Huge thank you to Mats and his team at Karsten Imports for saving us from becoming amateur smog experts against our will. We were trying to get our 2012 MDX to pass the smog test and had officially entered the "googling theories and spiraling" phase when we found him. Instead of guessing or selling us a bunch of unnecessary repairs, Mats actually took the time to figure out what was going on, explained everything in a way normal humans can understand, and got us pointed in the right direction. Turns out there was a reason our car was being dramatic. He was knowledgeable, honest, patient, and never made us feel silly for asking a million questions (which... there were). Car problems are stressful enough and he made the whole process more manageable! Our car is driving like it's brand new and the smog tester doesn't have to see us for the 5th time! Hell yeah! We did it Mats!! Thanks again! Todd & Rachel read more

I generally hate reading 5-star reviews on Yelp. They're often paid for, they're completely fake, they don't represent an actual customer experience with the business, and as a result they're often completely unhelpful. So when I (almost never) give out a 5-star Yelp review, it's because that business exceeded all of my expectations. It's truly deserved and sincerely earned. Practically any auto repair shop can do the basics at a competent level. The oil changes, the coolant flushes, the brake jobs, etc. But it's the rare auto repair shop owner/mechanic that demonstrates creative problem-solving abilities outside the norm, listens to a customer's problem that isn't something they come across every day or week, and possesses the experience and expertise to tackle that problem head-on without holding onto the vehicle for days just to futz around. Mats at Karsten Imports is at a level above the rest. An honest expert whose abilities are beyond reproach, superior communication skills compared to a lot of mechanics for whom English isn't a first language (this really does matter a lot.) He'll even talk you OUT of some repairs if he doesn't think they're truly necessary. It's not an accident that so many other Yelp reviews for Karsten Imports praise Mats for his honesty and integrity. That's not something you'll find to be the case with too many other auto repair businesses. read more

I had my car serviced a couple months ago from Mats and I waited a while to make sure that it all held up (fair or not). And it did. I cannot thank or support or recommend Mats and Karsten enough for their fair and expert service and communication. It was terrific. read more

I have posted previous reviews of Karsten Motors. Number 1, I trust him. That is almost all I need to say. He is honest and does only the work that needs to be done. There are many positive reviews but also a few negative ones which I totally don't understand. Please ignore them. Today I totally forgot to bring my car in. Got a call. I apologized and they said I could bring it in. I am taking a long road trip and wanted to feel confident in the car. I now do. His prices are reasonable and he explains if something is expensive. I just hope that one person reading this review uses Karsten (Mats). read more

Mats and his crew at Karsten Imports have maintained my 2011 Honda CR-V for the better part of the past 4 years and with 240,000+ miles now on it, I don't think I would have made it here without them. He's replaced my wheel bearings, suspension, engine mounts, A/C fan and compressor, catalytic converter & power steering pump, to name a few. Mats always gives me timely updates when I'm in for service and is honest about what repairs he finds that are necessary, suggested and something to plan for for the future and he always comes in well below what it would cost at the dealership. I couldn't ask for a better mechanic. Please consider giving Karsten Imports your business if you're looking for fair, honest and TOP QUALITY auto service and repair. read more

Has been great with our 2007 Prius. Up front. no bull. Around the corner from us so its also super convenient as well.

Karsten Imports took excellent care of my Toyota Highlander for over 10 years. Mats and his mechanics have kept it in top notch condition, and their prices are very reasonable. I have always felt safe driving my car, knowing that they have kept on top of any maintenance when needed. I recently retired and moved away from the area, otherwise I would continue to take my Highlander to Karsten Imports. They are truly the best! read more

Loved going to this place! It's my new mechanic for sure after my dealership - who shall remain nameless - tried to rip me off. I needed a second opinion for my Honda's issues and two of my friends coincidentally recommended Karsten. I sent my inquiry on a Sunday via their website and Mats called me back by 9am Monday morning. I explained what the problems were and he further explained what could be done and the price for them. I took my car in the next day and he had a closer look and although all the dealership's reviews recommendations were legitimate, the short version of a long story I saved $600! I only dealt with Mats who is super helpful, knowledgeable and downright drop-dead HILARIOUS with his dry sense of humor. Karsten is actually steps from the Orange line's Valley College stop so it was uber convenient to hop the red line afterwork, take it to the end of the line and transfer to the Orange. I'll definitely be back, thanks Mats! read more

