German Motor Car Service

I absolutely love this place! Getting my car worked on is the one thing I dread! All the uncertainty that comes along with it. I’ve been taking my car here for years and have had honest, reliable service every time. I love Herbert. Thank you!

I reviewed this business a couple of years ago, Unilocal just showed me that. It’s still accurate. Here is the one I was writing today:
I’ve been taking three Mercedes to Mr. Richter for about four or five years now. Many times he is able to tell me on the spot what he thinks it is, sometimes he will say it might be this or might be that. Most of the time it is not as bad as I was expecting. His service is always excellent. I have never had to bring the car back to him because it wasn’t fixed. He is honest as can be. He has always had my car ready when he said it would be. He is always calm and pleasant and his prices are so much more reasonable than the dealerships, which is why I started bringing my cars to him in the first place. Thank you Herbert Richter.

I have a few older mercedes cars that need things from time to time. These days no one at the dealers even knows how to work on them. There are a few good mechanics around who specialize in the classic stuff as well as the newer stuff, and Herbert is one of them. He usually has at least a couple of Gullwing or 300sl type cars in there along with other sedans and coupes from the 50s through 80s. He also repairs a lot of gwagens or so it would seem from my trips there. He tools around in an old black mid 80s 300tdt with a totally mint chestnut brown leather interior. Old school.
He isn’t particularly cheap but the work gets done right and he doesn’t make problems up. If he says fix it you should just go ahead and do it, because if it didn’t matter he wouldn’t say that. Sometimes he will ask what you plan to do with the car before making a recommendation, which is nice. And he will offer the cheapest good alternative available — at least he always has for me.
Don’t expect him to be all excited to have you bring in the water pump your dad’s mechanic back east thought was the right one for him to install. That is just rude, sort of like showing up to a restaurant with your own food. And don’t expect him to interrupt his lunch, for the same reason. This guy has forgotten more about old mercedes cars than most mechanics will ever know, so if you need someone like that, look no further.

I send over my Mercedes S500, today with AAA, driver called, that they don’t want my car.
I jus called today to confirm that AAA is taking my car. And yesterday I talk to office, and they told me what paper I need to send for smog check — it not passed. NOW I NEED TO PAY 17 MILE TO AAA FOR BRINGING MY CAR BACK. This German Herbert has not learned American manners, rude person. Im not a first one to complain on Herbert. If you are looking for Mercedes repair shop, don’t go here, take your business elsewhere.

My experiences with this shop have been mixed. Actually, they had been great up until this morning, when I experienced for the first time a little bit of what the negative reviews here reported. I had a CLK for almost 10 years, took it to Jeff’s Auto in West LA for a bit, then to Herbert’s (much closer to home — he seemed honest and helpful, and Jeff’s new-​at-​the-​time guy Louis rubbed me the wrong way.)
I sold my CLK and got a hybrid about a year ago, and like Tisha, I was sad that Herbert would no longer be my mechanic. At the time I was actually glad that I’d sold it to one of his friends, so that I knew that Herbert would get the business from it.
My parents still have three Mercedes (two older), and we’ve taken at least one of the older ones there for random things. The a/​c compressor on the older E class is shot, and my dad somewhere got a hold of one. I don’t really know where he gets these ideas, but I was just passing the message along. So I gave Herbert a call this morning, and upon hearing this, Herbert turned very cold, said he didn’t have time, that I couldn’t even make an appointment for him to take a look later, and could not recommend anyone else to try, noting that I’d just have to shop around to see if anyone wants to do it. It’s not even my car!
I don’t know much about the automotive repair business, but perhaps the margins on just labor are not all that and he also needs to sell the parts? You might be fine if you just go there for more standard things as I had in the past (and are interested in buying more than labor), but just know that that cold, unhelpful streak definitely exists.
I suppose now I am glad that I sold my Mercedes (I loved that car), but I am very disappointed that we will have to find a new independent Mercedes mechanic for my parents’ cars.

