How We Work
Our goal is simple: identify what we find during an inspection, document it, explain the repair options, and let you decide how you would like to proceed.
That is the whole process. No pressure, no surprises, and nothing done to your car that you have not approved first. A & R Auto Repair has served Long Island drivers since 1977, and this is how we have earned that.
What happens when you bring your car in
You tell us what you have noticed — a noise, a warning light, a pull to one side, or simply that it is due for routine service. We write it down in your words.
Your car then goes to an ASE-certified mechanic who works through a full multi-point inspection: the concern you raised, plus a structured check of nine areas of the vehicle.
- Mileage, state inspection date and oil change interval
- Exterior — lights, wipers, glass
- Interior — warning lights, A/C, windows, locks, horn
- Underhood — belts, leaks, radiator, water pump, mounts, filters
- Starting and charging — battery, terminals, starter, alternator
- Brakes
- Steering and suspension — including alignment, tie rods, ball joints, wheel bearings, tire condition
- Under the vehicle — leaks, mounts, drivetrain, exhaust
- Road test — braking, alignment, A/C, drivetrain under real conditions
Every service we perform includes that inspection. It is part of the job, not an add-on.
You see what we see
When the inspection is finished, we send it to you by text or email. You open it on your phone.
Inside, you get your vehicle's make and model, every item the mechanic checked, and photographs of what we found. When a photo is not enough to show the problem, we add video.
This is the part that matters: you are not being asked to take our word for it. If we say a tire is dry-rotting or a brake pad is down to the metal, you can look at the picture and see it yourself, before you spend a dollar.
How to read your report
You do not have to read the whole thing. Most people don't, and that is fine. The report is built so you can go straight to what needs a decision.
Every item gets one of four ratings
- Checked & Okay — we looked at it, nothing needed.
- Requires Attention Soon — not urgent today. Worth knowing about so it does not become a surprise later, and so you can plan for it.
- Requires Immediate Attention — a safety or reliability concern we would not want you driving on.
- Not Applicable — does not apply to your vehicle.
On your phone these show as colors — green, yellow, red and gray. On the printed or emailed report they show as symbols next to each line. Same four ratings either way.
If you read only one thing, read the findings. Every item has a Finding line where the mechanic writes what they actually saw, in plain language. A rating tells you the severity; the finding tells you what is going on and what we suggest doing about it. That is where the real recommendation lives.
Nothing happens without your approval
You approve the work. Not us.
You can approve everything, approve part of it, or approve none of it. If you want to do the red items now and the yellow items next visit, that is a normal and sensible choice, and we will tell you if waiting changes anything you should know about.
If something unexpected turns up once work is underway, we stop and contact you before going further.
This is not the same as a New York State inspection
Worth clearing up, because both are called an inspection.
A New York State inspection is the annual safety and emissions test the state requires to keep your registration valid. It has a pass or fail result and a sticker.
The digital inspection described on this page is our own process, and it comes with the service we perform on your car. It has no pass or fail — it is a report on the condition of your vehicle so you can make informed decisions about it.
We do both. Read about New York State inspections →
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay for the inspection?
No. The digital inspection is included with the service we perform on your vehicle. You receive the report whether or not you approve any of the additional work it identifies.
What if I do not understand something in the report?
Call us and ask. Every finding has a photo and a note from the mechanic, and we are happy to walk you through any item on the list. There is no such thing as a question that is too basic.
Do I have to approve everything you recommend?
No. You choose what gets done. The ratings are there so you can tell the difference and decide what makes sense for you right now.
What happens if you find something after I have already approved the work?
We stop and contact you. You will not receive a bill for work you did not agree to.
Can I get the report if I decide not to do the work?
Yes. The inspection report is yours. It is a record of your vehicle's condition, and it is useful to have even if you choose to wait.
