02/05/2016

Few months back I took my '87 Porsche Carrera to Mike's for an intermittent engine problem. I poured over my shop manuals, as well as Internet tech sites. One thing was certain, without a lift and a second pair of hands, I wasn't gonna fix this by myself.
Made an appointment and took the car to Mike's. I told him my ideas and he listened. Didn't just blow me off. He did tell me that experience has taught him the problem may lay elsewhere.
Long story short, he was right and the car was received back in perfect condition. Also very nice that I saved over $1000 from the dealer.
I'll continue to use and recommend Mike's Foreign for my Porsche as long as I'm in the Orange County area.

Christopher W.

Source: YELP

31/05/2016

I have a 2007 Touareg, the last of the T1s, and it's almost impossible to find a mechanic who knows this vehicle. Mike, Josh and crew really know their stuff. Upfront, honest, and skilled at what they do, these guys are the only people allowed to touch my car. Even the VW dealership has limited personnel qualified to work on these machines. I'll make the 30 mile drive to mikes any day , they truly are the best!

Andrew P.

Source: YELP

14/04/2016

Josh and his team took care of my car and gave me the best deal. Definitely coming back and highly recommended!

Jeff U.

Source: YELP

24/11/2015

Been coming to Mike's since I got my P.O.S. 2002 Volkswagen golf. This vehicle I bought is very testy and likes to die out on me. But ever since I had mike start working on the components too complicated for me (engine and electrical mostly) my car has been purring. They give you a laid out pricing on your receipt when you pay so you know you aren't getting screwed, They are usually done with your car incredibly fast (Never once has my car had to stay overnight except for an emergency engine rebuild after my timing belt snapped and valves were bent) and they warranty all of their work. My only wish is that they also handled body work but instead they gave me the numbers of other places in the area they use for body work so that's just fine in my eyes.

Bill F.

Source: YELP

04/01/2016

Best customer service! Our family has been bring our VWs here for years and they are always a fair price :)

Kelli B.

Source: YELP

08/07/2016

This review is long overdue but well deserved, as I have been coming to Mike's for a few years now for my 2003 Audi. My only regret is that I didn't find out about Mike's sooner! I was so tired of the dealer's service advisors not to mention the ridiculous prices to pay for their overhead! I usually have contact with Josh, and from the first time at Mike's he made me feel welcome and comfortable with their knowledge of the autos they service. The most important attribute to me is trust, and certainly has been a driving force for my continuing and loyal patronage. They tell you straight forward what the issue is and what it will take to solve the problem without upselling for something you don't need. A great example today was a sensor faulting causing the check engine lamp to come on. They hooked up the diagnostics, and took the right steps to correct the issue. Matt took the time to explain exactly why and what the fault did and corrective measures. Matt is a great asset to have and I was glad he was the one who replaced the timing belt on my Audi last year. This is the vibe you get at Mike's, the knowledge to know your care is being well taken care of, and the trust in the people you are in contact with. If you want highly skilled technicians that you can trust for your maintenance items as well as the more complex jobs, rest assured you will be satisfied. I live in L.A. County and will gladly drive a little farther to Mike's to have my Audi serviced!

John K.

Source: YELP

05/06/2015

I was recommended to mike by a close friend, and after months of bring my car to other mechanics and them not being able to fix my mk2 gti; Mike took care of me and had me on my way within days. Thanks a million Mike. I'll definitely recommend my friends and family to your guys.

Tamer O.

Source: YELP

04/05/2015

I've been coming to Mikes for over 10 years. He s taken care of my VW Jetta and my Lexus. The service is always a cut above, fair, consistent and professional.
Mike, Nyla, Josh, Matt and Dave are great people who care about the service and product the produce.
I trust and highly recommend them for quality auto repair and maintenance.

c R.

Source: YELP

05/05/2015

Mike is the man! I own a 1967 Volkswagen Squareback and he knows all VW. My last visit I came into fix an oil leak at 7a.m. and he got me out in time not to be late for work. I highly recommend this place.

Charlie P.

Source: YELP

16/10/2015

took me right away, informing me of whats going on and fast service. it seemed we found the place to take care of our cars that we can trust.

Jasmin S.

Source: YELP

01/04/2014

I have been coming here religiously ever since I bought my Grey 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLI (Mk4 body style) back in 2010. The reason for which I continue to come back is because of trust, and in this day, it is VERY difficult to find a reputable and knowledgeable mechanic who can work on these "particular" German-over-engineered cars who is honest and fair.
Not only do they do the job right the first time, he will also go out of his way to show you the part that was causing the problem and explain in detail the issues. Mike would make a great auto-shop teacher. Just sayin.
My most recent service included a new clutch. AAAAAAAAAAH. That's what was going through my head. I knew that the only place to take it was to Mike's. Mike took the time to explain to me what my available options were - he not only fixed the problem in less than a business day, but also gave me an excellent & fair price for a job that will ultimately last me another 200,000 miles, if not more. It is strongly advised to call before hand and schedule an appointment or appropriate time.
Mike and his team have been the most professional and understanding when it comes to servicing your car - I know that they service other Euro makes as well, but I know they specialize in VWs, and i will only take my car to them for all of its service needs.
The mechanics are excellent, thorough, and they look after your car; meaning, if they do any job on my car, I don't have to worry that they're going to scratch the paint or put a dent in it; they treat my car as if it were one of their own, and pay special attention to the little details.
You name it, Mike's heard of it. Any problem, he knows about it, and can fix it, and will do it with honesty and fairness.
True, Volkswagens are engineered to be great cars. But when something does go awry, you can bet that they won't try and take advantage of you. They walk you through the entire process, Mike himself will call you and check in with you, and his wife has even driven me home! She was such a neat and sweet person! You won't be disappointed.

