Customer reviews of an auto repair shop in Duluth, MN

What Duluth Drivers Say About Foreign Affairs

A 4.6 rating across more than 160 Google reviews, built over 35 years mostly by word of mouth.

Call (218) 722-2246

Rated by the people who use us

4.6 Google, 162+ reviews
4.8 CARFAX
A+ Accredited since 2006 BBB
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Google

Rated 4.6 on Google, Across 162+ Reviews

Almost nobody finds this shop through advertising. They find it because a neighbor, a coworker or the person who sold them the car told them where to go. That is what 35 years in one location buys, and it is also the only reason a rating like this holds up over that long.

4.8 on CARFAX A+ on BBB
Call (218) 722-2246

In Their Words

A selection of what customers have said. The themes repeat: honest pricing, work explained properly, and problems solved that somewhere else had already given up on.

CARFAX
“A very difficult job involving searching for parts and information carried out perfectly.”
2016 Land Rover LR4 HSE
CARFAX
“Really appreciated positive interaction and expertise to get my car back on the road to continue my travels with confidence.”
2010 Mazda Mazda3
CARFAX
“Very efficient, they follow through with what the cost would be to complete the job.”
2003 Volvo XC70
CARFAX
“Good, honest and knowledgeable people.”
2010 Audi Q7 Premium
CARFAX
“Followed through on a repair that needed tweaking. That's good service.”
Marlene2003 Volvo XC70
CARFAX
“Prompt and efficient brake check while also looking into a more generic sound I described in a thorough matter. Always friendly and honest!”
2013 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab
CARFAX
“Independent shop with years of experience and great service.”
2020 Audi Q5 Premium Plus
CARFAX
“Professional and personable. Jeff and Andrew are welcoming and address any concerns.”
2022 Audi SQ5 Premium
CARFAX
“Great quality and customer service!”
2021 Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge Inscription
CARFAX
“We are always in good hands at Foreign Affairs!”
2015 Volvo XC70 T6 Premier+
CARFAX
“Always treat us well and don't try to oversell stuff we don't need.”
Kevin B.
CARFAX
“I've been a customer for many years. The service always is excellent!”
2016 Volvo XC70 T5 Premier
CARFAX
“Professional, high quality services.”
2013 Volvo XC60 T6
CARFAX
“This is our favorite shop. They are honest and reliable. My old car is doing great under their great work.”
2013 MINI Cooper S Countryman
CARFAX
“I had my oil changed. Good service.”
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited
CARFAX
“Always extremely helpful and thorough.”
2016 Volvo XC70 T5 Premier
CARFAX
“Kept us appraised of the work required and timeline.”
2021 MINI Cooper SE
CARFAX
“Always honest and helpful. Tells me exactly what I need and don't need done. When a sensor told me to check brakes, they said the pads were worn to about 20% but it could be driven safely for a while yet. I chose to replace them now. The price I pay is never more than the estimate unless they talk to me first. They stand behind their work. For example, I had them mount winter tires on a set of used wheels. When a bead leaked they remounted the tire at no charge. They didn't blame the problem on used tires or wheels, which is probably the cause. They just made sure it would hold air.”
2011 Volkswagen GTI
CARFAX
“I've been doing business with Foreign Affairs for over 50 years (1967 TR-4A, 1974 TR-6, 1992 Audi and a 2014 Mercedes E350) and the service was excellent.”
2014 Mercedes-Benz E 350 4MATIC
CARFAX
“Great service at convenient time.”
2020 Tesla Model 3
CARFAX
“They know their craft. They stand behind their work. They spend time explaining what they worked on. They are fair. They keep a record of my car maintenance and recommend work that will extend the life of my car. I would recommend them to anyone and won't trust anyone else with my car.”
2010 Volvo XC60 T6
CARFAX
“Pleasant employees, timely service, comparable prices, convenient location.”
2011 Volvo XC60 3.2
CARFAX
“Excellent service! Great personnel, mechanics, and personal follow up on my car's issue.”
2015 Volvo XC70 3.2 Premier
CARFAX
“Always helpful and friendly.”
2024 MINI Cooper S
CARFAX
“Always great service. Thank you.”
2002 BMW 325xi
CARFAX
“I liked everything about the service. I gave them 5 stars because they listened to my concerns and acted on solutions. As a woman in this world of autos, it is nice to be treated like I can understand a thing or two about car maintenance.”
2010 Volvo XC60 T6
CARFAX
“Friendly and thorough service!”
2012 MINI Cooper Clubman
CARFAX
