Good service from a guy that I can trust. Been taking our cars to Chris for more than 10 years. 98 Golf 96 Celica 06 Passat He specializes in German, but had no problems with the wife's older Celica when we brought it in. She's now driving the Golf, which is still running strong after 13 years. Prices are fair, and assessments are honest, which is really all you can ask for from a mechanic. The only problem is that he is usually swamped, so make your appointments EARLY. read more

Chris takes pride in his business - and in his personal integrity. I took my VW here to be serviced based on recommendations. I'm newish to the area and needed a place to have some things looked at that I had been neglecting before I sold my GTI. We ended up having miscommunications and Chris made it MORE than right. I would go back again in a heartbeat. I can honestly say it is evident he values his business and his reputation. And he should, they are both excellent. read more

Best experience ever. Chris went above and beyond to help me and I can't say enough good things about this place. Very knowledgeable and reasonable. Good prices and diligent work. read more

Chris is one of a kind. Two years ago I brought my S4, and he gave me an honest advice. It was a high performance car along with the high maintenance fee, just like other European cars. I had a BM before, so I know, but I'm the type of person who just doesn't learn, so I asked my hus if I could have a Tesla, and he merely hit top of my head...now I'm searching for BM diesel...he might hit me again, but hon, Toyota just doesn't do me. Highly recommended, sorry for the late review and thank you, Chris. read more

I need to add my 5 stars to the already large list. Chris is as honest a mechanic you can ever hope to meet. I purchased a "old Horse" as Chris put it and he gave me a quick assessment of the car and all the problems I'm likely to face. He didn't have to help me, but he went the extra mile to give me a diagnostic and even looked under the hood. I can not recommend him highly enough. I hope if you read reviews and have a choice who to go to for great customer service and an extremely knowledgeable guy - go see Chris. read more

I agree with Sarah -- part of what makes this guy awesome is that he doesn't talk down to women. Every time I've seen him he's thoroughly explained my problem to me. I appreciate this, despite the fact that I have no idea what he's talking about. In fact, a couple of times I feel like I've come close to understanding him, despite the fact that I know exactly ZERO about cars -- that's how good he is at explaining stuff. I like his demeanor and I trust him. Perhaps more importantly, he's actually fixed my car. In my case, my "square coil" needed to be replaced. Mine was hella old and was causing one of my cylinders to misfire; apparently you're supposed to replace the the square coil more than once every 12 years. I wouldn't know -- I just take my car to the dealership 1 - 2x per year and assume that they're covering all of the bases during those regular maintenance checks. As it turns out, they're not covering ALL of the bases, although they seem to do a pretty good job most of the time. Anyway, I digress. I've had service here twice, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Autowerkstat to a friend. I will be back for future service as needed. BTW, what the hell does Autowerkstat mean, anyway?? Anybody know? read more

Chris was very professional, proficient and knowledgeable about everything Audi. I took my A4 yesterday and I got it back this morning. The problem was fixed in a timely manner, and I'm back on the road. Definitely coming back to, Chris. read more

Chris fit my car in when it started making a grinding noise- it turned out I needed a new fuel pump. He always treats me (and any other friends I've suggested bring their cars to him) with professionalism and respect. He's never talked down to me because I'm a woman. Yes, he's busy and he can't always take your car immediately, so call and make an appointment, you won't be disappointed with the service or the work. read more

Had a failed door lock on my 2010 MB E350, Chris did a fantastic job on the fix which needed pulling apart the door to get at the module. His work ethic and attention to detail shined as there is no indication the door has been repaired. Fantastic service by Chris,I just moved into the state and needed someone to service my 2010 MBE350. Great service, even worked in smog test with another service partner down the street. read more

Appreciative Customer... I am a very pleased customer. Thank you Chris (owner) and Abraham at Autowerkstat! My 2009 VW Tiguan needed extensive repairs and maintenance. 3 months since repairs have been made and my Tiguan continues to run as the champ she is. I have always felt a little uneasy when it comes to taking in a vehicle for repairs to an unfamiliar shop. From the moment I met Chris that anguish was replaced with comfort in knowing that I have finally found an honest mechanic! I will most definitely refer family/friends to Chris. read more

I'd give Chris 10 stars if I could. We've been taking our 2010 GTI to him for a couple of years now, and we've never trusted a mechanic more. He's very straightforward about what's happening with your car, is really honest about the best and worst case scenarios, and does whatever he can to fix your problem the best and most economic way possible without gouging you. Recent example, the GTI had a problem with oil pressure warnings coming on during stop and go traffic in hot weather. He told us that it's possible it could need a new oil pump, but that since it's an older car, we should try going up to a 50w oil first, because replacing the pump would be costly and possibly unnecessary. He always wants to try the less costly options for you first, because he's an ethical guy and isn't looking to take advantage of anyone. He REALLY KNOWS his stuff. The guy's a master of his trade, seriously. He's booked up often a couple weeks out, so getting time with him can sometimes be tricky, but it's worth it. He's one of the very few good guys out there in this business who is both ethical and talented as hell. read more

