Get to Know Kevin Killelea, the Man Behind Rockville Centre's Most Trusted Auto Repair Shop

Known for its unparalleled customer service and world-class service, Rockville Centre Auto Repair is a beloved name in local automotive repair.

Its success has been led by owner Kevin Killelea and his 30-year background in auto repair at Jaguar that included some of the nation’s highest accreditations.

Killelea’s interest in cars began early, leading him to work at a service station at a young age before going to automotive technology school in upstate New York. He then landed a job at Jaguar, a brand he didn’t initially target but quickly became an expert in.

"I didn’t have any Jaguar experience when I started. I was more into domestic cars and hot rods," Killelea recalled. But the luxury brand intrigued him, offering new challenges. "Jaguars are unique; they require a lot of attention, which was great for me because I was able to grow pretty rapidly in that area as far as learning the cars and repairing them.”

Killelea quickly distinguished himself as one of the top technicians not only in the dealership but in the country. Over the course of his time at Jaguar, he was named as a top technician eight times, which earned him trips to the Jaguar plant in England and a spot in a global competition with other techs.

“The competition was open to most technicians with over five years of experience who received some other required training and scored highly on a written test,” Killelea explained. “Jaguar would then have a hands-on competition where they would bug the car with a fault and challenge the technicians to find the fault and fix the car.”

“Then, the top 10 techs would go to England for a four-day trip to do some sightseeing and see where the cars are made. The competitions were a little stressful, but it had its rewards. I got pretty used to going to England,” he laughed.

Killelea is also certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, an accreditation held by the best technicians in the country who have proven themselves to be knowledgeable professionals in the auto repair industry.

From nationally-recognized technician to shop owner

In 2012, after three decades at Jaguar, Killelea decided it was time for a new challenge.

"When you reach the pinnacle of your career, there’s nowhere left to go. And after 30 years, the job became physically strenuous for me," he explained.

The idea of opening his own auto repair shop had been on his mind for years, and with experience, skill, and passion on his side, Killelea took the leap, founding Rockville Centre Auto Repair.

Starting the business wasn’t easy. "This place was a shell of a building," he said. But through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence, Killelea grew the business from the ground up.

But Killelea didn’t want just another repair shop—he wanted to be the best.

“I’ve always wanted to be the best on the block, and I wanted that family atmosphere,” he shared. “A good reputation has always meant a lot to me.”

His decades of experience at Jaguar, where customer service and excellent service is paramount, shaped how he runs his business.

"People who drive Jaguars are unique, and they expect top-notch service. I wanted to bring that same level of care to RVC Auto," Killelea said.

His attention to detail and commitment to maintaining a stellar reputation have earned the shop a loyal customer base. Now, 12 years later, RVC Auto has, indeed, become the best on the block, having earned the Long Island Choice Award for Best Auto Repair Facility for the third year in a row.