German Auto Repair LLC — Local services in Watertown

I want to start off by saying this is one of the best repair shops I've done business with.

This is my 2nd time using this company's services and after both experiences I felt compelled to write a review so you can understand the caliber and quality of the people and service you will experience if you choose to do business with them.

The first time I went I had just had a horrible experience with the BMW Dealership in Bridgeport. I went in to purchase tires. They found something wrong with my suspension and would not be able to get my alignment correct without fixing that first. They quoted me an outrageous price for the fix. Considering it was the dealership I was inclined to do it anyway because I knew that they would at least do the job right and I didn't want to cut corners.

I called a friend who was also a bmw owner and far more experienced 25+ years of ownership and he told me the quote from the BMW dealership was too high. So I called the next day and told them I want to hold off on the work. I ask the BMW Dealership Rep (Not German Auto Repair) what services had been done already and the rep listed off a bunch of services I did not authorize including changing my oil (which I had done before 4 weeks prior), and some other miscellaneous things. Out of pocket $1400 FOR SERVICES I didn't request!

Then when I told them I wanted to cancel my request the dealership lowered their price on me 3 times by over 40% trying to keep my business BMW Dealership Rep (Not German Auto Repair).

At this point I did not trust them.

I called German Auto and spoke to a very kind woman at the front desk. She made an appointment. Gave me a loaner car to check the vehicle before quoting me anything. gave me a better price for all the services my car needed.

I agreed. 4 days later I pick up my car from German Auto. I am not exaggerating from the moment I started driving the vehicle it literally felt the way it did when I bought the car brand new. I looked up the tires they selected for me and the ones they chose were of higher quality then the ones the BMW Dealership had recommended.

Now today I went to German Auto again. This time it was a headlight malfunction issue. I did not know what the problem was so I wanted them to have a look. The owner took a quick glance and realized I just needed a few bulbs. Fixed it on the spot for me in under 20 minutes and was kind enough to not even charge me for the service. And I would've gladly paid.

Businesses like German Auto really need to be supported and celebrated. You should send your referrals here and you should feel confident you're going to get high quality work.

I am so thankful and fortunate to have found them and will continue to business with them in the future!

You can tell the owners and staff really take pride in what they do and it shows.

Don't look anywhere else! You found the place you need to keep your car running and well maintained for...

UPDATE - 7/27/2023

German Auto Repair eventually DID return my call. As a small business owner, I can empathize and understand how situations like this can occur; I will reach out to them for the next necessary repair to the vehicle. Rating updated for follow up.

I'll start by stating this review is NOT about the capability of German Auto Repair.

I have a 2017 Mini Cooper which needed to have the shifter replaced. My warranty company would not cover the entire cost for this repair at the dealer, so I was looking for an independent European specialist in the area. I placed a call to GAR on Monday at around lunch time to discuss the repair and cost. I was told that it was lunch time, and the service representative would call me back later to discuss.

I did not receive a call back on Monday.

I called again on Tuesday BEFORE lunch, late morning. Again, I was told that a customer service person would call me back to discuss the service needed with the vehicle. 5 hours later, I'm done waiting for someone to discuss. I called another shop and was given an estimate, appointment time available within the next 3 days, and all the information I needed WHILE I AM STILL WAITING for GAR to return EITHER of my phone calls.

Clearly, they are doing well enough that they don't need to respond to potential customers. I suppose if you're not in need of repair and you're comfortable with this sort of treatment, you may find that the service received is competent and fair value - when you actually get your car...

Forgot this place existed after swearing it off forever. Thankfully I got a Google Ad that reminded me I had never left a review after my experience so thank your SEO guy for this.

To be fair, this was a while back, probably a couple of years at this point. But I'm finally getting my car back on the road no thanks to german auto.

Stay away!!!

Long story short: I told them my car needed an engine, a high mileage Volvo R. They disagreed, and offered other solutions. Car went back 4 times over a couple of months and I spent $9500 there to get it going. At the end they end up telling me I DO need a new engine, or a rebuild. Exactly what I had said from the beggining.

Thankfully I had already purchased a used engine, even before bringing it to them in the first place. They knew that from DAY 1. I was told multiple times "they'd do right by me."

I dropped off the used engine, and was waiting for a quote to install said engine in the car. I was told I'd be credited the work previously done to my car, after over a month I get a call with a $14,000 rebuild quote which included a VERY generous $1300 credit for the work previously provided. How nice.

I told them no, all I wanted was my replacement engine installed and said it'd come pick it up and get the work done elsewhere. When I showed up they had completely disassembled my engine. I dropped off a complete long block, and picked up a short block, Heads, a Bin of parts, and a box of screws. At least they...