Koester Automotive

Sherman Oaks, United States

4.6

Open now

20 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 818-986-7376
Website:
www.koesterautorepair.com
Address:
15315 Dickens St, Sherman Oaks, CA, 91403
Sherman Oaks
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Today

Today 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Sherman Oaks) 08:52 Thursday, 29 May 2025

Business hours

Monday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

When you come to Koester Automotive you’ll find the Latest Equipment, Technical Information, and that we are a Complete Automotive Repair Facility. Our personalized service allows you to discuss your vehicle’s problems with Ben, the owner, and one of our ASE Certified Master Technicians who will perform the repair work. We assure you’re in the hands of the highest level of technical competence. Our Technicians also receive all the latest information and training on the newest service procedures to ensure the highest quality standard.

Our Services:

— Axle /​CV Joint Repair (FWD),

— Brakes: Standard or ABS, Clutch Repair,

— Electric: Batteries — Sell and Install/​Electrical and Electronic Systems, Starting and Charging,

— Engine: Diagnostics and Performance, Service/​Repair — Major & Minor, Heating and Air Conditioning, Preventive Maintenance,

— Preventive Maintenance: Severe Schedule, Glass Repair/​Replace, Steering and Suspension

— Transmission repairs

History

Established in 1996.

By employing only technicians who have proven themselves by achieving the highest recognition in the automotive field — ASE Certified Master Technician — you are assured the highest level of technical competence. Our Technicians also receive all the latest information and training on the newest service procedures to ensure the highest quality standard.

When you come to Koester Automotive you get Personalized Service and are able to discuss your vehicle’s problems with myself and the technician who will perform the repair work. You will also find the Latest Equipment, Technical Information, and that we are a Complete Automotive Repair Facility.

Over the last 17 Years I have built Koester Automotive and my reputation one customer at a time!

Meet the Business Owner

Ben K.

Business Owner

I am an ASE certified Master technician and a graduate of the General Motors Service College and other automotive programs. I also have 25 years of Experience in the automobile business and realize that people are looking for Technical Competence and Stability at a Fair Price.

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20 reviews of Koester Automotive