I took my 1972 280 SE there for the first time in 1979. Since then I have taken each of my successive Mercedes cars to Herbert for service. I have been a continuous customer for over thirty five years and wouldn’t dream of going to another mechanic. It is a pleasant family run shop and as good as it gets!

The best, most honest, efficient Mercedes repair place ever! Been going there for 25 years and just love Herbert and his entire staff.

Herbert and his team have been working on Mercedes’s for DECADES and knows his stuff! Couldn’t recommend him more highly!!! If you have any problems with your Mercedes, do yourself AND your car a GREAT favor and take it to the BEST, BAR NONE!

Two of my best friends had told me years ago that I should go see Herbert with my 1994 MBZ Cabriolet. I was satisfied with my long time mechanic and being a loyal customer, I stayed with him. Then my long time mechanic retired and sold the business. I had been bouncing around mechanic shops since. I then remembered my friends recommendation from 20 years before. l called them to see who their current mechanic was. Still Herbert, after 20 years and they were happier than ever. I must say that these 2 friends are among the most particular people I have ever known. So, I went to see Herbert with a couple of large issues with my car. He repaired what was needed and at welcomed reasonable prices. I now have a new trusred mechanic.

I dealt with a mechanic named Herbert. I went to him to check out my car before a LAS vegas trip. He put the car on the hoist as I waited and came back with a long list of needed repairs totaling $ 1760. With my surprise, safety was my first priority and as I debated to ok the work or not i decided to get another opinion. He then claimed that the car was unsafe to release back to me and when I threatened to call the police he THREW the keys on the ground in front of me, he even refused to give me any written documentation of what he alleged was wrong with it. i took the car to another mechanic A to Z in the Marina and I told him the story. he kept the car for 24 hours and I picked it up and it was $ 280. Herbert, you are a jerk and thief I just feel bad for all the other suckers who you scam,.

My first time to see Herbert. Recommended by German Car Repair in West LA because they do non-​MBZ cars, and for MBZ they refer to Herbert.
Wow. I wanted to fix the inside door handle for my SL500 and I asked about the ABC light that stays on, and he said he would check it. Well, I was pleasantly surprised when I paid for the door handle repair and there was no charge for the «rodeo», which Herbert did without telling me. Rodeo is the testing/​bleeding of the ABC system. Other shops quoted me $ 150 just to diagnose and rodeo the car. Herbert did not even tell me he did it, and there was no charge.
I thought customer service like this disappeared when I grew up. I will always stick with Herbert from now on!!!

The gearshifter on my vintage Mercedes was stuck in neutral. Herbert fixed this in 10 minutes and wouldn’t take a payment.
I couldn’t speak more highly of them

The trunk on my 1996 S500 wouldn’t close (fixed in open position). I was met by the owner and he said he’d take a look at it so I took a seat in the office. A few minutes later he said, «You can go now.» I said, «Is it fixed?» He said, «Yes.» I said, «What do I owe you?» He said, «Nothing.» OMG!!!
Any other place would’ve charged $ 125 for the diagnosis and another $ 125 to fix it even though it took like 5 minutes as they always round up to an hour. I’m certain I saved over $ 200 by going to this shop. I’m forever grateful. And after being screwed by several other local mechanics, I had lost all faith in them all. Every last one of them. But now, my faith is restored. There ARE actual good guys out there not looking to take advantage of customers.
The shop is in excellent condition. Clean. They have many, many cars all lined up for service. Very orderly. I get the impression that they 1) care about doing a good job, 2) have pride in their shop, 3) have enough people to make it run smoothly, 4) have enough business such that they don’t have to nickel and dime every customer.
The very best car repair shop experience I’ve have in years. I HIGHLY recommend them.

I love this shop! Herbert restored my classic Benz, made it look and run superb. He’s truly amazing, a rare breed. German Motor Cars is one of the few mechanic shops that is honest and offer the finest German restoration. I trust my 2013 Benz with him as well for services that are not included in my warranty.

Took my car for oil change, they did the job!

