Winkler Automotive Service Center in
Gaithersburg (MD)

Thank you very much for your help when you guys were very busy. He even came out to my house to install a mirror to pass state inspection, was soon very helpful and if you're looking for a place to go, use Winkler and you will be soon happy!!

I had an amazing experience with Wrinkler Automotive! From start to finish, their customer service was outstanding. They fixed my car quickly and kept me informed every step of the way, which really gave me peace of mind. The team was kind, professional, and genuinely cared about making sure everything was done right. It’s not easy to find an auto shop that’s both efficient and compassionate, but they truly delivered on both. I’m so grateful for their help and would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking for honest, reliable, and friendly service. Thank you again , you all were amazing!

These gentlemen went above and beyond in providing great care and customer service. They also detailed my car on the inside for no extra cost. I bought in a car that was owned by my deceased brother. It had been sitting in his garage for at least a year+ with no one driving it - of course it wouldn’t start and it had a mouse nest in the engine. It was filthy - inside, outside, and under the hood. These guys not only got the car to start, cleaned and replaced filters, but also talked through other repairs - making it clear what needed to be done and what could be put off. They made sure I could drive the car from Gaithersburg to Houston! And it ran perfectly! Also, my brother had an expensive JVC sound system in the car, which no one had the security password for. They personally called JVC customer service to determine a fix. When I came to check on the car, we got JVC customer service back on the phone again and one of the guys patiently sat with me as JVC walked me through a rather detailed process to reset the system. Everyone I met were are all kind, smart, and professional. Also they give free snacks!

My experience at Winkler’s Automotive was the BEST!! First off, they diagnosed something that ended up only costing me half of what other shops were telling me that I needed. Secondly, they sent me this digital inspection report right to my phone with a bunch of pictures of things that were in good shape and some things that needed attention so I could see it for myself, there was no question about it. Also they ran a full maintenance report using my CARFAX history (didn’t even know that was a thing) to let me know what services Toyota had recommended I do at certain mileages, what I’ve had done and what was overdue, and they weren’t pushy about ANYTHING. They were glad to go over everything with me and prioritize each item to fit my budget AND they even worked with me on the price a little bit so that I could afford to take care of the most urgent items that my rav4 needed. Oh, and they even VACUUMED the inside of my car! It felt sooo good to be driving around in a clean car that I know was fixed up properly by the team at Winkler’s! THANK YOU JEFF & KADEN I WILL be back and if you’re out there reading this looking for the right shop to go to, take your car to Winkler’s, you WON’T be disappointed!!

I have had the pleasure to work with these guys several times, and I have to tell they are awesome. One of the things I value the most is that they are very honest, they are not telling you things your car does not have to charge you more or exaggerate things with the same purpose. They will do the right job, for the least amount, the right way. Therefore, feel confident and visit Winkler Automotive, you are in good hands.

I’ve been to Winkler Auto several times for my car. They’re my preferred service location because they do excellent work, often faster than expected, and are fantastic about updating you while work is ongoing.

I’ve been taking cars to Winklers for years. I always get great service. They are comprehensive, fast and reliable.

I'll start by saying Jeff and Matt were great and of tremendous help during the time they had both my wife's car, and my own. For my vehicle I initially went in for a suspected faulty battery, with suspicions of a larger problem, which unfortunately turned out to be the case. Luckily, even with the several issues that my car presented with, they worked tirelessly to get both our cars back to us by the following day, all the while providing constant updates about the vehicles problems and what they had done to address them. So if you're looking for a place that genuinely cares about you and your vehicle, while also providing excellent workmanship, look no further.

Very professional. Loaned me a car for the day since repairs needed were more extensive than anticipated. I will never go anywhere else.

Best service center in this area for sure. I’ve tried most of the shops around this area but this place is on another level. Amazing customer service, easy to talk to, and super helpful. They even gave me a discount. They definitely earned a customer for life.

The care and explanation was appreciated. They took me that day and had me out pretty quick on a Friday mid day. The photos they provided showing issues and the willingness to listen to the customer is also really appreciated. Thx again. We will be back as always.

Very friendly team, great experience. Will continue to take my car for all service work. Fully recommend!

