About Us

Our Story

Mark Bell opened the doors of Bell’s Auto Care in August of 1986 after spending time working on heavy trucks and deciding he wanted to build something of his own. He placed a single ad in the local shopper, and within the first few days the phone was ringing so steadily that he had to call and pull the ad—he simply didn’t have time to answer calls and fix cars at the same time. By day two, he’d already hired his first employee, and that person stayed for nearly 30 years.

In 1997, Bell’s expanded to a second location in Ithaca, just outside of Cornell University. What started as a place to park tow trucks quickly became a full-service shop in its own right, and it’s been growing ever since. Today, we serve thousands of customers across both locations, adding hundreds of customers each year—almost entirely through word of mouth.

Bell’s Auto Care is a family business in every sense of the word. Our team is made up of experienced, long-tenured technicians and staff who take real pride in their work and genuine interest in the people they serve. Many of our employees have been with us for years, and that continuity matters. It means you’re working with people who know what they’re doing and care about getting it right.

When you bring your vehicle to one of our shops, you can expect clear communication, honest assessments, and a team that treats your car as if it were their own. We don’t believe in selling services you don’t need or padding a repair order to run up a bill. We believe in giving you the facts and letting you make the call.

Two Convenient Locations to Serve You

We’re here to serve you where it’s most convenient! Both of our Tompkins County locations offer the same full range of services, the same skilled team, and the same standard of care you can count on every visit.