Dobbs Ferry Automotive

I was recommended to come here by many co-workers, I live far away, exactly 64 miles away, 128 miles almost daily. I was driving and started hearing this loud screeching sound coming from the rear that sounded like metal on metal. Out of fear of driving home, I dropped my car off here, spoke with the owner and told him that I’m hearing that loud sound coming from the rear, I said I don’t know if it’s the brake pad on the rear, if it is, please change it, I also said the car stops perfectly without issue and he told me that brakes work best when they are at the end of their life, I didn’t question that. I also told him that I have some kind of smell coming out from the AC which is typical with Fords. I get a call maybe two and a half hours later and he tells me that he checked the rear brakes thoroughly and nothing was wrong with the rear that it was actually coming from the front and that I not only needed new brake pads, but rotors as well. I said to him are you sure it wasn’t the rear? Because I checked it and it was coming from the rear and he told me no, it was the front and even the mechanic Chris told me that sound travels and that’s why it sounded as if it was coming from the rear. When I get there to pick up the car he told me that the mechanic test drove the car and everything is fixed. I get in the car and start driving and guess what? The loud screeching sound was still there, so if the car was test driven, how can such a loud sound go unnoticed if it was indeed test driven? I go back to the shop right away and tell him that the sound is still there, and he looks at his mechanic and asks him you did take it for a test drive, right? And he answered yes. But it was obvious that it was not test driven! I’ve had many cars, and the one sign of the car being test drove is the seat setting has changed, that didn’t happen the first time but the second time it was changed! Now, the owner told me the car was thoroughly checked, to find out that the calipers were not gripping, and that the brake pads on the opposite of the rotor were completely wasted due to the calipers having issues, both calipers and both brake pads! I ask you this, if a customer is saying that the sound is coming from the rear, why wouldn’t you test drive the car to listen to the sound, he took it upon himself to think that it was the front! He looks at me and I ask him well how much is this going to cost and he says a lot more than the fronts! But that he will “Take care of me”, by this time I am upset and trying to keep my composure due to many co-workers coming to this mechanic including my boss so I didn’t want to make a scene! I left the car overnight, stood at a hotel, get to work, and they call me at 1030 telling me that the car was ready. I get there and they charged me $1200 after already Charging me $930 for the fronts that didn’t need to be changed, I only agreed to the fronts being done because the owner told me that was the issue to find out that it wasn’t the issue! I ended up paying $2240 at the end for something that should have been less than $800 if they just listened to me and checked the car based on what I said was wrong with it! To make things worse, and a even bigger slap in the face, they charged me for 4 hours of labor, they open at 830am, called me at 1030am, please do the math and see if that adds up! I’m disgusted by this, they are disorganized, the owner was not focused and trusted his employee which was a mistake, told me that it was thoroughly checked, had me agree to do the front brakes and rotors based on the owner telling me that was the issue! I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, I will be filing with the DMV, and I also filled with my credit card to dispute the first charge! The front should have never been touched! I see other reviews now of people also saying that they are not focused and did work that did not help their car issue! I drive my family in this car, I Drive co-workers, I drive daily and to have an unfocused mechanic work on anyone’s car is very scary!

Jun 16, 2024 · Enrique Vargas

Always fantastic help. I take my work vehicle here all the time and have no complaints. They break down what they have to do before it’s done, and are always quick and efficient as well as great communication.

May 17, 2024 · Jonathan Hathaway

Fail. Asked them to diagnose the oil leak with my car. 1 1/2 hours later, told me all was fixed. They said the ‘drain bolt gasket’ was missing (drain bolts have washers, not gaskets) and the oil filter wasn’t on tight enough. I went out to get the car to find a puddle of oil under the car. They straight up lied to me like a crooked mechanic. Quickest way to shutter a business: lie to your customers. Took to another shop, and they found that the oil drain plug was stripped, oil pan was cracked, and leaks from cam shafts. That was what I needed from DFA, and all I got was charged for nothing.

Jan 17, 2023 · Ben Carlson

Upfront, honest & transparent shop. Highly knowledgeable. Quick turn around time. High quality work performed. Pricing was also very fair. Couldn't be happier! Lil' bit of a shade-tree mechanic myself, a big "car guy" and have always been super particular about who/where my vehicles get taken to... and I can say that after my experience & a few convos with Collin, DF Auto has definitely earned my trust. Without a doubt will be a return customer here (and since I'm currently pushing an old, lifted p.o.s J33P GC - prob gna be a frequent one too haha)

Jan 18, 2022 · Peter Regan

The man running this place tells you exactly how it is and will not tell you otherwise. If you need to make changes he will let you know and you will always drive away with a better car. It's hard to find an honest man on the auto industry. This shop is a mark of excellence. [Edit]: My friend who worked here and made this such a great shop has moved on to other work. I went once for an oil change and that's how I found out he wasn't there. The tone and candor of this place as significantly changed. Looked for a better shop and found an excellent one.

Jan 17, 2018 · CaptainCreole