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
I brought in my car to Ben because a bunch of warning/​service lights came on. After a couple hours Ben called me back and gave me the lowdown — that my hybrid battery needed to be replaced. My own internet research showed that a battery replacement could cost up to $ 5K from the dealer, if the battery is out of warranty, which it was.
Ben was genuinely concerned about helping me — regardless of getting business from me or not. He printed out and emailed information on hybrid battery repair and replacement, and ultimately suggested that I contact a Toyota dealer and Toyota corporate and ask for any discounts.
It feels good to know that there is a local car and body repair shop that I can trust. I highly recommend going to Ben for your car repair needs.
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
What more could you ask for? I called ahead to find out how long an oil change would take. The very kind lady who answered the phone (I’m sorry! I’ve forgotten your name!) quoted me about an hour/​hour and a half and said I could drop my car off whenever I’d like. I brought my car in about 10 minutes later, ran to the gym, walked back, and my car was done! They had a couple recommendations, but no high pressure sales. It was so nice to find a place that’s friendly, easy, and doesn’t take all day.
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
I took my 07 Prius to the shop to replace my front light bulbs. Ben was a pleasure to deal with from beginning to end. It’s no easy task replacing bulbs on my car and they even had to take the front bumper off to complete the job. However, the process was a breeze thanks to these guys and Ben was even nice enough to throw in a complimentary oil change. Thank you Ben !
Place rating: 5
Sun Valley, Los Angeles, CA
I noticed this place offering a $ 19.95 review for a standard oil change. The gentleman over the phone was nice enough to squeeze me in for a service. After the job was finished he informed me that my (being fairly new) took only synthetic oil changes. He saved me a lot of money and frustration by sticking with the Unilocal offer that I I formed him of prior, and only charged me the 19.95. I will definitely be returning here!
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
I came here a few months ago due to some sort of paint that marred the top of my car due to roof work being done on my apartment. I called a few places to get it detailed and cleaned off but Ben was the most helpful and quoted me the best price. When I got there he was very informative and even told me that the job would be free of charge if they were unable to recover the paint splatter. Overall the job was flawless and my car left koester looking brand new!
Ben was one of the most helpful and responsive people I have dealt with in the automotive industry and I would recommend him to anyone. I will definitely be back for future car needs! I recommend him to anyone who needs help and has questions because he takes the time to make sure you know what needs to be done. Thank you Ben!
Place rating: 5
Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, CA
When I finally made my way over to Koester, I had already had a few bad experiences with other
repair shops. I have a 2010 Ford Fusion that has been going through brakes like crazy. I first took
It to the dealer who charged me a lot of money; only for my brakes to be worn down again within a
month. Decided not to go back to the same stealership, so I went to independent shop that a friend recommended, and they said I should just replace my brakes again and do a brake flush and everything will be good. I didn’t agree with their logic, I explained to them that it had only been a month since I did the brakes at dealer, and it also showed on the invoice that they did a brake flush. I picked up my car without repairing, and started searching online for a repair shop. On my way home, my brakes were completely unresponsive and brake light came on. I had to call a tow truck driver, to pick me up, and had them take me to the closest shop I could find.
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
This is where you should get your car fixed, Period!
Needing to have your car fixed is a huge pain. There are all the issues of neg otiating fault, dealing with multiple insurance companies, and find ing a rental car.
I brought in my 09′ Audi A5 after a rear end collision that left significant damage to my rear bumper, tail-​lights, and trunk. This was the first accident that I have ever been in so I checked on Unilocal for the nearest body shop with good reviews. So I gave Koester’s a call, and Ben reassured me that everything would be taken care of. When me and my car arrived at the shop, Ben and his team almost made me wish my car was wrecked more often; they really took care of me.
Every interaction with Ben whether by phone, email, or in person was a positive experience. At all stages in the repair process I felt like I was in the loop. They helped me to get the insurance company involved and walked me through the process. When my car was returned to me, they had done a complimentary detail. Never have I seen my car so clean. I couldn’t even tell that it ever was in an accident.
Place rating: 1
Studio City, CA
I went here and the guy quoted me way too much money for something that didn’t need to be replaced just needed to be fixed I then went to twin auto and for less than 20% of what was quoted I got my car fixed I would stay away from this place
Place rating: 5
Cambridge, MA
We got our windshield replaced and an oil change. We were pleased with the service and the price we received. They were professional and convenient.
Place rating: 5
Van Nuys, CA
Like many other people, I’ve been searching for a good and honest mechanic forever. My search is finally over. I
was looking on the internet and found Koester’s. It is relatively close to where I live and the reviews were outstanding.
I never realized that they were so close to where I live; I literally passed by there every day driving down Sepulveda
blvd. I have not been satisfied with the mechanics I have tried in the past. I was somewhat skeptical about going yet
to another place, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to give them a try.
Ben, who answered the phone, helped schedule an appointment time that was convenient for me. My car was looked
at while I went out for my lunch. When I returned he was honest and told me that to diagnose my vehicle’s various
problems he would need it for a day or two. I found his straight forwardness refreshing, and I decided to leave my car
there at Koester’s to get the work done. He suggested that I get a rental from Enterprise, and actually set it up for me,
and got me a great deal. I later received phone call and I was told (upfront) what was wrong with my car, he
explained to me, my choices and what he recommends I do in order of priorities. He told me how long it would take
and how much it would cost. When I came to pick up my car the cost was exactly what I was told it would be, no
hidden fees, no oh by the way you also need…, no bs. The car drove like new and I was very happy.
I also recently referred a friend to Ben, and he took really good care of them and their car. He even gave me a free oil
change, and thanked me for being a loyal customer.
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
I could not be more pleased with my experience at Koester Automotive!