Alan K.

Source: YELP

08/02/2016

I want to give a big shout out to Mike, He knew what was wrong with my 2010 Passat, and fixed it. Pretty straight forward because his wife had the same problem with her Passat. the EPC light & Check engine light were about to give me a nervous breakdown . After having the Engine coils replaced someplace else and literally within a day the same type of problem occurring, i new i need to find someplace to take me car, the other guy said take it to the dealership,lol no thank you. this is no fault to the other mechanic he was honest and fair in his pricing, he works on just German cars but not a VW specialist,. I was going crazy trying to find a place that just worked on VW's so in my search I saw Mike's Foreign Car, and remembered years ago I had helped them with their business advertising. I called made the appointment and boom another happy customer. Thank you Mike and Nila.. Hopefully I will not be seeing you that often. Mike says my car is good for another 50,000 miles or so. :)

Jenn B.

Source: YELP

02/11/2014

I recommend Mike's Foreign car to anyone who is tired of dealing with their dealership's exorbitant pricing and terrible service. That is what drove me to search online for a new mechanic, and I'm glad I found Mike's. I've been coming to Mike's for a few years now for service on my '03 Passat. Mike and his team are great and have always provided me with good, honest, and fair priced service. Over the years, they've saved me hundreds of dollars compared to the dealer's quotes. Although the life of my poor Passat may be coming to an end soon, I'm thankful for the years it's given me and grateful Mike's Foreign Car was there to help in my car's times of need.

Marla G.

Source: YELP

13/08/2014

Mike and his team are amazing!! They always take great care of myself and my wife. Quick service, great prices and unmatched customer service!!

Jeremiah P.

Source: YELP

16/07/2013

YES! i was at my wit's end trying to find a good vw mechanic that was affordable and trustworthy...seems like an anomaly! i turned to yelp and needed someone near anaheim, open and able to take me in right away. i called mike's and the gentleman was very patient over the phone as i tried to describe all the problems my engine was having. he didn't rush me off and gave some suggestions as to what it might be. if you call the dealership they won't tell you anything over the phone. he said i could come in right then and get it checked out.
so i drove to the shop and they were very quick on getting the car around to the back to look at it, he even had it diagnosed as i waited. long story short (too late?) i got the following done:
replace thermostat and temperature sensor
replace alternator harness
replace timing belt and water pump
replace secondary air pump mount
new fuse box with new fuses
all for WAY under other quotes i had received. the water pump and timing belt alone were $1,000+ at other places, i paid half here. i also felt really comfortable with mike's, no stress. they were never once pushy about anything and showed me all the parts and what was wrong before replacing or fixing them. i'm pretty sure that my car was ruined by hi tech automotive on katella in anaheim run by a fraudster named fred and he charged me over $1,000 (cash because he's a gypsy) to "fix" something he had no business working on.
instead of going to a mechanic that has no clue about german cars, just come here and get it fixed right the first time! in the words of arnold s, "i'll be back"!

M T.

Source: YELP

07/11/2013

Found Mikes during a internet search for a needed repair on a 2000 VW Passat. Called them and received a very fair price. I made an appointment. Arrived and was greeted by Mike and his wife, I knew then I was at the right place. I left my daughters car. In less time than I anticipated I was called and told it was done. I was also advised of issues that will need to be addressed in the future. No pressure, GREAT service, fair price, nice people win win win.
Thanks Mike.

Chris S.

Source: YELP

19/09/2013

Another overdue review. My '04 Jetta GLI and wife's '03 Passat GLX 4Motion Wagon have been serviced by Mike's since 2009. After years of being milked by the stealerships (mainly Fladeboe and Capo), I finally had enough.
Since then, both VW's have tortured me in different ways, with the wagon being the worst offender. That said, at every turn Mike's has provided exemplary repair service that's been upfront and honest. I'm just smart enough to know what I don't know, and it is in those instances that if I were still taking our cars to a dealership or less honest shop, I could have easily been milked for much more expensive repairs.
It is a family-run business and I hope the family keeps doing what they're doing for as long as I'm driving and need to have my car problems fixed.

Ken O.

Source: YELP

28/02/2012

Let me just say this is my second review. Ever. I absolutely love this place. I found it on Yelp, and decided to give it a go after being gouged by the Audi service department one too many times. Let me keep it simple:
1) Mike's has charged me about 80% less than what the Audi dealership quotes have been.
2) Their shop is immaculate.
3) They have always shown me any parts that have been replaced, and made good recommendations for work needed to prevent future problems based on history trends with my vehicle. Audi would never accomodate this request.
4) They are family owned, super honest and trust worthy, and nothing is better than supporting the little guy.
5) They remember me on a first name basis every time I go in there. Nothing can parallel excellent customer service.
6) If work proves to be easier done than the initial estimate, they are honest with me and don't charge the full estimated cost.
I could keep going on and on, but I feel those are my top reasons to love this place.
I highly recommend it.

Danielle L.

Source: YELP

21/08/2014

Matt is the guy you want to talk to. These guys get what customer service is all about. Nice to finally trust a mechanic.

G H.

