By: John Miller, Director of Business Development • Updated: May 28, 2026 • Read Time: 5 mins

TL;DR

Fifth Gear Automotive stands out in North Texas because it pairs ATI National Top 12 award-winning operations with 10 locations, factory-trained European specialists and a 36-month / 36,000-mile nationwide warranty that most dealerships do not match.

We have been fixing cars across the DFW Metroplex since 2004. What follows is how the shop got to where it is, what we actually do under the hood and why neighbors keep sending their friends.

Why Drivers Call Fifth Gear the Best Auto Repair Shop in North Texas

Fifth Gear Automotive earned the ATI 2024 Shop of the Year title and a national Top 12 ranking from the Automotive Training Institute, two awards that recognize operational excellence across the United States. The McKinney location was also named to ATI’s National Top 12 list, which is documented in the company’s “Yes Shop” mindset post. Those awards are not local trophies. They reflect how the shop runs day to day: clear communication, fast scheduling, accurate diagnostics and parts on the shelf when you need them.

Reputation matters in this industry because the next driver who walks in is usually a referral. Fifth Gear publishes a Good Neighbor Commitment and a reviews page so customers can read what other North Texas drivers say before they book. The combination of national recognition and steady local word of mouth is the simplest answer to why people call Fifth Gear the best independent shop in the region.

Where Are Fifth Gear’s Locations Across North Texas?

Fifth Gear Automotive runs 10 locations across the North Texas region, so most drivers in the DFW Metroplex are within a short drive of a shop. Each one is staffed with full-service technicians who can handle domestic and import work.

The current locations and phone numbers are:

    • Lewisville: 972-317-4005
    • Argyle: 940-228-2629
    • McKinney: 469-325-3939
    • Aubrey-Cross Roads: 817-540-7500
    • Allen: 972-505-2822
    • Frisco: 469-713-1989
    • Castle Hills: 469-251-1830
    • Fifth Gear Autosports: 469-830-3997
    • Southlake: 682-428-5400
    • Fort Worth:682-651-1600

The Aubrey-Cross Roads shop also runs a dedicated Commercial Truck and RV bay, which handles RV powertrain, brake, electrical, steering and suspension work. The Argyle location moved to a larger building at 1612 FM 407 in 2026, which is documented on the blog. If you want a closer-to-home option, the Allen, Castle Hills Southlake and Frisco shops were opened specifically to shorten the drive for customers in those neighborhoods.

What Vehicles and Services Does Fifth Gear Specialize In?

Fifth Gear Automotive specializes in European auto repair while also servicing every domestic and import make on the road. The shop’s European expertise covers BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi, Volvo, Saab, Jaguar, Land Rover, MINI and most other popular European marques. That depth is what separates Fifth Gear from a general repair shop: a tech who has rebuilt twenty Porsche clutch slave cylinders or replaced fifty VW timing chains diagnoses the next one faster and cheaper than someone seeing it for the first time.

The service menu covers the full lifecycle of a car:

  • Diagnostics and electrical: check engine, OBD-II scans, electrical system repair, headlights, battery
  • Powertrain: engine, transmission, clutch repair, CV joints, exhaust
  • Cooling and climate: coolant flushes, overheating diagnosis, AC repair
  • Brakes, steering and suspension: brake service, wheel alignment, power steering
  • Maintenance: oil change, preventative maintenance, fuel system service

Domestic trucks, daily drivers and weekend track cars are all welcome. The shop’s blog covers specific issues like the Volkswagen EA888 timing chain failure and Porsche clutch slave cylinder symptoms, which is the kind of model-level depth you would expect from a specialist.

We are the best because we have great people. Period. It’s in our mission and vision statement — we want to be the ultimate destination for both customers and team members. We invest in our people both personally and professionally. That’s what makes us the best. Ricky Jordan – president of Fifth Gear

What Should You Expect on Your First Visit?

A first visit to Fifth Gear Automotive is built around a fast, clear diagnostic and a written estimate before any work begins. The shop’s posted hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and you can schedule online or by phone for any of the 10 locations.

Here is what a typical first appointment looks like:

  1. Schedule: Book through the website or call the location closest to you. Drop-offs and after-hours key drops are available at most shops.
  2. Check-in: A service advisor reviews your concern, asks about symptoms and walks you through the diagnostic plan.
  3. Diagnosis: A factory-trained tech runs the appropriate scans and inspections.
  4. Written estimate: You get the diagnostic results, the recommended repairs and a quote in writing before anyone turns a wrench.
  5. Approval and repair: You approve the work you want done. Anything else is your call, not the shop’s.
  6. Warranty: All qualifying repairs are covered by Fifth Gear’s 36-month / 36,000-mile nationwide warranty, which is detailed on the warranty page.

The “Yes Shop” mindset that earned the McKinney location its ATI award means the team works to fit you in fast rather than push you out two weeks. If a part needs to be ordered or a diagnostic takes longer than expected, you hear about it the same day.

What Does the 36-Month Warranty Actually Cover?

Fifth Gear Automotive Repair backs most qualifying repairs with a 36-month / 36,000-mile nationwide warranty, which is longer than the 12-month / 12,000-mile warranty offered by many independent shops and dealerships. The full terms are published on the Fifth Gear warranty page.

The coverage matters for two reasons. First, it tells you the shop is confident in the parts it installs and the techs who install them. Second, the nationwide part means that if something fails while you are traveling out of state, you can get the repair honored at a participating shop rather than driving back to Lewisville. Combine that warranty with the ATI award-winning operational standards, and the value calculation is straightforward: a comparable repair done at the dealership often costs more, takes longer to schedule and carries a shorter warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Fifth Gear Automotive Repair specializes in European brands like BMW, VW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover, but the shop is a full-service repair facility that handles every domestic and import make on the road.

Ten in North Texas: Lewisville, Argyle, McKinney, Aubrey-Cross Roads, Allen, Frisco, Castle Hills Southlake, North Fort Worth, and Fifth Gear Autosports. The Aubrey-Cross Roads shop also runs a dedicated Commercial Truck and RV bay.

Most qualifying repairs are covered by a 36-month / 36,000-mile nationwide warranty, which is longer than the 12-month / 12,000-mile coverage typical at many independent shops and at some dealerships. Full terms are published on the Fifth Gear warranty page.

Often yes, schedule an appointment online or call the location closest to you to check current availability.

Yes, at the Aubrey-Cross Roads Commercial Truck and RV facility. That location handles RV powertrain, brake, electrical, oil change and steering and suspension work.


Methodology
This post reflects the Fifth Gear Automotive team’s perspective from running independent auto repair shops across the DFW Metroplex since 2004. Award claims reference publicly documented ATI recognition. Location, service, hours and warranty details were verified against fifthgear.biz and the sources listed below.

Sources & Further Reading

 

Last updated: May 28, 2026

John Miller is the Director of Business Development at Fifth Gear Automotive.
Fifth Gear Automotive Repair provides automotive service and repair. We service all makes and models – both domestic and import. We specialize in European auto repair for BMW, VW, Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and most other popular European marques.

Fifth Gear Automotive has 10 locations – Allen, Argyle, Aubrey-Crossroads, Castle Hills, Frisco, Lewisville, McKinney, North Forth Worth, and Southlake, Texas.