“It was a busy day at the shop! That said, I was still promptly kept in the loop on progress, and the work was done within the hour, as promised. Thank you!”
2014 Mercedes-Benz ML 350 4MATIC
CARFAX
“The communication from the team was phenomenal. Service was timely and on point.”
2016 Lexus RX 350
CARFAX
“Great folks and service. Did what I wanted, without doing too much.”
2014 MINI Cooper S Clubman
CARFAX
“Company was honest and I feel fair priced. They did what they said they would do and had it done when they said it would be done. We have no issues after getting the car back and would highly recommend them to anyone.”
Macdougall C.
CARFAX
“HONESTY. Jeff tells me what needs to be done and charges fairly for the work. Even better, he will tell me what doesn't need to be done. I recently had rear brakes replaced on my GTI. At 160,000 miles the work was due. At the same time I asked they check the clutch. The clutch pedal engages higher than it did 100k ago. They could have told me it needed to be replaced. Instead Jeff test drove the car and said the clutch was performing great and my car was in good condition.”
2011 Volkswagen GTI
CARFAX
“Prompt attention to customer and very good service.”
2010 MINI Cooper
CARFAX
“High quality service, knowledgeable.”
2014 BMW 320i xDrive
CARFAX
“I've been taking my car to Foreign Affairs as long as it has been in business. Their work is top quality. Any part they have to replace they show me the worn part and explain why it had to be replaced. Jeff has unmatched knowledge of vehicles and customer service.”
2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS
CARFAX
“Professional, skilled, friendly, timely. Foreign Affairs has been taking excellent care of my cars for thirty years.”
2004 BMW Z4 2.5i
CARFAX
“For the past 15 years, we have had several vehicles serviced at Foreign Affairs and always to our satisfaction.”
2015 Volkswagen Touareg
CARFAX
“Jeff and his staff are very knowledgeable as well as friendly. Great work and fast service as well. Recommend to anyone in the Duluth MN area.”
2019 Dodge Durango R/T
CARFAX
“Always high quality service at Foreign Affairs!”
2015 Volvo XC70 T6 Premier+
CARFAX
“Professional, honest and service oriented. Thanks.”
2015 Volvo XC70 T6 Premier
CARFAX
“Friendly, professional, helpful and sustainable. What's not to like?”
2016 smart fortwo
CARFAX
“Very courteous and gave updates on the progress. Another part was needed that they couldn't get that day, so they had me come back. I live three hours away. They didn't charge me for the extra part labor. Will definitely use them again.”
2014 Acura MDX Tech
CARFAX
“They always take great care of my Mini!”
2017 MINI Cooper Clubman ALL4
CARFAX
“Personable. Went the extra mile. Knew what they were doing.”
2017 BMW 330 xDrive GT
CARFAX
“Always do a great job! A nice repair experience.”
2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country Premier
CARFAX
“Great experience, professional.”
2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country Premier
CARFAX
“The guys at Foreign Affairs always take great care of my Mini and me!”
2017 MINI Cooper Clubman ALL4
CARFAX
“Honest and transparent, the crew here will get your vehicle back in shape with your budget in mind.”
2005 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab
CARFAX
“Very nice experience, fair and professional.”
2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country Premier
CARFAX
“The service was great as always!”
2008 Volvo XC90 3.2
CARFAX
“I have been going to this garage for over 30 years and cannot say enough positive things about their service.”
Kvheltzer H.
CARFAX
“Excellent customer service.”
2018 Honda Pilot EX-L
CARFAX
“They have been servicing my 2004 BMW Z4 since I bought it new in May 2004. I would not consider taking my cars anywhere else.”
2004 BMW Z4 2.5i
CARFAX
“The service was great as always. We had to wait a week to have the service done but it was worth the wait.”
2013 MINI Cooper S Countryman
CARFAX
“Excellent work. Very friendly staff. Will return for service in future.”
2017 Audi Q5 Premium Plus
CARFAX
“Very hospitable, professional and person-oriented services. Very prompt and time efficient.”
2012 Mercedes-Benz GL550 4MATIC
CARFAX
“As a customer for 30+ years, I continue to appreciate the courtesy, competence, and general attitude of Jeff and his staff.”
2004 BMW Z4 2.5i
CARFAX
“They know their stuff. And they are honest.”
2017 BMW X5 xDrive35i
CARFAX
“Awesome experience and highly recommend them!”
2011 Volkswagen Golf
CARFAX
“They get really busy here but it is well worth the wait to bring your car in. They are very honest and dependable.”
2013 MINI Cooper S Countryman