Chris did a terrific job replacing the clutch and timing belt on my 2003 VW Jetta TDI Wagon. He clearly explained what was needed, and kept in communication, sending me pictures of my completely hammered clutch. He upgraded the flywheel, which the clutch had scored. Then found other issues with the car and took care of them, and gave me clear advice about further attention my car will need, whether I do it myself or return to him. He also completed the job even earlier than he said he would, so I was able to return my rental car early. Bonus! Bottom line: Chris is straight-ahead, professional, with great communication--worth every cent and more. I'll be returning next time I need something done. And he's a good guy. Here's an update: Chris is even better. I holed my oil pan some days after I got the car back from Chris (big bump in the road). I decided to do the replacement myself. Chris gave me repeated advice on the job through email, even though he wasn't being paid and I wasn't doing the work at his shop, taking his valuable time to do so. And I only met him once, when I had that job done. I'm hesitant to add this, as he doesn't need to become a free information resource. I just say it because that's the kind of person he is--a caring, generous human. He cares. read more

Well. Just got off the phone with whom I believe is probably not the owner. If he was, he would've probably spent more time estimating and charging a premium for labor to compensate for money lost in parts. I simply asked him if he could provide me with a quote on labor only on a vehicle of mine and he stated "why would I want to do labor only? I don't even make money". Other shops are charging $500+. I'll gladly give my money to someone else. Probably an honest mechanic? with a terrible business mindset. read more

Chris is very organized, knowledgeable, straightforward and competent. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend his shop to anyone. Can I give him more than 5 stars? read more

If you have a German auto baby that you want to have taken care of. This is the place. This independent garage is tucked into a mall and you need to call first and make an appointment. My husbands Audi TT needed a major tune up, had issues with air conditioning, oil, etc. We waited 6 weeks for an open appointment as chris is that popular. We had a thorough assessment done in 2 Days and chris is tech savvy and sent an itemized breakdown by email. My husband and I went through each item and agreed that each item was legitimate and needed so booked chris for the entire shebang. We could wait patiently, so 6 weeks later we had our baby back. It was about $7000 and that is for everything-brakes, air conditioning, engine. read more

I had a check engine light on my Audi that prevented me from getting a smog. Other well trusted shops that I've been to in the past quoted me 5k-7k to fix it. Chris's vast experience was key in realizing that there could be something other than what the code was telling us was wrong with the car. He is a true master mechanic. He gave me no guarantees, but I could tell he was 99% sure that he was right. He absolutely nailed it and it cost me a little over 1k, saving at least 4K. The Audi is driving great and I couldn't be happier. Thank you, Chris! read more

I just had my car serviced by Chris again, so I feel as I owe him another review. In sum, this guy is still the man. My car had a check engine light, and I finally had it looked at by Chris because I was due for passing smog. In short, Chris pinpointed the problems and solved them. He even did the added convenience for me and did the smog check at a nearby colleague, saving me time. He also noted another repair he highly recommended I do for safety's sake, and I agreed to it on-the-spot because I trust this guy. As the many glowing reviews say below along with my previous review, Chris is a very, VERY up front and honest mechanic. He does not push you in any way. He does a great job of listing all options and tells you his personal recommendations depending on your situation with your car. He gives a detailed explanation on what needs to be done before he starts a job and again gives a detailed explanation after doing the job. I will always look to Autowerkstat first for any car troubles. read more

I brought my Tiguan in with a laundry list of issues, and Chris was so helpful! He is extremely knowledgable about German engines and was able to identify what my car needed and the best path forward. Unlike the dealer I was previously going to, he was able to properly install all components and didn't try to up-charge me with unnecessary add-ons. Will definitely be recommending Chris to any fellow VW owners and will be bringing my car back in the future. read more

Chris knows VWs and Audi's better than I know my own penis. For reals.

