The Swedish Pit - The Volvo Specialists

Hunt Manley

★★★★★

5 years ago

Incredibly thoughtful and considerate staff that take their time to explain issues and solves in great detail and with full transparency. Quality service and repair at fair prices. The Swedish Pit is the Volvo Specialists!

Gerard LaFontaine

★★☆☆☆

2 years ago

I got a new starter installed. After I got home, I noticed my spare tire was missing from its compartment. They'd removed my spare for no explicable reason. When I went back to get it from them, Jim offered no explanation or apology. I never did business with them after that.

Rippy Bongstockings

★★★★★

5 years ago

Brought my trusty steed, ‘05 XC70, in for a solid once over. Having owned a Volvo for sometime now, and talking with people who are diehard Volvoists, you really want someone who knows these cars across the board, up and down. Right off the bat, I love everything from the painted Swedish flags, to the wood paneling on the inside. Scott brought my car in after a quick spin, came out with a list of things he noticed, presented them in a hierarchy of needs style, and then offered to replace the top priority, left rear wheel bearing. A mere hour later, I was back in my car, now far less noisy to drive, with a list of what could and should be done next. Scott was thorough, honest, and his knowledge seems to permeate in every sentence. And I got a few stickers! Gold Stars abound!

Jim MacKenzie

★★★★★

9 years ago

My 2004 XC70 gradually developed several computer anomalies and finally wouldn't start. I had it towed to the Swedish Pit, and they did some temporary fixes so that I could use it until they got what they needed to do a more complete job. I took it back and had the rest of that job done and also had the timing belt replaced, as well as some other incidental things that needed attention. Jim kept me apprised all the way through the process, so there were no surprises when I got the final bill. Some of the items were things that I had priced at a couple of other places, and Swedish Pit was substantially lower than other estimates I had been given. I would highly recommend Jim, Scott and crew - they don't rush through a job, but I was pleased how quickly I got the car back considering what needed to be fixed or replaced.

Chris Ashby

★☆☆☆☆

8 years ago

Went here because I had heard good things about them. Bought a car and have had a perpetual computer problem with it ever since. They have offered to keep repairing it, but the last two times it was in they only cleared the codes. Not really a repair. They did offer to buy it back, for half what I paid them for it. Not what I would call a fair offer. It's too bad, I liked their mechanics, they did good work, but the owner is a true used car salesman. Don't trust him further than you can see him.

Kelly Dunne

★☆☆☆☆

6 years ago

I have a Volvo with an intermittent problem. Every once in a while it won't start. I called around for help and have been told there isn't much that can be done until it doesn't start. I decided to try a Volvo "expert" figuring with all of the Volvos over the years this expert must have seen something similar. I described the problem over the phone and he agreed he could troubleshoot a few things. I dropped my car off at around 8:30 AM. At around 10:00 AM he called and told me the car was starting fine and he couldn't tell what was wrong until it didn't start. I was disappointed. This is the opposite of what he told me on the phone but fair enough. I told him to leave it and I would collect it as soon as I could get a ride. When I went to pick my car up he presented me with a list of repairs he thought it needed that totaled about $2000. My car was just inspected ten days earlier and none of those items were mentioned and many of them would have caused the car to fail an inspection. He also presented me with a bill for a half hour of labor. When I asked him about what he did for a half hour on my car he couldn't answer. He just told me he drove it into the garage and put it up on the lift. This seemed strange to me because he told me he couldn't work on my car because it was starting and we agreed to leave it be. Not only did he not try to diagnose the original problem (he explained he couldn't because the car was starting) he took it upon himself to do some work I didn't want or need and then charge me for the time it took him to do it. Upon discussing this with him he actually stood up and yelled at me and told me to get the hell out of here. I actually felt afraid, especially when the other mechanic came in and started giving me a hard time. I would have had no problem paying him for his time had he at least given me a list of things he did pertaining to my original problem. That would have been time well used and money well spent if he could have at least eliminated some things that weren't wrong with my starting system. Instead, he couldn't be bothered to eliminate obvious problems (a loose wire, a corroded connection, etc.) but was more than happy to do $2000 worth of work to my car it didn't need. There is a reason this place is known as the "money pit" around town. I didn't heed the warning and I am glad I survived my experience with him to spread the word. It seems he lied to me on the phone to get my car to his shop and then once it was there he tried to get me to have a bunch of work done that it didn't need.

Bruce Hill (soxfaninny)

★★★★★

4 years ago

Our 2006 XC70 was stranded 200 miles from home with a sudden shut down and no-start. We had it towed to The Swedish Pit and asked if they could look at it right away. They were very friendly and accommodating, and quickly discovered and fixed the problem the next morning. Thank you for rescuing my daughter and our Volvo, they both are now home safely!

V T

★★★★★

9 years ago

Jim is a legend. He can hand build a Volvo that meets racing capabilities. Jim has passed on his knowledge to his son, Scott, who also does a great job. This business is the epitome of a small, quality, hardworking American business, albeit they work on Swedish machines. Aside from being great mechanics, they are fun, humorous, and smart. A great place to take your vehicle. Skeptics need only ask questions and not be put off by Jim's sarcasm. He has been working on Volvos his entire life and will answer any question if the wary car owner can stifle their pride. Five stars and beyond for this place.

Marsha Morrell

★★★★★

11 months ago

Even though these guys make me send a physical check to them in the mail, they are fabulous. They should at least offer Venmo! But they are fast and I found their prices to be reasonable.

John Stern

★☆☆☆☆

3 years ago

After keeping our car for 3 weeks, they did nothing! Told us they had other things that were easier to do. They said they thought the engine could not be salvaged, and they wanted to scrap it. Offered us $1000 for a $12000 car!?! Went to a competitor, and the engine was repaired perfectly in 5 days. I'll never do business with Swedish Pit. Period. Totally horrible business!

Jason Kovarik

★★★★★

4 years ago

I brought in my Volvo to get some routine maintenance done and was very impressed by the service and quality of work done. You will want to drop off your vehicle as there isn't much of a waiting room but the owner is friendly and the staff knows how to fix Volvos for a decent price. Will certainly come back!

H W

★★★★★

3 years ago

Highly recommend! Scott and his team are super professional, maintain a clean shop and are extremely honest regarding the current condition of your automobile as well as offering super affordable estimates and prompt service! You can’t go wrong with these guys. Two thumbs up!

Wyeth Talmon

★★★★★

a year ago

Scott and his team were super helpful, when deciding what parts needed to be replaced and what would be most cost effective! Will definitely be returning!

Brian Meloche

★★★★★

a year ago

Scott and team are fantastic! They've gone above and beyond to ensure my Volvo is, and stays, in great shape over the years. I recommend the Swedish Pit to anyone with a Volvo who wants the peace of mind that the job is done honestly, correctly, and by people who truly care. 11/10 would recommend

Zachary Lewter

★★★★★

2 months ago

Scott is just the man. Period. You need work on your Volvo? “I got a guy”

Marc Ducharme

★★★★★

8 months ago

From out of town and needed to get on the road. Swedish Pit made room in their schedule and dealt with my emergency (not theirs) faster than I ever anticipated. Amazing place! Just amazing. Five star rating is an understatement for sure.

Connor Corbett

★★★★★

6 months ago

If you have a Volvo in the BTV area this is the place to take it. There’s a reason that you’ll often catch people at the counter chatting and laughing with Scott when you come in to drop/pick up your car. Truly a stand up guy and honest mechanic. Been here countless times and I’ve never had less than a stellar experience. Being a Swedish Pit customer is like being family.