Mark's Independent Service is the kind of shop you wish you found years ago. Chris was incredibly helpful--patient on the phone, respectful in person, and flexible with my schedule. I brought in my Honda Civic, and within an hour he and his team had a full, transparent breakdown ready for me. Everything was organized in a clear texted link with pricing, and Chris still took the time to call and walk me through each item, prioritizing what actually mattered. No fluff, no pressure--just honesty. Their pricing is solid, the communication is top-tier, and you genuinely feel like your car is being taken care of the right way. Truly five-star service across the board. read more

Excellent actually exceptional service! Our daughter's 2015 Jeep broke down and had problems and they were there to rescue and fixed it in a fast timely manner. The team is friendly, smart but also honest. We highly recommend them! read more

Mark and Colleen are great at customer service and volvo repair. I am saddened they are closing.

I had been a loyal customer of Mark's Independent Service for years and had multiple jobs done there in the past, which makes this experience especially disappointing. In November, I brought my car in for a gear shifter issue. While that problem was fixed, it resulted in a much more serious issue with the airbag system. I was sent to the dealer, where I was quoted $3,500 to repair the airbag--on a car worth about $5,000 per Kelley Blue Book. Repairing it simply didn't make financial sense. I contacted the shop and spoke with Colleen, who said she would work with Mark to take the car back and troubleshoot the issue once he returned from Hawaii. She said she would call me back, but she never did. Shortly after, I received a generic email saying the business was closing, with no attempt to address the problem they caused. As a working parent of two small children, being left without a safe, usable vehicle due to a shop's mistake--and lack of accountability--was incredibly stressful. It's sad to see a business end its legacy this way, and I'm relieved they've closed so no one else has to go through this experience. If you encounter a similar situation, contact the California Bureau of Automotive Repair and file a complaint. read more

Excellent work!!! Always with desire to help and get the correct job for my car. Very happy customer read more

My Toyota Solara suddenly stopped in the middle of the road in rush hour traffic. I called AAA and they sent tow truck. Called Mark's and Robert said he'd wait for the car and I didn't need to come. He'd handle it! It was just before closing (5:30pm ) so am very grateful! He checked car and ordered an alternator so he'd have it in the morning. I called next day and was AMAZED when he told me would be done by noon. The Owner, Colleen, kindly came to pick me up at my house to retrieve my car. Wow- I am impressed by their service! read more

I brought my 2010 Prius here when the oil maintenance light wouldn't go off. After an expensive list of repair recommendations I chose the most urgent one that fit my budget - transmission service - got my car back the same day, and was satisfied with the results. Pros: available during covid, friendly service, there is some type of tech net warranty, they take safety seriously, do a thorough inspection and have photo documentation provided along with their recommendations Cons: their inspection costs $155, the hourly rate is high, and they charge premium prices for parts. Transmission fluid that costs $9 at the store is charged at $17, for example. Editing to add: I have family members who are mechanics in other cities, and I am well aware that there is some leeway in pricing parts and labor. When you're partnering with a larger network and offering a warranty, you may have some additional expenses that get passed on to the consumer in pricing parts out. However...there is still a lot of wiggle room. OEM or otherwise. If you need your car repaired accurately and quickly, and paying premium is in your budget, this is an acceptable option. If you are looking for a more affordable option, you could try asking upfront for a reduced inspection cost, or negotiating on the price of parts and labor before you commit to work. I wanted to see how they treat people from the start. In the future I would prefer to spend my money and bring my car regularly to a more affordable shop. read more

Mark's Independent Service - Receipt invoice - Auto Repair Near Me - Chatsworth, California

Just like a trusted family member or friend. You can always count on Mark's Independent to be there when you need them and trust them with your automotive repairs that will be done right the first time every time. Trust no one else with your Volvo, Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura and Subaru automotive needs. You won't be disappointed and will find yourself a new trusted member of your automotive family that you can trust. read more

