I had a great experience getting my car repaired here. Ray was outstanding from start to finish. He was completely transparent about what my car needed, walked me through the diagnosis in plain language, and clearly explained my options before any work was done. He kept me updated throughout the process, so there were no surprises. The work was done right the first time, and I never felt pressured or overcharged. Just honest, high-quality service at an extremely fair price. It's refreshing to find a Mercedes repair shop that values integrity and communication as much as craftsmanship. Highly recommend to anyone looking for trustworthy Mercedes service. read more

My first time not taking my car to the dealership due to a crazy expensive repair quote. I contacted Ray for a quote on the exact work and saved quite a bit of money. The dealer had also told me my tires were not repairable if they get a nail or screw. He was able to repair the tire and save me the cost of new tires that were fine other than the screw. The car runs great and they did a nice wash job as well. read more

Ray the Benz Doctor is fantastic! As a real estate agent, I drive my Mercedes-Benz GLA 250w A LOT, and having a reliable mechanic I can fully trust is invaluable. From our very first meeting, I knew Ray was someone I could count on--he is thorough, transparent, and genuinely dedicated to providing exceptional service. Ray goes above and beyond, not only in the quality of his work but also in the way he communicates, keeping me updated every step of the way. He thoroughly explained in layman's terms the work that needed to be done. It was a big job (sunroof repair, noisy front engine bearing, failing engine oil pump), but not once did I feel that Ray was upselling. He truly cares about your car and takes great pride in his work. I especially appreciate his honest advice about the importance of keeping my car reliable for many years to come, especially since I likely won't be selling it due to its high mileage. His expertise and care give me confidence that my car is in the best hands. I look forward to working exclusively with Ray to keep my car running smoothly for years ahead. Thank you, Ray! read more

Overall, I'm neither satisfied nor dissatisfied--just a bit confused. On one hand, Ray is clearly an expert who quickly identified the weak points without trying to charge for non-existent issues. However, his prices aren't competitive compared to dealership rates (especially labor rate); it seems like he tries to keep prices in line with dealerships. So if I had done the same work at the nearest dealership, I would have paid roughly the same, +/- 10%. I get it--given how expensive California is, it makes sense. So, although you won't save any money here (you'll still pay $600 for an oil change or $1,000 for spark plug replacement), you might receive a more personalized service... read more

Ray is the most honest knowledgeable upfront mechanic you could find. Simply the best Mercedes Benz Dr...

He has worked on our 2 early 2000 Benz's for a few years now and he is very thorough and that's why we still own them.. We have tried others places but we feel we can trust Ray which means a lot read more

Complete scammer. He obviously knew I didn't know much about cars, but thought because I drive an expensive one that he could take advantage of me. Who in their right mind would drop $5000 without a written estimate of ANYTHING?! Yeah, that's what he wanted to charge me when I told him I needed a B service and an oil change. He took a quick look under the car and said $5k but refused to tell me what work he'd actually be doing!!! So I went elsewhere and it cost $1000. How does this guy still have a business? read more

It took a few years of Mercedes ownership to find Ray at the Benz Doctor but I'm glad I did! I saw this advertised on a license plate surround a few weeks ago and as I was deciding whether or not it was worth keeping my '05 C230K, decided to call Ray to see what he recommended. In the end, I elected to get the work done on my car after Ray performed an assessment of everything that is currently wrong with and could go wrong with my car: getting the suspension replaced and a couple of engine leaks fixed. Ray also recommended getting the engine tuned up since he'd have the engine cover off to repair the leaks. The shop is located a 15 minute walk from the Burlingame Caltrain station, which is convenient for getting to and from the city. Unfortunately for me, I live relatively far away (in Berkeley) and so I had to drop the car off in the morning (he opens the doors around 7am, which makes it really convenient, if you don't mind the early start), and then head to SF for work. On the way back, I picked it up in the afternoon - but he closes in the mid afternoon, so this was a bit of a rush to get there during the workday. If I could have made the morning commute work again, that would have been preferable, but without a car, the early morning start was rough. In any case, Ray is a true Mercedes expert - his shop is filled with dozens of beautiful vehicles, from classics to more modern cars. Ray is the main mechanic there but seems to be proficient enough that he gets through the work quickly and I didn't have to wait too long to get my car back. He also insists on using genuine Mercedes parts and stands by his work (lifetime warranty on the work, for as long as you own the car). All in all, it cost me about 25% more to get the work done here - but for genuine parts and what I consider to be better workmanship. The car drives beautifully now (albeit with a few rattles that are an unfortunate reality of its age). Plus, the wash and polish of my car they did is incredible - so much so that I can now see scratches that were hidden under all the dirt :o. I'll most likely be back for major repairs, even if it is a bit of a hike from home! read more

