Winston is one of the last honest mechanics that I know of and one of the few things that I miss about living in the bay area. I drive from the Sacramento area into Santa Clara because I really can't find anyone else that I can trust to work on my vehicles. He runs an honest business and only makes honest recommendations that you need, he's not trying to upsell you on some BS service just to make a couple of extra bucks. He doesn't believe in cheap aftermarket parts, only uses quality fluids and has excellent workmanship. Cleans up after himself, ensures that after he's done with the service, it's as if no one worked on it if not better when it comes to cleanliness. If you've been looking for someone that you can trust with your vehicle maintenance so that you can be confident and worry free, Winston's Auto Service is your place and Winston is your guy. Years of automotive experience, high workmanship standards and simply a really good guy. read more

I had a lot of work done for my Miata. This is where we took other cars too. Very fair in pricing and excellent service. They did not make you pay for services you don't need at the time. I respect that. The place is great and clean. I trust them with my cars. read more

Haven't met someone who knew so much about cars. I was recommended to Winston's shop through a family friend about a year ago. I had issues with my CRV and it started making a weird noise that was coming from the wheel well. I took it to two different mechanics. One said it was the brakes. So I paid to have it changed but the noise was still there. The next mechanic said it was an alignment issue so...I paid to have THAT done and the noise was still there. Finally, I heard from a close friend that he knew a guy that could fix it. Took it to Winston and he diagnosed it to be a wheel barring issue. If I didn't get it fixed soon, then it would have caused more damage. Winston fixed it for a good price and the noise went away. Now, I take all my cars and he gets it fixed and at a fair price. read more

A good friend recommended Winston to me and I am so grateful she did. Honest with fair prices and very prompt. What else could you ask for in a good mechanic?! read more

On my working car, there's a van that I drove every day for about a year and a half. The van ran well, but with issues that we plan to fix. The main problem is with the engine, which was consuming oil, and we needed to figure out whether we needed a whole new engine or to replace or rebuild the heads. We also needed to monitor the temperature, but that issue would likely be solved by replacing the thermostat, which was apparently stuck in a semi-open position. At the time of going to the repair shop, the main concern was identifying the cause of the oil consumption. At the shop, they checked the cooling system for $250 and were very insistent on charging $1,000 to repair the spark plug threads. I would have definitely thrown that thousand away along with the engine :) I drove home without a spark plug in the cylinder. I'm not going to replace the engine in the apartment complex parking lot, but I bought a Spark Plug Thread Repair kit on Amazon for $20 and will cut the threads myself so the van can continue to be used, and later drive it to Oakley, where my mechanic friend lives, to replace the engine. This is the fastest and simplest solution. The price of an engine starts at $1,200 on eBay and goes up to $4,500 at the Ford dealership for a brand-new one with a warranty. For the labor of replacing the engine and solving my problem, we'll pay him an amount that any repair shop in the Bay Area would gladly charge just to cut the threads twice... Recently, my son told me that I shouldn't buy tools and waste time repairing the family cars, but rather focus on my work, and let auto repair shops fix everything. Probably, everyone thinks that if they go to a repair shop, they'll solve the problem with their car for their money. You're mistaken. No one cares about really solving the problem with your car for your money. If your car has been fixed and you're satisfied with the work, it only means that you haven't figured out what was done and where you were deceived. read more

Took my 2019 Honda Accord Sport here because I was feeling a loss of power in my car (heard a loud bang about a month ago trying to catch a yellow light). There was also a humming sound which I thought was just an old engine (I have 150,000+ miles). He replaced the spark plugs and said I needed a new wheel bearing, which was the cause of the humming. Paid about $1300 for everything, but my car is running like new and I got up to 40 mpg the other day! He lets you know what needs to be repaired and what to keep an eye on without being hella pushy. read more

Winston's Auto Service - Got up to 40 MPG after taking my car to see Winston. - Auto Repair Near Me - Santa Clara, California

Winston comes to the rescue again. My old car didn't pass smog. And had the check engine light on for a while. Another mechanic said it's the fuel pump. I didn't think twice and took it to Winston. He fixed it within a day and said to drive around for 5 days and come up and have him check for error codes. Then it was ready to smog and passed. It was not the fuel pump! Good thing I didn't waste time with the other mechanic. Whether ypu know cars or don't (like me), Take it to Winston. You can trust him. read more

