I cant say enough good things about the Alan Auto team, they do simply amazing work there. I recently purchased/imported a low-mile 1983 245 Turbo from Italy after 21 years in long term storage there and it needed to be gone through thoroughly. I sent it off with a long list and they went through and performed each task to perfection. Not only that, but they made improvements and updates to things not on the list, with my approval first of course, to make the car run as good as new. Theyre very communicative and let you know whats going on every step of the way so there are no surprises. Alan is a wealth of knowledge and Andrew is a master mechanic and problem solver and along with the rest of the team there they make for an unbeatable combination of Volvo experts. I would not hesitate to take the car back to them for additional work if needed, and/or any restoration work needed in the future. Thanks to everyone there for making my experience a phenomenal one, we will definitely work together again!

Our 1990 240 DL was restored by Alan and he and his team did an outstanding job. When done the car looked like it just came off the showroom floor when it was purchased new. Alans attention to detail is outstanding. They kept us informed weekly of the progress with pictures and decisions that needed to be made. They delivered on all their commitments, very professionally! Highly recommend Alan to anyone restoring a Volvo. I live on the west coast and shipped the car to Alan in Maine because I felt they were the best and I was right.

They have taken great care of my classic Volvo, finding rare parts and fixing difficult problems. No better place for know-how of these great machines.

I have worked with Alan Auto on major restorations over the past twenty years, and have three award winning vintage Volvos as a result. There is no better, more experienced Volvo restoration specialist in North America that I am aware of. The staff is friendly, professional, and highly skilled, with the vast majority of all work, mechanical and body, done in house. The facilities are spacious and first rate, and the entirety is well maintained, well supplied, and unusually clean and tidy. Their pricing is not cheap, but fair --- restoration work, whether for an Aston or a Volvo, is always going to be expensive and probably twice as much as expected. Alan himself is incredibly knowledgeable and still very much engaged in the process, which is what it is all about really.

Alan is the best; we had our 240 transported all the way from Dallas, Tx.We had to rely on him doing what he said because we arent locally. Alan is trustworthy and I consider a man of God. He not only became our repair guy, he also became a friend. Our 1993 240 is chugging along -lol

I have been bringing my 2003 V70 to Alan Auto for about 5 years. From the beginning I was shown respect and professionalism. Now living an hour and a half away in central Maine, I never hesitate to make the trip to Portland to have Alan and his team handle the maintenance and repairs on my car. With my mom receiving cancer treatments last year it was vital piece of mind to be able to depend on my Volvo to get me to my family whenever I needed to... thanks to Alan Auto. I will keep my car for much longer than anticipated due to the service I have received from this establishment.I really enjoy being shown faulty parts when they are removed to help me learn and understand the reason behind the repairs. A great example of this was when my catalytic converter needed to be replaced. Alan made a point to show me the removed part in the shop and its faults. That was great! I have also appreciated recommendations on the proper tires for my car which has saved me lots of time and hassle dealing with a tire store on my own.The willingness to accommodate my need for a loaner car is always appreciated. At other establishments it is difficult to attain a loaner so this is an excellent service to have!!!I would highly recommend taking your Volvo to Alan Auto if you want it to last!

I have been taking my 240 to Alan for almost 2 years now. His extensive knowledge of the model keeps me coming back. He has in depth knowledge on every part, allowing him to quickly and knowledgeably assess when to use aftermarket parts vs when to pay the extra for the Volvo name. His thorough mentality can occasional cost more, but after having 2 repairs by other shops that left me stranded on the side of the road I always go to Alan to ensure that the job is done right.He also has the experience to explain when and how to preform preemptive maintenance. As a true Volvo enthusiast, he was happy to chat with me for long durations about what parts of my car were likely to fail next, where the rust generally sets in, etc., and how to prevent these occurrences. He was happy to share insider knowledge that allowed me to make many minor repairs on my own, even at the expense of costing him more business.I take my car to Alan because I want him to not only patch the problem, but to approach it with a detailed understanding of the car. He fixes problems once, so that they dont come back again. I know that I can be confident leaving his shop that I wont end up on the side of the road.