Herbert is the best! He’s SO honest, he never lets me spend a dime I don’t need to. He always treats me with respect and sincerity every time I pull up to the shop and apologize for waiting till the last minute to fix my car. I once had an electrical problem that he fixed for me temporarily at no cost and told me to go to the dealership because he had found that the part was being recalled! Did I mention that the part was recalled YEARS AGO??? Why/​how he would know that and not even charge me won my trust and loyalty. I’ve been to the shop about 4 times now (all for different reasons, some standard maintenance) and I leave feeling lucky and cared for every time. What mechanic gives you the «warm & fuzzies»? Believe me, it’s Herbert. It’s more like the «I just met Santa Claus!» kind of warm feeling…
Bridget works the front office and takes her time to explain the breakdown of all the costs and is happy to answer any questions that I have. When I was in there yesterday, she told me that they’ve been in business for over two decades! What a gem!!!
As long as I have my Mercedes, I will never go anywhere else.
Swear!

Herbert is truly a master of Mercedes Benz… he is as knowledgeable as they come. I can also attest that he is not one to overcharge or make unnecessary repairs. I’ve frequented this shop several times over the last few years. The visit that sticks out in my mind is when I took my car in for long overdue brake service, and instead of telling me that I needed to replace the brake pads and rotors (as Firestone had told in the past — and then charged me almost $ 500 for), Herbert just ground the rotors smooth again and charged for labor.
My only very minor qualm with the shop is that due the their excellent reputation and service, they are always completely swamped. It is not really advised that you just show up unannounced. Also, it can be difficult at times to get a return phone call to your questions or status update requests. Not a huge deal, you just need to stay on top of it on your own. A minor price to pay for service that someone trusts their 300SL Gullwing (saw one there my last visit) and is still reasonably priced for the «general public»!

Herbert has always given me the royal treatment. I was actually sad when I got a new BMW, and Herbert would no longer be my mechanic. I’ve referred him to a few other friends and they just adore him. I love going in and looking at the vintage Benzes. Heavenly.
It would be smart to call ahead of time before you head over, just to make sure he’s not on his lunch or anything like that.

Herbert is the best Mercedes Mechanic I’ve found. I’ve taken my car to many places, including Santa Monica W.I. Simonson and Beverly Hills, and other indies, and Herbert is by far the best. He won’t fix things that you don’t need to fix, and he’ll even top off the window washer fluid and not even mention it.
I’ve taken my car in for several vexing problems, and he fixed them and I never had to bring the car back in for follow-​ups. Best of all, his prices are always lower than the dealer. However, he is not the cheapest. If you want to try to save a a hundred dollars here and there, Herbert is not for you. But if you do go on the cheap, you’ll probably find that you’ll just have to have someone else fix it again (as I’ve found). Likewise, if you go to the dealer, it’s a luck of the draw as to the quality of repair you’ll get, and you’re guaranteed to pay more than at Herbert’s.
I’ve now moved to San Francisco (just like the other reviewer!), and I’m very sad that I don’t have a mechanic. But, before I left LA, I left my car to Herbert for a mysterious noise coming from the rear wheels, and after a week in San Francisco, I flew back to LA to drive the car back up. Well worth it, as Herbert is totally trustworthy!

HONEST, fair and ALWAYS less than dealerships!
This repair shop specializes in Mercedes Benz cars of all ages. Honest and willing to explain what is wrong with your car & what your options are. Great deal.
Unfortunately, they are only open Mon — Fri 8am — 5pm and closed on weekends. It’s difficult to make those hours (drop off & pick up) when you have to work, sometimes I’ll rent a car for the day (Enterprise is near & will send a shuttle for you).
I’ve been going to Herbert for years now even though I moved up to Northern CA (try to make trips down on days he can work on the car)…
I keep coming back because he is honest, has all the equipment that the Mercedes Dealer has but charges less than ½ the price… He will repair or replace only what is causing a problem (unlike dealers who will replace items in «sets» such as ignition coils even if only one is broken) and your wallet gets the savings.
He works on everything from classic cars to the new versions. I have a 2001 and have brought it here since it’s no longer under warranty.
New Mercedes warranties (2005 and on) no longer cover regularly scheduled service so I recommend you take it here and use your $$$ savings to have a nice dinner.