Signal Hill Foreign Auto Service

Just got my AC serviced by my heroes at Signal Hill Foreign Auto. My 1989 Volvo recently hit 225,000 miles and shows no signs of stopping.
Q: Can you guess why?
A: Because I’ve been taking it to Leo since I bought it over 100,000 miles ago.
They’re the best and I can’t recommend them enough. Service is great and customer service is even greater. Awesome people keeping my baby running.
Here’s to another 100,000 miles!

This is a great place to take a Volvo or BMW. I took my BMW for the 1^st time. Much more reasonable than the dealer plus quite honest and quick service. I will definitely return here the next time I get my car serviced. The owner and employees are friendly. Great customer service.

This a wonderful mechanic.
We’ve taken 3 different Volvos to Sig Hill FAS since 2012.
I think we’re at the point where we’re going to have Leo just do everything because he’s so reasonable, reliable, and knowledgeable.
The cars he’s serviced have been a 2004 S80; 2001 S60; 1998 S70.
we’ve spent $ 5000 with Sig Hill since 2012.
Some of the work done includes timing belt, map sensor, throttle body, air service, other various service according to the manual, headlamp replacement.
The most astounded I’ve ever been by a mechanic was when he fixed the door on our S60.
This was when we were just starting to go to Leo.
The door handle unit on s60 is a common problem. It’s a stupid problem because the interior handle becomes inoperable yet the int. handle can’t just be replaced. Volvo designed it on s60 2001 models such that the entire door panel must be replaced. The interior door handle is NOT a separate part. (there’s a business here for someone with 3D printer skills). Leo had already worked on the door with a warning that next time, we’d probably have to buy a door panel, so I wasn’t hoping for much when I brought him the S60 again. But Leo fixed it. He drove to the hardware store to get wire or whatever to make the handle operable again and saved us a lot of money.
He’s also cleaned up the mess that other shops created when other shops did stupid things.
He also gave us good advice when we were deciding whether to keep the 2001 S60 with 175,000 miles, or drive the 1998 S70 with 40,000 miles that we had inherited.
So, I’m very happy here. Our goal is to get at least 250,000 miles out of these cars. Foreign auto Service is helping with that.

I use to always take my 2007 BMW to the dealership for repairs and service even knowing it was expensive and really not knowing much about cars-​I figure this was best. It wasn’t until last year when I got married that my husband insisted to find another place and sure enough we found this hidden gem. I had some work done on my brakes and sure enough they beat the dealership price by a saving me $ 300! I went in today Friday about 330pm for a blinker light repair, windshield fluid, and tire pressure check. I knew they closed at 530pm and it looked as if the mechanics were busy. I even said I would come back but the lady in the front immediately asked them to check things out for me. They worked on my car immediately and were done in 20 minutes. The gentlemen-​I believe he is the owner didn’t even charge me! The lady in the front was very nice, so were the two mechanics, great customer service! I plan to come back here!

Excellent!
Ten years ago, I bought my new (but used) Volvo in to Signal Hill Foreign Auto Service and never went anywhere else for service on it. Leo is the most honest mechanic I have ever met — many was the time that he turned off one of my warning lights and told me that I did not need a repair, since everything checked out fine. He was always tready to help me get my car back in working order. (My favorite time was when I brought in the car since my cigarette lighters weren’t working, so I couldn’t charge my cellphone. He found a penny that one of my grandchildren had inserted in it – the penney had caused a short, and it just needed a new fuse. In and out in 10 minutes, a few bucks, and all was fixed.) I highly recommend this auto service.

I just sold my Volvo after owning it for 9 years. I wanted to publicly thank both Leo and LaDonna for many wonderful years of service and taking care of the car. I’m the type of person who racks up lots of freeway miles every year and my car got to a point where it was time to sell it. Before I move on, I just wanted to thank these people as over the years they’ve been wonderful in service, recommendations. They go over and beyond in their help and I recommend them highly.