I've taken my car there a few times and have had a really great experience so far. Colleen is very nice and professional. They stand behind their work and you can tell that they actually care about you and your car. Their maintenance fee is higher than some other places, but you get what you pay for. They do a thorough inspection to make sure everything is in good shape. It only makes sense to pay a small premium and prevent costly repairs down the line. I also like how they give you a detailed invoice with pictures. I've been to other mechanics and Mark's has been the only one doing it this way. read more

Robert the service writer and Colleen the owner take the time to listen and get a thorough understanding of your car's issues. They will only accept your job if they are confident they can fix it. Their straightforward approach is what I appreciate. They are not the cheapest but they are the best. I have been taking Volvos to the shop since 1995 and I still do. read more

Found Mark's on Yelp after reading the reviews my husband and I decided to give them a go. Coleen and Mark were cordial and easy to talk to. My husband let them know the issues we were having and the fixes he tried without success. We left the car with them after agreeing to a diagnostic fee of $165. This fee is not used towards any repairs done. It is a separate charge as Colleen made clear. My husband received a call from Mark later that day and found out the bad news and what he feared most. Apparently an exhaust valve was damaged or stuck. The work required to fix the issue was to remove the engine and reseat/replace the damaged valve. Cost to do that, $8k! The cost to replace the engine would come in at $9k! After the initial sticker shock, we decided to pick up our car and contemplate our options. We paid the $165 diagnostic fee and thanked Mark and Colleen. We decided to take the car to the dealer and get a second opinion. Mark was on the money and it would cost about the same to replace the engine. The diagnostic fee would have to be paid but then the $180 would be applied towards the repair cost if we decided to have the work done. My husband decided to check other options and found an independent mechanic that replaced our engine at half the price and we are happy with the results. Even after paying for the repair and two separate diagnostic fees we were $1000's better off when compared to the original estimate. Mark and his team diagnosed the issue correctly but are more in line with dealer pricing than we like to see in an independent mechanic. Personally, given a choice between the two we would have just gone with the dealer. Thankfully we found a better option. read more

I usually service all my vehicles at the dealership, however, this is the first time I decided to support my local business and work with Mark's Independent Service to diagnose and resolve an issue I was having with my 2011 Toyota Prius. The Toyota dealership does not even compare with the service I received at Mark's... I felt satisfied in knowing that their mechanics did a thorough job of providing me with a comprehensive review of my vehicle and the work required for repairing/replacing the bad fuel injector. The service was amazing and the professionalism of Coleen and her team was thoughtful...I felt good knowing that a real repair shop capable of working on my Prius has the integrity and experience to get my Prius back on the road. Coleen is an amazing manager and she provided constant updates and photos throughout the process...Go Coleen - Prius Cool! read more

After 22 years of servicing my 2000 Volvo GLT wagon I can no longer recommend Mark's Independent Service. I brought the car in for a rough idle and a check engine light (attributed I am guessing to the rough idle). I received an authorization request to sign off on a Diagnostic Charge of $200, in 22 years not once have I been hit with this. last summer there was a problem with the A/C that took a week to identify and fix (only after they contacted Mark the old owner and namesake). It is sad to see how quickly this staple of Chatsworth has fallen. I told them to stop any work, I picked the car up and took it across the street to a recommendation from a different shop. You can read my glowing previous reviews on other sites so no I am not disgruntled just disappointed. read more

Always good, honest car care. Whenever I buy a used car I have Mark's check it out first.