Source: YELP

09/07/2011

I have a interesting story on how I got to meet Mike and his repair shop.
About three years ago I purchased a VW Syncro Westy. It needed front cv boots so my friend and I decided to repair it ourselves. Well everything was going great but some how we lost one bearing on the Cv. We looked and looked and we couldn't find it. So here we were stuck, my van is helpless on the driveway, mess everywhere, and we can't put the van together because we lost one of the bearing. I frantically go to internet to find some VW specialist and I happend to call Mike's shop for the first time and shared my situation. Mike said just come on down and he'll give me the bearing so I could finish the job. When I went to pick up the bearing he gave me a smile and said no charge. WoW, I couldn't believe the service. I don't know any other shop owner that would've taken his time to be so courteous.
I made up my mind right there I would use his shop if I ever needed future work on my syncro.
Few months later I went back to Mike to have him do the rear Cv's and his price was fair. Since I didn't have anyone to pick me up they did the work while I was waiting.
About one year later I don't know how but the bolts that was holding one of the rear Cv broke. I was dead in the water. I called mike and he said thats under his warranty. Mike repaired the cv for free and I couldn't be happier. He stands behind his work as well. It's been about three years and so far all the work he has done has performed very well.
If you want a honest, friendly, knowledgeable, and reasonably priced Mechanic I highly recommend him. His wife and his son also work at the shop which says al ot about his chracter.

john l.

Source: YELP

21/06/2011

I've never thought of using Yelp to review a mechanic, but I google "Mikes Foreign Auto" and Yelp was one of the top pages.
I brought my 2003 Passat here Jan of 2010. Like others, I decided to come here because of the high ratings. I found out about Mike's from my sister, who had 944 she was going to bring here (but never did). Because of such a low rating, I'll share the details about my experience.
I had 4 issues that I wanted them to take a look at:
1) The Air Conditioner was working intermittently. Whenever the car idled for a few minutes, the vents in the car would make noises as if I had switched the positions, the compressor would kick off, hot air would blow out for about a minute, and then everything would go back to normal. It completed this cycle for as long as the car idled.
2) The steering seemed to be off and didn't feel right
3) The transmission shifted rough
4) The catalytic converter issue that others have mentioned
His findings:
1) The Catalytic Converter issue, per Mike, was due to the software version of the car. VW made the tolerances for the software too tight causing the CEL to come on.
2) The transmission seemed to shift normally, according to Mike.
3) The steering was okay, according to Mike.
4) They couldn't find a problem with the Air Conditioner, but they went through, cleaned out the Orifice and recharged the Air Conditioner.
My Findings:
1) I have yet to follow up on the Catalytic Converter issue. He indicated I would have to go to a dealer to get the software upgrade.
2) The transmission shifting rough and clunking didn't seem like an appropriate answer. I would have liked to have the Transmission Fluid changed (Which is what I told him to begin with, but apparently VW mechanics don't like changing the Transmission Fluid. I will end up doing this myself in a few weeks as my research indicates that this will help a lot, if done right).
3) At the time, I accepted that as an answer. I have steering problems now, but I'm not attributing any of that to my two star rating (The car has 120k+ miles on it now, for me to expect not to have these issues would be crazy).
4) The air conditioner is my biggest gripe. I don't live in Southern California at the present time. I live in Reno/Sparks. When I was driving my car back, I thought the air conditioner didn't feel as cold, but I attributed that to being recently recharged (I have had odd things happen with other car air conditioners after recharging them). However, it never felt right.
One summer afternoon last year, I decided to grab my Recharge kit, hook it up to the car - and low and behold, they didn't even give it a complete charge. This was probably a result of the compressor kicking on and off and giving a false reading (Sign #1 something was wrong). So, I figured out a way to charge the AC (feeding it a small amount of refrigerant, waiting for the compressor to kick off and on, and continuing to feed it more).
As time went on, I finally realized that the electric fan that I remembered hearing run so often wasn't running anymore. I finally did a google search today about the fan, and it turns out that it is the AC Condenser Fan, which will cause these same issues.
Why two stars?
Because they did fix one issue (Leaky valve cover gaskets) after I talked to my sister about oil on my spark plugs. I had an extended warranty which required me to pay a 75.00 deductible.
They were also nice people
But, they didn't fix half of my problems - the big problems I would have liked them to fix. And it was expensive for them to tell me there weren't any problems (Almost to the tune of 300.00 with the deductible).
Why have I waited so long to leave a review, and why didn't I talk to Mike?
I lived in Mission Viejo. I worked in Costa Mesa. Trying to get to drop my car off was not an easy task.
My guess is that this repair facility isn't a bad facility. The only way I can explain this experience is by a bad apple on the tree.
People have obviously had good experiences since I have brought my car there, which is a good sign. But, never the less ... I'm not happy that I'm going to end up fixing these issues myself 18 months later.

Jonathan L.

Source: YELP

17/09/2014

I couldn't disagree more with the reviews on yelp about this business. They bait and switched me on parts and claimed it would cost 2-300 dollars and then I get the call back from some nasty lady claiming it's going to cost 3 times more to do a tumbler for my ignition. I had to tow the car from the shop and get it done with someone who could do it for the original quoted price. Horrible customer service for me.

Sarha S.

Source: YELP

11/10/2013

There are not enough high praises for the experience I had recently at Mike's Foreign Auto. I brought in my 1967 VW bus that needed a tremendous amount of work. Josh and the guys worked on my bus and got it back to where I wanted it to be. Josh was absolutely meticulous in every repair that they made on the bus.
Got a foreign car that needs some work? Mike's is the place to be. You will be in good hands.

Clifford P.

