Reinhard's German AutoHaus Reinhard's Auto Over-billed, substandard work, fire-hazard Mesa Arizona

This year I dropped off our 2014 MB Sprinter van with 18,000 miles, for service at Reinhard’s. The van had two check engine lights illuminated on the dash, and Reinhard’s on Main Street touts themselves as an affordable local repair-shop alternative to the dealer. The initial diagnosis was that the engine wiring harness was damaged and needed replacement.

In short, nearly 90 days later, and a bill of $15,000 the van was finally ready for pick-up. I picked it up just before closing, and after only driving 2 miles, the check engine light reappeared. I drove it right back to Reinhard’s. By this time they were closed, and I parked the van in front. After a bill like that, I expected Reinhard’s to be more than sympathetic the next day, but instead they chastised me for my parking and was told to drive it another 100 miles before they would look at it. So we did. After 100 miles of driving that day, which did nothing to ‘fix’ the check engine light or our mood at that point, and another week and a half in the shop, we were charged an additional $1,000! The total was now $16,000.

Again, I picked it up from their shop, and was hit with a sickening feeling when the check engine light again reappeared after only 9 miles of driving. Frustrated, I called Reinhard's and was told the shop would be closed for two weeks. I was out of luck and was told that if I wanted it fixed sooner, I should just take it to the dealer. This is what happened, and I’m very glad I did. What came next was a shock. The dealer called and said that as soon as they popped the hood, they determined that the work performed by Reinhard’s was substandard, and a fire-hazard. They felt the van could be driven but NOT without a serious safety risk to the passengers. Further, they determined that Reinhard’s had far over charged, and incorrectly charged for the work they said they performed. When the dealer says you were ripped off and your life was at risk, that says a lot. To redo the work that Reinhard’s had done and make it right (and safe to drive) will cost, but luckily it’s a fraction of what was charged previously.

I have been patient, respectful, and civil with Reinhard’s during this entire saga, but we were clearly played, held hostage, and left out in the cold by this small company over a three month period. Not once did they have my back even after $16k in bills and put my safety and the safety of my family at risk. Make your own decision, but I recommend you stay away from Reinhart’s German Autohaus.