The convertible top on my daughters beautiful C70 broke, rather spectacularly and was half way closed. I was able to get it all the way down, so now it is stuck open, a less than ideal situation. So my daughter called Marks Independent Volvo and Colleen told her they could close the top and lock it for $175. I figure that is pretty good, car is usable again and we can address repairs after that. I bring the car in and Colleen tells me that the charge will be $371 - because somehow she thought my daughter wanted the top manually opened and $175 was to open it, they charge $371 to close it. Who wants a broken convertible top opened? I agree reluctantly. The car is useless as it is and with winter coming having top closed will be fine so I tell her to fix it. Colleen calls us later, they can't fix it. "We've closed dozens of these, first one I've ever seen we couldn't fix", Colleen tells me. I go to get the car and Colleen is nice and doesn't charge us anything. Cool I think, but I still have a busted car to deal with. This is were it gets pretty bad. Colleen tells me that all of the hydraulic fluid is out of the system and that had caused the top to "settle and break the clips" and that I'd have to take it to Galpin Volvo as they have the special machine to lift the top up. She goes on to inform me that the top weighs 1200 lbs and can only be fixed at this point by the dealer. THANK GOD I found Tiko at HKS Auto Parts and Service in Sun Valley. They diagnosed a intermittent control switch and one burst hydraulic line. $460 TOTAL and the top is like NEW. In and out in one day. I won't take the family Volvo's anywhere else in the future. There were no broken clips. No special machine was needed to close the top. The top does not weigh 1200 pounds. So if you want bait and switch on price and incorrect diagnosis then please head on over to Mark's Independent. If you want your car fixed go see Tiko and Jonathan out at HKS Auto Parts and Service. They are good people. read more

The only place we will bring our Volvos, everyone here is expert and friendly. 11/10 experience every time.

The folks at Mark's were very kind and extremely helpful during a difficult situation for my family. Our old Forester broke down just as we were starting out\r 6 hour drive home from SoCal. I called Mark's first thing Monday morning and they made time time to check out the engine. When it was clear the car wasn't worth saving for us, they were very gracious and kept the car in their lot for a few days while I found a buyer. All around good folks who care! read more

Wow once again amazing service, not only they gave me an appointment fast, after more than 6 months they remember me.. my name, car, what do I do for work everything that it was mention in small chat while they do my first car assessment, they reallu make you feel among friends... if this is not quality service then I don't know what it is. I said once and I say it again... this is the place to go for all my car services. read more

Mark's is a true find! The entire team is outstanding. I have never felt more supported and cared for by a mechanic. Thank you, Mark's Independent, for allowing me to put my trust in you. You set the standard in customer service and reliability. read more

Was looking for a reputable independent mechanic and I think we found them! I was immediately impressed with their responsiveness and friendly customer service, Colleen. That got me in the door. She took my information quickly, got my appointment set, checked me in the morning of the appt, and kept strict social distancing and COVID precautions. Even for this routine maintenance, they took the time to electronically connect, take pictures of current/possible future issues over email/text, and stay in close communication. Prices were reasonable and even more attractive since they were able to find me a discount in the mix. Amazing thing for people in these difficult times. They even offered me a ride share/drop off service - VERY ACCOMMODATING! Thank you MIS, BG read more

Took my car for the first time today, service was excellent both for my car and customer service. It is extremely difficult to find a reliable and honest shop, I'm so glad I found this this place. I highly recommend here read more

I sent Mark's Independent Service an email on their website requesting the cost for service and repairs needed on my Lexus. Since they demonstrated to me they don't care about their customers by not responding back either by means of phone or email - they lost a customer for life! read more

Mark is a gem. He's knowledgable, honest and friendly too. I appreciate everything he does to keep my vintage Volvo on the road!

Great Mechanic. I know it's not a 'local' Simi business, but shoutout to Mark's Independent Service in Chatsworth. They were willing to deal with my insurance after our catalytic converter was stolen last week. Super clean and incredibly professional shop. They take pictures of all their work and send it to you which is great. Highly recommended! read more

DON'T BE FOOLED BY Yelp Reviews. Thought this place was the best in town. Brougbt my 2004 XC70 for check up since I recently bought it. Mark did help me out figuring out one problem. However, he told me to sign a paper just to make sure I give them a right to work on my car. Thought they would give me an estimate before proceeding the check up. However, I ended up paying about $125 without being informed the estimate. This is actually illegal. I went to a different mechanic in different area and they told me they would do the exact same check up for $85max. I asked him if he gave me an estimate and he said he did. What a lie. All the quotes were over priced according to 3 different mechanics. I will never go back to this place. Finding out that they over charged me without informing an estimate was really really disappointing. read more

