Even though Josh is an acquaintance, he dramatically overcharged me. His work failed soon after I received my truck, but I had to move and couldnt bring it back in. Now that Im back, hes blowing me off and not covering his failed work since it has been over a year. It would be difficult to find lower quality or a higher price. Consider this a bad reference :)

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

I drive up after a year. The owner and his staff remember me. They come out to greet me like Im family who just drove up from California. They ask how its 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 youll be fine now, enjoy driving. That all happened in five minutes, he says, no change - just write me a good review, please. Thats all I want. If you want a company to know you and care about you, this is it.Now come on. Thats better than uncle Mikey. (Mikey would have charged me $20 bucks, thats just him). But, with Josh - its 5 Star Service, Quality. and superb Customer Relationship that gets my business.Reference Automotive, the only way to drive in Western Washington.

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.

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

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 Ill update later on the work done. I live almost 2 hours away but think Ill come back here for all my vanagon needs just based off of the service I have recieved so far

Hey, they put a Subaru engine in my 1989 Vanagon and it is GREAT!!!! So thankful and an excellent job!

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.

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.

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.

Great shop and very fair prices for work performed. Used to use Johns in Bellingham and since he has retired, went to Reference. Give them a try, I dont think youll be disappointed. Like others have said, a little hard to find, but if I can find them anyone can. Ha.

Low key guys, but know their stuff when it comes to VW and very honest.

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

Josh is a good guy and a honest mechanic.

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 havent 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!

Solid , honest , no nonsense mechanic

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.