This review is long over due. For over six years, I have entrusted my GMC to Winston's exceptional care. His commitment to honesty, transparency, and thoroughness has earned my trust and loyalty. Winston's expertise is unparalleled, and his dedication to delivering top-notch service has resulted in a long-term relationship. Winston's exceptional skills and attention to detail have consistently exceeded my expectations. Car repairs are expensive in general, but I never leave feeling ripped off. I highly recommend Winston for any car maintenance or repair needs. read more

Oops. I can't believe I haven't written a review here yet. I have been going to Winston's for years now. I've gotten everything done from simple oil changes to complex lol As a girl and someone who doesn't know much about cars, it's hard for me to find a reliable mechanic or shop that won't try to take advantage of that. I was recommended by a friend! Winston is the BEST! Literally look at all the great reviews. Very hardworking and honest. Pricing is reasonable and I literally don't trust anyone else. He always figures out what's wrong and will explain things to you if you need clarity. There is a lot of transparency. Oh, and my car repairs have always been done super quick. I've never had to leave my car overnight or for days like other shops. It always surprises me how quick the turnaround is. Excellent customer service. There is a lounge area to do work or relax while you wait. There have been several instances where my car would take majority of the day, and he let me borrow a car so I don't have to take a Lyft or Uber. (I think you have to reserve in advance though). He also offers car drop offs outside of business hours too. I don't know, everything just works. Thank you Winston! I have and will continue to recommend you to others! read more

If you love your car! This is where you need to take it.. Hands down, Winston and his crew are the best in the Bay.. read more

Winston's Auto Service - Big Boy Brembos installed by Winstons auto shop - Auto Repair Near Me - Santa Clara, California

I love this place! Got recommended here and have been coming here for a few years now. Always gives a reasonable estimate, and does a fine job of repairing my vehicle. Has done some pretty major stuff, and also some basic stuff, but gets to it all very quickly. I usually just leave my car here and let him take care of business on his own time. You don't want to ever rush someone who has to do a very important job! So I guess that's why I never really care how long it would take, but the turn around for me has always been very quick, so I'm chill! Go on and bring your car down and let him blow your stupid miiiiiind, baby! :D Also, good luck finding the place. I've been here 1000 times and I still miss the turn in for the lot. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! read more

It's not easy to find honest work and honest people anymore, who are genuine and passionate about what they do, but there's still a few out there like myself with my business and Winston's Auto Service. I come hear all the way from the East Bay because I don't TRUST anyone else and I know I won't get cheated or I won't be told that I have to fix extra things when I don't need to, like other mechanic shops. You know you've all been there... Don't lie.. Winston doesn't do nor like half ass work. He will spend the time and effort to make sure that he puts in a 110% when he's working on your vehicle. So don't go to other shops who are going mess up your vehicle or over tighten a bolts, or give you used parts and then Winston has to fix it. Keep up the good work Winston. read more

Thank you Winston! We were on a road trip and splash shield was dragging on the ground. Without question and reasonable price fixed the damage so we can get back on the road safely! read more

Winston is the fuckin man. Been going to him since he was on Monterey Rd. Always fast. Always accurate. His work will put everyone else to shame. read more

Best mechanic in the South Bay (and probably beyond). Winston has worked on my cars, my sister's cars, brother-in-law's cars, and my brother-in-law's sister's cars for more than a decade and a half and there's no one else we trust more with our cars (with our lives?) than Winston. I used to take my car to his shop in South San Jose in the early 00's and learned he set up shop in Santa Clara. That's how long we've trusted him to maintain our vehicles (which by the way are still in pristine condition) because he's a true perfectionist. Most importantly, he's honest, thorough, and Honda Certified. So take your hunk-o-junk to Winston and watch him turn your hoopty into a sweet (safe and functional) whip. read more

