This review is long overdue and wanted to share my First experience with those Looking for a Legit Mechanic. I brought my Volvo in per advice from Advisor. The only place I could find in Pasadena was IVS Independent Volvo Service. I spoke with Mike and brought it to him. I was very Skeptical because not all mechanics are the same with being honest to customers! Mike knows how to speak with his customers and you can hear it in his voice. He followed up as he said he would and he explained thoroughly of what was wrong with my car "Olympia" a 2006 S80. A bad knocking sound at every little pothole or turn was the shocks and some other things. He replaced and repaired the problem. He accommodated me by finding the wipers needed for the headlights. What a wonderful difference to have experienced before and after. It drives so smooth and comfortable and I love it. He also gave me some advice as for safety to replace my tires asap. I followed his instructions. After doing some research and multiple calls seems that IVS is reasonable for the cost of what he charged me overall. Now I am returning back to IVS for a second repair in over a year and I will follow up with my second experience after 7/23/2025. The car is shaking when between 60-80 mph and during inclines!?!? read more

Independent Volvo Service - 2006 Volvo S80 "Olympia" - Auto Repair Near Me - Pasadena, California

Very honest ans extremely friendly service. Mike communicates well and kept me in the loop of what's going on. My parent's S60 got a thorough checkup, some needed repairs, and now running great! read more

Been taking my Volvo here for five years. I wouldn't take it any where else. Great service, honest people and prices. Thank you Independent Volvo Team. read more

I'm new to this shop but a big fan already. Very accommodating and honest. No volvo repair is cheap but if it comes with knowledge and kindness, I'm all in. read more

Have a great experience every time I bring my car to Independent Volvo. They have been working on my 2017 Mercedes for 5 years now. They are all so nice and helpful. Vartkes is so kind and helpful when I call and Shant usually works on our cars and he spends extra time to check everything even when I take it for a routine oil change. Would recommend them to everyone with a Volvo or Mercedes! read more

Independent Volvo Service - Auto Repair Near Me - Pasadena, California

These guys are honest have been bringing my Benz since 2008 very detailed and professional.

I accidentally called a shop thinking it was these guys. I had a pretty bad experience, unfortunately. So I called up and found out they are very in demand, for good reason. They seem honest and straightforward and the last time I brought in my mom's car, they were very helpful and kind. I'd recommend them over some other dodgy shops in the area that just seem to want to rip you off. Thanks for not acting like the stereotypical used car high pressure salesman type. read more

Independent Volvo Service is the best and most honest shop I have ever used! They are great people who know what they're doing! Not only are they honest, they'll also try to talk you out of unnecessary work even if you want them to do it. :) I am looking for a new car and will only buy one they can work on. read more

They had a great reputation, and my experience is that it is well-deserved. As soon as my 2022 Volvo came off of warranty servies and the free maintenance program that was included, I shifted my first major service to these fine fellows. Work completed when promised....saved a bit as well from what the dealership cost would have been. Highly recommended. read more

I took my teenage son's Volvo xc90 in for a check engine light. I had run the codes at home so I had an idea of what the issue might be. Mike was great, everything I was hoping for in a mechanic. Knowledgeable, trustworthy and communicative. We discussed the issues and logically mapped out a plan that made sense for the age of the car and our budget. He got the work done on time and under his estimate. He also fixed an additional nagging issue as a courtesy. I was very pleased to find him both for me and my son. read more

I just want to say how amazing Vartkes and Mike are. It's always a pleasure taking my car to them. They are so professional, so knowledgable and they always get my car in perfect working order. After Caliber Collision did work on my volvo, there was an inexplicable electrical problem which they diagnosed and fixed in just a few days. The quality of service is MUCH better than Rusnak, it's night and day honestly. If you have a volvo, you should definitely take your car to them! read more