The Benz Doctor - Engine, post steam clean. - Auto Repair Near Me - Belmont, California

See all

I bought a 2nd hand 2009 MB C300 and was looking for a trusted mechanic who can check the engine of the car. I found The Benz Doctor while searching thru Google and gave it a shot. Ray (the owner) is very professional and friendly. He responded quickly thru email telling me to drop off the car the next day for diagnostics. He did not charge me for diagnosing and checking the car. He found oil leaks and explained to me how much would be the cost before fixing it. He did B-service, fluid top-offs, fixed the oil leaks and washed the car! The service that he did has a warranty (if any issue comes up, he will do check his work again and figure out what went wrong). He's pricing is very reasonable and fair. 2 weeks after he did maintenance on my car, the engine light turned on, I texted him and as always, he responded quickly. He did check my car the next day and diagnose the car with no charge. I left my car overnight at his shop just so he can run a thorough diagnosis/fix it and the next day, my car is good to go free of charge! I am a new customer and all I can say is Ray is one of the best mechanic you can trust! He did extra mile to make me happy and satisfied and i'm sure I am not the only one who experienced his high-quality service. So if you are one of those people who are in need of an expert MB mechanic, you will never go wrong with The Benz Doctor, Ray! His service is more than the dealership! read more

I was so fortunate to have found The Benz Doctor! He is very accommodating, knowledgeable, trustworthy, and reasonable. I had been using him for awhile and then I moved to Kelseyville which is 3 hours away. I still come down to use him! It is very hard to find a mechanic that you trust so he is my guy. As long as I have a Mercedes, he will be my mechanic! read more

I am a Benz aficionado and it's very hard to find a mechanic that you can really trust. I have two 30 year old Benz's that I bring to Ray, which has it's share of niggles and problems. Ray is extremely knowledgeable whenever I grilled him about my two cars. It's nice to know Ray is passionate about Mercedes Benz's being both a Benz owner and enthusiast himself. All his work is backed by a lifetime guarantee. Parts are all original MBZ. Ray in fact shows you the parts that he orders before installation and the old ones that are replaced, so everything is very transparent. Prices are surprisingly reasonable. And you are always treated like you are a family friend of a Mercedes Benz dealership top mechanic! Both my cars are always fixed in a timely manner, washed and waxed. Whereas in the past, Autobahn Motors Belmont would return my car a few times with a new problem. As if my car was sabotaged deliberately so as to fill their own coffers. Dealer mechanics also charge for diagnostics, labor and parts. Regardless of whether you have the work done or not. Which adds up exorbitantly. Ray will spend hours to check out the problem and not charge me the diagnostic cost. Then tell you the cost of repair, letting you decide if it's within your budget. All in all. Ray is extremely approachable, upfront, honest and personable. After generations of Mercedes ownership and suffering poor service at exorbitant prices and at the mercy of unscrupulous dealer mechanics, it's been a real blessing and a pleasure to stumble upon Benz Doctor. Ray and his team offers a superb service experience as well as top quality reliable work and I would highly recommend Benz Doctors without any reservations! read more

