Palmerston North's Performance & Tuning Specialists.
AWD dyno tuning, ECU remapping, diesel solutions, and performance upgrades —
plus WoF inspections, engine rebuilds, and full mechanical servicing for cars, 4x4s, ATVs, and more.
Bumper to Bumper Services
Full-service workshop. Built for performance.
Performance Upgrades
Petrol & diesel power gains — from mild tunes to full builds — mapped and dyno-verified.
Dyno Tuning
In-house AWD dyno — real numbers, real conditions, no guesswork.
ECU Remapping & Unichip
Authorized Dastek Unichip and Link ECU installs, custom tuning, and all engine management systems.
Diesel Tune Solutions
Dimsport-certified diesel tuning for modern common-rail engines. More power, better economy, factory-safe.
Diagnostics & Fault Finding
Advanced ECU scanning and expert diagnosis on all makes and models.
Servicing & WoF
In-house Warrant of Fitness inspections, WoF repairs, and full mechanical servicing. Toyota service specialists.
Suspension & Driveline
Suspension, driveline, brakes, and transmission repairs and servicing.
Engine Rebuilds
Full engine rebuilds, timing kits, water pump replacement, and major mechanical work.
All Vehicles Welcome
Cars, 4x4s, ATVs, motorbikes, boats, trailers, jet skis — if it has an engine, we work on it.
Custom Fabrication & Exhausts
Custom exhaust systems, fabrication work, and performance modifications built in-house to your spec.
Fleet Management
Scheduled servicing, WoF coordination, and mechanical management for business fleets of all sizes.
Services & Maintenance Centre
WoF inspections, WoF repairs, servicing & repairs to all makes & models, brakes, transmission, suspension, driveline, timing kits, engine rebuilds, trailers, boats, ATVs, motorbikes & jet ski repairs.
Dyno Centre & Performance Upgrades
In-house AWD dyno, advanced ECU scanning, diesel tuning solutions, Dimsport software upgrades, Unichip installation & tuning, custom exhaust fabrication, and all engine management systems.
Our Workshop
See the work. Trust the results.
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Trusted by Palmerston North and the Manawatu-Whanganui region for over 30 years.
Read Our Google ReviewsLeave us a review →About the workshop
Family owned. Francois and the team since 1995.
A&M Vehicle Specialists is a proudly family-owned performance and mechanical workshop based in Takaro — trusted by the Manawatu community for over 30 years. Our commitment to honesty, transparency, and fair pricing means you'll always know what you're getting and why.
From in-house WoF inspections and routine servicing to full engine rebuilds, AWD dyno tuning, and Unichip installs, we work across the full spectrum of automotive work. Petrol or diesel, daily driver or dedicated performance build — and yes, we work on ATVs, boats, trailers, and jet skis too. Got a Kia Stinger, a Dodge Challenger, or a Land Cruiser V8 build? We've seen it all.
As an authorized Dastek Unichip agent, Link ECU and Dimsport-certified diesel tuner, and proud MTA member, we bring specialist knowledge most workshops simply don't have. Whatever you bring in, it gets treated with the same care we'd give our own. NZDF personnel receive 15% off labour and a free WoF inspection with every service.
Your Palmerston North Performance & Mechanical Workshop
Palmerston North's most capable workshop — built for every vehicle, every job.
As your trusted mechanic on Tremaine Avenue, Takaro, A&M Vehicle Specialists has been the go-to workshop for Palmerston North drivers since 1995. Whether you need a logbook service, WoF inspection, brake repairs, or a full engine rebuild — or you're chasing serious performance gains from our in-house AWD dyno — Francois and the team handle it all under one roof, for all makes and models.
Specialist Knowledge You Won't Find Elsewhere
A&M Vehicle Specialists is one of just three authorised Dastek Unichip dealers in New Zealand — a distinction earned over 30 years, not handed out freely. Combined with our Dimsport certification for modern common-rail diesel engines, Link ECU installation capability, and in-house AWD dyno, we carry specialist equipment and knowledge most Palmerston North workshops simply can't match.
We're also a proud NZDF Approved Supplier — offering Defence Force personnel 15% off labour and a free WoF inspection with every service. MTA certified. Honest work. Real results.
Every Vehicle. Every Job.
From daily drivers and Toyota service specialist work to Kia Stingers, Dodge Challengers, and Land Cruiser V8 performance builds — if it has an engine, we work on it. Petrol or diesel. Turbo or naturally aspirated. Standard or heavily modified.