This is my first experience outside of the dealer as my vehicle is out of manufacturers warranty. All of the positive reviews I read and heard about this place are true. Especially when it comes to their staff. Vartkes is an amazing guy. He treats you like family. This shop is a tremendous blessing. You get excellent customer service and you get amazing prices. I highly recommend this shop especially over the dealer. They know how to treat people and you can tell they enjoy what they do. The shop is clean, neat, and the prices are much better than the dealer. I got a great price on two battery replacements and a 40k maintenance that included a fuel cleaner. They do an excellent job and they keep you informed as to what is going on. Great shops like these are hard to find. Im so thankful that I found one in the city I work in. They are always busy so call ahead to make an appointment. read more

Independent Volvo Service - 2018 Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription 40k service - Auto Repair Near Me - Pasadena, California

I have a 2003 V70T. I won't go anywhere else. Mike is my contact. This is the BEST Volvo shop in the entire world. THANK YOU!

Without a doubt, the most honest, competent, people in the business! I would never take my Volvo anywhere else!

Vartkes and his team are amazing! I've been bringing my vehicles here for over 30 years and I've recommended them to numerous friends. These guys are honest, kind, thoughtful and professional, and only do what needs to be done. I highly recommend them. read more

The warranty on my 2020 Volvo ended recently and I went in to Independent Volvo Service in Pasadena based on the recommendations of a friend and the many positive reviews I read on Yelp. From start to finish, the staff was informative, extremely courteous, very knowledgeable about Volvo cars, thorough in their explanations of service and pricing. The shop is immaculately clean and well organized, and I will continue to have my car serviced there in the future. Highly recommended! read more

We love Independent Volvo! Our family has a long history of owning and driving Volvos. They have all been great cars for us over the years. The fleet at any time in the last several decades has included a 960 wagon, an 850 GLT, an XC90, an S60 sedan, and a C30 coupe. All of them were, and some still are, great cars. All of them have been reliable and this is in part related to the innovative and durable Volvo design but a critical piece has been the high quality care provided by Independent Volvo. We have relied on the skill of Vartes, Mike, and the other experts at Independent Volvo for routine maintenance as well as fixing the occasional mechanical malfunction. Their customer service is exemplary and aided by their attentive upkeep, several of our cars have tipped the odometer at over 200,000 miles! Yay! We will continue to rely on Independent Volvo for their incredible expertise in caring for our collection of Volvos hopefully for many years to come! read more

No nonsense evaluation, honest estimate and reliable & warm services. Vartkes have been helping my family for decades, from Volvo to Mercedes', and every car go to him for annual check up like going to the pediatricians. He babies every one of our cars. We really appreciate all the staff and Vartkes. read more

I took my volvo xc70 there for the first time Mike is great he didn't try to sell me extra stuff just fix the problems my other mechanic couldn't or didn't know how to fix. I am definitely going back honest mechanic and reasonable rates! read more

I love these guys, it's like taking your car to your Uncles shop. I can work on my cars, but some things I can't do, so I trust these guys to do the job I would want done. They are thorough, professional and use only the best parts. They never up sell me but will tell me if there is something I should be aware of. read more

I would highly recommend these guys if you have a Volvo, Mercedes, or BMW. I moved to the area three years ago and started bringing my Volvo here for service and repairs and they have always been courteous, helpful, reliable, and honest. The guys at Independent Volvo will go out of their way to take care of you. Everyone who works there is great. read more

These guys are the best in every way! When I first moved to Pasadena, I went to another Volvo repair shop, Starts with an R and ends with a K ;), I was not impressed and felt I was terribly over charged. I found Independent Volvo and have been consistently impressed and grateful for their wonderful service. They alway explain everything and give you options for anything your car needs. They always take care of you and have your car done as quickly as possible and their prices are VERY fair and reasonable. Highly recommend, you will not be disappointed! read more

Best Volvo service in the area, as far as I know. Very decent people, you won't be ripped off doing business here, unlike at some other local garages. read more

