Six people, two halls, all makes
In Musterdorf since 1979. Small enough that you always talk to the same person. Big enough for the equipment modern cars need.
It started with one hall and two people
My father founded the business in 1979, back then with a pit and a tool cart. I took over in 2013, after my master craftsman exam and a few years at a bigger garage.
What has changed? These days almost every repair involves a control unit. We keep training all the time, because otherwise you can’t keep up after two years.
One thing has stayed the same. We tell people how things stand. Even when the answer is that the repair isn’t worth it anymore.
Who works here
Four in the workshop, one at the front desk, one in the office. You can always reach someone who knows your car.
Andreas Mustermann
Master automotive technician. Handles the front desk and works at the lift himself.
Petra Mustermann
Appointments, invoices, insurance. Usually the voice on the phone.
Tobias Muster
Automotive mechatronics technician, focused on electrics and troubleshooting.
Jonas Muster
Automotive mechatronics technician. Brakes, suspension, clutch, timing belts.
Marius Muster
Automotive service mechanic. Knows every set of wheels in storage by heart.
Lena Muster
Apprentice in her second year. We’ve been training apprentices since 1994.
What’s in the workshop
Not the longest list, but what you really need to do clean work on today’s cars.
Four lifts
Three post lifts and one wheel alignment lift. So nothing grinds to a halt when a part doesn’t arrive until the afternoon.
Diagnostic system
Multi-brand system with regular updates, plus measuring equipment for the cases where the fault memory has nothing to say.
A/C service station
For both common refrigerants, including leak detection with UV dye.
Brake tester
We measure braking power instead of guessing. The printout comes with your invoice.
Tire fitting
Tire changer and balancing machine for rims up to 22 inches, plus a tool for tire pressure sensors.
Tire storage
Room for around 300 sets of wheels, dry and dark, with a numbering system.
Independent garage or dealer?
The honest answer is that for maintenance and repairs you get the same quality. The difference lies somewhere else.
| Point | With us | Dealer |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer’s warranty | Stays valid, as long as servicing follows the manufacturer’s specs and equivalent parts are used. | Stays valid. |
| Spare parts | OE quality, or genuine parts if you prefer. What we fitted is listed on the invoice. | As a rule, genuine parts only. |
| Hourly rate | One rate for all work. | Often higher, frequently tiered by department. |
| Contact person | The person who works on your car. | A service advisor who stands between you and the workshop. |
| Software work | A lot of it, yes. Some coding can only be done by the manufacturer. Then we tell you and sort it out. | Full access to the manufacturer’s systems. |
| Recalls | These go through the manufacturer. We tell you who to contact. | Handled there. |
Training and further training
We’ve been training apprentices since 1994, currently one apprentice in her second year. Everyone on the team goes on a training course at least once a year, because otherwise electronics and driver assistance systems quickly get over your head.
- Regular technical training for the whole team
- Training for work on high-voltage systems
- We train apprentices, and applications are welcome any time
What happens to your used oil
A garage produces waste you can’t just throw away. We dispose of everything through licensed specialist companies and can document every step.
- Used oil, brake fluid and coolant collected separately
- Old tires and batteries through licensed disposal companies
- Refrigerant is extracted and recycled, not vented
How you can tell you’ve come to the right place
Four things we handle the same way on every job.
You understand the invoice
Labor and parts listed separately, every item explained. If anything is unclear, we go through it together.
You hear from us first
If it gets more expensive or takes longer, we call you. Not you calling us for the third time.
You see the old parts
You can take them with you if you like. With exchange parts, we explain why that isn’t always possible.
You’ll also hear a no
If a repair doesn’t make sense anymore, we say so, even if it means we earn nothing from it.