i don't normally write reviews online, but i had to for independent audi & vw - fares is incredible!! i've always brought my volkswagen to the dealership since i hadn't found an independent mechanic that i trusted, and i would never go back after finding his shop. i drive up to pasadena from long beach just to have my car serviced there. in fact, i am looking at new cars and am leaning towards getting another volkswagen over a mini, just because i'd like to continue going to fares. good, honest, quick and affordable mechanics are so few and far between, i feel really lucky to have found this shop. from the first time i brought my car there, everyone at the shop has always been incredibly helpful, kind and polite. fares has caught a million things that other places (including the dealership) have done wrong while working on my car. he has always been incredibly trustworthy and also very sweet in explaining to me what is wrong, since i know very little about cars. several times he's diagnosed a simple problem or replaced a bulb for me and sent me off with no charge. my car is older (2000) with a lot of miles (almost 170k), and after a slew of recent problems i was convinced that i just needed a new car. then i found independent audi & vw,who've really breathed new life into my car.i would definitely recommend this shop to anyone looking for a new mechanic, they are GREAT!