Source: YELP

18/03/2011

I couldn't wait to come home to review Mike's Foreign Car.
I have a convertible VW new beetle and the driver and passenger windows both SUCK. My driver side window will roll down but not up, and my passenger window is supposed to lower a little bit when opened and then roll right back up, but it doesn't - thus giving any car theft easy access to the inside of my car.
I brought it in yesterday after work at around 3:30 - we had been meaning to do this for a few months but since it was very rainy this past Winter I didn't worry about it. However, it's starting to get really sunny and beautiful once again down here in SoCal so I was itching to get my window fixed.
I spoke to Mike who told me it was such a common problem with these windows and that it was the regulator. My husband told me the same thing - the door itself is so heavy that every door slam was causing the window regulator to break more and more. Anyway, Mike said it was no problem - he would order the part and it would be there by 8 the next morning and that he could have it done in a day.
My hubby and I returned this morning and dropped off our car with Josh, who was just as friendly as Mike. We asked him to also give our car an oil change, which was $40 less than what I usually get at EZ Lube! We left my car feeling positive about what was going to be done.
We got a call from Josh a little later, telling us that all 4 of my brakes were shot and that my passenger window also needed a new regulator, because it was about to break. Now, if I heard this from someone else I'd probably be like "Yeah right, he just wants to charge more" but not from Josh. As it is, they were already saving us hundreds of dollars! So now, our $370 quote turned into $1350! It sounded like a lot to me but my hubby said if they were to do this at the VW dealership, we'd be paying around $3500!! We told Josh to go ahead and do what he had to do.
We got a call at around 4:00 saying it was ready and I was so excited. Josh ran down the list and told us what went on. He also told us that the driver side window still needed a little adjusting and that he wanted us to bring it in when we have more time because it takes a very long time but he didn't want us to wait any longer since he knew we needed it right away. Considering that we tacked on an extra 4 or 5 hours of work above what he thought he was gonna have to do that day, I would said that was pretty awesome of him to do as much as he did!!
And the best part?
After Josh had told us that we were going to need about $1350 in repairs from our original $350, he felt badly about forgetting to tell us about another part we needed...a part that costs normally about $250. Any other mechanic would have called and told us about this or may not have even mentioned it at all. Josh? Well, he added it and DIDN'T CHARGE US FOR IT. The only reason he mentioned it is because he didn't want us to see an extra part in there that we didn't know about (well, not me, my hubby - I know nothing about cars!). That was awesome and so amazing and just so representative of the kind of quality and honest work they do. I read on here that they give 10% off for first time customers, but that was giving us like 20% more.
If you have a VW or any other foreign car and want to spend at least a fourth of what you'd pay for repairs at the dealership, please do yourself a favor and visit Mike's Foreign Car. I hope nothing else bad happens to my car, but if it does, I know where to go!

Angela C.

Source: YELP

12/04/2011

I took my 1995 VW Eurovan Camper that I just purchased to Mike to do a full inspection to see what needs to be repaired. Mike ended up recommending I replace the timing belt and muffler. I ask Mike to do a full tune up and replace all the fluids while he was at it. Mike and his staff were very helpful and friendly. They got the job done in the timeframe stated and the price was very fair and reasonable. Best of all Mike ended up having both mufflers replaced and only charged me for one since he only quoted me for one but it turned out both needed to be replaced. Who does that these days? Also got a 10% discount for being a first time customer.
What can I say, I am a happier customer and won't be taking my VW Eurovan Camper anywhere else but Mike's. I really trust these guys when it comes to specialty cars such as the VW Eurovan Camper.
Thanks Mike!
Phil

Phil N.

Source: YELP

25/03/2011

Mike is very honest which makes recommending him very easy. After being over-quoted at a VW Dealership for a new CAT that I needed in order to pass the annoying CA emission code, I found great reviews here on Yelp and figured I'd try Mike. One thing that is so amazing is he helps you from start to finish and he answers his phone all the time (probably while even being bent awkwardly under cars) with his nifty phone headset.
The price he quotes me was the price I paid. The time promised, was the time that I received my car.
I only wish he was certified to do CA smog checks. After going back to dealership I was told "I passed with flying colors."
Thanks Mike (Mike's Foreign Car)!
You will not be disappointed, but now that he's more popular he may get too busy for my next car repair. =(

Alex A.

Source: YELP

22/04/2011

I have been meaning to take my car (Jetta 2002 2.0)in after finding out that I have a coolant leak. After my engine light came out, I figured I shouldn't avoid it anymore. I dropped it off at 10:30am and Mike told me to come back at 2:30pm since I was hitting lunch time. He was friendly and seemed knowledgeable.
He called me back about 11:20am telling me what's wrong with the car. He told me that the light was about the catalytic converter but I don't need to change it yet. But the bad news -- I need to change my timing belt. Yikes!
All in all, I came in to change my coolant flange and get my light check for around $250. With timing belt, it brings the bill to $750 -- then he also told me changed the air pump mount (which I saw was broken) and got an oil change so total bill came out to be almost $900.
Pros:
- Mike definitely is very knowledge about VW
- I appreciate him showing me the different parts
Cons (the reasons for knocking 1 star off):
- I don't think he is the cheapest mechanic around -- but I think he is fair.
- And I wished he told me that I didn't need an oil change since I haven't even hit 3000k yet after my previous oil change.
- Also, I wished he took the initiative to do a simple fix on my front bumper instead of telling me next time I come in, it will be complementary. (If he took that extra step, he would have been a definite 5 stars.)
All in all, if you have a VW and you need a good mechanic, I think Mike's is great.