I have been coming here for over 2 years now. I truly appreciate The Benz Doctor service. He is always honest and very helpful with my car. Anytime I have a issue with my car he is there. He always make sure I can afford the work before he died it. I really appreciate his work ethic too. Both of cars are running really well. He always reminds me when it's time to get service. Today I am coming from Oakland to get my car from him. It's always worth the commute. Thank Ray read more

As a new transplant to the South Bay area, from the East Coast, the last thing you want when you arrive is to see the check engine light. But thats exactly what happened. Being new to the area, all i could do was begin my google search for a hopefully honest and reputable business. After looking through reviews for several shops and dealerships, i came upon the Benz Doctor. Not only did this business have reviews noting the excellent quality of work, but also the kind nature of the owner. This was definitely a plus, given how women can sometimes be treated in these settings. I took a chance and reached out to the Benz Doctor (Ray) via his website; and boy am i glad i did. He responded quickly to my concern and requested that i briefly stop by the next day so that he could take a look at the vehicle. Upon arrival, Ray inspected the car, ran the diagnostics and told me exactly what needed to be done. He was honest, beyond fair, and empathetic to the fact that i was new to the area. Ray gave me an reasonable price for my repair. He was able to get the car in the very next day, and had the repairs completed within 4 hours. The car came back washed, waxed, and the engine on my C250 Coupe has never looked cleaner. I'm beyond grateful to the Benz Doctor for helping to keep my car in good condition. Anyone who may be new to the area or simply apprehensive about trusting online reviews; I can attest to the many rave reviews below. This was an awesome experience. Ray is honest and upfront and kind! A win-win! read more

If I could give more stars, I would. After my car's warranty expired I've been taking her to Raymond and I couldn't be happier. He's reliable, trustworthy, and charges a fraction of what that nearby dealership would charge. Don't get me wrong, I love that dealership and when it comes time for a new car I'll definitely return there, especially now that I have a great mechanic :-) read more

I consider myself picky and detail oriented when it comes to my car. I do the easy maintenance myself, but it's been a few years since a pro looked at it. So I took it to Ray to have the brakes done and inspect it. He noticed a ton of little things right away, many of which I hadn't noticed before. Then he took the time to explain what's not a big deal and what should be dealt with (and how). I brought some parts and he was fine using the ones that were proper. Ironically, my brake pads/rotors had minimal wear so he advised just change the fluid. His repairs were well done and priced fair. He even cleaned my whole engine, underbody, and wheels. It looks like a new car inside and out. Ray is a perfectionist and I trust him to do it right. And I appreciate learning things about my car from him. read more

We feel so blessed to have found The Benz Doctor. Ray goes the extra mile to provide honest, afordable, awsome customized service using certified Mercedes Benz parts. We feel our Benz is in good hands under the care of the Benz Doctor. Thank you Ray, thank you, thank you, thank you From The Millers, Ben and Susan read more

I'm not one to write reviews - but if you have a Mercedes Benz, The Benz Doctor should maintain it. Ray knows these cars from head light to tail light. He is thorough and his work is outstanding. read more

Easy to find appointment times plus fast service that is cheaper than the dealership that I went to previously. They also wash your car after working on it which is a great perk. Definitely recommend! read more

Where do I start? How hard is it to find a competent, fairly priced auto mechanic that goes above and beyond? Ray is that guy. Tired of the exorbitant prices being charged by the local dealership (you know who you are) I took my wife's GLC-300 here to have the serpentine belt replaced and a new battery installed. Ray was honest and upfront about the costs, and explained fully the work involved. It was a fraction of the cost of the dealer and the work was high quality. Ray stays in touch throughout the process and to top it off washes your car when he is done. I now bring my AMG here for scheduled maintenance and the odd repair because of this experience. Couldn't recommend him more. read more