I had the best experience going to Alans Volvo, start to finish! Everyone I came in contact with, went above and beyond my expectations. They gave me all the information, whether it was good news or not. I appreciate their honesty. Any issues that come up, I will be calling them first. I truly love my Volvo and feel it is well taken care of when I leave it with Alan. I would recommend them to anyone who values honesty and professionalism.

I find Alan and his staff to be very efficient and their service affordable. Our son is living and attending school in Maine and Alan and his staff have serviced the car for the past two years. Lucky to have found his shop. I highly recommend Alan Auto Volvo Services

Alan and his staff are very knowledgeable and honest, as a Volvo owner for many years, Im glad I finally found a shop that seems to really care about my car and my experience. He always has a loaner and makes sure to call with any concerns or updates. If you love your Volvo, you will love Alan Auto!

Never agree to anything without a complete work order no matter how minor it might be presented as being, including who will work on the vehicle. Have nothing done no matter how desperate you might be without dealing in person and with the signed work order signed by both parties. Adhere to this procedure. Do not waiver, no matter what. And verify, in writing, which mechanic and section of the shop will do the actual work. Ask if Alan does any of the work himself, or is just the guy who orchestrates it. Have documentation of every single thing. You will need it if you have to go to court.Edited April 22, 2020 In response to Alan Autos response: A 2012 Bangor Daily News article by Naomi Schalit and John Christie reported on an investigation by he Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting: Between 2003 and 2010, the state paid almost $235 million to private organizations run by legislative leaders or the spouses of high-level state officials. But because of a loophole in state law, not one penny of that spending was ever disclosed to the public in ethics filings.Sen. Joseph Brannigan, D-Portland, was chairman of the Appropriations and Health and Human Services committees when Shalom House, received $98 million from the state. Brannigan was executive director of Shalom House. And that fairly well addresses the Alan Auto response, and learning from the best.Labor charges with Alans so high for basic fixes you will wonder if he has a conscience. You will wonder why he did not mention a major problem until after the extortion-level repairs were made. Wouldnt have him change windshield wipers. Even in writing, this guys got con down pat. You want to walk in their with a big roll of bills and leave your car for restoration? Your choice. Note the review where the people had their 240 transported all the way from Dallas, TX. Thats Alans kind of customer. ...triustworhty and a man of God? Which god would that be.Maine needs mystery shopper type inspectors to check on garages on a regular basis..

Alan, Beth, Igor and the team have serviced our Volvo for many years. They always do a fantastic job, always on time, and always offer a loaner. Customer service consistently beats expectations; for example - dropping off a vehicle after hours, advice on tires for the Volvo and even other vehicles, and more. Highly recommended.

Great work by Igor. He kept us in the loop with problems and progress, making sure to get approval before we spent our hard earned money. We appreciate the open communication and recommend his service.

I went to Alan Auto Volvo Services to repair my 1997 Volvo 850, instead of purchasing someone elses vehicle of neglect. The Vehicle Mechanical Analysis was something I liked. It was integrated and sobering, but not far off of what was expected. Things come up in repair and I was made aware, and had say in, before any unplanned surprise was resolved. Between Alan, and Igor the technician, I felt encouraged to participate and enjoyed the opportunity. A loaner car was available for use.I have had this car fixed many times. I went to Alan Auto to have it repaired.It was a good decision on my part.