I just made my first trip to Signal Hill Foreign Auto Service… My check engine and ABS lights came on, so I checked Unilocal for the best Volvo shop in Long Beach, and I wasn’t disappointed. In fact, I was surprised by how great the experience was. They read my codes, took a test drive, diagnosed, and fixed the problem in less than 30 minutes. I guess I was just lucky, but in the future, if I have car trouble, I’ll be going back for sure.

I came to this place because it has a 5 star rating on Unilocal.My volvo Wouldn’t start, so I towed it to signal hill foreign auto. Leo told me that he diagnosed my car and that the crank sensor was bad. I paid this dumb ass $ 260 to replace it. It turned out he was wrong.
Also, right before i left the shop i noticed my check engine light was on, I then went inside to tell him, «hey you forgot to reset my check engine light,» leo said «leave it, it doesn’t do anything.» Which is bullshit because a check engine light makes your car run weaker and consumes more fuel. After 1 hour since I left his shop my volvo died at a car wash. I called leo to tell him my car won’t start, all he said was «I’m sorry.» I made the mistake by coming to his dumb ass!!! STAY AWAY!!!

Excellent service. Very upfront with prices. Clean professional.
First time I went they were about to close but owner and mechanic, Arturo, stayed till after 6 to put on a new alternator belt for me. Cheap, fast, humanistic customer service.
Second time, needed a couple things done. Only had to press a little to get it looked at /​worked on that day.
Average time: 1:15 minutes for both.
Awesome! Will return with any Volvo issues.

I found this shop looking for a local Volvo mechanic and was really impressed by so many 5 star reviews. I drove in this afternoon and was greeted by Ladonna. She was so knowledgeable and helpful. I needed my 90 000 mile major service but had already performed some of the tasks myself (air and cabin filters). They modified the package dropped the price and had my car ready sooner than they promised! I will definitely be coming back!

I’m very happy with the service I got from Signal Hill Foreign Auto. I brought my 1999 BMW 528i in for service. They were very friendly and accommodating, and my car is running as well as it ever has. I’ll definitely be returning next time my car needs it.

I took my prized 1991 Volvo 240 to Leo on the morning of May 16^th, 2013. My driver’s side (exterior) door handle was broken, my check engine light was on and I was almost due for an oil change. I utilized the early morning drop box service after having gone in the afternoon prior to fill out my repair estimate invoice. Leo the lion is said to be king of the jungle, well let it be known that Leo @ SHFAS is KING of mechanics! He’s honest, sarcastic when applicable and he flat out knows what he’s doing. He called me to advise me of the services he’d be completing, a timeframe of when the work would be done and on top of that, he didn’t overcharge me. My car had been running a bit sluggish due to an engine coolant oxygen sensor («check engine») prior to SHFAS. After the skill and craft of Leo, my Royal Blue now runs like Usain Bolt-​true story!
To say Leo is a MasterMechanic is a downright understatement. This man is a vehicle guru, an Auto Shaman! Although he won’t admit it, I’m certain he did some adjustments and minor repairs without having charged me (thanks Leo). My steering and suspension is more firm and my undercarriage no longer squeaks. The engine even runs quieter. I took my car in for a smog check the next day (different location because Leo doesn’t do smogs) and it passed with flying colors. The technician told me I have a beautiful, clean running older car. I told him, «My car has experienced a renaissance at the hands of Leo!» His repair facility is immaculate and Signal Hill Foreign Auto Service is a hidden gem. So the next time your prized Swiss or German vehicle requires any type of repair and/​or minor service-don’t hesitate to locate 2650 Raymond Ave, Signal Hill, CA. I assure you it will be well worth the time vested and $ spent.
My next repair is the AC Blower Motor, fan blade and resistor housing. Prior to konking out, it blew exceptionally cold. I’m certain once Leo repairs it, my AC will be colder than International Falls, MN!!!