01

The price came in well under the dealer

The most repeated theme by a wide margin, and it is most pronounced on labor-heavy work where an independent shop rate compounds across the whole job.

02

They found what somebody else could not

A steady share of the cars here have already been to another shop. Proper testing rather than parts substitution is what usually ends that.

03

They told me what could wait

Customers notice when a shop separates urgent from eventual instead of presenting one long list.

04

The same people every time

35 years in one building means you are not re-explaining your car's history to a new face each visit.

05

It was explained so I understood it

Plain English rather than a printout of fault codes. If a repair does not make sense to you, ask us to go through it again.

06

They said no when it was not worth it

Being told a repair is not economic, or belongs at a dealer, is the thing customers remember longest.

Foreign Affairs, the Dealership, and the Quick-Lube Chain

Same car, three very different afternoons. Here is the honest version, including the row where we are not the right answer.

You're hereForeign Affairs
The dealership
A quick-lube chain
Manufacturer-level scan toolsNot a generic code reader
Works on more than one foreign make
Tells you what can wait until next time
Factory warranty and recall work
Best for
Keeping a foreign car healthy past 100,000 miles without dealer pricing.
Warranty claims, recalls and anything still covered by the manufacturer.
An oil change when you have 20 minutes and nothing is wrong.

Swipe the table sideways to see every column →

Yes Sometimes No

We left the row we lose on right in the chart. If your car is still under factory warranty for the repair you need, we will tell you to go to the dealership. We would rather say it here than after you have driven over.

Better Business Bureau

A+ Rated and BBB Accredited Since 2006

Foreign Affairs of Duluth has been a BBB Accredited Business since 2006 and holds an A+ rating. Google reviews are the fullest picture of what it is like to bring a car here, but they are not the only record — the Better Business Bureau keeps its own file, including any complaints and how they were resolved.

We would rather point you at it than hope you do not look. If you are weighing up an independent shop you have not used before, an outside record you can check yourself is worth more than anything we could write on this page.

  • A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
  • BBB Accredited Business since 2006
  • Complaint history and resolutions, kept by the BBB not by us
See our BBB profile

Common Questions

On the Google Business Profile for Foreign Affairs of Duluth. That is where the 4.6 rating and the review count come from, and it is public.

We appreciate them, but the rating is built mostly on people who wrote one without being asked. That is what makes it worth anything.

Call the shop at (218) 722-2246 and tell us. We would far rather hear it directly and put it right than read about it later.

By phone at (218) 722-2246, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Appointments are not taken online.

Visit Our Duluth Auto Shop on East Ninth Street

Address

722 E Ninth St
Duluth, MN 55805

Shop Hours

Monday8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Parking and Drop-Off

We are in the East Hillside neighborhood, a few minutes up from downtown Duluth and an easy run from Lakeside, Congdon, Woodland and Piedmont. Parking is free on site. If you need to leave the car before we open, call ahead and we will sort out the key.

Appointments are made by phone, not online. Call during shop hours and you will talk to someone who can tell you when we can actually get the car in.

Call the shop
Foreign Affairs 722 E Ninth St
Duluth, MN 55805
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