Reviews speak for themselves, but let me just give you my personal experience with Winston. He is the man, the myth, the LEGEND. I don't trust anyone with my car, but this man right here. I was referred by a friend about 7-years ago and I've been taking my vehicles here since. He's an honest, intelligent, and hard working one man show who somehow gets it all done by himself. Quotes are incredibly reasonable and the work is impeccable. He is a very detail oriented individual who takes pride in his work. His place is always packed because people that know him, know what kind of work he puts out. Look no further to get your vehicle worked on... Winston's here to do God's work! read more

yes you do need an appointment with Winston but he's pretty accomodating. I usually call him at the beginning of the week to come on Saturday for any service. He always tell you how long it takes so that you can go do what you need to do...even grab a bit to eat and then walk to Target for your misc shopping...and walk back and your car is serviced and done. his pricing is very reasonable. he always thoroughly looks thru my car and tell me what I need to do next and how much longer (time wise) i can wait to do any work as I usually dont want to put out the money or the time to do it NOW :) both my BF and I have our cars serviced by Winston and have not been disappointed with his work. thumbs up to Winston's Auto Service. read more

Trust and mechanic are usually two words not said in the same sentence. Winston is simply the best and can be trusted to do the job right. He has been instrumental in the driving and performance success of several vehicles across various years, makes, and models. He is truly a doctor of his craft. If you want your car or truck fixed right, go see Winston. It's really that simple. read more

My car runs so nice after taking it to Winston's Auto Service. Affordable, timely, great service Thank you! read more

Winston is great. I appreciate his work, attention to detail and honesty. No stone unturned. I am definitely recommending him to my family and friends. read more

Very nice service. I came here because my friend recommended him to me. He's very friendly and willing to help you find out the problem. He's passionate about cars. Highly recommended! read more

Pleased with service and work on my car. Shopped around for cheaper parts. I appreciated this.

I've had work done on my s2000 at Winston's for over 5 year now, from routine maintenance to major repairs, and I can attest to his professionalism and expertise. He is knowledgeable, trustworthy, personable, and most importantly, ASE master tech certified. He is willing to spend time explaining anything that isnt clear and takes the time to inspect parts that require regular maintenance outside of the repair which speaks to his dedication and attention to detail. In addition, he is timely with updates on the repair which I appreciate and will always get approval to proceed if any additional repairs are required. He also offers after-hours drop-off and has a space for you to do work or relax while your car is being repaired with wifi and coffee. You can rest assured that Winston will do the job right and in a reasonable time. read more

I rarely write follow-up reviews, but this one is well deserved. Got a different used car now and took it in for an oil change and Winston also indicated I needed to get my drive belt changed and rear brakes soon. He gave an estimate and said it can be taken to any other auto shop to get done if needed. What mechanic says that?!? I made an appt with Winston for Friday, but yesterday (Wednesday), I contacted Winston asking him if it's ok I drive the car from SJ to SF considering my drive belt didn't look good. He didn't suggest it and he offered to stay later so that he could squeeze me in at 6:30pm so that I could safely drive my car to SF today. Seriously, who does that? He ordered the part that very day and had it avail that day. The most honest mechanic out there! He showed me the drive belt and it looked pretty bad. I'm glad I have a person I can trust to turn to when it comes to my car. =) read more

For reference I drive a 2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan If I could give 10 stars for Winston I would. He's that good. I was first referred to Winston by a friend of mine because I needed to have my exhaust installed. When I went to his shop I was surprised to see that he was actually a one-man show. It makes a lot of sense now that he works solo so he can ensure that you receive the highest quality service from his shop. Back to my exhaust install - the install went smoothly from my standpoint even though he encountered rusted bolts that snapped off and missing gaskets from the manufacturer. He had all the parts handy to ensure it was a proper install. On top of that, he also performed a routine inspection of my car which turned up a finding of a leaky head gasket. Instead of trying to get me to have him fix it, he instantly pointed out that that was a warranty item and recommended me to get it serviced by the dealer (which was confirmed by the dealer and repaired). On another occasion, I brought my wife's 2010 Toyota Highlander Limited over for 15K service. Again he not only performed the service - which consisted of a routine oil change and air filter change - he again performed a full inspection of the vehicle. This time he found three leaky shocks that needed to replaced. Again he suggested that we return to the dealer for service (which the dealer confirmed and replaced btw). On yet another occasion I had referred a friend of mine who drives a 200x year Acura RSX to have a blown shock replaced. He not only replaced the shock but he also found that her brake pads were installed backwards which caused uneven pad wear (our company mobile oil change service did the brake/break job epic fail). He's also been friendly enough to act as a consultant for me when I go and take my car to the dealer for warranty work, advising me on the fly if a so-called 'recommended service' is really needed. Winston is super flexible and he goes above and beyond the bare minimum to give his customers outstanding service. In addition he charges way, way less than what the dealer would gouge you for. The combination of price and quality of service is really unbeatable. Beside my wife and friend above I've also recommended two other colleagues to his shop. The bottom line is that he is the ONLY person that I trust to work on my car. I highly recommend him for your auto mechanical needs. read more