We also service ATVs, motorbikes, boats, trailers, and jet skis. Need a custom exhaust fabricated? Fleet servicing for your business vehicles? Transmission rebuild? Suspension overhaul? Diesel tune for your 4WD? Bring it to 445 Tremaine Ave, Takaro — Palmerston North's most versatile mechanical workshop.
Honest Pricing. Family Values.
Since 1995, A&M Vehicle Specialists has operated on one simple principle: treat every vehicle like it's your own. Francois and the team are known throughout the Manawatu for transparency, fair pricing, and getting the job done right the first time — whether it's a quick oil change or a full dyno-mapped performance build.
We accept Afterpay — split your service or repair into 4 interest-free payments. No surprises on the bill. No unnecessary work. Just honest car servicing and mechanical repairs in Palmerston North you can count on.
Services We're Known For
General Servicing & Repairs
Performance & Tuning
Diesel & Specialist Tuning
Vehicle Specialisations
Fleet & Commercial
Serving Palmerston North & the wider Manawatu-Wanganui region.
Based on Tremaine Ave, Takaro — serving customers across the Manawatu-Wanganui region. For specialist dyno and tuning work, people travel.
Get in touch
Talk to the workshop.
Call for the quickest response, or send an enquiry and we'll get back to you.
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can't find your answer? Call us on 06 213 7080 or send an enquiry above.
We offer a full range of automotive services from our Tremaine Avenue workshop in Takaro, Palmerston North. This includes WoF inspections and repairs, car servicing and logbook servicing, brake repairs, transmission services, suspension and driveline work, engine rebuilds, timing kits, and water pump replacements. We also run a dedicated Dyno Centre offering AWD dyno tuning, ECU remapping, Unichip installation, Dimsport diesel tuning, custom exhaust fabrication, and performance upgrades for petrol and diesel vehicles.
Yes — we work on all makes and models including Japanese, European, and American vehicles. We're Toyota service specialists and regularly work on Landcruisers, Hiluxes, Kia Stingers, Subarus, Mitsubishis, Fords, Holdens, and more. We also service ATVs, motorbikes, boats, trailers, and jet skis. If it has an engine, bring it in.
A Warrant of Fitness (WoF) is a mandatory vehicle safety check required by New Zealand law. At A&M Vehicle Specialists, we carry out WoF inspections entirely in-house at our Takaro workshop — no need to go elsewhere. If your vehicle fails, we can carry out the repairs on the spot and get it re-inspected.
AWD (all-wheel drive) dyno tuning measures your vehicle's actual power output at all four wheels under real load conditions — giving you accurate, reliable figures rather than estimates. It's essential for any performance build and highly recommended before and after any engine management changes. We have an in-house AWD dyno, one of the few in the Palmerston North and Manawatu region, meaning we can tune and verify your vehicle's performance without sending it elsewhere.
Unichip is one of the world's leading piggyback ECU tuning systems — it intercepts and modifies signals between your vehicle's sensors and engine, improving power, fuel efficiency, and drivability without replacing the factory ECU. A&M Vehicle Specialists is one of only three authorised Dastek Unichip dealers in New Zealand, making us one of the most qualified Unichip installers and tuners in the country.
Yes. We offer Dimsport-certified diesel tuning for modern common-rail diesel engines. Whether you want more power, better fuel economy, or both, our diesel tuning solutions are mapped specifically for your vehicle. We work on utes, 4WDs, performance diesels, and fleet vehicles.
Yes — A&M Vehicle Specialists is an NZDF Approved Supplier. Defence Force personnel receive 15% off labour and a free WoF inspection with every service. Just let us know when you book.
Yes. We accept Afterpay, so you can split the cost of your service or repair into 4 interest-free fortnightly payments. No need to delay essential maintenance.
We're at 445 Tremaine Avenue, Takaro, Palmerston North 4412 — easy to find on Tremaine Ave, one of Palmerston North's main arterial routes. We're open Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm. Closed weekends. Call us on 06 213 7080 or send an enquiry through our contact form.
The easiest way is to call us directly on 06 213 7080 — Francois and the team will talk through your vehicle and what you're trying to achieve. Alternatively, fill in the enquiry form on this page and we'll get back to you. For performance builds, we recommend calling first so we can give you accurate advice before you book.