B & L Auto

Larry Mertyl, or one of his employees, did some work on my BMW E60 5-​series a couple of years back, where they replaced the lower control arms. Apparently, whoever did the installation did not properly secure the nut on the ball joint. So over time, this gradually loosed, and eventually ended up popping right off! Luckily this happened while I was parking and moving less than 5 mph. If this had happened on the freeway going over 60 mph, I would have gotten into a serious accident, which, in the worst-​case scenario, could have resulted in my death! Stay away! Not worth risking your safety

Larry did a great job for me. I’ve been to mechanics all over the peninsula and none of the could fix the problem Larry took care of. He gave me a straight price, finished the work on time, and explained everything he did for me. He fixed a couple small issues I didn’t even pay him for. I’m very happy with the quality of the work. My transmission feels the best it has since I bought the truck.

I have known Larry since 1989. He has never steered me wrong. You can’t ask for a better mechanic. 5 cars and trucks and never a complaint.

Larry knows his stuff and he’s not out to wring every last cent out of you. His advice is solid and he’s fixed the shoddy work of other mechanics for me.

If you must get your car repaired, go to Larry. He is the Click and Clack (KQED fame) of the West – seasoned with a discerning eye and ear for diagnosing and repairing anything automotive. He replaced a catalytic converter in my 1994 HONDA Civic (148K) and could hear my worn front wheel bearings and see a torn axle boot – symptoms not noticed by my usual mechanic or me. My HONDA is running like a charm again and passed the smog test. :) Although his repair rates are reasonable *and he is worth his rates* the ~ $ 800 cost has me wanting to sell this gas-​powered car and buy an electric car possibly a ZENN. :)

I think that Larry is a great guy and really does care for his customers, but literally everything I’ve come in for has gone wrong again. I have come in for a lifter issue, power windows, fuel pump, and a transmission. The transmission is the only thing I haven’t had to have serviced again. That’s a little ridiculous. Maybe I am just bad luck for him, but I’ll take my chances elsewhere.

I agree with L.H. – Larry is the car god. Took my car here on the recommendation of someone who went to high school with him and have been taking my two cars here ever since. Have also recommended others to him. He tells you the problem in plain terms, how much it will cost to fix it, and he gets the work done promptly and swiftly. What he fixes stays fixed, and his workmanship is sound.

Larry knows cars. What he doesn’t know, he’s excited to learn.
Shop is a little messy, but as soon as I saw it I realized what was up – here’s a guy who loves what he does so much that he does it for fun. Owning a business is only an excuse. His personal projects are everywhere and are pretty awesome to check out.
He’ll take apart your car from top to bottom, call his 18 car-​nerd buddies scattered across the the country, figure out exactly what’s wrong, fix it, then explain the whole thing to you in a way you can understand. He won’t overcharge you, either.
Downside: he’s a little slow to return phone calls, and when he does he’ll talk your ear off. If you have a major mysterious issue with your car, you may not get it back for a while as he works his diagnostic magic. But when you do, it’ll be fixed. I’d rather have that than the other way around, so no real complaints.

Larry’s the only person who can fix my talon right. Enuff said.

Quite frankly, Larry is the car god. He will tell you what’s wrong, what’s not, figure the price, and that’s it. No negotiating, no bullsh*t, just straight up honesty and sound workmanship. I have recommended Larry to many, ever since he was recommended to me. I will never go anywhere else. I learned my lesson once following a «special» at another shop… long story short, Larry fixed their work and explained what had gone wrong. I trust him. Seriously. Larry is also brilliant and fun to talk to.
Update: Larry has also worked on my vintage travel trailer. He knows all about trailers, as he pulls vintage cars all over the place. Great work.