Best Service Knowledgeable Friendly Prompt Accessible My VW Jetta's brake started squeaking louder and louder lately. I called and Chris told me to come right away. When I got there, he provided a check-up swiftly, gave me additional info that were great to know that I didn't even ask for, and made me feel that my car is in the right hands. It was also nice that be able to observe as he inspected my car, so I knew what he was doing. It is so unlike being at the dealer where you have no idea what they did, and you end up emptying your wallet with each visit. I'm never going back to the dealer, where service is always slow, and where there is no sense of customer service! read more

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

I was having engine smoke and oil leaks coming from my 2002 Audi S4. I setup an appointment with Chris for a thorough inspection of my car. He diagnosed the issue and fixed all of my oil leak issues. He also found some other issues that, I should take care of later on down the road. Very knowledgeable mechanic and knows his stuff. And takes the time to sit down and talk to you after he finishes with your car. Gives you good advice on maintaining your car. And answers all your questions and concerns you might have. Most places I go to don't have this type of customer service. Chris and his staff do great work. I highly recommend him for any Audi/VW work. He also works on other types of cars as well. Thanks again for the awesome work Autowerkstat! read more

Chris is AWESOME! I will never bring my Jetta anywhere else. No joke!

Chris is a great guy! Really nice. He checked my airbag light for free and helped me out with my Volkswagen beetle! Thanks

Oh My God, this is the best auto shop I could have wished for when taking in my 2006 Jetta for repairs. I read all the reviews thinking they sounded too good to be true, but I have to tell you they were all true. The owner Chris was outstanding. He spent a good amount of time checking out my car on my first visit at no cost to me. Chris then provided me with a number of options for me to consider regarding the repairs needed. Once I made up my mind, Chris gave me an appointment to bring in my car and the time he expected to have the repairs completed. My car was ready when he said and has run great ever since. The shop is one of the cleanest I have seen and the most organized. I have no hesitation in recommending Chris if you are in the market for a great mechanic and considering taking your vehicle to Autowerkstat, read more

Chris is very knowledgeable about VW cars, and is candid, friendly and helpful !

I've waited much too long to write this review, but I've been busy enjoying my ride. Chris is truly a no BS kind of guy. He will straight up will tell you what needs to be done and what he recommends to be done. He's not pushy and leaves the decisions up to you with some great advice. His shop is clean and organized and it shows that he takes pride in his work. About the end of 2009 my 2001 Audi S4 Avant was without an engine, toast. I chewed his ear for a few weeks over the phone about what to do and decided to replace it with a good, low miles used engine. He told me he would order an engine, and we would have to set aside a full week for him to replace the majority of hoses and lines, installing and test tuning the engine. The install seemed to go smooth and Chris was great about adding some aftermarket items, voicing his concerns, and doing additional work along the way that was not originally discussed, all still within that week. He makes no beef about me stopping by for some tweaks if need be and seems genuinely curious and concerned on little issue that may come up. This was a major job for any shop and Chris and his one man crew got it done without a hitch. I'll be a long term customer from now on and highly encourage anyone who need work done to try Autowerkstat. read more

The first word that comes to my mind when I think of Chris is trust, I am at peace when I need to take my car for service with him. I know very little about cars and had experiences in the past when other shops tried to sell me more than what I needed even sometimes telling me that if I wouldn't do a service the car may broke unexpectedly. I was always very suspicious when the time came for my car to be serviced even for an oil change until I met Chris, he knows his job, he's honest and would advise you only what your car really needs. I know he can be busy but if he knows the situation is critical he does his best to accommodate you. In fact I just had the experience last March that my clutch got stuck, when I went to Chris I can see he had a lot of work but still he told me he would take care of it during the week and although I needed my car I can only trust Chris to do the job so I left it with him and to my surprise he had it ready in 2 days!!! That's what I'm talking about a prompt and excellent service. read more

Quality mechanics that are honest are at a high premium these days but this garage is amazing. Close to home, fast and at a competitive price point. Appreciate the love getting my m3 back up to peak performance. read more

