Don Allen Service Center

This is one of the most unusual businesses I have encountered in my entire life: the two Don Allens, senior behind the desk, and junior, a service manager who also works on the cars, are SCRUPULOUSLY HONEST! They did LESS work on my car than I requested because they said I didn’t really NEED what the dealer’s service people said I did. Don senior is a great story teller and if he’s not too busy and neither are you, good conversations on a variety of topics – automotive, political, cultural – are free for the taking. I cannot recommend this business highly enough. This company deserves TEN stars.

It is rare to find an honest and competent auto repair shop. Especially when they advise of not completing a service item which means less revenue for them/​savings to you. Also you can make an appointment for service, your auto will be serviced when you arrive, wait and drive away when completed. Just try doing that at a dealership. Cost is very reasonable.

I have been taking several Mercedes to Don Allen for almost 30 years. They are the most honest, helpful and professional service people I have ever met in any field.
I could not recommend Don (and now with his son Donnie) more highly. Five stars are not enough.

To start, I know absolutely nothing about automobiles, the extent of my knowledge is the phone number of a good mechanic. I just moved to the area, and feel lucky that on my first try I was able to find such good men and mechanics as those at Don Allen’s. Both Don Senior and Don Junior were gentlemen, quickly addressed the problem with my car and were able to get the parts and fix it all in an afternoon. Not only did they do an expert job, they also charged me a fair rate. If you’re looking for a gentlemen who can fix any problem with your car quickly call Don Allen. In addition to the great service and politeness, they’re both decent and kind gentleman — something that’s hard to come by in any area of life these days.

Mr. Allen and his son are the true Good Guys!
My son was having major mechanical issues with his Honda and Mr Allen graciously helped us out by giving us an HONEST second opinion and good advice… not something one gets or expects these days, sad to say.
Even though I was calling and asking for his assistance from across the country, Don stepped up and helped out. I only wish they were out here on the West Coast!
Thanks so much for the help, fellas!

I’m very happy with their good service and work. I needed new brake pads (per the guy who changed my oil at another place). I live near Don Allen and decided to bring it by for an estimate since they have such good Unilocal reviews. New brake pads for significantly cheaper than the other place. Done in a little over an hour. My engine light was on and they diagnosed it and told me the problem (which did not require a repair), for no extra cost. It’s nice to find an honest mechanic.

An honest service center. Took my Toyota Camry to the dealership for 50K service, got a laundry list of expensive things they suggested we repair. Took the car to Don Allen’s for a second opinion and saved myself $ 1000. Some will eventually need to be done, others are just ways for the dealership to make $$. Took my Volvo here 20 years ago, service has been 5-​star for years.

As good as it gets.
I met Don in 2009. I got to see the back of the shop, and I remember being impressed at how clean it was.
I’ve taken my Subaru there a half a dozen times over the years, and I have been very pleased. Nor am I surprised to see all the 5-​star reviews on here. Don and his guys have always done a good job at identifying the thing that needs to be fixed and not inventing some other problem that’s not there. Don has the whole package: integrity and skill.

Talk about superb! What amazing service this place provides. We have a 2008 dodge challenger. I have only had the need so far to go there once. We are new to the neighborhood. Knowing I needed the VA inspection renewed, I figured I would try to find a service center locally to gauge if I would go back for general service work if they did decent. After my experience today, I Know I will take our car there for all service while I live in the area. This place oozes honesty and excellent service. I rarely feel that way in most car repair shops I have visited.

Don Allen’s is about excellent customer service and unbeatable pricing.
I have been using them for years for all of my cars and have no intention of going to anyone else.
Most recently, had the car in for and oil change, air filter and cabin air filter replacement, a general check-​up and detail. Excellent communication throughout the entire process with Don Jr. personally calling me to check if I wanted to replace my windshield wipers at additional cost. Small detail, but SO nice considering past experiences of dropping the car of at a mechanic only to come back to $ 100s of extra charges of things that «had to get done».
They specialize in Mercedes and BMW so I completely trust their sign-​off on my X5 being in good shape. Car always ready to go on time and as discussed, and the cost of service is always more than reasonable given the make of the car. Definitely going back.

These guys are a pleasure to deal with from start to finish! Had my SUV brought in today 2÷4÷14 at 11AM & they were done by 3:40PM. Their prices are reasonable (compared to the local Mercedes dealership). Don Sr & Don Jr kept me up to speed regarding my SUV the entire time. Keep up the good work everyone at Don Allen Servicenter! I highly recommend these guys & will sure return (but hopefully not too soon).

This is the worst place to take your car for service. The owner is extremely rude and prejudice. I wish I could give him 0 star but the rating system requires you to choose one to 5.

I took my E320 to Don yesterday for service. My «brake service» notification had been on FOREVER! I don’t drive my car often and I was just dreading the estimate because brakes can be SO expensive! I dropped my car overnight on Monday. 7:45am Tuesday I had a call from Don with my estimate. He first quoted me the price for the service I requested. Then he told me about a brake service I needed that was still under warranty. What?!? I purchased my car used and had NO idea anything was still under warranty! He told me to take it to a dealer to have serviced for FREE. Then he told me what I needed to have fixed In order to pass inspection next month but didn’t try to sell me on that. I had him fix everything except the warranty item. Not only was the estimate about $ 500 less than I expected worst case scenario, when he called me a few short hours later the total was $ 80 LESS than his estimate!!! Oh man what a win! I was so mad at myself for waiting so long!
I took metro to the shop that evening and picked up my car after hours.
Today I went to the dealer to get my FREE service. I called Don to personally thank him. He wasn’t obligated to tell me I could get that service done for free but he did. I will forever be a customer.
Take your car here, I doubt you will be disappointed!

I rarely write Unilocal reviews, but I had to compliment Don Allen for the excellent service I received. I went to Don Allen for regular maintenance of my Volvo and because I had a «Check Engine» light on and my windshield wipers were malfunctioning. Don Allen completed the service within a few hours and for an incredibly reasonable price, far less than I would have paid at any other service center of which I am aware. Also, the service center is conveniently located right next to the Van Dorn metro stop, which means that you can easily drop off your car, head home or to work, and then return to the service center by metro. I highly recommend Don Allen.

My husband just took our 1999 E320 Mercedes to Don Allen. This is one of those rare shops that you can really trust. We came in prepared to spend whatever it took to make sure the car was running well and would pass inspection. We were told «you don’t need as much as you think you do your car is in good shape.» They also tried to inspect my 2003 Land Rover and when they found a problem beyond the scope of their capabilities they voided any charge for the inspection. We just moved from California, where we had a tried and true list of local vendors and we were worried about the process of finding new ones — going to Don Allen first was just good luck on our part since we don’t need to go anywhere else from now on.

Don Allen Service Center is by far the most honest and affordable Mercedes Service provider in this area. They don’t try to get you to fix «extra things» or push you to get unnecessary services. AND DID I MENTION THEY ARE SO AFFORDABLE! Being a single mother new to the area I appreciate their affordability and honesty when it comes to vehicle maintenance. If you own a Mercedes then I highly recommend this place!

Wow! Got a scare from another mechanic who said I needed new turbo on my Volvo XC70. This was to cost thousands. I brought this to Don Allen and he and his son found it was just a loose hose! And only $ 170! Car has been working great now for 2 weeks. I’ll be going back to don Allen from now on.