Crystal C.

Source: YELP

16/07/2011

I don't know what to make of my experience here, I'm confused by it. I towed my VW bus here because it was stuck in gear and Mike told me he had to yank out the engine and transmission to get it out of gear for $500.
But my friend who is also a mechanic, although not a classic car mechanic, told me that they should be able to get it out of gear by going through the oil hole filter and it was not necessary to remove the engine and transmission to do this.
So I told Mike I would have to think it over and I would call him the next day. What I was really doing was calling other VW shops to see if I could have my bus towed there instead.
So the next morning I called Mike in terrible distress because he was telling me I had to pay $500 to get my bus stuck out of gear and I didn't know if I should just do it or pay the money to get my bus towed out to another shop. But when I called Mike he told me that he was able to get my bus stuck out of gear by going through the oil hole or something or other.
But.....that's exactly what my friend told me so why didn't Mike know that to begin with?? Fortunately for me, I did not have to fork over $500 for nothing.

Jay P.

Source: YELP

21/09/2011

I brought my 2007 Gti here to see what was wrong with it. The check engine light was on. $90.00 for diagnostic test. A hour later, they told me it was the crankcase breather valve was defaulty. A PART THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAD A RECALL ON AND REPLACES ALREADY WITH A BAD PART!!!!!!!!!!! They replaced that part which took another 40 minutes. The part was $80.00 making the total so far $170.00, plus the extra 40 minutes of labor is $60.00. A grand total for $230.00. Being a first time customer got me 10% off saving me 22 dollars or so.
The place was legit, very knowledgeable staff, answered all my questions. When i was there, everyone there seemed like they were regulars and were treated very nicely. The place isn't cheap, but a lot cheaper than the stealer-ship.

Peter N.

Source: YELP

16/02/2011

This place came highly recommended. My parents suggested it and once I had my car actually being towed over, another coworker commented that I should have asked him where to take it before I had the car towed - and then he recommended the same place.
Mike was the best. I had a major repair. He explained things to me over the phone, ordered my part while my car was still on the way, and had it done by noon the next day. All for about $400 less than the nasty dealer wanted to charge me.
When I went to pick up the car, the place was clean and very unlike what I expect in a mechanic shop. Not that I want my car to break again, but if it does, I am going back!

Yvette P.

Source: YELP

30/07/2010

After years of being frustrated with my mechanic I decided to turn to my ever so trustworthy Yelp in search of a better company. I took my Volkswagen Jetta to this place today and couldn't be happier.
My appointment was at 8 to get an oil change, fix a coolant leak and work on the breaks. After only 3 hours they called to say my car was ready for pickup! Wow.. great service! ....Everything that I got done was only $350 AND they gave me a new customer 10% discount. I've already recommended this place to like 5 people and will definitely be back!

Jenny M.

Source: YELP

25/06/2010

Found Mike's on Yelp. Seriously, why did I not think of this before.
For me, the only downside is that I have a Mercedes and he doesn't specialize in Mercedes. All of the cars we saw there were VW's so I think that's what he specializes in.
But, I gave him a good rating because he provides the various services that the dealer provides at about $100 less than the dealer's price.
I also have a repair issue and his parts + labor cost totaled less than the part alone w/the dealer. So, I'm pleasantly pleased that I feel I can trust him not to further damage my car to give himself more work (which is what I fear happened w/the dealer) and his pricing's much more reasonable.

Sinnary S.

Source: YELP

09/11/2010

PROS: Very helpful and friendly staff. Mike was very honest and sincere. I brought in my 2003 VW Convertible to have a window fixed and get the 40000 mile tune up. He was very honest in pricing. Gave me 20% off because I was a first time customer-trust me, that helped. Very clean place with alot of organization. Will go again.
CONS: none. Except that with a VW beetle you are gonna pay ALOT to get the window fixed, no matter what!
Located right by the freeway.

Amie Z.

Source: YELP

09/10/2013

I started looking for a place to work on my Audi after the dealer quoted me a pretty high price for a major service. A friend recommended Mike's. I stopped by and made an appointment for the service. The first thing I always want to know is cost, so I asked. The price was less than 40% of the dealer price. I asked if they covered the same items and I was assured that they did. After the service Mike showed me what they did, and explained a few things about the service to me. Since that time I have gone back for regulars services and I couldn't be happier. They really treat you well.

John P.

Source: YELP

08/06/2010

Found Mike's on Yelp! and I am very glad I did.
My 2003 1.8T Passat GLS had been rearing it's ugly engine light at me for a VERY long time.
Finally after experiencing a very "lumpy" motor and NO acceleration what-so-ever I limped into Mike's.
I was greeted by his lovely wife at the desk and Mike came out from the back to go over checking in my car.
Engine Light Diagnostic was $90 and is guaranteed for 12 months if it ever comes back on. He replaced my ignition coil and helpfully pointed out there was a recall on the part and once I receive my recall letter I can get the cost of the repair and the diagnostic fees refunded by VW.
Just yesterday I took it in for over heating and they replaced the coolant reservoir, thermostat, water pump and timing belt. I didn't have an appointment when I brought it in and I didn't even call (ask forgiveness and not permission). They fixed me up in one business day and I was on my way.
I feel like I can trust this business and the work they do. :)

Lauren G.

Source: YELP

17/02/2014

I have a 96 VW Jetta. These guys always take care of me. They simply identify the problem and fix the problem. I have been here 3 times and have never had an issue. The staff are friendly and these guys will not give you any BS. Mike and Josh are awesome. Why get ripped off at a dealer when you can get the same quality for cheaper? I'll let you guys answer that question :)

Wesley D.