i was referred to at this place by Chris. I was in dire need of an oil change and Winston tried to accommodate us and did my oil change the day of. I don't know much about cars, and if i would have randomly seen this in a street, i will not even consider taking a 2nd glance as the place is...well...kind of scurrry looking. However....Winston is a car genius! His prices are affordable. Definitely cheaper than a dealer. and you can tell he knows his stuff. My boyfriend highly recommends him to everybody..and my bf is a car freak. So Winston makes him happy..in a car kind of way. Im sure boyfriend and i will leave our cars' issues in Winston's hands for as long as this place is open. read more

This shop knows its stuff. Very easy to work with. Friendly, knowledgeable. It was the first time I felt like an auto shop cared. I took my Mini Cooper S here for a second opinion after the dealer came up with a HUGE estimated repair bill. Winston took the time to explain to me what the issues were with my car and what I needed and didn't need to repair. I chose to use Winston's shop over the BMW dealer. The end result -- my car runs better than ever, and my wallet didn't take a beating! Thanks! read more

I can't say enough good things about Winston's auto service. This week I had the transmission in my 01 Ford Escape replaced, radiator, sensors, change of fluids, and belt replaced. After picking up the Escape I dropped off my 07 F150 I had front and rear rotors and breaks replaced. Granted it was an expensive week for me I have the piece of mind the work was done correct. I have two jobs, wife, and son I do not have luxury of bringing my vehicles back multiple times for issues. This is why I bring it to Winston. I give him the task of fixing my problem and to identify any other issues I may have. Granted yes I am expecting to pay more up front for additional services but less in long run and this saves me time and money. His new location is awesome. He is located a mile behind San Jose Airport super convenient for me. I highly recommend Winston for ALL of your automotive needs. Thank you again Winston for all your help. read more

The best auto repair service I have ever experienced. So I ended up here by mistake since there is another car repair shop down from Winston's. I had to get new brakes and wanted my car to get looked at after an 1800 mile journey from Austin, TX to Santa Clara. Boy my car was begging for repair LOL. So Winston not only squeezed me in on a Saturday but also worked on my car and had me on the road in 1 hour. That just felt awesome. Plus the price for the brakes was very economical and really very very economical. He didn't try to scare me into getting something else by making things up like many other mechanics I have come across. I even referred my friends here who got the work done on their BMW and were pleasantly surprised with only a $40 bill. I will continue to use this place and recommend this place to everyone else as well. read more

Winston is highly competent, easy going, personable, and has honest, reasonable pricing. I've known him for a few years now, and he's worked on both my cars (a 2001 Honda Civic and a 2011 Mazda2). He always points out which repairs are mandatory, and which are optional and can be deferred in the future, so I've never gotten the "salesman" approach from him that I used to have to deal with when taking my car to the dealer for service. He also points out which problems I should take the dealer while my car is still under warranty, since it would cost me a lot more if he were to try to fix the issue - so he's clearly not out to rip customers off and has always been helpful and patient with my questions. What has always stayed with me is his exceptional customer service. When I blew out my transmission while driving on the freeway about three years ago, my Civic was towed to a nearby shop in Dixon. The guy there wanted $4K to repair my transmission, which would have been over half the value of the car at that time, so I said "no thanks". I called Winston about it, and not only did he find me someone who would tow my car to his shop at a very reasonable rate (Dixon to San Jose is a lot of miles and could potentially have been very expensive), he managed to replace my transmission for $2.5K, way less than the guy in Dixon had been trying to quote me. I kept that Civic for another year and didn't have any issues with the transmission that Winston replaced - nor any other issues, for that matter, outside of standard scheduled maintenance. I highly recommend Winston. He will for sure be the guy I go to for servicing my current Mazda2, and whatever other car I decide to acquire in the future. read more