Great customer, excellent communication, honest with integrity. Recommend highly! Thanks Paul! read more

They have so many 5 star reviews so I don't know if mine will matter but this place really is the best. They've helped me with so many things, little to bigger repairs on my 98 V70. Everyone who works there is great. read more

They worked on my 2015 Volvo V60 T5, very honest and upfront about pricing, great communication, quick turnaround. My car runs great! If you have a Volvo they are the experts. Will be coming back for further maintenance! read more

Independent Volvo Service FTW! These guys are very professional and do solid work. I recommend them if you have a Volvo to keep yours running for years. Thank you guys! read more

I have been taking my Volvo to Varktkes since 1989. The shop is so clean you could eat off the floor. As the name implies they only service Volvos. They are honest when I need service I just drop off my car tell Vartkes (the owner) to look over the car and make any repairs that are needed. I have never been taken advantage of. Vartkes tries to save you money and does not do repairs that are not needed. They have a Mercedes Benz center next door, since I do not have a MBZ I can not review, but since it is owned by the same owner I would expect the same hight standards here. read more

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Hands down one of the best shops I've ever used. Vartkes is honest, accommodating and extremely knowledgeable about these often quirky cars. We're lucky to have him in the neighborhood keeping my old 740 purring along. read more

So happy I found this place. I have a 2011 Volvo S60 T6, with the premium sound system. No one carries the battery for this car- it usually has to be ordered. I tried a few places and the dealership told me maybe they could help in 6 hours. Independent helped me right away, the price was right and they were super honest. Got my battery and ground cable the same day. SUPER grateful as that was my last day living in LA. I would highly recommend this place over the dealership. They have a partnership with enterprise rent a car who was also great and I was able to go about my day as my car was getting worked on. My bad day was turned around. Thank you! read more

Mike helped us diagnose a tricky problem, gave us clear estimates on another problem and then did not charge us for his time when we chose to leave the problems for a layer date. They're in it for the long haul and a wonderful find for any Volvo owners in the LA area. read more

Really appreciate their upfront communication and trust their work. Came from Rusnak, where I felt neither.

Best service! I have had plenty of neutral and negative experiences at other auto repair shops, but this was my first legit positive experience. Super friendly and cool, made me feel like they truly had my best interest at heart, diagnosed my car's problem quickly and accurately, worked hard to get my car ready in the time I needed, answered my questions honestly, etc. Happy to be a new customer of theirs! Bonus: they're within walking distance of a fantastic coffee place (Rosebud Coffee) and a great breakfast and lunch joint (Lee's Hoagies) read more

These guys are the greatest. They seem to enjoy their work and enjoy helping their customers. And their prices are lower than what I was paying at a previous shop. I wish I could give them six stars. read more

I've been here a few times and highly recommend bringing your Volvo here for service instead of the dealer. I never had good luck with the Volvo dealers and it's difficult to find an honest, fairly priced, and very capable shop like Independent Volvo. Looking at the other reviews I was extremely surprised to find an unhappy reviewer. I can understand her being pissed to find out that her car required a lot of work that probably cost more than she paid for the car. Ouch! But, they did their job by identifying any mechanical deficiencies as requested. Her attempt to resolve the car problems by having someone else replace the spark plugs is like having an endodontist recommend a surgeon for an infected jaw and instead they simply take aspirin to fix it. What a joke! Volvo's require more maintenance over the other cars I've owned except the one from Leipzig. So, if you are planning on buying a used Volvo bring it to Vartkes before your purchase to determine it's working condition. What happened to that poor person is a perfect example of what can happen if you don't do your due diligence - especially on a Volvo. read more

