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NEW BRITAIN — For 25 years, Ceglarz Motor Repair & Sales Inc. has been part of the community, offering car repairs, used cars and other services to customers from the city and nearby towns.
Owner Pete Ceglarz said the milestone brings a sense of pride and gratitude.
“Feels good, feels nice, you know, all the support that we have from our customers,” he said.
He explained that many people who visit the shop are from New Britain, but others also come from surrounding towns for service.
The shop is known for being a full-service facility. Ceglarz and his staff work on tires, brakes and air conditioning systems, as well as other repairs. They also sell used cars. Customers can bring their vehicles in for nearly any type of repair or service. Ceglarz said this “A to Z” approach has been key to keeping the business strong for so many years.
For him, the best part of the job has been the many memories he has made along the way. While he said it would be impossible to list just one, most of them have been positive. He explained in this line of work, there are always challenges, but the good far outweighs the bad.
Ceglarz Motor is also a family business. Ceglarz runs the shop with his longtime employee, Tom Brown, whom he refers to as the “mastermind” of the garage. The business owner also receives support from his nephew, Jonathan, who helps as a summer apprentice while in high school. Another friend, Chris, works part-time and helps run the shop when needed.
Brown has worked at Ceglarz Motor for eight years. He said the job has been rewarding.
“It’s been a very humbling experience,” Brown said. “I’ve got to work on a lot of cars that I wouldn’t even think I’d be able to work on.”
Ceglarz said what sets his business apart is honesty and personal attention. Customers know they will get straightforward answers and fair prices. The shop competes with large dealerships and chain stores, but Ceglarz believes many people prefer a smaller, local business where they are treated with respect.
Over time, the automotive repair industry has undergone significant changes. Ceglarz said there are now more rules from the state and federal government.
“We’re very strict by the book – we follow the federal laws and we follow the state laws as well,” he said. He added these rules often make the work more complicated.
He also spoke about the push toward electric vehicles. Ceglarz has concerns about the materials used in batteries and how they will be disposed of.
“I think the government needs to sort of step back and let the people decide what they really want and what’s good and best for them and what they can afford,” he said.
As the shop moves forward, Ceglarz has plans to grow. He hopes to expand the building by adding an area to accommodate larger commercial vehicles. This expansion will enable the shop to meet demand and serve more customers.
He is also working to give back to the community by supporting local schools and offering opportunities to students. Ceglarz Motor will soon bring in a high school graduate as a paid intern. The intern will work about 120 hours, learning the trade while preparing for a career in the automotive industry.
Ceglarz said this effort will focus on New Britain students, since the business has always aimed to support the city. Over the years, the shop has also helped local schools, the police department and the fire department.
The city and Mayor Erin Stewart recently recognized the business in celebration of its 25th anniversary. Ceglarz noted the importance of small businesses in the local economy. He said the recognition meant a lot and showed how much the city values its business owners.
The journey has not been easy. Ceglarz said running an auto shop requires long hours and a lot of dedication.
“It’s tough, it’s not easy. It’s very grueling, hard work. You have to put in a lot of hours if you want it to work out for you,” he said
Brown said he is proud to be part of the team. “It’s a huge job down here, but we get it all done,” he said.
At Ceglarz Auto Repair & Sales, located right in New Britain, CT, we specialize in helping Connecticut drivers stay ahead of engine problems. Our team doesn’t just rely on software to run diagnostics—we listen to your concerns and use our hands-on expertise to make sure your vehicle is running exactly how it should be. Whether you're a daily commuter, a college student, or a local resident who just wants a reliable ride, we’re here to help you drive with confidence.
If you’re searching for car engine tune-up near me, look no further than Ceglarz Auto Repair & Sales in New Britain, CT. Our expert team is here to ensure your vehicle performs at its best.
📞 Call us at (860) 224-3532 or
📍 Visit our shop at 581 W Main St, New Britain, CT 06053 to schedule your car engine tune-up today.