He ripped me to say the least. I was recommended to these folks from someone who had never used them. After talking to Alan personally, I got the impression I was in good hands. 3 weeks go by and he hasnt touched my vehicle. I brought it in because it wasnt accelerating properly. Finally he gets back to me and tells me it needs a throttle body no problem. He asks for $1100 up front for the cost of diagnosing the problem and the cost of a new throttle body. Turns out the throttle body doesnt work. It needs something else. He then racks up another $2000 in exuberant repair charges. Still doesnt work and demands I give him another $2000 on top of the $1100 before we can go any further. I asked to come in and see the car and he mentions he took it out for a test drive and it died somewhere in Portland and has been sitting there for the last 3 days unlocked. I go find my car, get everything I need out of it (as its now taken a lot longer than the week turn around he promised me). Pay for another tow back to his shop. A little furious at this mater I refused to give him any money until the car was working properly. It has sat for the last 7 months and I wont pay him and he wont give me the car back. This guy is a terrible mechanic - Since Ive gotten several second opinions on my issue from other Volvo enthusiasts in the Area and they all cant believe how much hes charging me to do a simple repair. I wish I would have done my research before bringing it to such a shady mechanic. Dealership rates for Stealer ship guesswork. Hes a specialist at ripping off disabled veterans. P.S. two of the 5 star reviews on this are from his book keeper (her pictures on their website).

Alan, Igor and the team at Alan Auto truly take care of you. If you are looking for a quick cheap fix he may not be your guy, but if you drive a volvo, want it repaired without shortcuts to know it is in top running order this is the place. When my wife and I brought our car (2005 v50) in the first time on a friends recommendation we thought we were going to fix what was needed and sell the car after the winter. Now we feel like the car was given a 2nd life at 125k miles and we dont have to think about a new car for years. It drives amazing, we are told every time we pick up whats next to look out for (and sometimes save for) and we finally have a mechanic in our area we completely trust. All that and free loaner cars...My wife and I are so pleased with Alan and the team we are thinking of buying another Volvo for me.

If I could give no stars I would. By far the worst automotive experience of my entire life. Work was done on my car that was not approved of before hand and was not even the problem that I brought the car in for in the first place. This place is a total scam!!! The problem with my car was a $50 part and one hour of labor at Portland Volvo. Alan charged me more than $2500 for work that was not needed I did not authorize and did not fix my car. They were very condescending to me when I questioned them and it wasnt until I went somewhere else that I realized I HAD BEEN SCAMMED. I HATE THESE PEOPLE!!

Long and painful process- starts with pointless intake where he notes things like “missing original cigarette lighter” and “frayed seat belt” and ends with a box of metal parts and empty wallet. If you are lucky, the thing you came in for has been fixed, if not...

I recently purchased a 2007 Volvo XC70 in part because I knew I could eventually install two third row rear-facing seats to ferry around extra children when needed. However, when I started to ask around to find someone who could install the seats for me I had some trouble. One fellow not far from my home who has exclusively worked on Volvos for decades said he could do the job but when it came down to it he gave up and declared it couldn’t be done. Not easily discouraged, I called at least 20 Volvo dealers and mechanics along the Eastern Seaboard getting a variety of answers about whether installing these seats in my car was possible or not.This search led me to Alan at Alan Auto Volvo in Portland, Maine. When we spoke on the phone he was always very patient with me and assured me that the job was possible and that they could do it. As promised, his mechanics had the installation complete by the end of the day. I was tickled with their success and pleased that they had a loaner for me as I waited for the work to be done. I was so impressed with Alan’s expertise and the fair price I paid for the work that needed to be done, that even though I live three hours away from the shop I plan on making the folks at Alan Auto my primary mechanics.

Great service and knowledgeable staff. Alan is willing to go the extra mile on customer service.

Beware!!!!! Over $3K spent, Never solved the issue for which I brought it in- just make up excuses that that is something else after doing repairs that were supposed to correct problem: PVC service etc. Would never have agreed to amount of repairs if had been honest about the final cost. If you have an older volvo stay away from this place. I should have asked around more, was new to portland. See the reviews on YELP - at least they are not written by the staff.