I cannot say enough great things about this shop. Although they no longer do pre-delivery/pre-purchase inspections, Chris was very helpful in providing me with a printout of everything that should be include with the vehicle I was looking to purchase, as well as giving me tips on what big things to look out for with regards to maintenance records and things specific to the vehicle. This was all at zero cost as well, so I can only imagine the lengths he would go for his paying customers. read more

Chris is an honest and genuine person. Both attributes are hard to find in a mechanic these days. My car died, so I emailed Chris seeing if he could take a look and diagnose my car. He was all booked up, but he asked me a bunch of questions and then took the extra step to call me and give me a diagnosis based on the issues at hand. He went above and beyond for me, and I wasn't even a paying customer. If you read these, thank you again Chris. Very helpful, excellent customer service, and he knows what he is talking about. I recommend everyone needing service for their German car, email Chris, he won't steer you wrong! read more

I can't comment on how good the work is at this place, because the owner claimed that they were too buy for him to even bother to get up from his desk. That's my experience. Said he was sorry, and that I should try some other business. They get a customer service FAIL from me. read more

Chris is a no-nonsense mechanic that knows his stuff. He will give you the straight scoop and not do any unnecessary repairs. Great friendly service! Highly recommend! read more

Chris has maintained our 1996 Audi A4 for over 15 years and 185,000 miles, and never let us down. In fact his work has always been above and beyond the call of duty, making sure everything done to the car was perfect. He will recommend cheaper solutions when those are available and adequate for the situation. I wouldn't consider going anywhere else. Because he is so good, he does schedule up in advance so best to get on his calendar early when you need something done. Over the years we've become personal friends as well. You couldn't find a nicer guy nor anyone so knowledgeable and competent. read more

I should start off by saying I've never met Chris in person. And this is in fact my first yelp review. I actually signed up with yelp finally to write this review. I've been looking for a used gti for a couple weeks. At a certain point I realized I should get some advice from a professional mechanic because ultimately, you never know what you're getting into with used vehicles. Recalls, maintenance, common problems etc. That's when I found Chris. There were other vw mechanics on yelp, but none with glowing reviews like Chris's. I contacted him via email and asked him a couple questions. He gave me more information than I could ask for and offered to look over ads if I sent them to him through email. I sent him a dozen ads and asked probably too many questions, but regardless he has answered every email with loads of info on why each purchase may not be the best. And what I should look for in a used vw. Rarely do you find that kind of attention, dedication and honesty in the service industry, especially when you're not even a customer yet. When I do purchase my used vw, I will be bringing it to Chris for service. This guy is the man. read more

First review of a business by me,prompted by my experience with Chris at Autowerkstat...I love my Jetta..to the point of knowing better than to take it to a dealer for service...what I DIDN'T know is that I'd be taking it to a mechanic who loves my car as much as I do!!..Chris is about as straight forward,no-nonsense,honest,detailed oriented mechanic you will find...I had a steering wheel alignment issue that was off by 5 degrees..I didn't tell Cris about it before hand because I forgot...but after the service,it was corrected...it's that kind of detail and caring about doing the job right,that has made me a loyal customer...Confidence has been restored in the honest mechanic world.... read more

Chris is the guy you want to take your German car to. Knowledge, honest, and goes the extra mile. I trust him and would highly recommend his services. I had a difficult computer test problem he helped me navigate to get through smog. read more

I have brought my TDI to Chris twice. Each time, I have left with a car so improved, it's like I have a brand new car. In 15 years of car ownership, I've never had that experience. I don't even understand how it's possible, but still, he and his team are that good. If you own a VW, an Audi, a BMW, or another import; do yourself a favor: bring your car here. read more

Thank you Chris for trying to figure out the issues with our daughter's Jetta. The extra time spent on it and attention to detail were appreciated! read more

Stopped by the other day because my daughters VW beetle had a check engine light pop on. Chris quickly hooked up to the car and diagnosed it within a minute or two . Offered a reasonable amount to replace the relay and even got us a spare key made and programmed by closing the next day.Very impressed and will be coming back to handle other needed repairs for her car. Check him out for your German made car needs. For serious repairs or issues it's best to make an appointment via email or phone as it appears he keeps pretty busy. read more

I've taken my VW GTI 1.8T to Chris more times than I care to count. I was hard on my VW and in addition to that German made automobiles have a few things that naturally go wrong with them. That being said Chris has always been very upfront and honest about what was wrong with my car every time i took it to him. I had been to three other shops in the area and never got the same impression of professionalism and thoroughness that I got from him. Most of the time something went wrong with my VW it was never at a convenient time and Chris was usually crazy busy. That was a good sign to me though because I would rather go a bit longer while borrowing or renting a vehicle then get shotty or overpriced repairs. All in all i will never take my car to anyone else to get repairs and I doubt I'll see another repair shop owned and operated the same way. read more

As you can see from the long list of happy customers, it's no surprise that Chris and his team at Autowerkstat have a five star rating. Chris has been my go to specialists for all my Audis for nearly 15 years and has always provided timely, professional, and honest service. Definitely one of the best! read more