Awesome customer service!!! HONEST!!! Did not rip me off. My grandmother’s «check engine light» came on. The closest Volvo dealership is Torrance, which is pretty far from my home. I called anyway and they wanted $ 129 to «inspect the car». I found this place online and checked the Unilocal reviews and decided to go there. I planned to leave it overnight assuming it was something major. I told Leo about the light and he said «maybe its something small like a loose gas cap. Do you have a couple minutes to wait and see?» I said «of course.» He plugged in the computer and sure enough, gas cap. He assured me the car was ok and that was it. No charge. Smiled and told me to have a good day. In my experience, car repair shops will rip you off any chance they can. He did not. So grateful for this honest car repair shops. I definitely see why he has so many 5 star reviews. Definitely will take her car here for ALL repairs. Thank you thank you!!!

So far, so good!
I took my 2006 volvo there for a broken AC.
Originally, I took it to Herb’s Indpendent Volvo in Fullerton. They said I needed a new compressor, dryer and expansion valve, freon, evacuation and recharge to cost $ 1,100 + tax (for the afer market parts or about $ 1,500 for Volvo parts).
I wanted a second opinion so I took it Volvo-​Signal Hill Foreign Auto Service. They had it for about two hours and called to tell me it just needed an AC service (AKA two containers of freon). This cost $ 147.00 and was done in about 3 hours.
Thank you Volvo-​Signal Hill Foreign Auto Service for being honest! I will be back!

I use to take my car to Long Beach BMW and then Auto Haus. I felt taken advantage of… this place is magical. The owner is so helpful and I don’t feel like I’m being taken advantage of. I recommend this Auto repair shop!!!

Leo and his team are awesome! Honest, caring, and personable — with great repair results!

I have had my car serviced here twice now and I couldn’t be happier. When I first got my car, I would only take it to the dealership even knowing they were expensive. I wanted to be able to trust whoever was working on my car and now I can! Not only can you trust Leo but he is honest with very fair prices.

HONEST, CAN YOU ASK FOR MORE FROM AN AUTO REPAIR!
Leo is great to work with, he will tell you what absolutely needs to be done and what you can wait on, and that really helps when your on a budget! I would trust him with my BMW any day of the week.
The shop is clean and when they promise your car will be done in the afternoon, it’s done and ready to be picked up.
Take your Volvo or BMW to Leo, he’s the best!

Being a Volvo driver for several years now, I constantly have been ripped off by foreign auto mechanics saying that my car requires more ‘specialty parts’ and charging me insane labor fees.
Leo, La Donna, and the guys have been my life support over the last year. Ever since I discovered them, i’m completely worry free when it comes to my car. Since my car is 14 years old, it goes through its ups and downs, and they are SO HELPFUL.
The first time i drove onto their driveway i had an issue that 4 speciality guys had looked at and still, after a year, no one had been able to fix or diagnose. Leo took one look at my car and in less than a minute had an answer for me. He drew up an estimate and i had my car back a day later totally fixed! I even go to these guys for my oil changes now!
When it breaks down, they come out to get me and make sure the tow truck drops it off safe. They have driven me to work/​school after dropping it off and are a complete godsend!
Not to mention they don’t want to rip you off even a little! Their prices are very fair and their quality of work is so high!
Love these guys!

I love this place. My husband and I have a Volvo S60 and an S70. Leo and LaDonna are very trustworthy and it is great how they suggest finding cheaper parts ahead of time on eBay and at salvage yards for strange items like cup holders and AC control panels. Now for brakes and other important items, they use OEM parts and I always buy new from them.
Their shop is very clean and organized. Leo also knows a lot of history about the line of vehicles. Leo is very refreshing because he tells it like it is, without smoke mirrors or scare tactics.
LaDonna is the lady of the shop and you would think she was actually a mechanic too. I hate calling places and the person on the other end is clueless. LaDonna answers the phone most of the time and she has so much knowledge about issues with the cars, parts, etc. She gives on the spot info most of the time so you never have to wait around for a phone call with the right answer.
If you notice, a lot of Unilocal reviews on this place are written by women. One word, T.R.U.S.T. It is hard to find that in a guy, but esp. a mechanic :-O