Five star review all the WAY! I had my truck breakdown on the freeway and luckily I was within the 5 mile tow radius of A-1. My parents have been using them for 30 years and I am now not taking my cars anywhere else! John and his crew were outstanding! Not only did he stay late to meet the tow truck, he opened up the hood immediately to see if he could quickly fix it. Fantastic service and they did a great job on the fixes! I'm a FAN! read more

Great place to take a Volvo. John and Kathy are wonderful people that give honest assessments and do great work. 10/10 would recommend to anyone with a foreign car. read more

I used to take my Touareg to the VM dealership in Sunnyvale (I know..i know..) Somebody recommended A-1 to me, so I brought my car in with what I thought was a transmission problem. John quickly diagnosed the problem as a busted drive shaft, ordered the part and had it repaired same day. Best part, is Kathy called and said the car is ready and came in, get this; "...under budget" what?? I NEVER heard that before from a shop..NEVER. They showed me the broken part, and explained what had gone wrong. We are all looking for a mechanic that is honest, transparent, skilled and fast. You will find all these at A-1. Search is over. read more

When you need someone to trust, A-1 Foreign Auto is the place. John and Kathy run it an make a point of telling me exactly what they see, what needs done and what is optional. I have taken my BMW 745 Li to them since I've owned it in 2005. They are just wonderful to work with. read more

Great job fixing our 2004 Acura TSX! New rear brakes and fixed power door locks. Fast, reasonably-priced, great communication.

Loves these guys. They don't waste your time. Get things done on time and they know what they are doing. They are the type of company that you tell them "please take a look at everything on my car and fix what you think needs to be fixed" and you know they are not ripping you off. Amazing. read more

I have been going to this mechanic since 1993. It was the best discovery ever. They are always honest, fast, and affordable. I am so happy with this shop. The front office person is so nice and they get your car ready when they say they will. They will go and find just the part you need. I have never in all this time had any problems with the work done at this shop. They are the best!!! read more

Just a little history prior to my first experience with A-1 Foreign Auto Repair. I own a very old, 1983 Isuzu Diesel Pickup and my clutch failed. Drove into a station for gas and couldn't get the transmission into gear after my fillup. Hurray for me the station had a mechanic. Bad for me! He sat on it for about 10 days without comment or doing anything so I had the vehicle towed to Aamco, in Mountain View, after calling them, explaining the problem, and being invited to bring it in. Oh yes, we can take care of that. 8 weeks later and lots of good ole boy backslapping, excuses and doubletalk, I once again was having my vehicle towed to a place called Kevin's in Mountain View who assured me it should be no problem. 3 weeks later, no word, no call, no repair. Finally, he did call and said he'd fixed the problem and there would be no charge??!! Wow. Surely I can pay you something? Nope. I drove away thinking," He must have felt sorry for having ignored the vehicle for 3 weeks and didn't want his shop to appear ineffective". Anyway I felt good having my vehicle back after nearly 13 weeks and 3 different mechanics who said they could fix my problem but hadn't. Now, the good part, the real miracle. A week after I picked up my truck from Kevin's thinking all was well with the world, I tried to start my truck and smoke came out of the engine and refused to start. At this point, filled with frustration, I called AAA for a tow and this time I decided to go with a AAA recommended facility. I had never been to A-1 Foreign Auto, but it was within walking distance of my home and, given recent negative experiences, I thought it might be time to cut my losses wherever possible. So, I had the towing company drop off my Isuzu Pup at A-1. Less than two hours later I had an assessment call from Kathy telling me what appeared to be the problem with the electrical system and said it would be fixed by 2 pm the next day!!!! I was amazed but cautiously so. Next day, less than 24 hours later, I was called saying my vehicle was ready to go. Still I was a bit doubting. Not a one, three or eight week silence, but next day a repaired vehicle. Hmmm? Walked over to get my truck and a big and pleasant surprise was waiting for me. Not only had the burned-out electrical part been repaired( caused by a 3 inch loose metal part that had been left in the engine compartment by Kevin's) but also the clutch cable which had been improperly reinstalled (at Kevin's) was now working, not just functionally but very easily and smoothly. Shifting was now a dream and I knew why Kevin's had not charged me. The clutch cable was misaligned and was sawing itself in half as a result. John explained and showed me all the work he'd done and the parts that had malfunctioned but charged me nothing extra for working on the clutch. He just noticed that it wasn't working well and,because the electrical work was less time consuming and expensive than anticipated, he fixed the clutch and stayed within the orginal estimate. Working with John and Kathy the first time was a wonderful experience. John knows how to prioritize his workload, is thoughtful, and conscientious, and seems to try to get you back on the road as quickly as possible not just putting you on a waiting list regardless of the severity of your problem. If it is simple and he can do it right away, it apprears he will try to do that. Very rare and positive customer service. Go see him and it's also backed by AAA, if you're one of their members. read more

