Oil change service · Somerville, MA · reviewed since 2015
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%82+44.7Reliability 24%73+17.7Value 14%96+13.6Replies to reviews 7%68+4.8Craft & service penalty91−0.9Experts Score= 80Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.80SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#24 of 50 oil change servicesiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 53%
4.7★★★★★773 Google reviews · 21 photos
85%five-star reviews
4.92★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
2.7%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Customers frequently praise the quick, efficient service and friendly, knowledgeable staff who avoid high-pressure sales tactics. However, recurring criticisms involve pricing perceived as higher than independent mechanics and specific mechanical errors, such as improperly tightened skid plate bolts or incorrect oil change interval settings.
Google rating: 4.7 out of 5 from 773 reviews (85% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 773 Google reviews (496 with written comments, 10 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 77% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 24, 2026.
Service: Oil Change Service serving Somerville, Massachusetts.
Data from Google, last updated October 25, 2026.
Score profile vs other oil change services
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and value; weakest: replies to reviews.
Valvoline Instant Oil ChangeOil Change Services median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Valvoline Instant Oil Change: 82/100 on this factor. Category median: 84.A
82
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Valvoline Instant Oil Change: 73/100 on this factor. Category median: 76.B
73
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Valvoline Instant Oil Change: 91/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
91
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Valvoline Instant Oil Change: 96/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
96
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Valvoline Instant Oil Change: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Valvoline Instant Oil Change: 68/100 on this factor. Category median: 59.B
68
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
773 Google reviews we collected
4.7of 5
5 stars65685%
4 stars506%
3 stars192%
2 stars101%
1 star385%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 496 written reviews
94%praise
Praise63694%
Complaints386%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
97%fair
Great price8440%
Reasonable11555%
Overpriced73%
Not sure42%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude24837%
Speed & response17626%
Quality & results12318%
Would recommend426%
Price & value315%
Honesty & trust284%
Communication264%
What customers talk about
We read 496 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Both Kevin and Milton were beyond professional and personable.”
“I was taken aback at the unprofessional behavior of the staff.”
“They were patient, knowledgeable, and provided quick service!”
“…scraping, making grinding noise, loose washer on oil change leaving slow "tiny" leak, and foil wrap usually on A\C line missing, responsible for wat…”
“These gents in the Medford location are top notch in terms of service.”
“When I drove through the snow, the skid plate dragged on the road and got damaged.”
“I always come here and highly recommend this place!”
“Had given this place a 5 stars before, but after my visit today I’ve changed it to 2.”
“Fast and straight forward service, was back on the road in 10 minutes for a good price”
“t of the oil change along with the "extra oil charge" they add on is very expensive, and it's really disappointing to feel like it wasn't done careful…”
“The team is super friendly, genuinely helpful, and actually checks everything they say they're going to.”
“Do not trust that they put the correct oil levels even if you are in the car watching them supposedly do this simple task this is not enough as from m…”
“They have taken the time to explain anything with my car and they caught an issue that needed to be repaired and very thoroughly explained it to me so…”
People customers mention
Kevin21 reviews
Medford14 reviews
Raul11 reviews
Freya5 reviews
Groupon5 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Valvoline Instant Oil Change for 8 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
Trish1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · Edited a day ago★★★★★
Excellent speedy service as usual ... Their new 'Greatness' practice is, well, great!
Great priceOil change
ZEMA9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 days ago★★★★★
Raul and the manager I believe his name is Freya they go above and beyond for the services. And they are so knowledgeable. Kudos Medford Valvoline
Reasonable priceOil changeService not listed
Jeanmarie8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★★★★★
These gents in the Medford location are top notch in terms of service. Both Kevin and Milton were beyond professional and personable. No high-pressure sales and very knowledgeable.
Great priceTiresAir conditioningOil change
PollyannaLocal Guide · 85 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★★★★★
All the staff members are very friendly, polite, and helpful. The service is always quick and efficient. I always come here and highly recommend this place!
Reasonable priceTiresOil change
Kristen4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · Edited a week ago★★★★★
Antonio at the Medford location is an absolute treasure! He was so kind, so professional, and just overall a very delightful person. I had a bad experience with this location in the past, but this visit really turned that around.
