West Cork Auto

Patrick at West Cork Auto has been working on my cars for over a decade. He is an honest mechanic who does the work that needs to be done and doesn’t ad in all the frills. He has kept my old cars on the road safely as long as possible and he does it with a smile. It helps that the shop is walking distance from my job too.
Thanks Patrick and all the mechanics at West Cork, keep up the good work.

It is so hard to find a trustworthy mechanic nowadays– so when I found West Cork Auto I knew I found a gem of a place. Patrick is one of the kindest and most trustworthy mechanics I have met, he is hard working and efficient. It’s like seeing my favorite uncle when I take my car to get serviced. Thankful that west cork is nearby my house!

Having owned cars — used cars, new cars, nice cars, $h1t cars — but not knowing much about cars one really has to put faith in a mechanic when said cars start doing funny things. We took ours to Lexus when it started making some bad noises. Long story short is, lexus found all sorts of other «things», phantom things I’d call them and the grand total was about $ 3500. Thankfully, I had the wherewithal to call a few local mechanics and Patrick was not only the closest to me, but gave estimates for the needed work within the ranges of a couple other places in the neighborhood. He was honest and made it clear that he wouldn’t know the damage until he saw it for himself. Hang on, I’m not making this long story short. Sorry. Anyway, West Cork Auto and Patrick found a few of the problems to be bogus and some to be legit. The work that actually NEEDED to be done would have been about $ 2500 at lexus and Patrick charged me less than half of that. I needed two wheel bearings replaced as well as two complete brake sets. I’m very happy with the work, feel very confident in the honesty of this place and wouldn’t hesitate to go there first for anything in the future. I came here after reading the reviews and decided that the bad ones kind of sounded like the reviewer wasn’t really being realistic. I’m glad I went with my gut and glad to have a trustworthy place to go to in the future!

Called to ask how much for cv on both sides. Quoted me 420 for axles. I thought, that’s great! Three days later I call in to check. Price went up to 550 per side!!! Are you serious? I’m sorry if you were mistaken but in the end I got charged half hour labor for my trouble. No thank you for the future.

I was grateful for the fast friendly and economical service that Patrick gave me. He also provided advice above and beyond the job seeking no profit for himself and that always impacts me. I trust Patrick and Cork Auto. His work was top notch, he’s got a sense of humor, and I recommend him without reservation.

I’ve been in the good hands of Patrick and his team for 3 years now, and I feel very grateful for that.
These guys are the most honest mechanics I’ve ever met. They never overcharge and always help you to minimize your cost and optimize your car.
Now, when I’m moving out of Boston, my biggest concern is how to bring Patrick with me :)
Thank you Patrick for years of flawless and professional service!

This is my public thank you note to Patrick.
Finding an honest, kind, communicative, funny, and fast-​working mechanic is the equivalent of finding the chupacabra. After meeting Patrick, I’m ready to believe in Big Foot. He makes a rough situation pleasant, and deflates all my anxiety that I’m getting hustled. This place, and Patrick, have earned their flawless reviews. I was a doubter — but can tell you it is no mirage.