My 99 Jetta has its share of maintenance problems. Until 3 years back I used to religiously take my car to the dealer for any repair, maintenance and even oil changes (Yeah...yeah....not a really good idea...nor inexpensive....learnt it the hard way). Each time I took her (my car) to the dealer it would fix one problem, but lead to 2 others and more cost. Totally frustrated I looked around for a good reference and lo & behold i had 2 written references from my co workers within 36 hrs of online posting. Since then my car & I have come to rely on Chris. He has made sure she is in the best of shapes, used the best available parts and charged reasonable rates too. On ocassion he has told me to defer non emergency repairs. Imgaine a dealership doing that...slim chance. One particular incident stands out. My car was rear ended in July 06, and my insurance took care of everything. A few months later I started noticing a distinct shift to the left as i kept my steering wheel straight. Almost a year later during my initial visit to Chris he told me about a wheel alignment issue. He told me to get an independent test done and the results confirmed his findings. He then diagnosed the issue in detail & indicated the problem could not be fixed by a simple wheel alignment. He then asked me if the car had a severe impact (like a sharp bump or pothole) or accident....and of course it had been rear ended. Apparently the impact was so severe that it caused the wheel alignment problem. So, Chris adviced me to go back to the insurance company & indicate them about this "hidden damage". Armed with the necessary facts, and testing documents I approached the insurance company. While it did take me couple of more "official" tests and 2 1/2 months of persistant follow up, the insurance company agreed to fix the wheel alignment (Yes, Chris took care of it) Today my car is nearing 160K and in beautiful working condition, thanks to Chris. The overall maintenance cost has been reduced by at least 45% annually. In return I have received quality work, and peace of mind that I will get best value for me money. My car & I would like to thank Chris for professional expertise and integrity. I would not think twice before recommending Chris to anyone who owns an Audi, WV, Volvo, BMW or Mercedes & is looking for a honest and capable car mechanic. Happy Driving! read more

We have been taking our cars to Chris for over 30 years, following him when he opened his own shop. If you're looking for a mechanic that not only has integrity, takes pride in his work, but really only wants the best for his customers, you've found your guy. Chris is is honest and won't do work that doesn't need to be done just to make a buck like some other shops. He will take the time to talk to you about the work he's doing and not make you feel like you don't know what's going on. We've had several 'emergency situations ' through the years and Chris has always gone the extra mile to make sure we were taken care of. Whether you need an oil change or an engine overhaul, I'd strongly recommend Chris and Autowerkstat if you want to drive a car you and your family can feel safe in. read more

this is the place to bring your german cars. best experience i've ever had with a mechanic.

Chris is a true professional. Do not hesitate to trust your car to him. He has my vw back in tip top shape.

Chris is knowledgeable and honest. I trust him with my Audi S5. Professional. He took care of coolant tank leak recently on a urgent basis even though he was backed up on appointments for weeks. read more

If you have an Audi or a VW...TAKE YOUR CAR HERE! Chris is the owner and he is the best. Chris is honest, fair, an expert in his field and a class act. I had a few issues on my VW and he was able to work around my work schedule and made my car a priority. He is very friendly and personable. After meeting Chris, I will never go to a dealership again for service. He does an amazing job and he is FAIR!!!!! I am so thankful for finding his shop and I am grateful for his time and the service he provided! read more

Chris at Autowerkstat came highly recommended & I contacted him re: servicing my car. When I relayed my cars history, Chris was pretty certain my issue was covered by the manufacturer warranty. With some guidance & encouragement from Chris, I went back to the manufacturer armed with information on the issue & the problem was, indeed, covered under warranty.The manufacturer handled the repairs at no cost (thousands of dollars in savings) & I am back on the road. Chris was crucial to this outcome in his honest, no BS approach & his patient, pointed guidance. In spite of me requesting, he refused to bill me. I can not give a higher recommendation to someone who is extremely knowledgeable, ethical & trustworthy. 5 stars isn't enough... read more