Growing up helping my dad in his garage and then moving to a big city, I used to loathe going to get car work done. When you're female and walk into a regular repair/service shop you might as well expect to be seen as naive, easily intimidated with bottomless pockets. I'm so happy I've finally found an honest place that specializes in Volvos! THESE GUYS ARE AMAZING! Besides, their prices are very fair, and they treat you like a human and explain options/work needed in plain English. They REALLY TRULY know Volvos inside and out!! They'll also suggest things you may not normally think about that will help extend your time between services/help parts last longer. (And to note again, I am female and more than once they have said, "What? Who told you that? Eventually you'll need to replace that, but not yet.") To make a long story short, my first experience here was when I walked into this place for a small, unrelated repair. I was talking to Vartkes about a previous repair that a valley dealer missed as being under warranty (though I didn't know this at the time) and instantly Vartkes mentioned that it should have been under warranty and checked into it. He sent me to another dealer to officially apply for a refund - which Volvo gave me! Not only did Independent Volvo fix what I came in for, but they helped me get a sizable chunk of change back for a repair that should have been covered by a dealership in the first place, when they could have said nothing. That said, whenever I've called these guys (so far I've talked with Vartkes & Mike), they have always been courteous, prompt and very informative. The office/waiting area is very clean, too! Seriously, I love my Volvo and my car and I LOVE these guys. I drove all the way from the valley and now I still drive all the way from the west side just to take my Volvo here because they are so good. read more

Words cannot express how grateful I for Vartkes and his team. My car went from deathtrap to new in a matter of hours. I'd been having severe issues with the car and assumed it was just a balance issues, since my car would shake violently when I drove over 65mph. Wayyyy off. Turns out I needed an entire replacement of my suspension, along with several other parts that needed replacement. Not only made sure to give me a complete run down on the how's and why's (versus just telling me what he was gonna do), but he also took into account the fact that I'm a struggling student. He showed me prices and worked to find a way to reduce the costs for me to afford everything. And you know how there is always a fear mechanics will do more than necessary so they can charge you more? Not Vartkes. He went through the list and pointed out what really wasn't necessary and even threw in a few minor fixes at no cost. I also needed four new tires. Vartkes sent me to America's tires and had me call him with what they planned on charging me and talked THEM down!!! He saved me HUNDREDS of dollars. I'm back today for my alignment. Why? Because I needed one when I was last here, but Vartkes took into account the fact that I was getting new tires and did not want to waste my money by aligning the car prematurely. "you'd have to come back too soon and spend unnecessary money." all day Vartkes would say "let's figure out a way for you to spend less." Did I mention he got it all done within business hours so I wouldn't have to waste money renting a car, despite the copious amout of work needed to fix my car? He is genuine, honest, kind, funny, and above all knows what he is doing. I will only be coming to Vartkes for my auto needs from now on. I highly recommend all you Volvo and Euro owners do the see. read more

Brought my '92 240 in this week for a 1st time check-up and couldn't have been more pleased with this place. It's clean and organized inside and out. The mechanics work fast and are also kind and don't bullshit you or try to talk you into things you don't need. Couldn't recommend Independent enough. read more

I've said it many times. "If I taught business at a University, I would bring the owner, Vartkes in to teach students the value of great customer service. He has kept 4 of our Volvos going for years. We never consider going anywhere else, and we live 59 miles away. He once gave us his cell number because my husband was in Seattle and he wanted us to know if I needed anything, he was there to help. Lastly, for women like myself who have been gouged by mechanics over the years, you are now in the hands of an honest and ethical expert. Mike is a stellar professional too. Independent Volvo & Mercedes is very busy with many repeat customers - so plan on renting a car if it's going to be a big job. They can help you with that too. There are no surprises or sticker shock moments with Vartkes. Your car will be fixed correctly - you will have a clear understanding of all charges, and notified of any changes that may come up. He uses all Volvo and Mercedes' parts. It is the best of the best, and it is less expensive. My hubby, Jim and I are his biggest fans. read more

Honest, knowledgeable and will bail you out in a pinch. Custom care at a fair price. I wish I could trust other services this much. Thanks again. read more