Reference Automotive

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Kat Schaumberg
8 months ago
My whole family has trusted Reference Automotive for years and we always appreciate Josh's kindness and automotive ingenuity and craftsmanship. He's honest and worthy of his pricing. I purchased a '92 Delica a few years back and Josh has been my #1 mechanic for this speciality diesel import. I recently found myself in need of some mechanical questions on the side of a road, Josh answered immediately to help me make some sound decisions and promptly sourced parts. Highly recommended!

  michael utley
4 months ago
If you're seeking someone with more than just a job-related interest in vehicles but a genuine passion, then Josh is your go-to person. I own a JDM import Toyota truck, and discovering this place in Bellingham has been a stroke of luck. Josh treats your vehicle as if it were his own. I first encountered him when he approached me in a parking lot, expressing interest in my truck and informing me about his expertise in working on such vehicles.After scheduling an appointment for general maintenance and a few specific tasks like a tow hitch installation and addressing a peculiar noise, Josh showcased meticulous attention to detail. Instead of settling for the minimum, he went the extra mile, even test-driving the truck to identify the noise I mentioned. He fixed a malfunctioning dome light, tightened the alternator belt, and conscientiously pointed out a fluid leak, providing realistic insights and making me aware of it without pressuring me into unnecessary repairs.In essence, my experience with Reference Auto has been great. I would confidently entrust any vehicle to them, knowing they exceed expectations, maintain honesty, and offer more than fair pricing. Josh's evident passion for unique cars goes beyond mere discussion he is genuinely excited to share insights and details about your vehicle.

  Brennan Zelener
9 months ago
Just wow. I've been on a road trip from Colorado out to Washington in my 87' Syncro Westfalia and started hearing a whooshing noise that I thought was a wheel bearing. Josh was recommended by other shops in town for Vanagon work, and after calling him and driving over to his shop he immediately hopped in my van with me for a test drive to help understand what noises I was hearing and what might be wrong. Good luck finding another mechanic who cares enough to do that today.Over the next week Josh did a handful of truly challenging repairs to my suspension and frame. He welded and repaired my insanely rusty lower control arms (something I knew needed done for years but didn't know anyone capable of locally), and in the process he discovered that my upper spring mount had basically rusted away and might break-through at any time. He repaired the frame properly - which I can see in the finished product.My Syncro is now driving better than it ever has in my ownership and Josh has made it clear that he stands behind his work if I have any follow-up trouble. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Josh to the next Syncro owner in need of a great mechanic, and I'll probably drive all the way out to Washington again in a few years to have Josh work on other systems that need fixing.Services: Auto body & trim repair, Steering & suspension repair

  Melissa Longfellow
2 months ago
Great service and experts in VW and other classic German cars. Josh the owner is top notch. This garage is a hidden gem. Go find it! I will not take my VW anywhere else.

  Trevor Dickinson
8 months ago
When I found myself with the exhaust of my van threatening to completely fall off, Josh helped me out in a cost effective way that got me back on the road quickly. He is honest and friendly and works hard to get work done on specialty import vehicles like Delicas. Cheers!Service: Body & TrimService: Body & Trim

  Miles Tarr-Raines
a year ago
We brought our 87 Vanagon in for a badly needed fuel tank reseal which they were able to knock out for us no problem. Josh was also great at pointing out a few small things they could do to help the van run better and keep us rolling along safely. I also appreciated that he kept me in the loop the whole week they had it with text and phone call updates. We will definitely be back the next time our van needs work!

  Kathleenleen McSpeert
a year ago
Josh is a great, passionate and honest mechanic who knows his way around a Vanagon.We were on a road trip and having an irregular but persistent issue with the 90 Westy not wanting to start in the afternoon on hot days. Other times it started fine. This is something that we were told could have dozens of causes and others were baffled by.We were able to get into Reference Automotive on short notice. Josh had it diagnosed, fixed and we were out in about an hour.An all around amazing experience. He would be our regular mechanic if we lived in Bellingham.Service: Electrical

  Jonah Keith
a year ago
Even though Josh is an acquaintance, he dramatically overcharged me. He was having a hard time removing my wheel bearing and it took him a long time due to lack of experience and limited equipment. He charged all of these hours (three times the going price). His work failed soon after I received my truck, but he told me it was normal for the bearing to leak oil at first. I had to move and couldn't bring it back in when it kept leaking. Now that I'm back, he's blowing me off and not covering his failed work since it has been over a year and he told me he only covers his work for a year. I brought it to another shop and they told me the seal was damaged and they needed to replace my drum brakes because of oil intrusion. Meanwhile, Josh continues to blame me for his failed work. Why would I make this up? It would be difficult to find lower quality or a higher price. Consider this a bad reference :)

  Bellingham Resident
7 months ago
Josh is honest and passionate about the work he does. Great work and backs up any misfortune, I d recommend him and would use him again

  B Byrd
6 years ago
Josh is conscientious and skilled. He has a true passion for vanagons.His experience is an asset to diagnosis and repairs.