My wife and I purchased a 2003 XC70 with 125K in mid 2011 to be my winter commuter car; it appeared to be in OK shape with 6 years of service records. After Alan and his well seasoned staff performed a Vehicle Maintenance Analysis, my perceptions changed somewhat on its condition. To be expected it needed the usual litany of front end replacement parts as Northern New England roads are…..you get the idea. This vehicles turbo and transmission had been replaced in the last 15-30K miles which gave Alan a couple more clues to its regular maintenance. The PCV system had more than partially plugged creating the endless chain of problems the former owner encountered - among them turbo replacement. The transmission fluid was suspect and it was flushed and reprogrammed producing a virtually new feel to the vehicle. This concluded with all the used car maladies conquered and a great feeling of satisfaction basically because of the communication between Alan and me.The above as written 3+ years ago but never submitted as I felt I was treated very well and had received great service and thought no more about it. Recently I’ve read all of these responses on this site and others and have found nothing but superlatives to say about Alan, his staff and any interactions I’ve had, and would highly recommend them.The 03 now has 166K and is running strong, I’m now retired and no longer need a commuter vehicle, but we still own this vehicle and have added 3 other Volvos, which Alan and his great staff keeps well maintained. Again it’s all about communication as we’re all individuals with different needs and resources.

My first visit, with my 1989 240 sedan -- engine would lose power after driving 3 or 4 miles. Have self-serviced this car all its life by myself, but now snow-storms and back injury made me seek service. Alan and Beth were very welcoming and kind, and gave us a loaner while they worked on the car, but next day when Alan took it out with us for a proof of completion drive, the problem repeated itself. Tired, we bought a used 1990 760 wagon so we could get on with life. Found out its headlights go dark at night, the sunroof leaks ... Brought it back for service at no charge. Waited all day, but couldnt isolate the problem. Very nice, caring people. Im waiting for spring so I can start servicing it myself.

When I went to Alan, it was on a whim. My 1984 Volvo 240 broke down in Portland, it was sputtering and hardly made it the one mile to Alans shop. I am weary of mechanics and shops that I dont know. And at first, I was weary of Alan. He is very sure of himself and after our first interaction I really assumed that he thought I was an idiot. But after that initial conversation, I went back to see how the car was doing. Alan was really communicative about what was happening with my car. He calls ANYTIME there is a question or he needs verification for work. Alan ran a diagnostic (YES this cost me $100 and was so worth it!! I found out about things that my hometown mechanic missed) and also discovered the starting/running problem had to do with my mass air flow sensor.This part had broken just one year before in the same car... and I was pretty bummed out. Its a part thats hard to find for my year and model, I had struggled with that all before. Alan fixed up my car, got it running & test drove it all around town, got me a good deal on the part AND spent a couple hours on the phone to the parts shop in Portland, Oregon where I got the replacement mass air flow sensor last year. He secured me a $200 refund (they were going to give me nothing) and truly went above and beyond to help me out.Since then, Ive gone to Alan for a lot of work. My car was rusting from the inside-out, its in pretty amazing condition being a west coast car, but the interior drivers side was coated in rust. I didnt even know this, but in the winter cold air blasted on my feet from the huge rust hole underneath the floor mats! Alan and his technicians fixed the car up BEAUTIFULLY. And yes, this cost me a lot. Im a twenty-something with not a ton to spend on my car. Rust is a pain and Alan sent me pictures, invited me into the shop, and explained the rising prices and was very, very sensitive to my money problems and my trepidation. With Alan, its important to speak up if you are feeling taken advantage of. He LOVES these Volvos and gets obsessed with fixing them up to his standards, which are not everyone elses! That is not a bad quality, at all. In the end, I am so glad I got that work done. My car is in great shape.I spent a lot on my car and now Alan cuts me deals left and right. I got a set of snow tires for $100 and he put them on for $50. He fixed my exhaust system charging no money for the used (like new) part. Since the body work, Ive told Alan that my #1 concern is being able to get from point-a to point-b. He works with me to get my car running, gives me great deals, and spends time teaching me about my Volvo.I love my car, and Alan does too! If you have a beater and you dont care about it lasting for many years to come or dont want to put in the work to get it there, then maybe go to someone else. Alan Auto is for people who love their Volvos and who take a genuine interest in learning and knowing more about their car.