Mats has worked on our Toyota, Lexus, Honda automobiles et al for years. We recently purchased a Subaru. I wish they worked on Outbacks. I didn't really appreciate the level of service Karsten Imports provided until I had to go elsewhere. Oh well. read more

This is long overdue, as we have been coming to Karsten for many years with a variety of Honda CR-V. Whenever anyone asks if I have a good mechanic, I reply that we have the best mechanic. Mats is fair, honest, and caring, and will let you know what repairs must happen now, can wait a bit, or are posing a safety hazard. The most honest and reliable mechanic in the Valley, hands down. read more

Mats was AMAZING!! It was close to closing but not only did he support me with my vehicle that died on the way, he also stayed after hours to make sure I was all set! I truly appreciate his honesty. I know I will be coming here again. It's difficult to find people that will go out of their way here in LA. THANK YOU MATS! You have made another customer for life. read more

Karsten Imports - Auto Repair Near Me - Sherman Oaks, California

I broke the Sideview mirror on my Honda Accord and asked for a service referral on Nextdoor. Someone was kind enough to tell me about Karsten Imports. I called immediately. Mats saw me within a half an hour of my call even though It was after closing hours. He was super friendly, honest, and my car was fixed within days. I asked if he had a mirror laying around that he could tape on for me in the meantime. He found one, rigged it for me and I drove safely for a couple of days until I got my replacement mirror. Trustworthy and great service! read more

I hate taking my car into the mechanic. It is stressful because I never know what is actually wrong with the car or if I am being over charged for the services that are recommended. I turned to Yelp to help find the highest rated mechanic around and I was not let down. I made an appointment, dropped off my car and chatted a bit with the gentleman working in the office. A few customers who heard I was new to this shop stopped to tell me how amazing Karsten was and how I would not be disappointed. After I explained the weird noises and concerns about my car I walked home. I did over hear some one else asking for a ride home which they did...I however needed some exercise. I got a call a few hours later letting me know that the car would be ready for pickup after 5. I went to pick it up and was very happy to hear that it needed less work then the previous mechanic had told me. The other mechanic had mentioned needing new motor mounts and quoted me a ridiculous price....Karsten said there was absolutely nothing wrong with the motor mounts. Funny how that works. To sum it up...I appreciate the honesty. If you want a mechanic you can trust, this is the place to go. Prices are fair...you definitely get what you pay for. This will be my new mechanic. read more

I've been taking my vehicle here for years and Mats is without a doubt one of the most trustworthy auto mechanics I've ever come across....and that's a rare thing in this town. One time after getting a service done Mats wanted to show me something with my vehicle. He took the time to pop the hood and point out where oil was pooling/collecting on the engine. He told me that the seal in one part of my engine was going bad and that eventually over time it would start leaking oil. He then showed me that directly underneath was the exhaust manifold. Oil + super hot exhaust manifolds don't mix. That's how engine fires start. He told me I didn't have to worry about for at least another 10-15K miles or so but that eventually it would need to be addressed and that's why I trust him. A crooked mechanic would have told me that you need it fixed ASAP or you could die (looking at you jiffy lube). Another time I brought my car in because it kept slipping gears. I assumed it was transmission problems because my vehicle is in the neighborhood of 200K miles. "Just GREAT!" I thought to myself. This is going to cost me a pretty penny because the transmission is shot. I brought it into Karsten Imports for Mats and the boys to take a look at. Within a few hours he called me back and informed me that it was simply a grounded wire from the throttle body. All I needed was a wiring harness and it was $90 out the door instead of thousands of dollars in transmission repairs. Like I said, finding an honest and trustworthy mechanic in this town that does good work is difficult. I'm glad I found this place because Mats is the only one I trust fully and completely with my vehicle. Try them out. You won't be disappointed! read more

I actually didnt get anything serviced here but called to see if I could get a pre-purchase vehicle inspection on an old old car. The guy who answered asked if "I liked self-mutilation and bungee jumping.'" HHHAHAHA. Was a good laugh. So needless to say he gave me some reallllly solid advice on how to buy a used car and spent a good time giving me pointers on which cars to get. For a young lady who has no one helping me with these things, I really appreciate the time (and jokes), the guy spent to direct me to a good buy. These guys are honest and caring people. Please give them your business! read more

