Hackel's Foreign Car Services in Albany
1372 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12205, United States
Business Hours
Services
Photo Gallery
Reviews
Most Mentioned
There's kind of a ramshackle vibe to the place, but what can I say, when it comes to VW, they are trustworthy folks who know their stuff.
Took the car in to get the coolant system looked at and they treated us very well. Thankfully the car didn't require any work but I plan to bring the car back to Hackel's the next problem that arises
I highly recommend Hackel's garage in Albany for any VW or Audi service. They are the only shop dedicated to VW/Audi in the NY Capital District. I brought my very high mileage GTI in to have the rear main seal replaced in hopes of fixing a lean running and multiple misfire condition. Bobby Hackel worked on my car and did an excellent job. It's a very labor intensive procedure that requires transmission removal that many garages won't even do. Bobby communicated progress to me over the few days that it took and even texted me a picture of the bad seal. He returned to me a perfectly running car for a very reasonable price. I especially appreciate that Bobby was recovering from a pretty bad illness while working on my vehicle. I can't recommend this shop enough. They have been open and family run for over 50 years and eat, sleep and breath VW!
Visiting Albany for Benefit shows at MVP arena this weekend. Sudden issue with my cars EPC dashboard light. Called on Saturday at 10:30 am, and by 11:30 am a new coil was installed and we were back on the road. Bob fixed us up with a smile, quickly and affordably!!
Needed a battery for my car. The dealership wanted to charge me over $500, and wanted me to make an appointment. I called Hackel's, and the gentleman who answered the phone took my car in right then, and replaced the battery for a reasonable price. He has such a kind and friendly demeanor, and he knows his Volkswagens. I will definitely be back!
On our way to New York, our tour bus broke down and we needed a fix, but all truck shops around were closed. Luckily, this place was open. Although, they don't service buses, they provided us with the supplies we needed to get the bus going. The owner and employees were very friendly and hospitable. They let us stay on their lot and kept us company while some of our crew was fixing the issue. Great place and even greater people, thank you!
Whether you have an old car or a new one, this is the place to go. I brought my Jetta in for repairs that I couldn’t handle on my own, and Bob had everything done in under an hour for a price that was more than fair. He was also incredibly accommodating with my schedule. After searching Reddit for a reliable mechanic, I saw several people recommending Hackels, and now I understand why. I’ve tried other foreign car specialists in Albany, but I often felt overcharged for subpar work, or I couldn’t even get a call back. Being new to the area, I needed a trustworthy and skilled mechanic, and Bob definitely exceeded my expectations. If you need work done on your Audi, VW, or any other make or model, I cant recommend Hackels enough.
Only guy I trust with my VW 181, Bob is the Best!
These guys know their stuff
3400$ gone down the drain my car sit for almost two years finally he told me put the insurance back on so he can fix my car well he did my car was saying advance over timing I let him know about it he tell me its fine he said I should drive the piss out it , so now I put two and two together he wants me to break my engine Expect to buy a car from me this people will hack your car for real
Great honest men .Would recommend to any woman who is nervous about trusting a mechanic.
Brought my 2019 VW Tiguan in for an oil change and a check engine light. It was throwing code P 0491, at first they suggested to replace the battery, when that didn t work they replaced a sensor and it was still popping up. Over $400 later and still no fix and they told me to chase it down . Well I d rather not throw money away so I took my car to Broadway Auto, and not only did they correctly diagnose the issue but they fixed it the same day. Do yourself a favor and don t go to the hack of a shop, Hackel s.
Cheap, quick, and honest
Amazing service and prices! Fit me in same day too
Could find anyone who could fix my VW golf door latch! Then some said Hackels can do it. They did! What an awesome job! They also were surprisingly quick! Thank you! The price was right!
Always amazing & very nice folks
This place is a gem. All good things to say about Hackels. Extremely nice, knowledgeable and fair. Complete opposite experience here compared to my bad experience with Audi of Albany. Glad this place exist. Very happy with Hackels service. I would no question recommend!
Great service
We had multiple issues with my 2009 Volkswagen Beetle. My tail light and break light was broken, check engine light was on, and trunk didnt say open. We spent spent about 6 months trying to find a mechanic that knew how to fix this. The DEALERSHIPS charged us hundreds of dollar and never even figured out the problem (the hundreds was on parts btw) and I didnt realize you can order CHEAP parts though hackels. This man fixed all the problems with my car in under 10 minutes. Very competent, knowledgeable and friendly, perfectly priced. I spent so long stressing over all these problems, and it was all fixed so Im impressed and will be coming back :) save urself money and dont go to a vw dealer!! Or any fancy dealer!
Outstanding customer service
First off my GTI was at the dealer for misfire and camshaft related issues and they just threw parts on hoping for the best. Couldnt fix it. Then I learned about Hackels and they diagnosed the issue very quickly and got me back on my way fast and it runs better than ever now. I will definitely will go here from now on, its obvious they take pride in their work and are honest.
Fast service, very reasonable and great experience
The place to go for service on VW and Audi vehicles. Hackels has the most honest and competent techs. Im always satisfied and even educated after a visit.
Always owned Volkswagens, always went to Hackels with them. The Best
Bobby is the best. Thanks again!
Bob Helped me with an ongoing problem that was over looked by other mechanics. Living with exhaust fumes in my cabin for sometime. Bob made the repair and done it in short time. Five Stars thank you !
Misdiagnose issues and fix the wrong thing.
Great service!! Awesome staff friendly and honest!! As long as I have a Volkswagen Hackelss will be my mechanic!!
Seem to be one of the few people that actually know their stuff regarding Volkswagens. Wouldnt take my car to anyone else.
Great knowledgable VW guys.
Always goes above and beyond.
