MB Garage

San Mateo, United States

4

Closed now

20 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 650-349-2744
Website:
www.mb-garage.com
Address:
2165 Palm Ave, San Mateo, CA, 94403
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.4 miHayward Park
0.8 miHillsdale Caltrain Station
1.7 miSan Mateo
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Today

Today 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (San Mateo) 03:02 Wednesday, 16 July 2025

Business hours

Monday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

We specialize in the repair, service and restoration of Mercedes Benz vehicles. Our senior mechanic started at the dealership in Finland in 1950.

We know the older models inside and out. We also can outfit your diesel to run 100% bio-​diesel for $ 350. Free smogs for our customers.

History

Established in 1970.

MB Garage original location prior to 1970 was at Bob Reed’s brick building at 17th & Palm. It has been at 2165 Palm Avenue since 1970. Karl Kratzmann originally formed MB Garage and sold it Larry R. Thomas in 1980 and it has been family owned since then. We pride ourselves on our history as it speaks volumes about who we are and what we do.

Meet the Manager

Janet M.

Manager

Spent 30 years in Human Resources and understands the importance of customer service.

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20 reviews of MB Garage

No registration required
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
The top tier of mechanic service offered here in the bay for Benz and smart cars. I have been made into a client for life, as there is no need to look elsewhere. Excellent work, family like service, prices I am happy to afford. Hats off!
Place rating: 1
Castro, San Francisco, CA
Stay Away!
They are con-​artists and crooks!
The short of it:
Janet asked me to pay the full amount of my estimated repair up front then kept my car for over 2 months, coming up with story after story of why her mechanic couldn’t finish the repair.
The full story:
When i finally picked it up, i saw that it had been sitting out in the sun the whole time (it was filthy and damaged from the heat + sun) + she asked for more money than i was originally quoted (and already paid!) for no additional work! And when i asked what the additional cost was for she was super rude about it and demanded that i pay her or she wouldn’t hand the car over!
The worst part of it all, is that the repair failed and I had to take it in to another shop 2 months later and pay for it to be done all over again — at least they were honest and worked quickly and efficiently on it — without asking me to pay up front then ripping me off like Janet and MB garage!
Place rating: 1
Hayward, CA
This women Janet charged me $ 600.00 to do service I never even requested! When I confronted her on it she threatened to put a lien on my car, and hung the phone up on me! She is a lying, hustling con-​artist!
When they took my door panel off they just ripped it off damaging all the components that hold the panel in place! The wood grain on the door is loose, and buckeld! the car now looks worst then it did! YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID JANET! This is UNACCEPTABLE!
Place rating: 5
Burlingame, CA
Great service!
Everyone is very friendly and this place provided good customer service. Very direct and explicit about the services I needed. I felt that the mechanics were very thorough and informative. After I left I noticed a big difference in how well my car was running and even got major compliments for how well my old model runs by an expert :)
Thank you MG Garage for your friendly and helpful environment.
I highly recommended this place.
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
Great service — Desi is super friendly and this place provided good customer service. I brought my C300 here for an inspection and the mechanic was very thorough in his review– took the time to explain everything and was very helpful.
Place rating: 1
San Francisco, CA
On TWO occasions charged me nearly $ 300 for no particular accomplishment. My mistake for even coming the second time.
All I can say is there are some very good mechanics. But, the shop itself is not worth it.
Place rating: 5
San Mateo, CA
My 1982 Diesel Mercedes just hit 300k miles and it is completely due to this amazing shop, MB garage is incredible! They take the time to tell you what is wrong with your car and what is necessary to fix and what can wait. My car is over 30 years old and I really appreciate MB Garage’s honesty when it comes to repairs, if something can wait they let me know but if its about my safety or saving me money in the long run they also let me know. They have gone above and beyond to find me used parts in order to save me a few dollars.
I also really appreciate how friendly and thoughtful everyone there is, it is a family owned and run, and that I never leave there with a bad taste in my mouth, so much better than with the dealerships!
Place rating: 5
Burlingame, CA
I LOVE THIS PLACE! They take really good care of your baby cars! This is THE Place to go to for your classic Mercedes. They are so NICE and GREAT! My CAR Smiles when we go there and so do I! WE TRUST THEM!
Place rating: 1
Sydney, Australia
This place sucks. I came here because the previous owner of my car recommended it. Janet was so rude and unprofessional and even hanged up on my call.
Place rating: 2
San Mateo, CA
I was so excited to find an independent MB shop that would be less expensive than the Dealership… only they’re not. We took our MB to MB Garage and we were told three things needed to be done. Two could be done at their shop and one had to be done with the Dealer. Well, we went to the Dealer first and Autobahn actually quoted us LESS than MB Garage on one of the items and told us the other item didn’t need to be done at all!