Picked up my car today. We are so lucky to have Mats in the neighborhood. Not only did he fix my problem- leaky air conditioning drain hose he spent the extra time to dry out my car so it won't get moldy. Thanks Mats!!!! read more

I'm not really a car person. I drove my first, a '67 bug named Steve, from the time I turned 16 until I was 38. No AC, no working windshield wipers, no sun visors, no ability to make left turns if I had a passenger or a full tank of gas. The closest thing to walking, and I loved every minute of it. I was lucky enough to have a wonderful mechanic, Jose Gomora, who I trusted with my mobility. When Steve began to need more than I could give, I reluctantly purchased my second ever car, Edie, a 2002 Toyota Echo. Crank windows, no bells, no whistles. The worst thing was that Gomora told me he could no longer be my mechanic. He broke up with me! It seems, he had a deal with neighbor Mats of Karsten Imports, where they split up the car makes based on some complicated game of Risk. Apparently, Mats ruled Asia and I suppose Gomora was stuck with Northern Europe and other difficult territories where they can't manage a good stir-fry. In any case, I was without a known and trusted Mobility Assistant. A few years later, Edie had her first hiccup and I ran to Gomora. He explained again that he couldn't help me directly. "Walk me over, introduce me and make sure he's nice to me." He did, and he was. I needn't have worried. Mats was (and is) every bit as honest and trustworthy as Gomora. And quite a bit funnier. It's amazing to find a mechanic that you trust completely. I've been lucky enough to find two and I'll recommend both of them easily (and do). I picked her up this morning after a checkup that I scheduled simply because she hadn't had one in 10 years and I was sure there would be issues even though I couldn't detect them. Nope. Clean bill of health. My second ever car is 17 years old, my first one is apparently still running and out there (now owned by one of Gomora's employees.) On second thought, I AM a car person. Two cars - One a '67, one an '02. Both on the road and running well. And Mats from Karsten Imports has helped make it happen. read more

I know nothing about cars, but I always feel comfortable bringing my car into Karsten and doing whatever they suggest. I totally rely on them and I don't have any hesitation about it. My car's 16 years old and they've been working on it for the last 11 years (since the warranty ran out), and the car runs great. And to top it all off, they're very reasonable - a fraction of what the dealership would charge. I would give them ten stars if I could. read more

Honest way cool guys....oh and they fix cars too. I'm pretty sure I transform into a walking dollar sign when I walk into any car establishment. I know nothing about cars, and I don't pretend I do. I describe problems with words like "thingie, squeaky, funky smell" So let's just say I need to really trust someone is not gonna ream me when I bring my car in. These guys were really nice. I get the lowdown, that the minimum service is an oil change for 38.00 and for about 50 bucks more, they'll give your car a healthy check up, top off fluids and um, other kinda car like thingies. They gave my Yaris, Danny his check up and oil change in about an hour. I asked if there was anything else to be done, opening the door of reamage opportunity but Mats said nope, my car was fine. Score! Bonus points for vacuuming my interior. Very nice! read more