I've been taking my 1966 P1800 to Mark for well over two years and found him to be the most competent mechanic I've ever hired. I own several classic cars, but Mark and his team take the cake. They are encyclopedic about the history and mechanics of these automobiles, right down to the various wrench sizes on different nuts. I saw that other review, and I have never experienced anything like that. They always are very upfront about what you need, and why, and you have the decision to get it fixed or not; it's that simple. I would recommend this shop for any Volvo driver who wants the job done right the first time. read more

We drive 30 miles each way to take our Volvos to Mark's for two reasons: knowledge and trust. Mark, Nelson, and Pepe know these cars inside and out, everything from our 2008 C30 to our 1967 1800S. Our 1800 wasn't perfect when we bought it, but Mark has sorted out everything from the cooling system to the brakes to the fuse boxes. Just give him a screwdriver and a few minutes with your SU carburetors, and they'll run so much smoother! Try finding a dealer or even another specialty shop with enough vintage Volvo experience to do that. Mark's knowledge extends to all the newer Volvos too- we recently bought a used 1998 S70 T5 with over 200K on it, and in less than a week he had it running like new. More importantly for our wallet, he helped us decide which repairs to spend on and which could wait (change the oil cooler line seals, wait on the spring seats). The Volvo shop that inspected the car in Irvine would have charged us double for stuff we didn't need, while neglecting the crucial repairs! Which brings us to trust. It's very rare to find a mechanic who will work with you to save you money and get your Volvo running the way it should. Mark is that mechanic, has been for years, and he's worth every penny. P.S. Sometimes when things get busy around the shop, Mark will get a little grumbly. Not to worry. He's just trying to make sure he takes care of everyone! read more

2.0 star rating 4/11/2017 Previous review OVER PRICED! Went in for oil leak. I'm a female so, of course they gave me a "complimentary" diagnostic Those repairs were going to cost 6k--really? I should have just walked out but I agreed to 1/2 the repairs (3k) which they did BUT some parts were not installed accordingly so i had to go back 3 different times! They are not close to my home-pain in the rear-Time, energy etc. women stay away! In the end they never fixed my oil leak....got fed up with them & their dealership prices & went to another mechanic -(fast fair prices) P.S. Mark never talked to me it was always someone else read more

Been taking my S40 to Mark for a few years now. He and his team are very reliable and knowledgable. Mark always explains whats going on with my car in terms that I can understand clearly. He isn't pushy like other mechanics I've worked with in the past and really listens to what your needs are from your vehicle and then works with you to achieve that keeping your budget limits in mind. He will recommend the best and safest solution to managing your vehicle. The prices are in the expected range - I have never found costs to be inflated or unreasonable. You can feel secure taking your vehicle to Mark! read more

Found this shop on yelp and im glad i did because Mark is a great mechanic, i would trust him with my car anyday. Its very clean shop. Mark and his staff are very friendly and welcoming. Im definitely making this my new go to shop. Thank you Mark!! read more

Absolutely, positively, one of the best mechanics and auto repair/ maintenance experiences you might fathom can be found at Mark's. May seem I'm gushing, but they took very, very good care of me while I had my 96' Wagon, and I seriously considered getting another Volvo just so I wouldn't have to change mechanics! ***I drove to Chatsworth for service all the way from Hollywood for 3 YEARS because I wouldn't got to anyone else, and it was totally worth it!*** Clear, upfront, and fair pricing. Fast service. Absolutely charismatic and lovely, genuine people. You really can't ask for more. read more

Volvo S60 was towed to another shop when it wouldn't start. They diagnosed engine computer failure and replaced the computer. The problem was that the new computer needed to be reprogrammed which required specialised electronic equipment that they didn't have. The computer supply company, XEMODEX recommended Mark's Independent to take the car to for this repair. What a brilliant referral! The car was repaired within six hours. There was no condescending "We don't work on other people's installed parts". Found Mark a genuine 'people person',and both he his facility a breath of fresh air given their professionalism, promptness and a fair price. Recommend in the highest possible way. read more

I have nothing but wonderful things to say about my experience with Mark's shop. Staff was kind and followed all covid regulations. Made me feel safe coming in. Special shout out to Arin, chief tech who worked on my S90. That man is a diamond, my car felt good as new with his work. Thank you Arin! read more