I hate to give mechanics especially, a bad review. They’re predominantly sole proprietors and need all the business they can get. Unfortunately, my experience at the shop was not as positive as many of the other reviews. I’ve owned many cars and on several of them I’ve exceeded well over 250 and 300 thousand miles.
I brought my 99 honda accord in with 3 problems. 1 was stop the squealing of my belts which is pretty basic. Another problem was replace my battery cable, again very basic. The third was the mystery electrical issue that causes my heat vents and the defrosters in the front and rear window to stop functioning. This is not an easy fix problem. Patrick did not seem interested in hearing my theory of what could be wrong. He suggested I leave the car with him and pick it up later.
The day I went to pick it up I was 10 minutes late. I called from the subway and informed the employee I was on my way. When I picked up the car, the mechanic told me there was no warranty on the work. He essentially told me to put the heating selection in the position I want the most so that if and when it goes out again, it’ll at least be on the right setting that I prefer. I balked and asked does that mean they don’t guarantee their work? He said with that type of repair, they couldn’t.
Sure enough, after four drives in the car, the repair of plugging and unplugging the unit went out again and left me as I brought it. I called Patrick and told him $ 190 was too much money to end up with a car that was essentially in the same shape as I brought him. He corrected and reminded me that the belts didn’t squeal and the battery cable was fixed. True enough. Very minor repairs that are not worth almost $ 200.
The money I will now have to spend to go to a Honda dealer and have them correct the mysterious electrical issue is at least something I can expect a warranty and repair over. He should have refunded me 100 to 125 dollars or at least said up front, this repair will likely not hold up. He should not have charged me. His biggest explanation of the issue? The age of my car and its high mileage. My car has 210,000 miles.
Belts and a battery cable are repaired and minor. Read the reviews. There are not a lot of complicated things he can handle. I’m not sure why he was so dismissive to me when I tried to explain the electrical problem. But I am left rather unhappy and out money as well as sitting with something not repaired. That I paid for. Buyer beware.

Patrick is awesome. He’s honest, friendly and located right in Centre St. Even when I’ve called him on short notice, he’s managed to fit me in.

I live about half a block from West Cork, and yet had not taken my cars there as it was hard to get an appointment. Friends and Unilocal finally convinced me to give him a try. As everyone says, Patrick and his team are fabulous.
Example: Another highly regarded shop down the street had been unable/​unwilling to address the weak A/​C in my wife’s Toyota Sienna. Patrick said there is a small leak which they could not trace, but recharged it and added the fluorescent dye so if/​when it leaks again they can find the problem. So far so good.
Another example: I have been taking my BMW to a specialist shop across town (where they build racecars and restore classic Beemers, etc). They have done good work but it’s a hassle to get there etc. Many smaller shops won’t touch BMWs due to the complicated electronic systems. Patrick has the equipment and used to work at BMW dealers. He was able to diagnose check engine light using the computer link, and fixed a horrible suspension noise. This latter problem took several days and they had to drive the car around for 30 minutes as the sound did not appear right away and they did not want to ‘throw parts at it”. Then, after they figured out what the problem was (seized steering link) they fixed it and drove it around again. Many shops won’t take the time to do this. Patrick did not even charge me for the extra time.
He is a pleasure and I hope to keep using him for a long time
Jon

I’ve been using Patrick as my mechanic for over 3 years now. His shop is always very busy, but he treats his customers with respect and care. Whenever I call over to Patrick, he never rushes me off the phone, no matter how busy he sounds.
I bring my car to him for everything from minor oil changes, to most recently having my radiator replaced. If there’s ever a job he doesn’t do (e.g. car air conditioning system) he always provides wonderful recommendations when asked. Patrick is incredibly honest, always taking the time to explain what is wrong with the car. One time I had a power steering leak, and he kindly showed me where to put in more fluid when needed and told me that he’d keep an eye on it and let me know when it was time to get the pump changed out.
The only con is that he closes at 5:30 each day and is not open on the weekends, which makes it difficult to pick up the car if you work downtown. HIs shop is always jam packed, so be sure to call ahead, and don’t expect a same day appointment.

Today I became a West Cork Auto convert.
Last night, I panicked when the «check engine» light came on in my 2.5 year old Toyota. After reading many reviews, I called up West Cork early in the morning asking if I could come in. It was barely 8am and they were already quite busy, but they made time to check out my car quickly. I was incredibly grateful, because I commute more than an hour each way to work. A tall Irish gentleman (perhaps Patrick?) immediately ran the diagnostic code on my car and very kindly explained the minor issue that likely caused it (my gas cap). He reset the code and I was on my way in minutes, while a local Toyota dealership I had also called had said the same process might have taken up to 4 hours.
I’ll be going to West Cork from now on!