I'm back, smitches! muhahhaaa~ Anyway, had to log on specifically to talk about the stellar service from Mats and Karsten Imports. Many know that my car is my baby (her name is Samantha; hate on, haters!). She's sleek, and lovely, and we look great together, so she must be handled with care. Also, I hate the bus, so there's that. Anyhoo, after yelping service providers for foreign vehicles, I ran across Karsten. Close to my spot, clean, good hours, and friendly telephone customer service. Test drove the new provider with an oil change. It went well; they actually repaired a leak CREATED by a shady dealership in Mid-city L.A. (who shall remain nameless...on LaBrea...rhymes with Fezian Potors). Price for the oil change was nice, and service was quick. Perfect. Gave them a second date with a windshield wiper replacement. Fantastic! Quick, efficient, educational (Mats stood with me in the lot while he made the replacement and discussed how it was done, and provided the history of Volvo wiper blades...me loves to learn!). After completion, he even suggested I stop by whenever I needed my fluids topped off, and they'd do it for free. FOR. FREE. C'mon son! Our third date was the big one; I decided to put out in a big way with the 60K inspection and service. Again, extremely well done, timely (in-and-out in 2 days...would've normally been one, but there was a delay on parts...Mats kicked off a few bucks for the ''inconvenience''). Recieved the good old stamp in my service log book, a sticker on the windshield for our next date, and they vacuumed Miss Samantha with the best of care. Vacc. Umed. Which now brings me to today. My breather box (get your minds out the gutter!) went out, and I zipped in to Karsten for a review. With a check engine light on and a full calendar, I was in no mood for shenanigans or bad news. Mats quickly evaluated the scene, explained that it was a common issue with newer Volvos, and suggested I try a dealership to see if a service credit would be issued since it may be something up for recall soon. If not, he could make the repair for about $500. Mats provided the part number, and referred me to a reputable dealer he works with in nearby Pasadena. I called, and it turned out that this was indeed the well-hidden case. I'm sitting all cushed-out as I type in their lovely waiting room, having it fixed right now, at zero cost to me! Awesome.org. I'll refrain from a sermon on the auto industry. ;-) Now, how many service providers do you know would take the time to explain the backstory of an issue, AND provide options to the customer that would keep them from paying out of pocket?? I say none, my friends. None, except for Mats & Karsten Imports. See them. Now. From oil change to major service, they're a diamond in the rough. Thanks Mats - see you in 3,000 miles! *P.S. Fezian Potors not only jacked up my ride, but then had the nerve to replace my vanity plate with theirs WITHOUT ASKING! Shady McShadersteins, indeed. This would never happen at Karsten Imports. Stay classy~ read more

Both my parents and I take our toyota's here for anything. I'm protective of where my parents spend their money, people are always soliciting them or think they can rip them off... But Mats is a real cool guy, honest with a visible strong work ethic that my family appreciates which is why Karsten has our permanent business. Whether is parts, repair, a check up, smog check whatever you name it they do it and you feel like you got the gold starred auto shop.... oh wait you do! read more

OK, first off, I haven't gone into this place for any service yet, so I'll have to write an update when I do. I just wanted to take a moment to testify to the honesty and strong character of Mats. I recently bought a used 2002 Corolla from a SF Valley Toyota dealership, and it was giving me problems as soon as I drove away with it. They fixed some of them, and when I drove off again, the check engine light came on, which they later determined was my catalytic converter (cha-ching!). Not only that, but the mechanic there told me that the rattling I complained of was just my timing chain rattling. WTF, though, that's not right (again, cha-ching if that shit breaks)! So I told all this stuff to Mats and said I'd like him to please do a diagnostic on my car. He refused, saying it's better not to get anyone else involved, and instead he gave me detailed advice on how to handle the situation. I am so grateful for his honesty and helpfulness! Seems to me that most people would just take the money and run, but he took the time to really talk to me about the whole thing, which I really appreciate. Whenever I need a car serviced (we'll see how it goes with this car, if I even keep it!), I'll definitely be going here. read more

I have been taking my car (2005 Toyota RAV4) to Mats (pronounced "Mots") at Karsten Imports since purchasing it in 2007. In all my years of owning cars (and there have been many), I have never felt so confident and well-cared for as I do at Karsten. Mats has never attempted to up-sell me on anything and when I inquire about a particular item or service, he patiently explains how something works and/or when it might need to be replaced. I work as a consultant, frequently driving to San Diego, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara or San Luis Obispo and, like all of us, need to feel safe behind the wheel. Mats' honesty, helpfulness and access to quality resources, along with routine maintenance, helps to make sure my car (and I) stay safe on the road. Plus, he is just such a pleasure to talk to! If/when I ever need to replace my vehicle (hoping that will not be anytime soon), I would most likely stay with vehicle brands that Karsten specializes in, just so I don't have to go through the trouble (and disappointment) of searching for a trustworthy mechanic again. I can't say enough good things about my experiences with Karsten Imports. Do yourself (and your car) a favor and try them out for yourself. You'll be happy you did! read more