LindaLocal Guide · 72 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · Edited 2 weeks ago★★★★★
Andrew was so wonderful. He replaced a back windshield wiper and a front filter plus the oil. Raul did the underside. Mitton did some work on all the cars in the bays. Freya, the manager, was so nice and kind just like Andrew. I was happy he was still there. This Valvoline is always busy but they take their time…
Great priceAir & cabin filter replacementOil changeService not listed
Thanks for the 5 stars! Our Valvoline Instant Oil Change technicians love keeping vehicles in great shape. Visit us again soon for your next quick oil change in Medford!
Trish Desmond1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Trish has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Excellent speedy service as usual ... Their new 'Greatness' practice is, well, great!
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Oil change
Service duration: 0–30 min
Response from the owner · 2 days ago
Thank you for the 5 stars! We're glad you visited our store on 212 Salem St. for your oil change and vehicle maintenance needs. Your feedback keeps us moving forward.
ZEMA BEJANO9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews ZEMA has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Raul and the manager I believe his name is Freya they go above and beyond for the services. And they are so knowledgeable. Kudos Medford Valvoline
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Oil change, Service not listed
Service duration: 0–30 min
Response from the owner · 6 days ago
Thank you for the fantastic rating! We're grateful you stopped by our store on 212 Salem St. for your oil change. Your support fuels our team every day.
Jeanmarie Chaisson8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Jeanmarie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
These gents in the Medford location are top notch in terms of service. Both Kevin and Milton were beyond professional and personable. No high-pressure sales and very knowledgeable.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Tires, Air conditioning, Oil change
Service duration: 0–30 min
Response from the owner · a week ago
Thanks for the great review! Our team at our store on 212 Salem St. is always happy to help with oil changes and preventive vehicle maintenance. We appreciate your support.
Pollyanna MontesLocal Guide · 85 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Pollyanna has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
All the staff members are very friendly, polite, and helpful. The service is always quick and efficient. I always come here and highly recommend this place!
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Tires, Oil change
Service duration: 30–60 min
Response from the owner · a week ago
Appreciate the pit stop! Thanks for choosing Valvoline Instant Oil Change in Medford. Your 5 stars keep our local crew running at top performance and helping drivers stay road ready!
Kristen Galkin4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Kristen has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Antonio at the Medford location is an absolute treasure! He was so kind, so professional, and just overall a very delightful person. I had a bad experience with this location in the past, but this visit really turned that around.
Linda RLocal Guide · 72 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Linda has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Andrew was so wonderful. He replaced a back windshield wiper and a front filter plus the oil. Raul did the underside. Mitton did some work on all the cars in the bays. Freya, the manager, was so nice and kind just like Andrew. I was happy he was still there. This Valvoline is always busy but they take their time with you. I have been a customer for at least 9 years.There was no pressure on anything. Very welcoming! I will always bring my car here!
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Air & cabin filter replacement, Oil change, Service not listed
Service duration: 30–60 min
Response from the owner · 3 years ago
Our team has a "Never Idle" mindset, that sets us apart! We will be sure to recognize them for the top notch service they provided! We appreciate your business!
Kritika Chettri2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Kritika has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Very efficient and great service. Kevin was amazing. Great service.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Oil change
Service duration: 0–30 min
Response from the owner · 2 weeks ago
Thank you for the fantastic rating! We're grateful you stopped by our store on 212 Salem St. for your oil change. Your support fuels our team every day.
Karen Poon12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Karen has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Kevin was very helpful and informative, great service!
Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago
Thanks for the 5 stars! Our Valvoline Instant Oil Change technicians love keeping vehicles in great shape. Visit us again soon for your next quick oil change in Medford!
devon clapp2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews devon has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
great place, great staff, great service! Freya runs a great shop and this is by far the best Valvoline location I’ve been to!
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Oil change
Service duration: 0–30 min
Response from the owner · 4 months ago
Thanks for the 5 stars! We're proud to help drivers at our store on 212 Salem St. stay on top of oil changes and vehicle maintenance. It means a lot to our team.
