Catalano Automotive Repair - Needham, Massachusetts

Tori Thorp

Brought my Subaru in two weeks ago for a check engine light, and they fixed my problem for less than half the price that another mechanic had quoted me.

This week, I brought my Subaru back in because of an evaporative fuel leak and they did a thorough investigation and we concluded it was just because my friend had left the fuel cap off after borrowing my car for a few days that week. John was super gracious and kind about it, even though I feel a little silly for bringing it in for such a small issue. Again, super reasonable pricing!

Thanks to everyone involved in fixing my car the past few weeks. It's super necessary for me to have it working in order to commute to my job. I definitely recommend this place to anyone who has anxiety about getting a car fixed on time or for a reasonable price!

Zebin Wang

Earlier this month, a dealership tech claimed that my front brake pads were at 4/32 and recommended "having them changed sometime in April for $900," while handing me a whopping bill for the factory-recommended service and state inspection. When I was seeking for a second opinion, John performed a thorough diagnosis after lifting the vehicle, noticing uneven wear on my front brake pads—a detail easily missed by careless mechanics who often only check the outer pads.

In my case, the inner pads were low, and ignoring such an issue may lead to serious problems like a brake piston leak or losing braking power in snowy conditions within several weeks. John also noted that the uneven wear indicated the brake rotors (discs) may need replacement, along with a complete brake system inspection and maintenance.

With extensive experience working on European vehicles (unlike many mechanics who primarily handle Chevys and Toyotas), John assured me that he would inspect the pistons and caliper guide pins for possible clogs or leak and properly lubricate all parts. While many mechanics rush through brake jobs, John’s attention to detail shows his genuine care to his customers' safety.

John's labor fee is reasonable given his extensive experience in the field. The replacement parts are OEM and reasonably priced, comparable to European car parts distributors like FCP Euro (~$350–$400). As a bonus, John’s loaner car is a hidden gem—a luxury vehicle I seriously dreamed of owning as a child.

If I need to drive my car with a manual transmission all the way up Mt. Washington Auto Road together with my wife once again, I will send my car to John for inspection in advance.

Emily Karr

My boyfriend borrowed my car today to trail his side by side up to NH for ATV fest this weekend. Unfortunately, the car started backfiring on the way. Being from the South Shore, he didn't know where to go for a quick repair. Catalano's took the car on the spot and fixed it immediately so he could continue on his way and enjoy the weekend. They were honest and did the work at a fair price. They even gave him a loaner vehicle to go get lunch so he wouldn't have to walk in the heat! Excellent service!

Edward Tsien

John the owner is an honest professional who doesn't take shortcuts and is very knowledgeable about cars. He helped fix my brakes, and when I came in with an engine failure on my Lexus, he looked it over and gave me an estimate. We decided to proceed with the work of replacing the engine based on his thorough assessment and fair price. We are extremely satisfied with his quick work and open communication.

Gena Comenzo

In your life you need your "people"...accountant, doctor, plumber...and yes, your mechanic. John has serviced just about all of my family's cars over the last 10 years, foreign and domestic and he gives you his honest opinion on when and how you should get things done. ALWAYS quotes the price before he does it and ALWAYS tells you how long it's going to take. I have even called to ask him questions when buying a car, and again, honest answers. Prices are totally reasonable and the last time I drove my car away, I swear it felt like a new car (it's not!). Can't recommend him more!

Stan Yamane

I found Catalano Automotive through a Google review and brought my car in to get a second opinion on a pricey repair the dealership was recommending. John and his team checked out what was going on and was able to provide a detailed diagnosis so I could understand what was and was not necessary. John did a great job of keeping in touch throughout the repairs and everything was wrapped up on time and on budget. I'm definitely going back and have already started to recommend them to friends and family. Keep up the great work!

Colby Lawless

Catalano Automotive is truly the best mechanic I've been to. They're reliable, affordable, and fast. This is a very trustworthy place that I'll always bring my car to. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff as well!

Kevin M

I will go to pretty much any length to avoid dealing with this guy. He is obnoxious and inclined to recommend dozens of unnecessary repairs to your car.

The shop is located in an office park where I work, and is the only one located within walking distance. I went in to have a serpentine belt replaced. I indicated to the guy that the car's current belt was less than two years old. He literally scoffed and assured me that was too long to expect any belt to last. I indicated that the prior belt had lasted 14 years without issue, to which he responded only by again scoffing incredulously.

He later called me to ask me if I wanted him to proceed after discovering another "issue" in the engine compartment that would otherwise prevent him from installing the belt. I said "Yes, go head." He then became incredulous once again, claimed to be confused as to what I wanted him to do, and asked me to clarify. I said, "Dude, I just told you 'yes, go ahead.' What aren't you understanding?" He hung up on me.

I went in to pick up the car. He informed me that the car's sway bar, engine mounts, and brake lines were all in need of replacing. I thought it strange that such a laundry list of issues had gone unnoticed until now. I took the car for a second opinion. Sure enough, the sway bar, engine mounts, and brake lines were all fine. A third opinion confirmed that all three of Catalano's recommendations were bogus.