Source: YELP

01/01/2014

I took my early VW in to change out my drum brakes for 4 wheel disc. They are very nice and the shop look clean and organized. When I got my car back, I drove less than a block the had no brakes. I took the car somewhere else and they tool me they installed the front brakes backwards. I called Mike up and he said we installed the brake and followed instructions. He did not admit they did anything wrong. I said I paid you for the job and now I have to paid again. He blew me off and said he followed instructions.

David A.

Source: YELP

20/09/2012

I had an incredibly positive experience at Mike's this week!!! They diagnosed and fixed a problem with my electrical lighting system and it ended up costing less than their quote to simply evaluate. You see, I'd been to a specialty shop in Irvine (closer to my work, I live all the way in San Clemente) twice already on the same problem and paid them each time to diagnose and then tell me they would have to bring in a "Dealer Expert"....whatever that is. It didn't seem to matter though because they couldn't fix it and just stopped trying. Anyway, I found Mike's online, liked the reviews and thought I'd give them a try.
The extra drive was sooooooo worth it! Everything you read about the place being clean, great customer service, independent family owned (good for the economy) is all true. The one thing that I'd like to add is they are extremely talented mechanics! I had shared my story with Mike and had tempered expectations. Clearly based on time and charge my repair was not a big deal to them. They could've completely trashed the other repair shop but instead took the high road......leaving me instead to tell you if you've been feeling screwed by an independent dealer in Irvine too, the MAKE THE DRIVE TO MIKES!!! I own a Volkswagen as well and will be a regular customer with both cars starting today.
I couldn't be happier that I've finally found an independent dealer I can fully trust with my vehicles.

Tim W.

Source: YELP

04/10/2013

These guys are great! The only shop I trust to work on my cars. After years of bad experiences at other shops I'm so grateful to have been referred to this place.

Ray C.

Source: YELP

15/08/2012

I have used Mike over the past three years servicing my daughter's 2000 Jetta while she attended UCI. He has always been honest and reasonable with repairs. With my daughter graduating, I had him check out the car and get it up to snuff so I could sell it. It was in such great shape I decided to keep it and drove it back to Minnesota. I recommend Mike and his team.

Tom Q.

Source: YELP

09/05/2012

I have gone to Mike's for a little over a year and I have to say this place is great. It feels expensive when I pay for any little repair on my 2004 Audi A4 but an Audi stealership charges WAYYY more. I am happy with the service and don't trust little crap shops because I decided to try a cheaper place and now my car runs very poorly. I cheated on the shop and learned my lesson, I will always come Mike's to get my car serviced from now on.

Art Z.

Source: YELP

01/03/2011

My review of Mike isn't as unbiased as others, however know this. When I speak highly of Mike it isn't out of a sense of obligation.
Being in and around the automotive business ourselves we've come to know good and bad shops. We incidentally own a Japanese auto repair shop on Orangethorpe, just one block north. We've been sending him our customers w/German cars for years and conversely he's been sending us his JPN cars.
What prompted me to write this is my wife's Jetta TDI. A year previous we had a service done at another shop, an ATF flush. Still didn't fix an intermittent reverse problem. Suspicious, this year we went to Mike to have another ATF flush done. I knew full well going in that this may/may not fix the problem, but there's something about Mike that you feel you can trust. Given the complexity of the VW automatic trans, well I didn't expect any miracles. Well the ATF flush was done, and he charged half of what the other shop did. Thanks Mike.
Well it didn't fix the problem. Looks like I'll be replacing the AT someday, but we know that Mike did his best and that's all I need.

Tatsunori T.

Source: YELP

17/12/2012

I've been taking my Boxster to Mike's for 3 or so years now. Came to my 60K service which is usually a big one. In addition to the regular service, there was an additional blip that needed repair. They really try to keep the cost down. I did have an engine light they came on after the service, but since I had just been there for the "big one", Josh diagnosed and analyzed and said it might be related to the prior service--no charge and he even replaced my cheap gas cap with a Porche part. How much better does it get!! Thanks guys for taking care of my boy!!!!

Kat K.

Source: YELP

17/03/2011

I used to frequent Mike's when I had the audi... he did a spectacular job and charged a reasonable price. I made the mistake of taking it into a cheaper, but not specialized place which would've been a great deal if they didn't knock the turbo out. You can't take german cars to just anyone. Mike definitely knows his stuff--- he's honest and a fraction of the cost of a dealership. Worth every penny!

Jo L.

Source: YELP

11/07/2013

My story is quite unique... My daughter who is 25, just moved to LA from San Diego and originally from PA. 2 weeks ago and knows no one. Her clutch went in her VW Jetta after calling the insurance company to get her car towed we decided to have it towed to the closest dealer. BAD idea!! The dealer after charging me a 120.00 diagnostic fee along with an estimate for the clut being 2758.49 and also said she needed back brakes and roters for 350.00. I decided to make some calls and we had her car towed out of there at our expense. My mechanic here in Pa found mikes on a mechanic website and gave me his information after reading his reviews. I called Mike and asked him for a price on a new clutch he gave me a estimate of 1800.00 we couldn't find a towing place for less than 400.00 for the 100 mile round trip, but mike got his tow guy to do it for 250.00. Mike gets the car the next morning drop the transmission calks me and said I have good and bad news... Yes her clutch is destroyed but its going to be 150.00 less than hat I quoted you. Then he said she needs back brakes now before her roters have to be replaced at a cost of 160.00. My daughter had went on a planned vacation and was getting in late to San Diego and needed to get back to LA. Mike said he would take the car to his house which was half way in between and she could pick it up there. She was unable to get a ride so he said he would take it o the train station and park it there so she could get it. My phone rings Saturday afternoon and here it is Mikes wife saying she was concerned about my daughter being all alone getting off the train nod if she had any problems she wanted to give me her homes phone number in case something happened and my daughter needed something. She said I am a mom too and I can only imagine how much you worry about your daughter. Mike and his wife are the sweetest people I have never met! Mike has gone above and beyond to help my daughter and I can't be any more grateful than I am. My daughter will be taking her car back to Mike even though its 50 miles away from where she lives. My total bill with the towing and brakes came to 2104.00. Most honest and caring man!!