Stopped by The Benz Doctor because I was having trouble with my 2013 Mercedes C250. My car wasn't acting right and I took it to a local mechanic who charged me 300 and didn't fix the problem. Ray took a look at my car and knew right away what the issue was. He told me that it would cost a minimum 5000 dollars to fix my issue. He could've taken advantage of me and fixed my car, but instead he told me that my issue should be covered by Mercedes Dealership under a warranty. Sure enough it was covered, he saved me $5000. He is very trustworthy and now has my business. If you have an issue with your Mercedes, come here. Ray is very professional and will take care of you. Obviously he has my business from here on out. read more

I had a service appointment with Ray to have my engine serviced for leaking oil and to replace my front brake rotors. I really appreciated that he was reasonable in price and was communicative during the whole service. My car also came back with engine steam cleaning and full car waxing/washing which I really appreciated. Few days after service, I noticed that my car had the engine light. When I contacted Ray regarding this, he said he could leave my car with him to troubleshoot the issue. He followed up with me that day saying that my air mass sensor had failed would need replacement. Ray only charged for the parts for this service since my previous service was only few days before. I highly recommend Ray to anyone who is looking for a mechanic that is communicative, honest, and knowledgable. I will definitely be coming here for my future services. read more

You know I really hoped to like Ray and his shop. He is extremely friendly and seems like a really nice guy. My only reason for a two star review was because when I went to ray for the first time he found about $5000 worth of work to be done in my car no more than 15 minutes. Just for reference I drive a 2016 Mercedes Benz GLE350 and at the time it had about 29,000 miles. I originally called asking for an estimate for an oil change and ray said that he doesn't do estimates over the phone and likes to see the car in person prior. I respect that 100% and was actually excited to have my car looked at by someone other than the dealer. Now I show up to the shop and ray pops open my hood and starts looking around and diagnoses my car with an oil leak. I ask where and Ray said it was in the back of the engine but points out some sludge by the oil filter.... weird. Then he does around and flashes his flash like at my brakes and says that I need all new brakes all around... 29,000 miles and need new pads and rotors? Not likely. Ray also flashed his flash light into the air intake for the engine and says my air filter is dirty and needs to be replaced. My air intake is curved and it would be physically I possible to determine that. Also about 4,000 miles ago the Mercedes Benz dealer replaced all my air filters at my last service. I don't drive much so I get a service every six months or so. Ray says he can fix the leak he found for $2500 and do a oil change, air filters, and brakes for another $2500. I almost passed out.... hypothetically of course. I said thank you and ran out of there ASAP. I checked my oil when I got home and it was full. I've gone to another independent mechanic and gotten an inspection and oil change and he gave my car a clean bill of health. No oil leak my brakes have about 40% life left so maybe another year depending on my driving. Ray is very nice and possibly he was preoccupied but quoting me with a large bill is not acceptable. I hope his business does well! read more

Ray at the Benz doctor was very accommodating I was able to drop my car off early morning to get an oil change and new back brakes and was able to pick by 1130a to make it to my noon appointment. I appreciated his recommendations for service, and the great customer service. Thanks Ray and I'll see u soon for my next recommended service! read more

I have been to Ray for two of my cars, both Mercedes Benz. The first time was to get a regular service for my wife's 2013 GLK-350. Ray took a look at what was needed for the service and saw an oil leak from the left side of the engine. Ray saw quite a few things wrong with the car, but all of them a function of postponed repairs. Since this was my wife's car, I decided to bite the bullet and do all that Ray proposed. I ended up spending more than what I had intended, but only a little more than I had come to expect for a Mercedes Benz. I am glad that I did because my wife's car now drives like a dream and we have the confidence that it will take us anywhere we want to go. Then, I took my old 2005 E-320 to Ray to change batteries. He did this while I waited and lowered the price he quoted me when he could not install the non-MB battery that I had bought, even though he actually had already spent more time than he needed to on the project. Bottom line, it is always a roll of the dice when looking for a reliable repair shop and an honest mechanic. I must have rolled a seven because Ray is both of these. He tells you what is wrong with the car, and how much it will cost. He will never push you to go for the repairs he is recommending. That is up to you, the customer. I will be bringing my cars to Ray from now on. read more

