ASE Certified Auto Repair

“ASE Certified” appears on a lot of shop windows and means several different things. Here is exactly what it means here.

ASE is the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Its certifications are earned by passing tests in specific areas — engine repair, brakes, electrical, heating and air conditioning, suspension and steering, engine performance and others — and they have to be renewed every five years.

A shop can advertise "ASE Certified" if one person passed one test. That is why the wording matters.

What we actually hold

Multiple ASE Master Certified techniciansMaster certification requires passing the full set of core tests rather than one of them. We have more than one.
An ASE Advanced Master Certified technicianThe advanced level adds specialized diagnostic certification on top of Master. This is the person you want when the problem is genuinely strange.
ASE certified service writersThe people at the counter are certified too, which is unusual and matters more than it sounds. It means the person explaining the repair understands it.
A minimum of 40 training hours per technician per yearCars change. A shop that stopped training in 2015 is a shop that guesses on anything newer than 2015.

The other credentials

NAPA Gold Certified

One of the first shops in Colorado to hold it. It is what brings the nationwide Peace of Mind warranty that we then extend to 48 months.

AAA Approved Auto Repair

AAA inspects the facility, verifies the certifications and audits customer satisfaction. Shops get removed from this list.

Carfax Certified

We report your service to Carfax, so the maintenance history follows the car and shows up at resale.

Engine work done in house

Engine repair and replacement are carried out here rather than sent out, which is unusual for an independent shop and means one place is accountable for the job and the warranty.

Good Neighbor Garage partner

Through Hands of the Carpenter, helping put single mothers in reliable vehicles.

Certifications are not the point. They are just the part you can check before you trust somebody with your car.

Common questions

What does ASE Master Certified actually mean?

It means the technician has passed the full set of ASE core tests for their specialty rather than a single one, and keeps them current with recertification every five years. Advanced Master adds specialized diagnostic certification on top of that.

Does every shop with an ASE sign have Master techs?

No, and that is the useful question to ask. A shop can display ASE certification if one employee holds one certificate. Ask how many technicians are certified and at what level. Any shop that is proud of the answer will give it to you immediately.

Why does technician training matter for my car specifically?

Because vehicles change fast. Direct injection, turbocharging, hybrid systems, electronic power steering and advanced driver assist systems all arrived in the last fifteen years and all need procedures nobody learned in trade school in 2005.

What customers say

Reviews published on Google

5 out of 5

Dakota Ridge Auto provided great service. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful, the shop was quick and organized, and the mechanics were very knowledgeable. Top 3 things I loved: 1) Friendly service 2) Quick, organized repair… read the rest on Google

Zachary E.July 2026 · via Google

5 out of 5

Dakota Ridge Auto was incredibly efficient and friendly. I brought my car in for an oil change and the staff explained everything clearly while getting the job done quickly. I left feeling confident about the service and will definitely return for any future car maintenance.

Jeremy B.June 2026 · via Google

5 out of 5

I went to Dakota Ridge Auto for a tire swap. I didnt want new tires, just the snow tires swapped out. The friendly staff called me and told me one of my tires was bad and needed to… read the rest on Google

Ruth B.June 2026 · via Google

Read all reviews on Google

Want to know who will work on your car?

Ask when you call. We will tell you which technician and what they are certified in, because there is nothing to hide there.

Call 303-795-2600 Make an Appointment

Open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:30pm. Courtesy shuttle within about five miles.