Karen M.

Source: YELP

21/03/2012

Mike's Foreign Car is the best! I have a Mercedes and I would never think about taking my car into a Mercedes dealer for anything. Mike is fair priced and does an incredible job on my car. I trust him fully that he is not only extremely skilled, experienced, and knows what he is doing, but also I trust that he tells me exactly what is up with my car and doesn't try to get more money out of me. I often felt this way before I met Mike and had to take my cars to the dealerships. Mike has gotten me out more than one jam. Just the other day, he drove to where I was stranded and pushed my car out of the middle of the street. He didn't need to do that. I could have gotten help elsewhere, but when he found out I was stranded he got to me quickly to help out. Mike is a great guy! Personable, trustworhty, and knows what he is doing when it comes to working on foreign cars!

Jean B.

Source: YELP

30/03/2010

Thanks for great Service.
Eurovan at 115,000 with timing chain/sprocket issues.
Estimates were dead on with final outcome.
Very good turnaround time, great updates throughout the repair process.
Looks like we will be able to keep our van for a while with a shop like this around!!!
First timers, Mike offers 10% discount for new customers!!!

H V.

Source: YELP

22/02/2009

Went back to Mike's recently to have my brakes checked. Dropped my car off early in the morning and it was ready way before I got out of work. Same friendly, efficient service at a great price. I also used a handy dandy coupon that I found online here @ Yelp. They happily honored my coupon giving me 10% off my services. It's good to know that trustworthy car repair shops still exist in these difficult, economic times.

Heidi H.

Source: YELP

25/05/2010

Mike's Foreing Car is the best! It is a family business. you don't feel intimidated as you might with other mechanics. It is a very clean shop and office. I drop my car off in the morning and before noon it is done!!
Mike is sooo nice, and very knowledgeable of his work, His nice wife works in the office and son is also a mechanic, and they all care about their customers. They are very very very trustworthy, and helpful. We have been bringing both Jetta's to them for at least 3 years now! He goes out of his way to help his customers....i can go on and on
100 stars for Mike's Foreign Car!!

michelle k.

Source: YELP

06/08/2009

Mike and his son are the best. They have gone out of their way for me several times. I cannot recommend them enough!!!!

nick w.

Source: YELP

16/02/2012

When I moved to Anaheim, I needed a shop that specializes in VW, provide excellent service, has friendly staff and is reasonably priced. I found Mike's shop through Yelp and I have yet to be disappointed. I have been taking my Jetta and my daughter's Passat for sometime now and will continue to go there and recommend his shop to all my friends!

Arlene S.

Source: YELP

04/02/2010

I highly recommend Mike's Foreign Auto. My fiance and I bought the cutest VW Cabrio. Yes, it was a super shady dealership, but we really wanted the car! The car was older, and we knew it needed some work, so we did some research and picked Mike's Foreign cars. Their facilities are immpeccably clean and professional. Mike and his wife, who runs the office, are so kind and absolute experts in what they do. Unfortunately, our Cabrio was beyond repair but Mike and his team advised us on our options and thankfully we were able to convice the crappy dealership to take the car back.
Mike's Foreign Cars was the only positive aspect of our sad experience with the Cabrio, but we're really happy we found them. They offer a Pre-Purchase Diagnostic service, which we will definitely take advantage of before we buy our next car. I recommend you do the same!

Melanie A.

Source: YELP

28/04/2009

Took my 2005 Touareg here for its 40,000 mile service. Mike and Frank are very friendly and helpful. They went the extra mile and replaced a bulb that had burnt out for no extra charge. I will be back.

Lisa J.

Source: YELP

11/11/2009

Really good services!! Went in for an oil change and i was out of there in less than an hour! They only charged half the price that commonwealth usually charges!! Friendly workers as well!

Elena G.

Source: YELP

16/04/2011

If you are looking for a mechanic who knows foriegn cars then you must GO SEE MIKE. I'm so happy to have found him and his shop. I have a 2004 BMW 325i. I searched and searched for a BMW mechanic after my warranty expired. I feel lucky to have found this shop. GOOD HONEST PEOPLE doing GREAT HONEST WORK. They also do great work on VWs. Everyone that works there is easy to understand and more than willing to explain what needs to be done.

shelley h.

Source: YELP

10/06/2011

These guys are honest, excellent mechanics and a pleasure to deal with. I would give them more than five stars if I could. If you are in the market for a mechanic, look no further, you are not going to find anyone better.

James H.

Source: YELP

27/04/2011

Mikes is the BEST. We own VW's and though there are many places who say they can fix VW, Mike is the only one who we found can really do it right. The service is quick, detailed, and reasonable. Can't go wrong here.

