I brought my car to this place and they wanted to do the diagnostic test and a fuse burned and they said they had to repair the short circuit and that's why they wanted 200 and only for a fuse and they wanted me to leave the car and in the end it would be 500 to repair if you are careless they steal you read more

Today I am only giving this business a one star reason being is because I was a long-time customer here I've had my Mercedes for 2 years and I've been a customer since, in the past I had good service that was justifiable, but recently I brought my vehicle in for engine check light on !and to my surprise it was "fixed "the next day didn't think it would be ready that fast ! but that was good news so I thought! well when I was finally able to pick it up , the check engine light came on the same day !! Previously the owner Kai told me , to drive it at least 200 miles, and if the check engine light comes back on to just bring it back! well that same day that I picked it up the check engine light came back on I called the office spoke with the secretary François and told him this. I didn't think I would have to pay an additional charge! For service that I had just paid for... that wasn't complete wasn't fixed the problem is still there! I am not a mechanic but for the check engine light to come back on the same day is questionable to me! I explain this to the owner Kai and he didn't seem to understand how that doesn't make a whole Lotta sense to me ! whatever his mechanic did he thought he fix the problem ,but he did not !and when I talk to Kai about this he told me that he ran another test and it was something totally different than from before, and for them to do anything about it it would be another $400 Mind you I just paid them $300 and I don't know for what!!??? Long story short I just took my vehicle out of their possession, because I don't have time for some shop trying to burn a hole in my pocket for something that they might possibly fix?? read more

I took my car there because they said they specialize in older Mercedes-Benz models. They did a diagnostic to see what all is wrong and needs repair on my 1985 Mercedes-Benz wagon. And I thought that was all good. So I have them replace the cluster on my dashboard. And now the dome light doesn't work. The antenna doesn't work and the radio do not work. On top of that the trip odometer that they repaired will only go to up 99 miles then it stops working. On top of that when they repair at the south leveling suspension, they did not even add hydraulic fluid so I had to do that so that it would work properly. The guy that did the work is now retired and no longer working there. So I'm left with crappy service. I do not recommend this place. read more

Kai is the best, most knowledgeable and efficient, a true professional. Since about 5 years is this my absolute favorite shop. Because of the distance from alameda, I have tried others , Mercedes Oakland etc, but always come back. Now I travel every time I need service from Oceanside Ca. Somehow my tires got mismatched when I bought them a few months ago. Kai noticed it and send to the tire shop. No problem, it was corrected right away. He noticed I needed brakes, done, same day. Like always , a little TLC extra for my car without charge. If you have a European car, let Kai take care of it. He has looked very well after my car and he will do it for yours . His employees use to pick up my car at work and brought it back after completing the service. Thank you Kai and your friendly staffs read more

Several years ago I've purchased a classic car ;1977 Mercedes 450 SL. A beauty all around .I had to drive back home about 60 miles Took me 2 hours and 40 minutes . I bought the car as running, and like it . Very upset , I called some friends to cry out , because I really wanted to keep the car . One of them knew a specialist , capable to fix any car . Ok , I said ,bring him over . He came , listening to the engine , measured cylinders . Conclusion: cylinder #7 dead . We need to order a new one from Germany .How much I've asked ?With parts and labor around $7500.Wow ! Then I found Kai ; what a maestro ! With just a few hundred , the car was out and running. I will give him a six stars without any hesitation. I will never see another Mercedes mechanic. Period . read more

KAI, IS THE BEST !!! My first time at this shop, my BEST EXPERIENCE EVER at any automotive center. The shop was very organized and neat. Mr. Kai communication was outstanding. And my vehicle was fixed very promptly, much sooner than anticipated. I know for a fact that I would have spent a lot more money if I have taken it somewhere else. I would highly recommend this shop to my family and friends. read more

by Bill 07/27/2010 Kai Bender is a great BMW and Mercedes mechanic...(but he can work on many other makes as well)...he's done great things with my mother-in-laws Buick, and he did a complete engine change out on my 89 Toyota Truck. I would recommend Universal for all of your imported car needs. read more