Thanks for great service and an awesome team. It was dynamic to have a female owned shop that caters to everyone. Efficient service. Great prices. Nice to know my car is in good hands!! read more

I am passionate about Volvos for more than 20 years, so I had to deal with many Volvo services. Last week it was my 1st time at Mike's Independent Service, and to be honest I will not be looking for anything else for our C70 and XC90. Mark and his crew are absolute professionals, everything was done in time, the issues were well explained, communication was very efficient and super friendly. They really cared to deliver the best result. I definitely know where we will bring our Volvos for service next time ) Thanks Mark, thanks Colleen, thanks guys! read more

We have been bringing our cars (and our kids' too) to Mark's for 6 years and know we are getting a fair price for excellent work. I feel safer knowing our kids are driving cars that he has inspected and/or worked on. If a lot of work is needed he has prioritized it for us. Also, I happen to know he is regularly jetting off to training to keep up on the latest technology. And lastly, have you seen how clean he keeps his shop? It's immaculate. He's got pride in his work and it really shows. Definitely recommend you bring your Lexus, Toyota and of course your Volvo there. read more

We have been going to Mark's since we first bought our used Volvo 4 years ago. Let me begin by saying we have never had better service for any kind of vehicle, anywhere, in 50 years of driving and maintaining cars. The shop is amazingly clean, the estimates reasonable, the repairs timely, and the communication as good as sitting on the front porch with an old friend. When problems arise, Mark is quick to exam our complaints and recommend a course of action. Sometimes, in the repair process, he finds additional problems. He then gives us choices on how to proceed - 1) this needs to be fixed, but can wait a while, 2) this needs to be fixed and the car shouldn't travel very far before it is fixed, 3) this is a real problem and I am not comfortable letting your car leave here in this condition. (You get the Idea!) It is reassuring to know that Mark has the welfare of his customers at heart. As long as Mark's Independent Volvo Service exists, there is no better place to go. Period! read more

I was so glad to discover these great people at Mark's! Colleen, the Service Advisor, was so knowledgeable and helpful from the very start. She and Mark listened to my (long) tale of concerns with my car and warranty, and they took a listen and gave me some professional advice at no charge. They even advocated for me with the dealer and provided me resources in which to make my case for an extension to my warranty. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and problem-solvers-- great qualities in auto repair professionals! Honesty is so important when you're putting your trust into a mechanic; they made a great first impression and I'd definitely recommend you give them a try. I'll be back, for sure! read more

'Mark's saves the day for out-of-town family'- My sister-in-law came to town with the 2004 XC70 loaded to the gills as well as the 2 nieces. 3 times on her way from Oregon the car 'went in to limp-mode' leaving her on the side of the road. We researched a solid mechanic and was directed to Mark's, we are glad we did. They were friendly, on-point, and had her problem diagnosed, repaired, and back on the road on time and under the estimate. Thanks guys, you did a great job! read more

If you want your Volvo fixed properly...Mark's Volvo is the place! These days it's hard to find a decent, honest mechanic. We all have one time or another experienced horror stories. Mark is competent, reliable, personable and most importantly, trustworthy. I have been a Volvo driver for 20 years now. My vehicles were always covered through the lease programs via Volvo except recently, I purchased a pre-owned vehicle from a dealership (dealership shall remain nameless) and brought my Volvo to Mark for inspection. His experience and knowledge with these vehicles are what makes me confident when having to have my car serviced. With that being said, he had diagnosed some issues that the dealership was not aware of nor knew how to resolve. He and Colleen took the initiative to communicate with the dealership and within a reasonable amount of time, had my vehicle serviced and made the communication as to what he was going to do seamless. Cars are so sophisticated these days that's why I took my vehicle to a Volvo specialist such as Mark. I appreciate everything Mark and Colleen do to help me stay in a safe vehicle! *Just an fyi...I referred someone to Mark who had a "Vintage" Volvo. She desperately wanted to drive the car which had been out of commission for several years. Mark was able to restore her Volvo almost in new condition!* Thank you Mark and Colleen for always being there for me! read more