Repairs done right - for your car and your wallet. I've been in L.A. for over 6 years now and luckily found Karsten Imports in about 8 months. My wife and I both drive Honda cars and Mats (the owner) has been great for all of our maintenance and repair needs. As others have said, Mats always takes the time to make sure I understand what my car needs repaired. He even goes a step further to let me know which repairs need to be done now and which can take a lower priority and wait. On a previous Honda my drivers-side seat belt locked up and would not extend no matter how I tried to coax it out - either by force or by prayer. Mats let me know that safety restraints are covered by Honda for the life of the car and I could either go to the dealer to get it done for free or pay him $300 if I had too much money to know what to do with. I opted for the dealer. Mats is skilled, friendly, professional and - above all - trustworthy. Not to mention, he always has a jar full of candy in the waiting room. How can you beat that? read more

I love Karsten's Imports!! How can you love a garage, right? When the mechanic/owner is a stand up guy like Mats Heinstedt - honest, does wonderful, dependable work at a really fair price, gets your car done on time, never recommends something that doesn't need to be done but will really let you know if you have a safety issue that needs to be taken care of NOW. This is a garage that you will take your car to forever because you can trust them to treat you and your car right. read more

Mats is the man! We have a lowered Honda Accord that we bought from my girlfriend's brother. One day, apparently, a screw came lose from the kit and the whole thing fell off. We heard a strange clunking noise for 2 days and instead of taking it in we attempted to drive to San Diego. Bad call. When the kit fell it hit our ride side tire and almost wrecked our car. We had AAA tow us to SHERMAN OAKS AUTO CENTER. We were told that the right upper control arm has a joint broke and damaged the control arm and the front axle. 2 parts that need to be replaced upper control arm and the axle shaft. With the AAA10% discount it would cost us $754 out the door. I called around a few other places and found Karstan Imports on the AAA website as one of the guaranteed mechanics. Mats answered and was able to give me a quote over the phone that was $300 cheaper than what John at Sherman Oaks Auto Center gave me. I had the car towed there and Mats called me and said that some of the work that was quoted to me was not necessary. He was able to just rebuild the control arm (i think? lol) and not buy a whole new one. He did suggest some other work and I honestly admitted that I did not have money to do all of it. He did not pressure me at all. They did the work and I paid about $320 at the end of the day. Great service, great work! I will definitely be taking my car back to Karsten's! read more

I visited Karsten to replace a headlight lightbulb, but I was much more interested in checking out whether Mats would make an excellent new go-to mechanic. I mean, who wants to wait until something REALLY major happens to look for a reliable and honest mechanic? Well, the 8 positive Yelp recommendations all proved true. Not only did Mats replace my bulb on the house (I brought a spare bulb with me), but he diagnosed and fixed this creaky door problem I've had for months, right on the spot. That tells me that A. he knows his stuff, and B. he's honest. Both winning qualities for a dependable mechanic. read more

Clearly a place that could care less about customer service. Made an appointment for an oil change, and made it clear I would be there at 8 a..m Waited 30 minutes and the owner never showed. Guess they really don't want my business. read more

I've been bringing my Hondas to this shop for over eleven years (ever since I moved to the Valley). In addition to its great location, I find the premises to be welcoming and well-kept. The office is small, the service personal (usually the owner-head mechanic), friendly and well informed. You will get an estimate on what the cost will be and only seldom does that differ from the final price (although today it was $100 LESS than the estimate!). I was recommended to the shop by a friend who is been a customer here at least 20 to 25 years. That's high praise! I have never returned to the dealership for service even on a brand new car!! I much prefer the personalized service of this Auto Repair Jewel of the Valley. read more

Simply put, one of a kind! The owner Mats is one of the the most trustworthy mechanic I have ever met. Forget the mechanic part. The most trust worthy man I ever shook hands with. This review is a wake up call to those who have car problems. I don't know this guy from a hole in a wall. I am telling you all yelpers from now on. My family will be taking all our cars here! Here is my story and I'll try to make it quick. Wife's Volvo is making a lot of grinding noise towards the front of the vehicle. I leave it and Mats calls me a few hours later. Says it needs a lot of work. Car was in an accident years ago and now starting to show lots of issues. Long story short. Mats suggested to ditch it and not put any more money into it. Any other mechanic would have seen me coming. I am truly grateful for your honesty, Thank you Mats! read more