I had an odd experience from the time I drove into their yard. There were many cars parked and only one lane to get to the garage doors. As I drove in, someone was driving fiercely to get out. He looked angry to see me and I couldnt back up out onto 143rd Ave so he stopped and zoomed back to let me go bye. I spoke to one of the mechanics and he wrote up the order for checking my friend's 1983 Mercedes. I gave a list of what I wanted checked. While he was writing, he stopped suddenly and said.....oh..I have the boss' pen - he gets angry when it is missing. So he goes and gets another pen. We go to the service desk and who walks in but the angry driver: apparently the owner of the shop. He looks at the checkup list and he starts correcting the mechanic's spelling and grammar with the guy right there next to me. He wrote in the corrections. and at one point he fussed with his pen and threw it down. Then he started on me..... asking questions and then criticizing my answers; belittling me for not knowing some stuff (the car was not mine, which I had told him). I was polite and pocketed the estimate and waved goodbye. read more

I feel that Universal Auto is overpriced and replaces parts that do not need to be replaced and charges me an absorbent price to do the work! read more

There is no one EVER who will beat this mans honesty My grand mother loved him, my father and now I; I will trust NO ONE else with my car read more

I've been taking my cars here since 1997 when mitch and his brother were the owners, now Kai owns it and I still continue to go here. Kai has continued to perform good service on my cars, reasonable prices and quality, so far this has been the only shop I've taken my Mercedes too outside of Mercedes, I do recommend...... read more

I would like to recognize Universal Automotive. I have found them to be both knowledgeable and professional. The work performed on my BMW has been consistent and reliable. The level of confidence that they have instilled has made my transition from the dealership an easy decision. Integrity, trust and respect are key cornerstones in how Kai manages the business. They go out of their way to ensure service excellence and that you are satisfied with the work they have performed. read more

i just realized I've never written a review for Kai and his business and I need to. I have been taking my bmw to him for a few years now and he always fixes it quickly and does not charge too much. He is very personable and fun to talk to. Don't take your bmw or mercedes anywhere else. read more

I have been taking my mercedez to Universal Auto for over two years. The professionalismand work product shown by Kia and his staff are exceptional. I have tried other shops and would not recommend any of them. His Office Manager even helped me put oil in my car when I stopped by after hours. read more

I have been going to this shop for a couple of years and i thought Kai was a really cool guy until he replaced the two lower ball joints on my S430 mercedes and i thought $1017 was alot for that but never second guessed it because i thought he was a good guy. I had squeaking on my drivers side it was very annoying he told me it was my ball joints i trusted him. Get my car back and it still squeaks he tells me its my air shock so i get ready to replace my air shock but i go to another shop world Imports on E.14th st. They put it on a rack and showed me all of my control arms on both sides have bad ball joints and and the bushings were bad and that's where my squeaking is coming from they put it on a machine lower it and raise it shocks are fine. The kicker is the going price to change my two lower ball joints is $450 so it got charged double for that job and to take the cake he told me i needed new struts and one control arm which he was going to charge me $2000 to do. All i can say is please do your research before settling on KAI'S word i feel like going to the shop and going balistic but the God in me says let him be what's done in the darkness will come to the light. Thank God i went to Eric @ World imported Car service inc. my car rides like new and he showed me every step and explained why i needed it. So i can tell you i won't even look at that shop as i ride by going to work everyday you've been warned!!!! read more

I have been taking cars to mechanics for 40 years, the last 10 years to this guy ONLY. Mr. Bender is knowledgeable about all Mercedes, old and new, and is as honest as they come. read more

known him for years, trust him with everything dependable, trustworthy, honest-does not get any better read more

Mr. Bender replaced head cover gasket, ignition cables and two coils for $2800. After 6 months it leaked again and same problem appeared. Mercedes Benz in Oakland replaced CRACKED head cover ($88), ignition cables and two coils ($2600) and solved the problem. read more