Winkler provides EXCELLENT, PROFESSIONAL, HONEST service! It was the ONLY place that ACCURATELY diagnosed and fixed the issues causing my check-engine light to be on and my car to flunk DC inspection. Three other highly rated shops charged me diagnostic fees; one claimed to have fixed the problem (it had not) and the others gave me long lists of supposedly “urgent” repairs that would have cost megabucks and, as it turns out, would NOT have addressed any of the actual problems. Luckily, I called Winkler. Jeff, Winkler’s manager, was incredibly professional, patient and helpful. He immediately questioned the pricey fixes the other shops had pushed and assured me Winkler would get to the bottom of and repair whatever was going on. And it did! As promised, Jeff and his team thoroughly inspected my 2008 Honda Element, found the real culprits (missed by every other shop), repaired everything for a very reasonable price and kept in touch with me every step of the way (so there were no surprise costs at all). The result? My car sailed through inspection and runs better than it has in years. The bottom line: Winkler is the ONLY place that took the time to truly solve the problem, and it did so with integrity, expertise and fairness. I HIGHLY recommend It for outstanding quality, honesty, fair pricing, and professionalism. Winkler is the only place I’ll take my cars from now on!

It is with great disappointment that I write this review after being a loyal customer of Winkler's for over five years, servicing all four of my cars here. My last visit revealed the shop is under new ownership with new employees and a new computer system, and my entire service history was gone. I brought in my Honda CR-V for a blinking "D" drive light and paid a $190 diagnostic fee. The staff later informed me that the issue was likely "electrical or sensor related," but a full diagnosis would cost more with no guarantee of a reasonable price. The service advisor talked me out of pursuing the repair, saying the mechanic found no physical issues on a test drive. Hoping to get some value for the diagnostic fee, I asked them to inspect my worn ball bearings—an issue the previous mechanic had advised me to address soon. I was told the car "looks great" and my concerns were completely dismissed. Now, a month later, the very issue with the ball bearings that Winkler's failed to take seriously has come to fruition. My car is now not working because of their negligence, and I am forced to have it serviced at another shop for what will likely be a significant repair. I feel my $190 was taken for an inconclusive diagnosis, my valid concerns were dismissed, and I was rushed out the door. The commitment to customer satisfaction that defined the old Winkler's is gone. Sadly, my family and I will now be taking our business elsewhere.

I had a positive experience with the staff; they were very pleasant, attentive, welcoming, courteous, and helpful. Thank you for your great service. Thank you for fixing my car.

I had a dealer tell me I needed $2,000 worth of repairs when the car was in for a warranty issue. I took the car to Winkler and they charged me $53 to inspect all the issues and tell me there were no repairs needed. Honesty like that is something I value in a mechanic. I will only take my car to Winkler in the future.

I had a great experience at Winkler! The team was friendly, professional and easy to work with. They explained everything clearly and got the job done efficiently. It’s obvious they care about their customers and take pride in their work. I highly recommend Winkler to anyone looking for honest, reliable auto service.

I really wanted to like Winkler Automotive. The proximity to the MARC can't be beat, and the individuals I interacted with were very polite. Their facility is incredibly clean and their communication is better than any other mechanic I have been to. Unfortunately, my experience overall let me down. I brought my car in to help diagnose a mystery noise from my front wheel. I was informed up front that I would need to pay $80 for the diagnostic test for the brakes. A few hours later, I was notified that the rear pads were in need of replacement. This was odd, since the brake rotors and pads were replaced less than 15,000 miles ago. I spoke with Destani on the phone and explained that I can get the pads replaced under the manufacturer warranty, but would still like to get the noise from the front figured out. She explained to me that since the brake pads need to be replaced, I needed to have the rear pads and rotors replaced (quoted $716.27 for this) before they addressed the noise from the front. I tried asking again if they could take a look to diagnose the sound, since I paid $80 for the diagnostic fee, but I was told once again I needed to fix the rear brakes before they did anything else. Based on the reviews, it seems like my experience is not the norm, but I paid $80 and was no closer to solving the issue I brought my car in to get fixed. Frustrating.

Most of my communication was with Destiny. She was polite and professional. One of the things I like most about Winkler is their efficient communication via text. They keep you informed about every step of your car’s care and provide a detailed report on what they find and recommend how to proceed.

I’m very happy to have found a new mechanic. Since my old mechanic retired, it’s been difficult to find someone honest and transparent—until I discovered Winkler. They’re easy to work with, never use pushy sales tactics, and clearly explain and show everything they suggest. I’ll be servicing my cars here from now on

Very pleased with Winkler Auto Service. Love the communication and usage of technology to make it convenient for customers. I especially liked the comprehensive diagnostic report provided with must do items first. Also, scheduling an appointment was a breeze. I will be bringing my car back in the future without question! Thanks!

1. Everyone was very nice and took care of me politely and quickly. 2. Communication of expectations was very clear and easy. They use text messages to communicate timing of their inspections, estimates, repairs and shuttle service. If you don't text, theres probably other options such as email. 3. My car got inspected with Need Now, Need Later, and Everything OK types of levels for maintenance and repair. The repairs came with estimates that were very clear. Again, I got text messages when parts were ordered, delivered and installed. 4. My Audi got fixed. 5. I'm happy. This is a good place.