There is no question that Chris is an outstanding mechanic and a nice guy. However this facility is pretty much a 2 man operation so no courtesy shuttle or waiting room and sometimes he gets a bit backed up. So if you can deal with those inconveniences, this is the place to go to service your VW or Audi. So 5 star on quality of service to your car, maybe only 4 on easy of use so to speak. read more

GQ I owned a 2006 VW Beetle 2.5 convertible/ I have been having issues with my car starting at 88,000 miles - Chris kept the car going through a New clutch - rebuilt transmission - engine lights switches - wheels struts /harms, etc. Thanks to Chris I saved myself the headaches of having to go through dealership prices or dishonest mechanics. Case in point: When I took my car to Wheel Works for new tires I was told I needed new harms. I was sold aftermarket parts Made in China without being consulted on nor informed on the difference in prices. A couple of days later I took the car to Chris because it wasn't driving the same - He checked the invoice and told me that VW parts would have been cheaper, he further advised me how to talk to Wheel Works so they would have to reinstall the VW harms at no cost, given that I wasn't given an option to chose. Furthermore, as a personal favor Chris ordered the VW parts and charged me his cost. So after it was all said and done I ended up with a nicer ride - quality parts and at a much lower price. Thank you Chris Now I'm driving a Jetta TDI - I can trust Chris's honest and excellent service is going to keep the car running for a long time. PS: my only complaint is that I wish he would have an espresso machine installed in his office - serving good Italian Roast. read more

This is the only place you should bring your beloved VW/Audi for service. I will recommend this place to anybody.

Went to Chris based upon reviews. Even better in person. Honest, knowledgeable, and always willing help. He is very busy but always found time to fit me in. As long as I have a car that he can fix, I'll be going to Chris. read more

Chris replaced the water pump in my BMW X5. I found him to be very honest and up front, and he gave me a fair price. His communication was great; he kept me updated on his progress by email and always got back to me in a timely manner. But the good service didn't stop there. When I went to pick up the vehicle, he took about 45 more minutes out of his busy day to explain the work he did and give me tips on what to watch out for with my particular vehicle. In summary, I had a good experience with this business and I would definitely recommend. read more

We took our 2003 jetta here for 2 years while living in San Jose and loved the service we got from Chris. Always informative and friendly, and when in a pinch he would always get us squeezed in. Wish we could keep coming, but we've moved so hope to find somewhere that compares to Autowerkstat! read more

I've found my Audio shop! My previous Audi repair shop was sold and the new owners didn't give the confidence that they would give me the service I was looking for. I have a 2001 Audi TT, and had a timing belt, a minor service and a cooling issue taken care of. The car's being running better then ever since the work was performed. read more

I met Chris during his years at New Dimensions and was very impressed at that time with his professionalism. So when I purchased my S4, I was happy to find out that Chris had opened his own shop. I have been taking my car and my wife's A6 to him ever since (6 years). As other reviewers state, Chris is the man! He is professional, fair and does the work right the first time. For people who are picky about their cars, this is your place. I have never been disappointed with any work that has been performed on my cars. I have referred countless friends and coworkers to him and would not hesitate to again. read more

My daughter is a college student working part time and is driving a 99 VW Beetle. She needs to keep her Beetle running and it wasn't passing smog. We have been to Stevens Creek VW (OMG we got raked) and also Capital VW (Paid $$$ and still had issues). I am **so** happy I yelped VW repair and found Autowerkstat! Chris was awesome -- even though he was slammed he took the time to quickly hook up my daughters car and recheck why it wasn't passing smog - we had driven from Gilroy so he was willing to do a quick check even though I offered to come back later in the week. He gave it his best guess and hooked us up with another business owner he knew to get the part installed we needed to save us even more money....I am currently unemployed :( I'm sure her car will now pass smog and when we need her next repair we will be running (not walking LOL) back to this business - GREAT customer service - thanks Chris!! read more

Chris is as good as there is when it comes to auto repair. He is honest, efficient and knows BS when he sees it. We will always be taking our Audi to his shop! Too bad he does not work on Porsches! read more

