE FULL REVIEW. I went here three times hoping my next visit will be better but sadly no, very disappointing and I won't be going there ever again. (I only went there because other mechanics were fully booked for another month, now I know why this mechanic was always free). I could write so many things that are wrong with this place but I will only write about my last visit that I figured everyone should know. I called in to book for my CV boot to be replaced and also to check the ball joints that were recently replaced. They told me it shouldn't take longer than an hour so I went there first thing in the morning and I met Steve, the owner and I told him that there is something wrong with the ball joint so I want him to have a look, I told him twice before I left. I called about three times to see if it was done but they finished it around 2:30. So it took about 5 hours. I was already late to pick up my kid so as I left I asked the mechanic what was wrong with the ball joint, and he had no idea what I was talking about. Steve forgot to tell them to check it, and they mentioned that as they were parking my car they heard a loud mechanic noise and yet they were still about to let me go in that condition. Anyway the mechanic said it will take 10mins so I said ok. He didn't even touch my car for 20 mins and finally he looked at it for about 10mins and noticed the bolt wasn't tight enough so I said thank you and as I left they told me it's $50 extra. I told them for tightening two bolts you are going to charge me 50? so they said they will get Steve to call me. Now it gets interesting. I got a call from Steve and he sounded angry saying that first with the bolt not being tight it could have been very dangerous and that I could have killed my family. So I told him that I knew there were something wrong with the ball joint thats why I went to you, the mechanic and You forgot to fix it and whats even worse as you were parking my car you heard a loud metalic clink noise and yet you were about to let me go with it. If I didn't check to see if you worked on it, and something bad happens it will be on your hand. And yet he didn't listen all he said was that I owed him $50 and that I should pay because they worked 30mins on it. He didn't apologize or even listen to what I had to say. Which was really sad, he was the owner and yet he didn't listen to my complain or what I have to say. Very disappointing, I do not recommend, and for some reason you have to go there make sure you double check to see if they did everything. P.s. I got an invoice saying that 50 was for the test drive (from their carpark to their garage) and the hoist, which could have been done at the same time when they worked on my CV boot. Oh I went in to get my WOF from there after I got my ball joint replaced and they passed me so that just shows how professional they are.

Went to see them when my car wouldn't start. From my description they were able to diagnose that the steep hill angle I was parked on was preventing petrol from flowing to the engine. They then drove me to my car and filled it up with petrol and made sure it went. Then they wouldn't even charge me! Amazing people.

Went in to get WOF and it failed which was reasonable but had to go and get it fixed from somewhere else because their quote was way higher than other places (I tried 2 different mechanics and they both were a lot cheaper) called back to see if they can check it and they said yes, they told me it will only take 30 mins so I dropped my car off first thing in the morning around 9.30 and called around 12 asked if it was done, they said they were having lunch so i call back and 1, still not done, and round 2.30 i call and they said its done but didn't bothered to call me. It literally took them a whole day. Their service seemed too expensive and very poor time management, won't be going there again.

Very good workmanship, good customer service. Fair prices

While I will ALWAYS be mortified at the cost of mechanics, these guys are good. They could easily have added another job, telling me I "needed" to get it done (to con more money out of me) but they didn't. They explained the job in layman's terms without being patronizing. I will definitely go back, nice guys, and super handy location!

They helped me fix my car. Love the service ✌️✌️

Repaired a split CV boot in no time. Thanks again! Super friendly and accommodating, we were in Dunedin for only 3 days and managed to sort us out.