One thing’s for sure: Long Island is a land of commuters, and commuters have one thing in common – they need wheels to get to where they’re going, whether it‘s their job, the mall, or one of the many fine restaurants or entertainment venues that Nassau and Suffolk counties have on offer.
That being said, having a solid, reliable automobile to transport you around our fine island is of paramount importance, and when it comes to getting a quality car at an affordable price and – most importantly – with excellent customer service to back up the experience, Certified Auto New York is the one-stop shop for Long Islanders.
Certified Auto New York, originally based in Rockville Centre, is currently operating out of Great Neck while developing its new flagship headquarters with a street-level retail presence in Port Washington. The company first launched in 2022 and has rapidly grown since.
According to the owner Daniel Kimyagarov, his business deals in any make or model in both new and used vehicles, and offers a “white glove” service to their many satisfied customers, meaning they can just sit back and let Certified Auto New York do all the work.
“What that means is you never have to step foot in a dealership or spend hours negotiating,” Kimyagarov explained. “You contact our team, provide your budget, and tell us what you’re looking for — we handle everything. From there, we present options across multiple makes and models, including vehicles you may not have even realized were within your budget. Through our strong relationships with dealerships across multiple states, we’re able to secure highly competitive pricing — often at wholesale levels.”
Certified Auto New York bases their business model on the good relations they have forged with dealerships, as well as the sheer volume of vehicles they move, which puts them in a very strong position to bargain on behalf of their clients, ensuring they get the car they want at a price they can afford.
“So, for example, if you’re looking for a BMW,” Kimyagarov said, “you might visit five or seven dealerships trying to find the right car — and then still have to negotiate the price. We already know the market, we have access to a wide network, and because of that, we’re able to secure substantially better pricing.”
And Kimyagarov noted that, through his connections, he is able to procure just about anything on wheels that his customers are looking for, from sensible four-door economy cars all the way up to ultra-luxury rides.
“Outside of Tesla, which doesn’t work with brokers, we can source virtually any vehicle,” Kimyagarov said. “From high-end brands like BMW, Bentley, Ferrari, and Lamborghini to a wide range of affordable, reliable options — our primary focus is helping everyday families find the right car within their budget.”
Once a customer selects their car, the white glove service doesn’t end.
“We deliver the car directly to your home, so you never have to leave your comfort zone,” Kimyagarov said. “There’s no pressure, no inconvenience, and no wasted time — we make the entire process seamless.”
But even after delivery of the vehicle is accepted, Kimyagarov said that Certified Auto New York’s commitment to excellent customer service and satisfaction doesn’t end, which is outside of the norm when compared to many automotive leasing services out there.
“Too often, once the deal is done, clients can’t get a call back or the support they need,” Kimyagarov said. “That’s not how we operate. We’re not just focused on making a sale — we’re building a community. I want Certified Auto NY to be a trusted, family-known name people rely on.”
Kimyagarov has the automotive industry in his blood; he started out at the tender young age of 19 as a delivery driver for a leasing agency while he was in college – most unexpectedly – applying for dental school, of all things. Over time, as he developed connections and learned more about the business, he began immersing himself in it.
“I started closing small deals for family for friends, and I liked it,” he said “A few years later, I’m studying for my dental admission exam when someone approached me about opening up our own leasing business, since I’d been working in it so long. I said, okay, let’s do it.”
“After about eight months, I knew it was time to build something on my own,” Kimyagarov said. “That’s when Certified Auto New York was launched.”
Why the pivot from dentistry? Kimyagarov noted that it was partly influenced by his strong people skills.
“I’m a people person. I’ve always loved communicating with people, I’ve always had a passion for getting to know people, and at the same time, finding the right angle with people,” he said. “My grandpa taught me a long time ago that you need to have an approach with every person, you need to be able to speak to any type of person, and I’ve always been good at speaking to people.”
Today, Certified Auto New York is a bonified success story – they are currently servicing Nassau County, but are looking to expand their services into Suffolk, Queens, and New Jersey – and Kimyagarov said that all the hard work he’s poured into growing and evolving it over the years has been more than worth it.
When I made that switch from dentistry to cars, my family didn’t believe in it. Everyone was like, ‘Why are you doing this?’ But I stuck to it just because I’m a stubborn person. I like to prove people wrong,” he said. “We’ve grown a ton- the clientele we have, the type of cars we do now, and just the reputation that we’ve built. It’s very satisfying. I like to be the trusted car person. For me, if we’ve got to lose money on a deal and keep a client happy, I’d rather spend the money out of my own pocket and make sure that person walks away satisfied.”
To find out more about Certified Auto New York, please call 516-363-3247 or visit their website at https://certifiedautony.com.