I've been going to Ray since 2002 when I brought in my '97 E420 Sport. Many years, and several cars later, Ray is still my Mercedes mechanic. He is simply the most honest repairman I've been to. He keeps costs in mind and I've never had an issue with the quality of his work. My 2009 ML350 had a mysterious reoccuring electical problem. Ray finally got to the bottom of it and we haven't had an issue since. I know he pulled his hair out over this one, but he didn't shortcut to the expensive quick fix, he took the time to find a cost effective permanent repair. He's even made house calls! read more

Always a good experience going to Ray he is amazing and very trustworthy. I would def recommend him to any one looking for a Benz mechanic (doctor). He is always upfront about what needs to be done with your car and does not pressure you to do extra work on your car and is very honest about what is necessary and recommendations. Check him out you won't regret it. I don't trust anyone else with my car except Ray. read more

Ray serviced my wife's MB C300 4MATIC recently. He did an excellent job in fixing the problem with a fair price. He also addressed some other issues discovered during the repair process without adding additional charges. Ray is very knowledgeable and super customer-oriented. We are glad to find such a good independent MB specialist beyond dealerships. read more

Ray Valdez at Benz Doctor went beyond the call of duty. Didn't charge for diagnostics for my 92 SE hydraulic doors which would've cost a bomb at autobahn motors. Non mechanical electrical issues such as seat controllers were sorted out at fraction of the price compared with dealer mechanics in just a few days in a no nonsense manner. I should've discovered this place decades!!! read more

I received a second-hand C230 as a gift and didn't realize the ginormous amount of upkeep and how painful in my pocket it feels when you really can't afford a car like this. I'm very grateful that I received such a beautiful car, nevertheless. I started going to the dealer, LIKE A FOOL, thinking that they would have a better understanding of the vehicle and would be interested in servicing the vehicle because that's what they do? WHAT WAS I ON?! Since I've had the car, about 5 years now, I've spent almost close to $10,000 on tires, servicing, O2 sensors, etc, etc. To cut to the chase, I was hoping to find a mechanic who wouldn't take advantage of the fact that I had a car that I couldn't afford. That's how I ran into the Benz Doctor...through Yelp. Thank my lucky stars that Ray cares about these cars and doesn't judge the owner who drives the car. He knows the Mercedes Benz inside and out and I have to hand it to him...he is an honest businessman who will give you a fair shake and tell you like it is without some hidden agenda on how much he can make off of you. THANK YOU, RAY! You're a Godsend. read more

I called Ray and he said bring in your car. Very helpful and courteous. Excellent service and the repairs were completed on time and at budget. I have been taking all four of my Mercedes to Ray and I live in the Central Valley. I only trust Ray with my vehicles read more

I rolled up in a Rastafarian Colored Smart Car totally confused on why the check engine light was on. I went to another mechanic that charged $300 to check my problem. The Benz Doctor pulled out a tool and it was completely FREE! Luckily the problem was minor but that kind of customer service is rare in our fast paced world. Thank You Benz Doctor! read more

We brought our c series here for its 30K service,, instead of the dealer, and are we glad we did!.. Ray was upfront about the pricing, his service and didnt disappoint. good value for your money. Great new location too!.. super easy to deal with,, Thanks Ray, u have our business! read more

The Benz Doctor is the only place my husband and I take our Mercedes for repair and maintenance. The owner Ray is honest and always does a great job. I highly recommend him and wouldn't go anywhere else ! read more