The icing on the cake was that we got home to discover that MB Garage had replaced our nice metal Dealer license plate frames with their cheap plastic MB Garage branded plates! Without asking! How tacky is that?!
Place rating: 5
Half Moon Bay, CA
Amazing first experience! From Desi the receptionist to my Nicaraguan mechanic, they were able to help me out even though I was a walk-​in. I was out in 30 minutes. In addition, because I was a first timer, I was charged an incredibly affordable price! Very impressed, I look forward to my second visit.
Place rating: 5
Burlingame, CA
They have serviced my precious Smart Car twice. I have been very satisfied with their quality, courtesy and professionalism. The prices are much more reasonable than what the Mercedes dealership in San Francisco had been charging.
Place rating: 5
Mountain View, CA
I brought my newly acquired classic 1991 Mercedes Benz 350 SDL to MB Garage for its first 100k service, and to get it checked over after I purchased the car out of state. Janet and her team provided great service, and a charming loaner car named «Mr Bill» (a 300E) for me to use while my car was in the shop for 2+ days. They really know 80s and 90s Mercedes diesels and the various idiosyncrasies these older cars can exhibit. Not all shops do, which can end up costing owners extra money for incorrectly diagnosed issues and solutions.
MB Garage was recommended to me by several Mercedes Benz forums, including the Mercedes Benz Club of America. I am glad to have found the shop that will help me care for my classic S-​class sedan for the next 100K miles.
Place rating: 5
Palo Alto, CA
Going back for the 3rd time. From my free used car inspection to regular servicing, they have been super helpful, professional and trustworthy! This is my regular.
Place rating: 5
San Mateo, CA
My tire pressure warning light keeps coming on every few months…
I had a MB dealer and other MB garage checked before. But it came back on again.
My tires are fine.
So I found a MB garage closer to my house, so I decided to try them out.
They said the sensor was not reset before. Hmmm. I would hope a MB dealer would know to do that. Anyway, the light is finally gone and hope it won’t come back on again unless there is something wrong with my tire.
They also checked my breaks and they didn’t charge me for checking! I will need oil change sometime near future, so I will be going back!
Place rating: 4
Cameron Park, CA
I had to take it down one star. I mean I trust this place enough to rebuild my transmission and engine on my vintage wagon. Thank goodness it was not at the same time. The work has been great except that I smelled oil dripping onto a manifold somewhere. It gets naseauting during a long stop light. I brought it in and complained 3 times about it, and on the 3rd visit for a service, they did notice something but it was still unfixed. If it was just me driving, then I wouldn’t mind as sometimes, that’s the price of driving vintage or classic cars. However, I have a toddler in the car, and I didn’t want to expose him to noxious fumes. I mean it is my choice to keep one petrol car in our biodiesel family fleet.
I ended up moving my family further up North, and we found another shop who immediately knew what it was. Unfortunately, I had to pay when it should have been under warranty. It was worth the price at the other shop to stop the smell. In MB Garage’s defense, the issue was a badly set new gasket (when the top end was rebuilt). It is common to happen if one doesn’t use the special MB tool.
Place rating: 5
Belmont, CA
Though I have only brought my car here once, I am giving them FIVE STARS. And a smiley face :)
My baby benz Sadie had a grand olé time at MB Garage for her Service B appointment (yes, my car is a girl). Janet gave me a rundown of what was to come and was so accommodating that when I dropped my car off at 8am, I was able to pick her up during my lunch hour. Talk about awesome! Sadie’s running like new and Janet gave her a stamp of approval. Plus I get a free Ducky’s Car Wash (if you know me well enough you’d know how much I LOOOOVE DUCKY’S — however, I will save this sentiment for a separate review of Ducky’s). So, overall, I’ve had a great experience and can foresee a long, happy life with Sadie.
Janet made me feel at ease about Benz-​related issues and explained important automobile things that otherwise I would feel intimidated about. That kind of customer service is priceless. There is no question that Sadie has found her garage of choice!
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Wow, if I could give 10 stars I most certainly would. After five million awful situations with shady mechanics, it was such an extreme pleasure to deal with such a warm, reliable, and knowledgeable mechanic shop. From the moment I called with my problem, the staff at MB Garage made me feel like their utmost priority (and my issue wasn’t even that large!). They got me my part with a quickness, and fixed everything within the blink of an eye! From now on even though I live in San Francisco, whenever my Mercedes is being a brat I know where I’m taking it to. Thanks to the whole MB Crew, you guys are awesome!
Place rating: 5
San Mateo, CA
Don’t hesitate to bring your car in! The service is top-​notch and super friendly. They will get you in and out with a smile and not try to upsell you on every little thing like Autobahn does.
My car had a weird squeak the other day and Janet checked it out on the spot. Try getting that kind of service anywhere else… you won’t! Certainly not at the dealer.
Place rating: 5
Redwood City, CA
I wish I could give them 20+ stars!!! Janet and Larry Jr. are the best of the best when it comes to caring for your merceds. Their customer service is superb and everything is done to perfection!
WE LOVE THEM!