Auto Mechanics in Seacoast Area (Londonderry, Hampton: car inspection, to live in, prices)

[mrdude]

my truckette failed the state inspection because my idler arm is "worn." i just recently found out that i can't go to another shop that isn't as picky as this one (it's a chevy dealership, so they want to find problems) because of law. so i need to find a good auto shop in the seacoast area that can do a decent job without outrageous prices (the chevy dealerships in the area are ~$90 an hour).

so does anyone know of a good shop in the area that can do a good job without being incredibly expensive?

[CityGirl52]

Mr. Dude,

The most honest mechanics I've been to on the seacoast and we've been going to them for years is Lyman's Auto & Tire. I think they're so upfront, extremely honest and very fair, you'd like them. They're located in Hampton at 775 Lafayette Rd., 603 926-4015.

For example, one time with my mother's car, all of us in the family really thought she needed new tires. So one day she brought it up to Lyman's, one of the guys looked at it and she was fine with their findings, the tires are fine. My niece is driving around with that car now and it's 2 years later and the car is doing wonderful and it still has those same tires. There was a mechanic up in No. Hampton that told her originally that she needed all new tires. So she always would get a 2nd opinion and Lyman's Auto & Tire rules and they're number one in our book with all our cars!

So give them a shot, you might end up going here all the time, like all of us!

[GregW]

Not on seacoast but I have been going to LBP Towing on Auburn Road in Londonderry for 20 years. Completely honest and do very good work.

[unknown stuntman]

I've heard good things of Lyman as well. Seacoast car Club in Somersworth has been outstanding as well. The auto inspections in this state have become a joke, but indeed is not the fault of the mechanics. Demo vehicles have been set up by law enforcement in Exeter, I know for a fact to see if they are passed...fines have been handed out left and right. It is strictly by the books or else, big trouble could loom. I couldn't pass an inspection on a relatively new vehicle based on non-functioning fog lights (not head lights mind you) and actually had to have the lights disassembled and taken out for the vehicle to pass inspection, believe it or not. To say I was annoyed would be an understatement.

[399083453]

I used to live in NH, the scrutiny of state inspections are ridiculous. Most states just check tires and brakes, some dont even have car inspections. Once a garage told me they couldnt pass my car because the engine light was on, so I disconnected it, came back and got a sticker. The light had been on for years, it was a VW of course, but NH added it to the state inspection.

Live free or wha? Hehe.