This is going to be a bit long to give a background of how I ended up going to Ray. I had front brakes replace at another shop. Then I started hearing constant squeaky noise when I am driving, not when I am braking. So I took my car back in and told them that the noise started after I had brakes done. I paid $700 for the brakes. Then I left my car for them to look at. I got a call and was told that they didn't find anything, so they added something on the brake to see if that fixes it. I paid $150. Next day, I still had the squeaky noise. So I wanted to have a second opinion. The Benz Doctor has good reviews on Yelp, so I decided to give it a try. Ray and I drove around the block and he knew it was coming from front wheels, which makes sense since I just got the brakes done at another shop. He took the brakes apart and found out what's holding them up were too long and rubbing the metal. Really? Other place who put the brakes could not find that? I have been going to them for a few years. It used to be good, but once the owner retired, their service went down hill and now I know they cut corners. They obviously didn't even take the brakes apart to see if they did something wrong. Anyway, Ray, knowing I just got the brakes done, said I didn't have to pay anything. But he spent 30-40 min to take the apart and fix it, so I paid some. There is another clicking noise I knew about, but never thought much of it, but he immediately told me what it is. He seems to be very knowledgeable. It is a bit far from my place, but I have to say it is worth it. He also found leaks and was surprised how dirty the engine and air filter were considering I bring it in for a service every year to the other place. It was nice to be able to walk to the shop I used to go to, but I can't afford to bring my car in to somebody who cut corners. So I will be going to The Benz Doctor from now on. I highly recommend Ray and am going back for other repairs next month. The fact I can make an appointment online is a huge plus also. read more

I was introduced to Ray approximately 11 years ago. It's a great feeling when you finally found 'your mechanic'. I've never been one that did well with car issues and maintenance. It's stressful and confusing to me. Ray has always been patient with me from Day 1, carefully explains everything in a way I can fully understand. He has treated my car as his own. Ray speaks the truth and I trust him fully. He's fair and extremely knowledgeable. Ray has always put the customer first, he works with my schedule, conveniently located and will always service my Mercedes. read more

Dishonest....Scammer....owner is a smooth-talker..the price he quoted me for service on my ML350 is $2,000 more than the Mercedes Dealership! He opened the hood and flick his flash light at the engine and says there's an oil leak and it would cost more to repair. Seemed like he used the same tactic for another reviewer. My auxiliary battery light was on, he said it would cost me $800 to replace that. I later took my ML350 to the dealer service department and they charged me $369 to replace the auxiliary battery. He said he would give me a good deal because he wants long term relationship and said he'd give me a discount and he quoted me $4,000 to fix my car. He also asked if I want to sell my car, I suspect he saw my car as a good car. I ended up taking my car to the service department at the dealership and the total bill was $2,000. The dealership found no oil leak and my car has a clean bill of health. He wants to overcharge me $2,000, dishonesty is an understatement here, he fits more of a description of a scammer. This is my first review on Yelp, I wrote because I don't want others to fall for his scam. read more

I had a great experience here. I was able to make an appointment online, and Ray responded to my questions promptly via email. I took my Mercedes in for its yearly service and maintenance (Service A). I really appreciated the car wash at the end. read more

I found Ray after reading many web reviews years ago. I am very grateful to have him taking care of my 2011 C300 through the years. He not only helps maintaining my car and keeping it healthy, he also allows me to work out the payments with him so that I could afford driving this gifted car from my parents. Taking my car to Ray for maintenance, I feel like going back to the old and golden days that I have the needed work done on my car with honesty and quality services. read more

Took my CLA45 AMG in to the Benz Doctor for the first time. It needed new pads and rotors at the rear, but I'd left it a little long and the calipers needed some 'work' to persuade them to open enough to do the work. Ray quoted me a price and stuck to it, even though the caliper issue took a few hours longer to sort out. Accordingly I will be going back for all future work. Ray went above and beyond the service I expected. Highly recommended by this UK expat to other expats. Car also came back washed, which was not expected but appreciated! read more

Ray is the best. If you have a Benz and want someone to care for your car as if it were their own, you can't find a better place to take your car. He is knowledgeable, kind and straightforward with the needs of your car. A+ read more