Marcia V.

Source: YELP

15/12/2008

Mikes VW & Foreign Car Specialties is hands down the best VW repair shop in Orange County.
I took my Jetta to (3) other shops trying to fix an ongoing problem before I was referred to them. They had diagnosed and fixed my car in less than 24 hours. They were helpful , friendly and very knowledgeable.
If you have a German car of any sorts, I wouldn't go anywhere else but Mikes!

Kirsten K.

Source: YELP

09/08/2011

My 2003 VW Gti 1.8t died on me on a drive back home from San Diego. Found Mike's on Yelp and thought I would give him a shot. From the very beginning I felt confident in their ability and that they were honest hardworking guys. Although we had a ton of trouble getting my car back into drive able condition, (every time I picked it up it would drive for a few days and then die again), Mike and his son Josh were always there to help. After I ran out of free tows from AAA they even paid for my towing back to the shop from Irvine twice! In total I paid around 1500 for a new timing belt and fuel pump which is a great deal considering it went back into their shop at least 4 times after the initial break down and after the first part installation they never charged me another dime even though they replaced the fuel pump at least twice after and threw in some new relay wires. Mike and Josh are not only great mechanics but great people as well. I would highly recommend them to anyone with a VW or other german manufactured car!

Adnan H.

Source: YELP

17/08/2009

I just moved down to SoCal and am pretty unfamiliar about auto repair shops who know VW Beetles. I found Mike's shop got decent reviews online and so I took a flying leap of faith and tried him out. Got my appt set up for the next morning and he finished exactly when I needed it to be done. Mike was really professional, but with a hometown touch. VWs are his passion. He was enthusiastic in showing me where the waterpump was leaking and gave me a discounted price (I think he saw how stressed I was about the costly repair) to have both the timing belt and waterpump combo service done, since I'd eventually need the belt to be replaced soon anyway (75,300 mi on my beetle)-for below $590, using VW genuine parts. I acknowledge it wasn't the cheapest, but it was decent for the quality service. He took the time to show me the old parts, afterwards, to show me how bad it was. VWs are high maintenance and so I trust Mike to get it done right the first time. It's a shame he's only open Mon-Fri, but I can respect a guy who can balance life/work.

C L.

Source: YELP

08/07/2009

boxster brake job

Thanks to Mike's Foreign auto repair, got brakes all around and rotors done. Good job; spoke to "Frank" the tech that worked on my car, He gave me more imformation on the brakes and the wear-in process. Will come back for more repairs when needed. Finally a Porsche Independent shop found! Thanks again Josh.

alexscipio

Source: YPAGE

28/09/2015

What a great group of people to know. Always helpfully and very knowledgeable. Wouldn't take my car to anyone else...

Stephen Warren

Source: FBOOK

29/05/2015

Always helpful, very knowledgeable, and competitive pricing for genuine VW parts.

Melissa AP

Source: FBOOK

23/07/2014

Doug Oyen

Source: FBOOK

24/04/2014

Lauren Marie

Source: FBOOK

12/04/2014

Richard Linsalato

Source: FBOOK

11/04/2014

Giancarlo Pezzaniti

Source: FBOOK

27/03/2014

Robert Heuerman

Source: FBOOK

18/09/2013

Dave Gates

Source: FBOOK

13/07/2013

Melanie Heald Stroschein

Source: FBOOK

23/06/2016

Listen, VW owners, especially bus and Touareg owners are always on the hunt for a trusted mechanic with not only exceptional knowledge, but the ability to expertly diagnose any situation. My 2007 VW Touareg (purchased used) came with an extensive list of problems to be addressed. Mike, Josh and I think his name is Matt are TOP NOTCH, TRUSTWORTHY people that I will exclusively be seeking guidance on when it comes to my German vehicles. Very fair on prices, extremely accommodating of your schedule and a masters touch is all things you can expect when you drop your vehicle off for service here. I cannot say enough about have a mechanic who truly is in your corner. They believe, treat the client right, and they'll return. Well not only have I returned, but I brag everywhere about them. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Andrew Parrish

Source: GPLAC

02/06/2016

Great people. Very honest. Take it to them vs dealership. Took good care of me today and very quickly when I had my service light come on.

M. Alkoraishi

Source: GPLAC

03/10/2015

A long overdue update. After a terrible first experience, they guys (and ladies) made good on their promise to take exceptional care of any other issues I would sent their way. My friend bought a used passat and has been there a few times with problems ranging from a stuck gas tank door to a replacement key and they've been on it.

Milan Will

Source: GPLAC

31/03/2015

Thank you Mike and Josh, taking excellent care of my Range Rover. Complete Range Rover 70K- mile service, plus fixing my coolant issue- same day service. I appreciate your patience, showing me the repaired part, and answering all my questions. It's a relief knowing there is a competent, excellent priced business for repairs to these vehicles. Don't hesitate to bring your car here, if you've had enough from blood sucking-dealers. You guys are AWSOME!

Cynthia Salazar

Source: GPLAC

23/10/2014

I took my 1966 VW bus to Mike's for a wire assembly installation and tuneup. What I got in return was my bus with gages and lights working that have never worked, and an engine that runs like a dream. Plus Mike discovered debris from the paint shop that had been sucked up in the engine intake manifold. Had he not found that debris, I would now be replacing a burned up engine with a new one. Whew, Mike saved me! I highly recommend Mike and his crew Josh and Matt to anyone that wants above and beyond excellent service at a very reasonable price.

Thomas Hinmon

Source: GPLAC