Great shop! I have a unique old car (1976 Fiat Wagon). Over the years, this shop has managed to find parts and fix any problems that have cropped up. By comparison, most smog shops cannot even figure out where to start - I often have to point them in the right direction. From simple fixes, to chasing Italian gremlins that live deep in the engine, I am always confident that the fix is done right and their prices are always fair. From all the late model cars I see around there, they seem to be as good with today's cars as they are with unique old ones. read more

I came in for a CA smog test, but got so much more help than expected! They were so helpful here - gave me DMV insider tips (I'm new to the state), and helped me extract a rusted bolt to get my license plate off. I intend to come here for future service. read more

I have several older Audi 5000 models from the early eighties and BMW 5 series from the mid eighties. John has the experience of working on these cars back in this time era. He is the only one that has the experience in working on these older cars so he knows all of the problem areas. Kathy and John take the time to explain what the problem is with the car and what it will cost to fix it. I recently had them fix my transmission on my 1985 BMW 528E. When they work on the car they are very good at mentioning other things that should be repaired at some point. They are very honest in trying to help and do not try to "sell" you on unnecessary repairs. Even from a test drive, John can tell what is probably wrong with the car. He is a very experienced and honest mechanic that will go out of his way to provide great service. I have had very bad experiences with other mechanics in the Bay area and this is why I only take my cars to A-1 foreign. I know that they can fix about anything. They are nice and easy to work with. read more

Great "trustworthy" service and very reasonable pricing. Thx Kathy and John! I'll be back and refer some friends as well.

John and Kathy are extremely helpful and very knowledgeable. I took my 2018 Fiat 124 spider abarth to the dealer because the check engine light was on. When I picked up the car the light was still on they said it was because a aftermarket part. I asked them to turn it off anyway and they said it would just come back on I said to turn it off, they said it would cost $195.00, the car is under warranty. I called A1 Foreign Auto they said bring it in it took John three minutes to fix it, he would not take any payment for the work. I recommend them highly. Great shop, great people. read more

I highly recommend them. Good, very reasonable, honest service. They'll take care of your car.

This is a reliable and reasonable auto repair shop, family-owned by John and Kathy. The customer service is great. They were helpful and efficient in diagnosing the problem that took another shop 3 times to find. I initially took my car here for a second opinion, but decided to have them fix it since John was able to spot the problem within 10 minutes. The prices seemed reasonable and they even gave me a ride home. My boyfriend also got some work done on his car here a couple weeks ago and he is very happy with the work they did on his car. AND, it cost him 1/2 of what another shop estimated for the repairs. I'd recommend this shop without hesitation. read more

Amazing service! These guys are trustworthy, friendly and good at what they do. We brought our car in for one thing and not only did they fix the problem but without even mentioning it to them they washed a giant paint scratch off the side of our car. We thought that was going to be a few hundred dollars in body work! So thankful we brought our car to A-1. read more

I continue to be impressed with John & Kathy. They are honest, trustworthy, kind, and hard-working. I never thought I would be so enthusiastic about auto repair but these 2 and their team are simply the best! I am so glad to know them and I have full confidence in them. Thanks again Kathy and John for taking great care of us and our car. read more

