I started using them for general work on my 2008 Passat this year and used them on a few different…read moreoccasions hoping I had found a reliable and reputable shop, as it is difficult to find a non-dealer shop who works on VWs and does good work. I found them online and was comforted by their specialty in VWs and VW training and certifications. I initially used them to resolve an emissions code issue I was having. Because they fixed this and took the extra effort to get the emissions completed for me, I was encouraged.
I had been through three water pumps in less than 20k miles and it went out AGAIN. I explained my frustrations to the owner and he said he would warranty the work for a year. FABULOUS! This is the quality of service I had been looking for all this time.
Then HE suggested we go across the street to Jim Ellis Volkswagen to see if they would exchange the part, since they provided it for the previous mechanic. They did exchange for free in less than ten minutes. BUT SURPISE, VW Technology now wouldn't warranty the work since we went across the street ourselves and grabbed the part. That might have been important to mention before we got the replacement part! You have my car apart, say you'll warranty it, send us to exchange the part, and THEN say no warranty. Great way to take advantage of the situation. I had to cross my fingers that this shop installed it properly--no warranty now.
Next surprise, water pump leaked again after 1.5 months! But unfortunately, I couldn't get the work done there covered by warranty because of this last minute change due to our grabbing the part for him across the street at the dealership (where he could literally stand and see us and our car at parts). Not a good way to earn long-term customers or show that you stand behind your work.
Furthermore, in the meantime, I inquired about an oil leak, as I kept dropping to low oil and my engine light kept coming on. Owner said, NO LEAK and just changed the oil. I asked if any other work needed to be done, as I had hit 70K miles...now is the time to look it over. Belts, hoses, anything? Nope! He told me all is well.
He also told me cars use a quart of oil between changes....WHAT? I have never heard that and neither had the dealership, which is where I ended up taking it to actually diagnose and repair THE OIL LEAK.
Best surprise of all, my engine has now jumped timing, bent the valves, and has $5600 in damage. Guess those belts and hoses, including the timing belt, could have used a change after all.
I am certainly partly to blame. I should have listened to my gut and commonsense. If the oil was dropping and this guy couldn't find the issue, I should have trusted NONE of his previous work. I should have paid the extra from the start and just stuck with the dealership, who actually knows the car and stands behind their work. I'll never make this mistake again. Hard lessons learned.
Either this shop is incompetent or simply doesn't care. Either way, beware. These all can be costly, engine-damaging mistakes if you are not diligent. Even though they have VW certification, their work is shoddy, they give erroneous advice, and they obviously do not stand behind their actual work.
Find someone who is not shifty, offers true guarantees, and knows what they are saying. This certainly is not the place, unfortunately. If I can save someone else this nightmare, I will feel so much better. At this point I would advise using a dealership, despite inflated pricing.