Per usual, Winkler was amazing. Had an issue with a vehicle. Less than a day later all was resolved. Since it was going to be at the shop, asked to check other things out as the vehicle is nearly 8 years old. They let me know, in a nice online report, exactly what was needed. And more importantly, what wasn't needed. When one of my vehicles needs service, I don't hesitate and bring and contact Winkler!

I brought my car in for repairs because it had no battery power and the alternator had failed. After the repair, my car now lacks proper engine power. When I returned to have the issue double-checked, I was told there would be a $20.00 fee just to re-inspect the work that was done less than two weeks ago. I find this unacceptable, as I believe the current issue may be directly related to the repairs your shop performed. I’m very disappointed with this experience and will not be bringing my car back to your shop in the future. I hope you reconsider how you handle post-repair follow-ups for returning customers. I don't think they appreciate returned customer as other repair shops in the area.

I am writing this review to warn potential customers about the declining quality of service at Winkler Automotive. My relationship with this establishment spans many years, and I have experienced a significant shift in their service standards since the change in ownership. In the past, under the original management, Winkler Automotive was a beacon of reliability and customer satisfaction. They frequently ran promotions and specials designed to attract new customers while also fostering loyalty among their existing clientele. These initiatives not only showcased their commitment to customer service but also helped build a strong community of satisfied customers who trusted them with their vehicles. For those who have been patrons of Winkler Automotive during its heyday, you will likely remember the impeccable quality of service and the unwavering honesty that characterized their operations. This reputation was a significant factor in my decision-making when I purchased my new car, a 2010 Dodge Challenger. At the time, they were offering a lifetime oil change program, which I eagerly signed up for, fully confident that the level of service would remain exceptional, just as it had been under the previous owners. However, my experience has drastically changed since the new management took over. I was disheartened to learn that they would not honor any of the commitments made by the previous ownership, including the lifetime oil change program that I had signed up for. This refusal to recognize prior agreements is particularly disappointing, especially for a business operating in a competitive market. It seems counterintuitive for a company to disregard the loyalty of its long-standing customers and to abandon the principles that once made it successful. In an effort to resolve this issue, I reached out to the new owner directly. I provided documentation of my purchase and explained the details of the oil change program, hoping to find a reasonable resolution. Unfortunately, the response I received was dismissive. The new owner made it clear that they would not honor the previous commitments and insisted that I would have to pay for each oil change as it became due. This experience has left me feeling frustrated and disappointed. It is disheartening to see a once-reputable business lose its way and fail to uphold the values that attracted customers in the first place. I hope that this review serves as a cautionary tale for others considering Winkler Automotive for their automotive needs. It is essential to be aware of the changes in management and service quality before making a commitment, as the customer experience may not be what it once was.

I recently had my Chevy Cruze repaired and I am incredibly pleased with the excellent experience at Winkler Automotive. From the friendly and knowledgeable staff to the thorough and efficient repairs, everything was top-notch. Originally, I came in as a second opinion for my turbo charger. I was told by another mechanic that the turbo charger was bad and needed replacement. Winkler Automotive explained the issue clearly, provided a fair estimate, and completed the work on time as well as a complementary loaner while the work was completed. In fact, it was not the turbo charger but leaves compacted in the air intake. I followed up with a tuneup and my car is running great. I highly recommend Winkler Automotive to anyone needing car repairs.

My family and I have been customers of Winkler Automotive for many years now. We, I, have really enjoyed the honest service we receive from them. This is important to me especially as I am a small woman and find most people dismiss me and think they can take advantage of me. Winkler has always spoken to me honestly and directly, and clearly answer any question I might have, even technical ones. They also reach out in a friendly way, if I haven't been in for awhile. On the phone, everyone I have talked to has been very down to earth and kind. We speak as if we're old friends, and in fact that is what we have become, whether or not I've met that person face to face or not. Every one is very helpful, listens closely, and offers the best service and ideas for my requests and needs. At the shop, drop off and pick up is just as pleasant. Every conversation is personal. I've never had a disagreement or conflict or felt like I wasn't being heard. I appreciate the ride service home, so that I can continue to accomplish things throughout my day. Winkler keeps in touch by letting me know when they start inspecting my car, then their diagnosis and suggestions. The diagnostic shows what is in dire need of attention, what doesn't need immediate attention, but should be watched, and then everything that is running great and looks good. It is always my choice what to spend my money on, and their diagnostics are honest and fair. Treating me like a person and speaking to me clearly in layman's terms is exactly why I and my family keep coming back to Winkler. If you're in need of auto services, I highly recommend Winkler.