This is the best shop to take your VW / Audi to. Professional, honest, trustworthy, and excellent mechanics.
Im extremely pleased with services provided by Bob and Mike through the years for my VWs; 1999 Jetta and currently a 2010 Passat CC. Good, honest, knowledgeable guys that charge reasonable fees. I have and will continue to recommend VW owners to have their vehicles serviced with Hackels.
Great spot mechanics did a great job on my GTI dramatically cheaper than going to dealer.
Way over priced
Great service
Positive - Value for money. Does a good job in repairing in your VW. Negative - Communication.
READ FIRST BEFORE GOING TO THIS BUSINESS I have a 2012 vw SportWagen,Spent at least a $1000 at this place on tires and also front end issues on my car to find out after all that the dumby didn t balance my tires when after I bought the tires all brand new ones he should ve done that but didn t and also didn t tell us until today very shadey also they do guess work and not test work I know this because when I told them that I was still having shaking in my car after I took it to him for the 3rd time he tells me oh well it s gotta be the other side referring to a axle part,I paid for the other side to be done and he THOUGHT it would be the other side without looking at the right side of my cars front end stay away from this business unless u like to pay idiots to screw around and not do what needs to be done to your car!!!!
Mike is great. Come check them out for all your VW needs. Thanks guys.
Great place for vw repairs. Been using them for 18 years!
Good people wish theyd let me wrench we would have some good ole times
Knowledgeable staff very trustworthy confident every time I have to go there
When I first bought my 2011 VW from a private sale I was excited. That was very short lived as I soon discovered that I paid $3500 for a paper weight. I had put in $10,000 into the car before finding Hackles. Since then I have only had to pay for basic maintenance and when I did just recently have a major issue I tried, YET AGAIN, a shop close to home only to pay for my car to be looked at and told they couldnt figure out the problem. $110 later it was at Hackles for about an hour and I was told it was ready for pick up and my issue had been fixed. As long as I own this car Hackles will be my go to place!
These guys are a little rough around the edges with customer service BUT overall really nice. Family owned and operated. As a woman I dont feel that they take advantage of me and I trust them, which is a wonderful thing if you are a woman and have experienced bad car care. Been here multiple times and feel their prices are reasonable. I have asked many questions (which honestly are basic knowledge about cars that I dont know) about various things and they have answered them truthfully without being condescending or irritated by my lack of knowledge. I own a VW Jetta. Brought my Mom there for her car and they did alright by her too. Worth a stop!
Fantastic. Quick service, kind people, reasonable prices. Top notch
Mike and Bob really take care of my car well!! good people..
Been a customer for 20+ years and wouldnt go anywhere else! Mike is an excellent mechanic (knows what hes doing or finds out what needs to be done, does it or lets me know where to get it done) and honest! Bob and Bobby are terrific people - honest and accountable, and know cars. I trust them implicitly and highly recommend! Also helps that theyre on the bus line, so when I drop off my car, I can still get to work.
Hackel? more like hack. i bought my first car there. Bob Sr. told me the oil change, and air filter would be done before the car was given back to me. well one day it just wouldn t start because no one changed the oil and i had no idea. i had driven it 1,000 miles with no oil. i m surprised it didn t explode. but after that it was downhill. the car had so many issues. it died a year after i bought it. throughout that year i maybe got to drive it 3 months. there s also the fact they sold me a broken radiator. don t shop here. 0 stars. ALSO THEY PUT A DEISEL THERMOSTAT IN A GAS CAR. REALLY? but told me it was mechanically sound. it was 75% zip ties.
Great people great micanics
Honest and very good
These guys are great, My daughters car was towed there for possible repair. She was visiting a friend at college in Troy when her car broke down, she is from central Mass and I did not know anyone in the area.. I found them to be friendly and honest in that they said they could not do a repair. If I lived up there I would definitely use them for my repairs !!!!
Dropped off a 2007 Passat with a check engine light, picked up one with way more (parking brake, low oil pressure and low tire pressure) the car was there for a month couldn t keep track of who I was or the service they did on my Passat charged me 250 said they changed oil, an ignition coil, and replaced a caliper (don t know if it was actually seized) called and they told me to bring it back and they d line up a used parking brake module. I took the car to sounds and motion car audio in Voorheesville where Edgar had it less than a week, and picked it up with no lights on and an inspection complete. I would never recommend hackels they claim to be vw experts but my car audio installer did a better job fixing mine
Great service and people here. Forgot who I worked with but was older gentleman. Called them at 8am asked if they could take care of a major coolant leak and they said yes and had a referral tow service. Brought it in, told me hed call me by 11 with problem. Gave me the call and said hed have it fixed by 1pm. Went in she was waiting for me, problem solved. Impressed with quick turnover and honest evaluation. This will be my go to spot for my Audi in the capital region.
Its rare to find an auto repair shop that is completely honest and trustworthy, but this is one of them. Glad we found someone who does quality work at a reasonable price!
Friendly and efficient. Tough parking as they have a small lot but Ill trade that for trustworthiness any day.
Its simple, these guys know VW and can get the job done at a very reasonable cost. Friendly, experienced, and fair. My Beetle TDI runs like new again after 170,000 miles. Very satisfied, would recommend.
I brought my 1987 VW Bus to Hackels to have them look at a performance issue. I have owned VW Buses for the last 8 years, so I have more than a clue about the mechanical and performance problems I could have. I left the bus at their shop at 8:30 a.m. and returned at 5:00 p.m. and spoke to the mechanic who looked at my bus. He told me took it for a short ride and there was nothing wrong with it. I told him to return my keys and they will never touch another one of my VWs for as long as I live. My suggestion to anyone and all is to take your VW to another independent VW shop if you want quality work, and competent mechanics. Stay away from Hackels if you value your car.