I recently moved to the area, and chose to take my car (2005 Prius) here based on the positive Yelp reviews. I called and explained that I had recently had routine maintenance done just prior to moving, and the mechanic had identified a leak in the exhaust system, but I had not had it repaired yet. I asked them to look into the leak and make any necessary repairs, and to perform a smog check. When I brought the car in I once again explained what I needed, and they gave me a service estimate for "check and service and smog test". When I returned to pick up my car, I was in a rush and did not look very closely at the paperwork (my mistake!!). When I got home I discovered I had been charged almost $100 for an oil change, which I did not request, and they had not even inspected the exhaust system. I returned and explained the mistake, and requested a refund for the oil change, since I had not agreed to it and had just had it changed less than 500 miles previously. They had even scraped the sticker off my windshield that showed I did not need an oil change for another 5000 miles! She admitted that they had made a mistake, but claimed she couldn't do anything about it because after all, they had changed my oil. After much back and forth, she eventually offered me a $20 refund (on the overpriced $100 oil change that I did not need or authorize). While I understand that it was an honest mistake, any reputable business would accept responsibility for the mistake rather than make the customer pay for it. Had I realized it before handing over my card, I of course would have refused to pay for the services I did not authorize. Needless to say, I will not be bringing my car here in the future. read more

I have taken all my vehicles to John for the last 7-8 years. I have been completely satisfied with John's work. He is honest, fair, prompt, and goes the extra mile to help me out. I feel so strongly about the service he provides that ... although I have moved out of the area now, I still arrange to bring my cars to him for regular service. read more

I took my car in for service and was extremely happy with the service I received. My service manger was Justin Mills and he was so helpful and took great care of me. I will go back and I highly recommend them. read more

Thank you so much! You guys are wonderful! Honest, reliable, fair and excellent service and work! I bring my 2 cars from San Jose here for service and repair. I will not take them to any other place. read more

This is an fantastic Auto Repair, very friendly, reliable and good pricing. Thanks for take care about my Volvo.

They have 5 star attitude and 5 star service!!! My wife and I were out shopping about two weeks ago when we noticed our right rear tire was going flat. The guys at A-1 quickly found the nail and patched the tire. Great job, we were out of there in 10 minutes!!! But before this.... we went over to ..... ... America's Tire Store thinking they could do a quick fix. NOOOO WAAAAAY they wouldn't touch it unless we were to replace our tire. The sales guy thought the tire had rode on the side walls... which it hadn't. They were going to charge us about $400 !!!!!!! read more

The first time I met John and Kathy, I was 16 and was looking for help fixing a problem with my car. They showed me the problem, let me buy the part, and gave me the necessary tools to replace it at their shop! This was 20 years ago (yikes!). Through the years they have maintained and repaired my cars with expertise and care and always reasonably priced and honest service. Many of my friends have also taken their cars to A-1, and were extremely satisfied. Thanks guys! read more

Another great experience! Top notch customer service and very professional. I came in for an oil change and a quick look at the car to make sure that everything was normal. I found out my brakes were severely low and needed to be replaced, so I got that done as well. I really appreciate the honesty and respect they give their customers. read more

If you want a good, honest mechanic for your Subaru, BMW, Audi, Toyota, Mercedes, whatever... this is the place to go. John knows his cars, will fix what is needed, will let you know what can wait, and will get you back on the road for a lot less than what you'd pay at a dealer. The yard and office may look a little disheveled, and there's no car wash or valet, but your car will be happy and you will be too. He just did a 100K service on my BMW 330xi using all BMW parts and I probably ended up saving over $1000 vs. what a dealer would have charged me. read more