Mats was straight forward and a delight to work with. I truly felt my car was in good hands. Keep up the great service and we'll be customers for life! Thank you!!! read more

I've been coming to Karsten Imports for a lifetime with parents, friends and then my own cars. Mats is a fantastic mechanic/owner, and we trust him and his crew to provide fantastic, professional and trustworthy service, with every visit! I can never relate to people who worry about mechanics taking them for a ride (excuse the pun ;), because my family and friends completely trust Karsten Imports! read more

I called to inquire about bringing my Volvo in for service and was basically talked out of it because "it takes alot of time to remove a part to get to an air filter" what kind of bs is that? You should remove Volvo from your signage if you don't plan to service these cars. Don't bring Volvos here. They simply aren't skilled enough. Loser, no talent shop for sure! read more

I finally found a mechanic that I love! Not only do they do a fantastic job, at a great price, but they clearly love what they do. I brought it in a GX460 that the Lexus Service Dealership wanted $6k to repair, but they took it as a challenge, and completed it for less than a 1/3 of that cost. Can't say enough amazing things about them. read more

I first went to Karsten Imports after reading reviews on Yelp. I did not regret it. What I like most about Mats and his staff is their honesty. If something does not need to be repaired, he'll let you know. I recently brought him a list of maintenance issues that were recommended for my Acura by a local Acura dealer. Mats refused to do one of the recommended items because, in his words, "It doesn't need to be done. It's just an upsell by the dealer." Now that's honesty. I have recommended Karsten Imports to my friends and no one I know has ever had a bad experience there. read more

Karsten gave me great service on my Toyota for many years in the 90s. Then I moved out of the area and never found a shop to equal the skill, honesty, and terrific customer service Karsten provided. Now the shop is owned by Matz, and the great service continues! My Honda Accord needed an overhaul and Matz got it done in record time for a very fair price. He also kept me informed through every step and called to get approval on parts and prices that worked for my budget! Matz clearly loves what he does, and he has the expert knowledge that only comes from working on engines for many years. read more

Awesome place, been getting my car fixed here for years. Things have been explained to me well and they always give me an honest appraisal. Solid people. read more

I was very torn on wether or not I wanted to write this review. My husband and I moved to the neighborhood a year ago and needed to find somewhere to take our cars for maintenance. We were happy to find a local place with such positive reviews. The owner and staff are all very nice, friendly and honest, but we have had issues with every service we've had here. We have taken our cars in 5 times between the two of us for and have received sloppy service every time. The latest example: they rotated my husband tires and when we got home his tire pressure warning came on. We were heading out for a road trip and worried about getting a flat so we had to take a different car. When we got home, we looked at the car and realized that they didn't reset the tire pressure sensor after rotating the tires. This is a simple and standard thing and we ended up having to fix it ourselves. This is a small but annoying example of one of the many sloppy jobs they've done. I'm not sure if the mechanics don't pay attention or are rushed, but we unfortunately won't be coming back to Karsten. read more

We have been taking our Scion xA to Karsten Imports since we bought it in 2008. Mats is a breath of fresh air in a world of seemingly endless B.S. We highly recommend him. He is honest and practical. He tells us what we need to do to get the maximum life and safety out of our car while spending the minimum amount of money. Buying and maintaining a car is difficult and costly but Mats makes it so much less painful. We depend on him for all of our car related needs. He is wise and entertaining as well. Thank you Mats!!! read more

I totally agree with Rebecca H. Since the car was invented, there have been a horrible swindler known as the 'mechanic.' Well, finally, after a century of cars on the road, there is an honest auto repair shop. I know, I wouldn't believe it either if I haven't had multiple fantastic experiences here. From installing my side view mirror for free (I bought the mirror somewhere else) to not giving me a lecture for being a horrible car owner for not bringing in my car for six months, I have had nothing but positive transactions here. I cannot tell you how much better it is going here versus Keys Toyota. Today I dropped off my filthy five-year-old Toyota Corolla that was running OKand I picked up a cleaned (I'm talking vacuumed and exterior wash) that runs like a new. Mott, the man who runs the garage, is a genuinely great guy. We end up talking about snowboarding or living in the Valley. I'm so upset that I can't bring Karsten with me to Portland. Maybe I'll just drive the 14 hours whenever I need a car check-up. read more