I recently just moved into the area and unexpectedly my car needed an urgent fix. Upon arrival, Ben was very friendly and organized. The shop was clean and had great vibes — I knew my car was in good hands. Ben always had respectful and clear communication with me on what needed to be done. The pricing was extremely reasonable and how it should be when taking your car into a shop! Made me very happy!
Ben and his team does great work! I am happy to have found an automotive shop that I can trust!
Place rating: 5
North Hollywood, CA
Broke down on the 405 on a Sunday. The tow truck driver recommended Koester Automotive to me. Ben called me first thing Monday morning and constantly kept me updated on the status of my car. They were friendly, reliable, and great people to work with!
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
Ben is an amazing! I got into an accident about a month ago and they were able to fix my Infiniti G35 and paint it to make it look new! So kind and talented. Thank you Ben and workers for fixing my car!
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
Great price on an oil change and quick service! I’ve been coming here for years and I’ve always been incredibly satisfied with the level of service. It’s right by my work and convenient but I’d come here even if it weren’t. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for great service at a fantastic price!
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
IMPORTANT! If ever you find yourself in an auto accident, ALWAYS remember the 4 C’s!!! Follow each and every one to insure a complete mental recovery.
1. Curse! Scream the F’word out loud before exiting the vehicle. Get your frustrations out. Yes, it may have been his fault, but they are called accidents for a reason.
2. Collect Information
3. Call your insurance company
4. Call Ben at Koester Automotive
This time, I swear, it wasn’t my fault.
That being said, on all that I love, Ben is the guy your looking for. I dropped off my car, gave him my insurance info and the stress was gone.
I received frequent calls advising me of the progress and then the final call saying, «Hey Mitch, your car is ready and it looks brand new»… And he wasn’t lying.
Ben does such an amazing and thorough job, not overlooking a single detail. In fact, this guy will put up a fight when your insurance company attempts to drag their feet on additional work that went undiscovered during the initial inspection.
Unfortunately, I’ve been here more than my fair share, in only 3 years. That being said, I’ve never left feeling disappointed or screwed. All of which is a rarity when it comes to auto repairs in the great city we all call home.
Finally, and the icing on the cake, Ben is one of the sweetest, honest and most charismatic individuals you’ll ever meet!
Sure, he’s a master of his craft, but it feels good giving my business to a man that I know appreciates it to no end.
Remember, 4 C’s!!!
Place rating: 5
Woodland Hills, CA
«some people pray to Christ, I pray to Ben»
I am so glad and thankful that I was referred to Ben and Koester Automotive; and to be honest, I was feeling quiet optimistic after seeing the previous Unilocal reviews.
Ben tells you everything that you’ll need to do to get things moving as soon as possible. For me, I needed to make sure my insurance cooperated and sent the check so the work could get started. After that, Ben told me that my car would be ready on a certain day, and sure enough, it was ready as promised.
Lastly I just want to include that this company truly deserves 4.5 that it currently has, and I could not be happier with the end results. (also Ben and his staff are super friendly, which makes the unfortunate experience of having a crashed car actually pleasant)
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
I like this place.
As of today, it’s been twice that I’ve received good service for my car and my sanity at Koester. The first occasion was a standard oil change (and then some) and the second time was a major cooling system repair, more preventive than an overhaul like overheating.
I rolled in aware of some unfavorable symptoms like my car having to pull a bit harder, signs of hose leakage, and the good-​ol 120k mile-​and-​up-​so-​time-​to-​tune-​up guideline for my Lex. In lieu of a crystal ball, I resorted to good-​ol research and figured the array of work on my midnight blue machine would amount to a hefty $ 1,300, after the addition of an upsell. To my surprise, that was not the case at Koester. Ben recommended the essentials, and instead of an upsell, he added a good dose of an uncle’s advice, you know, the kind of advice at a dinner party you know is good to hear, even if you know it already. He complemented that by showing me another car that did not follow some good uncle advice.
I’m not fond of talkers, you know, the kind of person that rambles at a dinner party and leaves you wondering if listening to them is equivalent to eating crackers made of air, which means you would not be eating crackers since crackers are quite substantive relative to air. Well I don’t think Ben is like that. He lays out the issues, lists a solution supported by good reasoning, is willing to discuss why his pricing is competitive if not better, and is quite committed to a reasonable time to finish the job and get your baby on the road to rage again… safely.
But it’s not all about that Ben guy, because I overhear the chats he has with the other mechanics, and though I don’t carry a wrench ready to fix a car, their car talk makes sense, so much so that their execution and good service will likely get your baby on the road to rage again… safely.
Place rating: 5
South Gate, CA
Went in after reading the reviews because my 2007 Mini Cooper S was having Electrical Issues — both of my keyless remotes were not working.
Ben informed me that my car was showing multiple electrical errors and that I would have to leave my car in the shop several days so that they could pinpoint the problems and fix the errors one by one. Because of this, I opted to take my car home and bring it back a different day. He waived the $ 50 diagnostic fee and replaced my burned out light for free!!!
Amazing service and I will definitely be going back soon, especially since my check engine light just went on.
Place rating: 5
Sherman Oaks, CA
I’m writing an update to say that it’s been almost 2 years since I discovered this place. I have continued to go here for everything, as small as oil changes or as large as replacing my fuel pump.
I will never be going to anyone but Ben so long as he is in business. I trust him like no other, and he is a rare find in the car mechanic world. It doesn’t matter what car I drive, I always continue to come here for anything my car needs.
Place rating: 1
Los Angeles, CA
I came here for a «free» quote as advertised. The first time I came by, it was too close to closing. The second time, they were all on a random break and I waited as they ate their sandwiches for 20 minutes to speak with someone. I later got an obscenely high quote for a scratch on the side of my car, and was told to get a quote for my trunk springs would cost $ 50 just for the quote, which they said would have to be done with a different appointment than my original quote appointment. With three visits and lots of wait time, I had nothing to show for it but a waste of time. I took my car to another shop down the road who fixed my trunk in 30 minutes for $ 40 (ie less than getting the quote at Koester.
I feel like Koester saw a girl with little knowledge of cars and tried to take advantage instead of providing good honest service. If you notice, all the five star reviews are old, making me wonder if management changed or something and service plummeted. Save your time, money, and sanity and go to an honest shop.