We've been taking our 06 Z4 & 05 X5 to A1 Foreign Auto for the last 2 years. Purchased both cars used, and have been taking a good value out of them - Thanks to A1FA. This would be otherwise as I had quickly learned it at the beginnings when the ultimate driving machinery tried replacing my entire soft top for ~$4,500. For what it really could have been a few bucks clipped cable job at A1FA as I realized after my quick visit to the retailer's garage. Still left a good $900 for them. At A1FA, John comes to you with the part and clearly explains its function or malfunction translated to a language what everyone with basic engineering skills understands. He is hands-on with every incoming vehicle, and one cannot just find that few decades of experience in diagnostics everywhere. He is also proactive on inexpensive upgrades and tune-ups. For instance, John had just some cheap sensors or parts to newer and revised factory models replaced on the SUV. Kathy is a wonderful help in admin: She is up to date with latest legal procedures and provides the motorist with useful insights and practical suggestions to paperwork. Her reference to a body shop worked, too. read more

They've always been responsive and knowledgeable. Today they chased me down to tell me my car didn't actually need service. So, add integrity to the list. read more

We've been taking vehicles here for the past ten years and are very satisfied with the competence, cost-containment, and the results.

This is the best place I've ever taken a car. John really knows what he's doing and ALWAYS is fair and honest.

These guys do repairs on my Toyota Prius ( headlamp, engine etc) for less than Toyota shops and do it quicker and better as well.

I have been taking my BMWs - 335i and X5 - to A-1 Foreign for 8 years now, and have found them to be an honest, cooperative and highly-skilled service provider. John and Cathy are easy to work with and always complete the work on time and on budget. They work diligently to ensure that you are happy with the results. read more

We needed both front axles replaced and didn't have any referrals. We found this place online and were impressed with the reviews. We weren't disappointed! The work was prompt, well done, and priced very fairly. We definitely recommend them! read more

These guys are great! I have had work done by them in the past and they always do a great job with prices that are fair. Recently I went in because my 4 year old had managed to stick a quarter in the air bag. Every time I turned I could hear it rolling around. They took the car in right away and fixed it with no charge! This just demonstrates the kind of people that they are. Do not hesitate to take your car here. read more

We've been going to A-1 Foreign Auto for 11 years based on a recommendation from a friend. We've never been disappointed - they communicate repair needs/costs clearly and work quickly. We even sold them one of our ancient VWs when it came time to let it go (sniff). Make a reservation if you have a complicated repair (aka call ahead). read more

I just moved in the area a few months ago. Found this auto repair service right next to my home. John was very kind and came over to my garage to help me to connect the batteries in my car and taught me a few things about my Mini Couper. Will definitely go back and recommend to my friends in the area. read more

We have gotten the very superb service, courtesy, and extremely high standards for more than five years and now on a total of three cars in the family. In fact speaking of family, Cathy and John treat us like family! As a couple, John's diagnosis is always right on the spot and Cathy just magically gets the part(s) in no time at all even for my very old Lexus ES 250. We trust them so much that almost always we do not ask for an estimate -- although they always give us one -- since we know that we always get the best service for a very reasonable and no hassle work. We never, ever had to bring the car back for additional work. They are perfectionist and make sure customer gets an excellent value for the money. They have done so great that majority of customers are repeat customers who some times bring them wine or flowers since they treat everyone like family. They always give us an honest explanation of the situation as well as differs options. With excellent confidence and honesty they evaluated several cars that we were considering for purchase. We have so much confidence that we finally bought the car that they suggested. Great work! read more

All I can say is this is one of best shops I have ever been too. I love supporting family owned small businesses and this is one that everyone should go to. I had a bolt fall off my brake caliper on my Nissan Murano and was in need of a new bolt to help get me back home to San Francisco. I called A-1 and they agreed to stay open for me so I could drive over there and have them look at my car. Not only did they find a bolt and fix it, but they also did a check of the rest of my calipers to make sure my care was safe. I cant thank them enough for their service I would recommend them to anyone. If you ever need your car worked on, call A-1. Thanks!!! read more

I needed to get my truck smoged and decided to give this place a try. I was in and out and had no complaints at all. I will most likely bring my truck here for service next time. read more

I initially went here to get a headlight changed for about $10. Have been going back ever since. They do great work and the prices are always comparable or better than the chain places offer even with their coupons. read more