Went to Winston for my alignment and couldn't be any happier. His alignment machine is amazing! My brand new wheels didn't get scratched from the machine. In the past with other shops I had my brand new wheels damaged from the alignment machine. Also, the requested custom specifications for the alignment was exactly what I asked for as well. Another great experience as always. Thank you Winston's Auto Service! read more

I drive a mini cooper and found Winston on yelp. All I can say is professional,down to earth, honest and very reasonable! I don't know much about cars but Winston was fiance approved and my guy knows lots about cars. On top of the great service, Winston made us feel like he cares about safety first (no scare tactics, just sensible recommendations). I had a list from the dealer (in order of priority) which Winston reviewed and explained to me his suggestions. I'm going with him for all of my mini service and repairs. read more

I've gone to Winston for over 15 years and will continue to do so. I've had basic services and major repairs done and I've always been satisfied with the results. Having piece of mind is always worth any cost. Thanks Winston! read more

Winston was referred to us by a friend when we first moved up to the Bay Area years ago. Someone who is knowledgable, reliable and fair is what we were looking for and we certainly got that with Winston. We are thankful for his assessments and thorough inspections whenever we have anything going on with our vehicles. He's our go-to guy and always recommend him to anyone who is in search of a great mechanic. read more

Just got back my 2008 rs4. Winston replaced the injectors and did a carbon clean. It's amazing how different the car feels. Like it was brought back to life. I really appreciate Winston's professionalism and down to earth vibe. Surely he has my vote of confidence. read more

5+ stars for Winston! He is simply the best, most honest and reliable auto tech around. The only tech we could fully trust. Very knowledgeable and trustworthy. A rare find these days. All the 5 stars are well deserved. We highly recommend him to everyone. Keep up the awesome work you do. You're a life saver. Thank you so much. read more

Winston is responsive, professional and very decent with pricing. I've been coming here for few years now for variety of issues - from maintenance to new tires - and I'm always happy with the work, timing and pricing. read more

I've been going to Winston's for four years, and I haven't written a review?! Winston is the buddy or cousin you wish you had who's really good with cars. He's passionate about his craft, and strives to understand the engineering. He's been a one-man shop because he hasn't found anyone who's as good as him :) Winston simply tells you what's wrong, and gives you a written itemized estimate. No pressure or scare tactics. He uses quality parts at reasonable prices, but you are welcomed to bring your own parts, and he'll do the work. If you are interested in cars, he's happy to chat it up with you. Winston installed a Bosch battery two years ago. Recently I went on vacation for two weeks. When I came home, the battery was completely dead. It turns out, it was because I hadn't locked the car (it's parked in the garage). Pro tip (courtesy Winston): the parasitic draw kills the battery in modern cars because the electronics don't shut down when a car is unlocked. The battery had a three-year replacement warranty, so Winston installed a new battery, charging $30 labor (the battery in my car is kind of a pain to remove). No fuss. Fortunately, the only other services I've needed recently are oil changes. I bring my own oil (Mobil 1 from Costco), and he charges $28 for labor + filter + adjust tire pressure + top off fluids. Hang out at the lounge with Keurig coffee, magazines, wifi. He's responsive by email or text. However, he is not a morning person. If you make an appointment, make one for noon or later. read more

Winston's a legitimate mechanic. Honest, meticulous, stands behind his work and professional. Location is great and there's also a nice sitting area with complimentary coffee. It's nice to connect to wifi and get some work done. Take your car to Winston and know that it'll be done with care. read more

Been going to Winston for the last 15 years. Have also referred a lot of families and friends to him. He's a legit mechanic and will fix all problems. read more