Do you want to take your beloved VW or Audi to someone who loves the car as much as you do? Then look no further and get yourself to Autowerkstat for efficient, friendly expert service and advice. I am not going to another mechanic so long as I have my VW. I cannot recommend Autowerkstat more highly. As an added bonus, Chris is an incredibly knowledgeable master mechanic who speaks to women and men alike as though they are intelligent human beings, not clueless idiots he should rip off. As anyone who has had a tough time with auto repairs will know, these are traits all too rare in shop owners. If you or a friend have a German car in need of maintenance or healing, Autowerkstat off Blossom Hill in San Jose is your place. (The shop is just off 85 or a short walk to the Snell Lightrail, so no worries about how you'll get there and back.) Call or send Chris at Autowerstat an email. You won't be disappointed. www.autowerstat.com email: chris@autowerkstat.com | Phone: 408-224-1952 | Fax: 408-224-1056 read more

Chris and his crew at Autowerkstat have always done amazing work on my vehicle. However on my last visit in retrieving my vehicle I witnessed unprofessional and "jaw-dropping" behavior (ie. yelling outburst) from Chris toward his staff that made me feel uncomfortable. I will think twice in returning my vehicle for service at Autowerkstat. read more

Chris is the "Audi God"!! Every time he works on my A6 Quattro it performs better! He's honest and does not treat a girl like she's a moron. He genuinly cares about your car and if it has to be sent out for work he refers you only to places he knows will do the job right. I just got her back from a transmission job he did and she just purrs. I can't give this shop enough stars. read more

Comes off as a very rude person,not very helpful and dismissed the problem that i was trying to explain to him. I'll just go elsewhere.

Very bizarre symptoms my Jetta had. Two other shops could not figure it out, but Chris was able to fix it right away. Ran great ever since. So now he's the go-to guy! read more

Best experience I've had with automobile shops. Chris is friendly, direct, and clear when talking to customers. The work is of high quality and long-lasting. They fixed issues in my car that the dealers themselves had issues pinning down and wasted money on, at good reasonable rates. read more

This is a great shop. We have been bringing our Jetta TDI and 2000 Eurovan to Chris for over 4 years. He takes the time to make sure things are done right. and really fixed. He figured out a tricky door latch problem on our Jetta that several trips to the dealer did not fix. He also makes detailed notes about things that need to be watched or planned for. However, many satisfied customers makes for a busy shop, and while Chris is great a finding spots to fit you in, he does get booked up, so if you need something done, let him know earlier rather than at the last minute. And EMAIL is the best way to contact him. read more

I recently took my 2002 Jetta TDI wagon to Chris and the crew at Autowerkstat and I could not be happier. Chris had a challenge with my TDI, as it hadn't been serviced in over a year and the car was also in desperate need of a suspension job as well. I dropped off the car with a list of tasks and Chris meticulously went through it and let me know realistically what was worth focusing on, what wasn't, and costs involved. Chris is on top of communication with customers via phone and email and that is helpful when needing to make decisions about priorities. When I picked up my car after the work was complete, Chris also went through a list of things that will likely come up with the car in the future, especially given its age. Although he recommended trying to find a mechanic that is closer to where I live in the East Bay (I'm about 30 miles away), it's worth it to me bring my car to Autowerkstat! Thank you, Chris! read more

I have an 05 Passat TDI. This motor came with a big design flaw. The oil pump is chain driven. The chain tensioner can fail without warning and ruin the engine. VW fixed all of these engines in Europe under warranty, but said get lost to its US customers. The fix is a VW gear driven module. Chris as Autowerkstat did an A+ job. This is no small task. The front of the car has to come off, the engine suspended and the balance module swapped out on the bottom of the engine. I drove up from Monterey because Chris has a very good reputation on the VW TDI forum. It is hard to find a great independent (I wouldn't consider letting a dealer do this) mechanic that has a good reputation and had previously done the balance shaft module replacement. I take very good care of my vehicles and feel that this was $4500 well spent. I think the odds are very good that this oil burner is going to keep going for another 200k. read more