Took my S-40 to Alan Auto for a Maine motor vehicle inspection. The car passed but needed new wiper blades. Alan charged me market price for the blades but claimed it took 1/3 hour to install them and charged me $30 for a job that takes 30 seconds.Because my inspection sticker was at stake, I just paid the fee but vowed I would never go back. Just imagine what this crook would do for a major job?I would not recommend anyone go to Alan Auto, ever.

I would like to say Alan Auto goes the extra mile when comes to service! About mouth ago I had to take my car in for ongoing starting issue that is common in XC70 Volvo Wagons! And they needed my car for a while, due to it being towed in. And it was towed in while they were backed up. And I needed a loaner car, as I couldnt go without one for work. They not only provided me with one, but left me the Key and Paperwork after hours for pickup. This was huge help, as they could of not done anything after hours. And I would of understood, as it was on Sat. However, when having the loaner I got into accident with it. I never had this issue before, and had to file insurance claim. I thought no problem, as mine being primary it should of covered damage to other vehicle I hit. I was wrong, it didnt cover anything. My insurance company wanted to say Alan Auto insurance to pay, and be the primary carrier. This is not the case when taking loaner vehicle, due to loaner agreement I signed. It clearly states you are agreeing you have full coverage that covers the loaner car. And any damage caused to other you hit. I was fine with this, as this is case with any rental care taken out. I had to fight my insurance company to pay. And take full responsibility, this wasnt easy. I needed help, and advice on what to do! Alan Auto helped me the whole way with advice, advocating for me and giving me resources to help. It took over a mouth to win the battle, but I did. And it was due to their help, and my persistence that I won. For anyone taking out a loaner or renting a car, make sure you have well written liability policy. I didnt and they help me understand I need too. Also dont never get insurance with Progressive, I have them. And will not be renewing after this issue! Below describes my resolved issue, and reason for taking it in. And how good they are too me.I have used Alan Auto for years, and never had issues with them that couldnt be fixed. They are great with customer service, and always resolving my issues. Recently over mouth ago I was bringing my car to them more times than I would like. This was due to on going starting issue I was having. where my car would start, not start sometimes, making clicking noise with nothing else when I tried turning it over, and go for few days fine before the issue persisted again. The strangest thing was it didnt come up with any codes, or bad parts. It was truly was a process of elimination with different trouble shooting. And sometimes it would start, not turn over after being turned off, and start the next morning more than not. The issue truly had me fed up!! I was about ready to get rid of the car. However, after 3rd, maybe 4th time of trouble shooting Alan Auto got it fixed for good. It was a bad wire connection with corruption that needed clean up, and preventive care done at same time. The reason for 3rd or 4th time wasnt due to them, but because of the problem being so strange. In end it was labor with TLC that fixed the problem. And since then it hasnt skip a beat! It has been running great, all due to Alan Auto quality care. As the saying goes you get what you pay for! And with Alan Auto you pay for quality work that isnt cheap in quality. I have been customer with them since my first 740 Volvo Wagon, and now my second car being a XC70 06 Wagon, and I am not turning back. They always do their best to get me in and out, and really try to be accurate with solving the problem. They have been in business for decades, and their expert care shows it! I would recommend this business to anyone in need of expert Volvo Service from smallest issue to restoring a Volvo.

In and out efficiently and affordably.

I cannot tell you how pissed off I am right now. We had some work done on our older Volvo by Alan. The bill was more than twice what we expected. He found issues that he worked on without authorization. Never again!!! Beware!