If you’re looking for your next oil change or you need repairs after a collision, some of Albany’s most popular auto shops include Paintworx Collision Center, Buff’s Service, and Mr. Tire Auto Service Centers.

Albany has no shortage of auto shops, but that can make it hard to know where to start when choosing one. To help you save time on your search,

Jerry

, the trustworthy super app for

car insurance

, is here to give you the rundown on some of Albany’s best options. We’ll also tell you how you can cut down on your

car insurance costs in Albany

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Most affordable auto shop: Buff’s Service

Address: 75 Sand Creek Rd, Albany, NY 12205

Phone: (518) 482-6242

Hours: Mon-Fri 6:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Buff’s Service in Albany doesn’t have the most extensive online presence, but it does have a 4.7-star rating from Google Reviews, and many of the reviewers rave about the business’s quality customer service, overall reliability, and fair pricing.

For information about prices and services offered, it’s best to visit or give a call to the shop directly.

MORE:

How to decide if you should take your car to a repair shop or a mobile mechanic

Best foreign make auto shop: Hackel’s Foreign Car Services

Address: 1372 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12205

Phone: (518) 458-2897

Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sat 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Hackel’s Foreign Car Services has been a family-run business for over 40 years, and it specializes in repairs and maintenance on Volkswagen and Audi vehicles.

Their range of services covers everything from routine maintenance to transmission repairs and replacement.

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How to know if a mechanic is taking too long with repairs

Best for tires: Mr. Tire Auto Service Centers

Address: 1394 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12205

Phone: (518) 650-1238

Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. daily

If you have a flat tire or the tread on your current set of wheels is wearing down, nationwide tire chain

Mr. Tire Auto Service Centers

is one of the top go-to spots for tire replacements in Albany.

Mr. Tire offers major tire brands, including Michelin, Goodyear, BFGoodrich, and more. Whether you’re looking for all-season or winter tires, Mr. Tire can help you find and install the right set of tires for your vehicle. Mr. Tire will perform most essential tire maintenance, like wheel alignments and tire rotations, at the shop. You can take care of most general maintenance—from brake inspections to routine oil changes—there as well.

The company also offers a 30-day ride and price guarantee—if you decide within 30 days or 500 miles that your new tires aren’t up to par, you can return or exchange them.

MORE:

Should you use the mechanic your insurance company suggests?

Best auto restoration: R&D Automotive: Bavarian Rocket Science

Address: 16 Tivoli Street, Albany, NY 12207

Phone: (518) 598-1273

Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Sat 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

R&D Automotive: Bavarian Rocket Science

is known for vehicle restoration and preservation. It also offers tune-up services for high-end sports cars and modifications for race cars. The company specializes in German-manufactured vehicles, including Audi, BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes, and Porsche.

Each service includes a safety inspection, and the shop’s website says, “our clients are welcome to schedule an appointment for a free safety check anytime.”

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What do I do if my car accident claim was denied?

Best collision repair: Paintworx Collision Center

Address: 1175 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12205

Phone: (518) 512-3780

Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

If you were recently in a fender bender,

Paintworx Collision Center

can get your car the repairs it needs to be safe for the streets again.

Some of the collision repairs the shop offers include diagnostic frame repairs, front-end alignments, glass repair and replacement, and body repairs. At your request, the shop can provide you with a print-out of its “computerized measuring system” results.

Paintworx will work with you and your insurance company throughout the claims process, and while repairs are underway, they can even help set you up with a rental car.

All collision repair services are backed with a limited lifetime guarantee, which covers the repairs made for the duration that you own or lease your vehicle.

In addition to collision repair, Paintworx gets high praise for its custom paint job services.

MORE:

How to get an accurate car insurance quote

How to find a reliable auto shop in Albany

While these five auto shops are some of the most popular options in Albany, the right one for you is going to depend on factors like your vehicle’s make and model, the service(s) you need, and your budget. As you search for the right Albany mechanic, here are some things to consider:

What service(s) do I need?: This probably goes without saying, but there’s no sense in visiting an auto shop that doesn’t provide the service you need. It helps to know that an auto shop has expertise with your vehicle make and model or more specialized services if you need them.

How are the customer reviews?: Pay attention to not just the rating itself, but what the reviews actually say. It also helps to read reviews posted on more than one platform to ascertain whether what reviewers are saying is consistent.

Who do people I know recommend?: If you’re new to Albany or just haven’t been having much luck with your current auto shop, sometimes the most helpful recommendations on who to try—and who to avoid—can come from family members, friends, or colleagues.

What kinds of certifications does this shop have?: It’s a big plus for an auto shop if they have technicians that are

ASE certified

. Bonus points if the shop is

BBB-accredited

with a high rating or is an

AAA-approved facility

MORE:

9 questions to ask when comparing car insurance quotes

How to save money on car insurance in Albany

Repairs are a big portion of car ownership costs—and another is

car insurance

. That’s especially true in New York, where the average annual cost of basic liability coverage statewide is about $4,300 per year. So, when it comes to your

car insurance costs in New York

, why pay a cent more than you need to?

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Jerry

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And since you have plenty of other car maintenance items to worry about, Jerry can help you cover your car insurance policy maintenance. Jerry won’t spam you or sell your info, but we will send a fresh set of quotes your way every six months—that way, you can make sure you’re still getting a good deal on the protection you and your vehicle need.

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