Talk about an honest mechanic! My wife’s car started to smell horribly of raw gasoline. Especially on start-​up when it was really cold. The time when you would most need the heater is when you least wanted to turn it on because it caused the whole car to fill up with gas fumes immediately. I did a little poking around on the internet and discovered this is a common problem with V6 GM engines of this vintage. The fuel pressure regulator gets old and leaks. So one freezing morning, I popped the hood and asked my wife to turn the key to see if that was the problem. Sure enough, a little gas came bubbling out of the top. So I knew what the problem was but didn’t have the time, place or desire to fix it. I brought the car to Patrick and told him what I thought was wrong. He called me a few hours later and said «did you see it leak or did someone TELL you it leaked?» I assured him I had seen it with my own eyes and he agreed it was a common failure and he’s fix it right up. I’ve been driving it ever since without a hint of smell of gas. Money well spent and with an honest mechanic.

I am just getting home from my first time ever at West Cork Auto, and could not be happier! I took my 2002 Honda Civic to get a new exhaust manifold and catalytic converter (which is a super pricey fix any way you slice it), and Patrick was awesome. He patiently explained to me what was happening with my car (because lord knows I don’t know) and the costs of both an after market and dealer replacement part, without any pressure to get one or the other. I wound up going with the Honda piece, and when I went to pick it up, Patrick had done a few other things for me, eg topped off my oil, free of charge. Then, when I went to pay, he actually rounded DOWN by about $ 15. All in all, a great experience, Patrick is very trustworthy and funny, and I will absolutely be going back (but hopefully not for awhile. :))

My friend has been going to Patrick for twenty years — what higher recommendation could you want in a mechanic? He also happens to be a total sweetheart with a delightful Irish accent. But, onto the important stuff…
Patrick may very well be the last honest mechanic. With most garages, you’ll go in for an oil change and they’ll tell you 100 things you need to fix NOW, lest you perish driving home in that deathtrap. Patrick is straightforward: you can wait to fix that, you don’t really need to fix that, it doesn’t make sense to spend money on that, etc.
My favorite Patrick quotable: «There are two critical parts of a car: the steering and the brakes.» This was in reference to my suspension, which he said I could safely neglect for awhile longer. Point being, your suspension is not critical, and thus, not critical that you fix today.
Perhaps what I appreciate most about Patrick is that he admits when he is not an expert on something. Admitting «I don’t know» is an amazing way to get people to respect you. If you need body work, go to this guy. If you need transmission work, go to this guy.
Patrick has so much business that he doesn’t need to screw you over. Tragically, he isn’t open on weekends, and is often busy enough that you can’t drop in or get a same-​day appointment. If you prefer convenience to quality work, go right ahead — less people filling Patrick’s calendar for me.
I went to another mechanic once. Never again.

Genuine and honest and not out to rip you off. Very happy with my dealings here and will definite go back.

My love affair with West Cork Auto spans a decade now. I experience Patrick as a kind, knowledgeable, and competent mechanic. While Patrick’s schedule may prove challenging, I would not think to go elsewhere.

Driving an older Audi there is ample opportunities for mechanics to try to give me huge repair bills. Patrick has never done that, he is more than fair, quick, and works hard to keep the costs of repairs low. I feel comfortable taking my car in and know I’ll be treated with respect.

I needed an oil change and brake service as my brakes were almost scraping down to the metal. Patrick was very professional and friendly. The shop was very busy, but they fit me in. The price was very reasonable. I love supporting a local business; especially one that is trustworthy.
I am definitely coming back.

Squeaking noises are never good to hear from your car. Last month I happened to be in Brighton and brought my car to A to Z auto, which was highly touted on Unilocal.The estimate at A to Z for the serpentine belt, replacement of wiper blades, and flushing my transmission was about $ 266. Living in JP, Brighton is a bit far, so I decided to bring it by West Cork.
Patrick is fantastic. I love that Irish accent! He was too busy yesterday to take my car, so I brought it by bright and early this morning. At the end of the day, I came back to pick up my car, and it ended up being $ 240! Over $ 20 less expensive, and I finally have my go to mechanic in my hood! Patrick is just no nonsense, get the job done… fantastic!