  Ran Hinrichs
3 years ago
I drive up after a year. The owner and his staff remember me. They come out to greet me like I'm family who just drove up from California. They ask how it's been working, Big Blue, the 90 Vanagon. I say running like the German car of precision and hard work that it is. But, can you help me with a little problem. I had gotten my seat stuck. Sure, responds, Josh, with that "I got this smile of his". Josh Bell reaches to open the door, politely asking, "is it okay". Of course. Even Big Blue is smiling, she likes gentlemen. Josh analyzes, pulls out the passenger seat, disappears to get a torque wrench (with the special head for VW machinery circa 1990), he tightens the bolt, puts the seat back on, and says "you'll be fine now, enjoy driving". That all happened in five minutes, he says, no change - just "write me a good review, please. That's all I want". If you want a company to know you and care about you, this is it.Now come on. That's better than uncle Mikey. (Mikey would have charged me $20 bucks, that's just him). But, with Josh - it's 5 Star Service, Quality. and superb Customer Relationship that gets my business.Reference Automotive, the only way to drive in Western Washington.Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Ash Goddard
a year ago
Found Reference Automotive in a pinch and Josh stepped right up to get the work done in a snap. He then took the time to walk me through some other issues/questions with my weird JDM van. I'm looking forward to getting it even more dialed with his help soon!Service: ElectricalService: Electrical

  Stephanie He
5 years ago
Josh is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. We stopped by while he was about to leave, and he took the time to help us diagnose a battery issue under the seat, and direct us to where we could find a replacement battery. If we were local, Josh would be the trusted mechanic we go to with any future issues. Highly recommended!Our van: 93 Eurovan Weekender Westy

  Dale Chapman
4 years ago
Reference Auto does excellent work. Josh has a deep knowledge of Vanagons, is skilled at pinpointing the cause of issues and follows up with excellent and thorough work. We were very satisfied with the service, will use them again and would highly recommend them to other Vanagon Owners who need expert care for their vehicle.

  Tim Wallace
3 years ago
My Vanagon died on the way to North Cascades NP. We got a tip that Reference Auto was the place to go for prompt and knowledgeable service. We had the van towed there in the middle of the night and showed up at his shop the next morning with a rental and the hope that he could get the van fixed by the time we came back through - oh, and I had lost the only key to the van at this point as well. Josh was incredible. He let us set up our camp kitchen in front of his shop and make breakfast for the kids. He had the necessary parts on hand and in an hour he had the van running, three new keys cut and included a hideakey box to avoid similar catastrophe down the road. His knowledge of Vanagons was peerless, and his honesty, fairness and friendly, chill persona made a potential disaster into a fond memory and good fortune to have found such a VW gem. If you are ever in the region (I live 3 hours south and will be back) and need van work, there is only one place to go; Reference Automotive.Service: Electrical repair

  Robert Jorgenson
6 years ago
Reference Automotive is a little hard to find but they are worth the search!The night before a 3000 mile road trip I discovered that the rear brakes on my van needed adjusting. Even though it was a busy Friday with a shop full of vans, Josh took the time to adjust the brakes on my 89 Westfalia so that my vacation could continue. His work was excellent, he has a love for these vans that you need to have to tackle some of the idiosyncratic things that can go wrong. He maintains our rental vans and is always available when needed. Josh knows these vans inside and out and often can diagnose just by listening. He has never encouraged me to perform more work than necessary. Reference Automotive is truly part of the Westy community.

  Vanessa Veit
6 years ago
If you have a westy you know it is essential to find a good mechanic. after making to rounds in Bellingham I was steared towards Reference. I started going to Josh and haven't looked back. His prices are fare and his work is amazing. I have 3 automobiles that he has worked on and bringing them back to life is his talent!

  Dylan Walker
3 years ago
Picked up an '84 Vanagon in Bellingham and took some time to look at all of the shops in the area so I could have it looked since it had been sitting for a while. I chose this shop based off of reviews on Google and am very glad I did. These guys are a pleasure to work with and are very transparent about the work that needs to be done now and what can wait. My Vanagon is still in the shop so I'll update later on the work done. I live almost 2 hours away but think I'll come back here for all my vanagon needs just based off of the service I have recieved so farServices: Exhaust, Engine repair, Brakes, Oil change

  Emma Good
4 years ago
Honest, fair and truly care about diagnosing the correct problem with your car. I originally took my Toyota to the Toyota dealership, where they quoted me an insane amount, so I decided to reach out to reference automotive for a second opinion. Not only did they find out that the Toyota dealership misdiagnosed my car problem but they also saved me $2000 in the process. Never going anywhere else for work on my car.

  William Romey
2 years ago
Josh did an excellent job on several issues with my Westfalia. He is very knowledgeable and efficient with these vehicles. I highly recommend this place!Services: Electrical repair, General repairs & maintenance, Electrical, Auto engine diagnostic, Brakes, Air conditioningServices: Electrical repair, General repairs & maintenance, Electrical, Auto engine diagnostic, Brakes, Air conditioning

  John Nolte
6 years ago
Great shop and very fair prices for work performed. Used to use John's in Bellingham and since he has retired, went to Reference. Give them a try, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Like others have said, a little hard to find, but if I can find them anyone can. Ha.

  Dom Buker
a year ago
Great shop! They know how to correctly fix most anything on your classic VW or JDM Vehicle! Great people!

  Daniel Stephenson
4 years ago
I wish I knew as much about my job as these professionals know about their job. Came in well under estimate and great work. No hint of overwork or extra frills. Great job.

  Jaye Stover
3 years ago
Hey, they put a Subaru engine in my 1989 Vanagon and it is GREAT!!!! So thankful and an excellent job!Service: Engine repairService: Engine repair

  Bryan Langlois
4 years ago
Low key guys, but know their stuff when it comes to VW and very honest.

  John Erickson
4 years ago
Josh is a good guy and a honest mechanic.

  FinPlayZ
3 years ago
Called with a problem. They got me right in and took care of it. Great people and service

  Nick Xerox
4 years ago
Solid , honest , no nonsense mechanic