German Auto Group of Alexandria — Local services in Alexandria

Long story short, I brought my car (in virtually perfect condition) in for very routine maintenance, and was unable to drive it home. I had to have it taken to the BMW dealership next door for an additional $1300 in repairs.

I am EXTREMELY disappointed in this place. I have been taking my car here for several years for the convenience of not having to deal with the dealer, however I will NEVER be bringing my car here again.

I brought my car in for very routine maintenance- brake fluid flush and cabin air filter change (maintenance I was told that would take about an hour). Several hours later, I was told that the maintenance was completed, but that the airbag light was now on. The mechanic and GM, Adrian, told me that a transfer case module had gone faulty and that the timing was “bad” because it supposedly happened to go bad on it’s own during the time they had my car. (Spoiler: they were completely wrong about this diagnosis)

I found this extremely suspicious considering my car had zero issues when I brought it in, but nonetheless I paid my $450 bill and left. As soon as I got into my car, I saw a myriad of alerts and lights pop up on my screens (including the brake fluid light), so I headed back inside.

The mechanic and Adrian took my car back to the garage to evaluate it again. They blamed all these additional issues on the same transfer case module. Again, I called b.s., but decided I wasn’t going to continue going back and forth with them on it in the waiting room.

I headed back out to my car to leave and as I attempted to drive away, I realized my power steering was now broken. Again, I headed back inside and the mechanic took my car back into the garage.

They continued to say that this issue was connected to the faulty transfer case module that just “happened” to break while they had my car. Adrian also said that the mechanic “hadn’t noticed” the power steering being broken, which is absolutely insane and difficult to believe.

I was forced to leave my car at the shop and have them drop it off at the BMW dealership for me. BMW diagnosed the issue and the issue was NOT the transfer case, but another issue that was “extremely likely” to have been caused by German Auto Group’s error and cost me $1300 in repairs. German Auto Group refuses to give any sort of refund for their negligence saying that they have nothing to do with the issue, even though (as they said) every system and parts in a BMW are connected and affect each other.

Take your...

April 2018-There aren’t enough positive words in the English language to express my satisfaction and gratitude for German Auto Group of Alexandria, on Pickett Street in Alexandria but I’m going to try. When I briefly spoke with Steve on a Saturday I immediately believed I could trust this business.

I unknowingly purchased a very sick 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic with barely 60,000 miles, and the extended warranty. I had a “pre-purchase inspection” at the dealership that came back with very minor issues so I bought the car. After being diagnosed with “terminal” problems shortly after my purchase at this same dealership, “they” recommended I trade the car in for a new one. I panicked and made the trip to CarMax where I was provided a quote for the purchase of the car.

I decided to take the car in for an estimate with German Auto Repair of Alexandria based on the earlier conversation with Steve. I was given a ride home with a very nice man, Joe. The quote for all of the work needed based on the dealership written recommendations of repairs needed, and my backyard mechanic friends was more than fair.

The repairs were major, transmission, engine leaks, engine/transmission mounts, sway bar links, brakes, very extensive work.

Steve was a true pro keeping me up-to-date on the progress. He worked with the extended warranty company’s policy of reimbursement for one of the problems. Steve is the direct contact. He is clear and doesn’t waste time. The car was worked on, and fixed quickly. It’s clear by the end result the repair technicians, are efficient, knowledgeable and just straight up know what they are doing.

When i received the call the car is ready, Joe once again picked me up and gave me a ride to pick up my car. The car was clean, inside and out. After driving the car over the weekend I’m happy to say, it’s like a new car.

After all those words and my story, do your vehicle a favor, let these professionals care for your vehicle, you will be satisfied with the entire experience and have peace of mind. You’ll be treated fairly and with respect. I will never take my Mercedes-Benz...

Update: I received a call from Adrian after writing this review offering to look at the vehicle again free of charge. They performed a technical bulletin from VW - hoping it will fix the issue.

I brought my 2010 VW Jetta here on 12/20/2021 as the check engine light had come on and the car was throwing code P0106. They diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new MAP sensor. As P0106 commonly isn't an issue with the sensor itself, my husband questioned Adrian and asked if it could be oil leaking from the PCV - a common issue. He was told no, it was certainly just the sensor so we agreed to let the "experts" fix it for $749.41. When I left the car was still starting hard, but the check engine light was off (meaning they cleared it). I was back at the shop on 03/05/2022, approx 3 months later, for the same issue - check engine light on with code P0106. This time they said it was the PCV leaking oil on the sensor (the issue my husband had originally asked Adrian to check). We were assured this would fix it and haggled the price down to $423.75 as this issue should not have recurred. When I left, once again the car still started hard. I took my car to another shop for regularly scheduled service on 03/29/2022 and they informed me that the vehicle still had a passive fault for MAP sensor occurring - P0106. They recommended I take it back to the shop that did the service (German Auto Group) as their service did not fix the issue due to either a defective fix or them not diagnosing the issue correctly. Today (04/06/2022) my check engine light came on AGAIN and is throwing code P0106 AGAIN. I am requesting German Auto Group of Alexandria refund me the amount paid for both services as they did not fix my issue and I would like to take my car to a shop that can properly diagnose the issue and fix it. This is covered under warranty for both the sensor...