My Audi A4 failed to pass smog with an OBDII not ready error. I tried to resolve the issue using some instructions I found online to no avail. This had me very worried. I got the car to Autowerkstat and they were able to resolve the issue. The expertise here is unparalleled and I wouldn't trust anyone else with my Audi. I'll be taking my Volkswagen there for service next. read more

I cannot say enough great things about this place and the owner Chris. I have been taking my 2003 Audi A4 to Autowerkstat ever since the dealership warranty expired.. Recently, I took my car into the dealership for one of those free 32-point inspection flyers that they're always mailing me. Well it turned out that the awful noise my car was making was due to a power steering pump. It was also due for a new timing belt and the engine mounts were shot. Their estimate was close to $3000 I believe. I politely turned them down and emailed Autowerkstat to book an appointment. (It's so nice having this email option since I forget half the things the service rep tells me because they speak so fast. I'm also quite busy at work so being able to respond to his emails at my convenience is a plus.) Long story short..I was able to get my car back within a couple of days and almost half the price. He also looked back at my records and found that he had already replaced the timing belt so that helped my wallet alot. Oh.. I also want to mention that he did a fantastic job on reassembling an aftermarket bumper that was falling apart, which he had to take down in order to get to the engine mounts and serpentine belt, at no charge. Autowerkstat has put the joy back in driving my car. I now volunteer to drive during lunch at work instead of apologizing for the awful noises it used to make. read more

"Fair prices. Excellent service. Honest." This doesn't sound like an auto repair shop, but it's all true. I had to take my A6 to the dealership for a recall and I asked them for a quote for a major service (55k). Obviously, the dealership came back with some staggering number. I called Chris and got a detailed quote that I could compare to the dealership's (they were both detailed quotes, which is why Chris recommends on his website you should compare). Same parts (bought at the dealership), about the same amount of labor, but hundreds of dollars less. So Chris services my car and several months later everything is running great. read more

I've taken my 2003 VW Golf TDI to Chris twice. I'd known about Autowerkstat for many years now, but living in the East Bay made it difficult get my car out to San Jose for service. After having multiple bad experiences with VW dealers in my area, I finally committed to taking my TDI to Chris... easily the best decision I've made regarding my VW. Chris runs a busy shop. His reputation precedes him and appointments stack up. Make time and commit to getting your car to him. He does whatever he can to accommodate and I've always appreciated that effort. My first job for him wasn't an easy one. It involved undoing shoddy dealer work and layers of diagnostics (faulty dealer-installed injection pump among a number of other necessary fixes). Chris is methodical, thorough, and communicates options and solutions every step of the way. I sent him on a wild goose chase with that first job. I was flexible and left my car with him and he didn't disappoint. We communicated via email heavily. Response time was always quick. His communication style is to the point and very efficient, and he accommodated all of my questions. The job was complex, but he personally tested and retested his work until he was satisfied that he was handing my TDI back to me ready to perform as it should. I just picked up my car last week from my second experience with Autowerkstat. I had Chris do my brakes and rotors all the way around as well as shocks and struts. He got me in and out in a day... again providing a solid experience from start to finish. Despite the challenge it is to get my car out to him, I have no intention of taking my VW to get serviced by any other shop. It's just that simple. Reliable, knowledgeable beyond belief, solution oriented, works hard to be cost-effective but has a commitment to quality service using quality parts. When I talk to other TDI owners, most know Chris as the go-to German diesel guy, whether they've had service there or not. I fully understand why. Autowerkstat is my standard. read more

I don't even need to give Chris a great review. Just take a look at these reviews. Have you ever EVER seen a car shop get ALL five star reviews??? Not a single 4 star or less. He's totally reliable and trustworthy and fantastic. Wouldn't take my car anywhere else! read more

Thanks Chris for getting our Q7 in on short notice and getting it back to us on time as promised. Highly recommend.

Bottom line, if you have a german car; (volkswagen) and you want to have it running its best! Autowerkstat is where you go. These guys(Chris) are the BEST! I got their name off "Car talk" and click and clack got there Sh*t right. Seriously, they are fair with pricing and I won't trust anyone else to work on my car! Plus Chris is just a really good, down to earth, straight up guy. DON"T GO TO THE DEALER TAKE IT TO AUTOWERKSTAT! You won't regret it! read more

This guy is incredible. Chris seems to have some type of godly sixth sense to determine what exactly is wrong with a vehicle. He's diagnosed a number of issues with my 2006 Audi A4 2.0T. I've gone to a number of other shops (dealers and indies), and none have been as knowledgeable, helpful or patient as Chris and Autowerkstat. Give Chris a try. You won't be disappointed. read more