about 3 miles from Potomac Yard · City of Alexandria

Auto Repair Near Potomac Yard, Alexandria VA

Straight down Route 1 into Old Town. Maintenance, brakes and Virginia inspections, including for people new to the area.

Call (703) 549-6631

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Your Old Town Mechanic, Close to Potomac Yard

Potomac Yard has grown fast on the old rail yard along Route 1, with townhomes, apartments, the Potomac Yard Metro station and the shopping center. Many residents are new to Alexandria, and some are new to Virginia, which means learning a new set of inspection and registration rules.

Old Town Exxon is about three miles south at 501 S. Washington Street, on the corner of Wilkes Street. Route 1 takes you almost all the way.

Getting Here from Potomac Yard

Take Route 1 south into Old Town, then go east on Duke Street to Washington Street.

1From Potomac Yard, go south on Route 1 (Richmond Highway).
2Pass Braddock Road. In Old Town, southbound Route 1 becomes N. Henry Street.
3Turn left onto Duke Street and go four blocks east.
4Turn right onto S. Washington Street. The shop is two blocks down at Wilkes Street.

Landmarks along the way

Potomac Yard Metro station
Potomac Yard Park and the shopping center along Route 1
Braddock Road Metro as you enter Old Town

Open directions from Potomac Yard in Google Maps

What Potomac Yard Drivers Need Most

Route 1 traffic and a lot of recent arrivals make a few services especially relevant here.

Emissions Inspections
New to Virginia? In Northern Virginia most gas vehicles need to pass an emissions inspection to register. We're an official Air Check station, and results go to the DMV electronically.
State Inspections
Virginia also requires an annual safety inspection. If you've just moved here, check with DMV for your exact deadline, then bring the car in.
Brake Repair
Route 1's lights and bus lanes mean constant braking. We measure your pads and rotors and show you what we find.
Oil Change
Lots of short trips around the Yard and up to Crystal City are hard on oil. Follow the severe-service interval in your manual.

Virginia Inspections for Potomac Yard Drivers

The City of Alexandria is in Virginia's emissions program area, so most gas vehicles here need an emissions test every two years on top of the annual safety inspection. The safety inspection is $20 (the state maximum, $12 for motorcycles) and the emissions test is $30. If you fail emissions, we'll explain why, quote any repair up front, and retest you free within 14 days.

Virginia Safety Inspection Emissions Inspection