About Us
At Autohaus Merkle, our story is built on decades of passion for German engineering, a commitment to quality, and a team that truly lives and breathes the automotive world. Serving the Indianapolis, IN community since 1967, we’ve grown from humble beginnings into a trusted destination for drivers who expect expert-level care for their vehicles.
From One Bay to a Trusted Name in Indianapolis
Autohaus Merkle began as a small, single-bay shop focused on servicing air-cooled Volkswagen models. What started as a modest operation quickly earned a reputation for precision and honesty. As demand grew, so did the shop, expanding from a one-bay garage to a two-bay facility, then to a five-bay shop with a dedicated office, and eventually into the full-scale, 9-bay service center we operate today.
Over the years, our focus has evolved alongside the vehicles we service. What was once a Volkswagen-only shop has grown into a specialized German auto repair facility. Today, we proudly service Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Porsche, and Volkswagen, while also expanding into high-end brands like Bentley and Lamborghini. Through every phase of growth, one thing has remained the same: our dedication to doing the job right.
A Legacy That Started in Germany
The foundation of Autohaus Merkle traces back to its founder, Carl, whose automotive roots began in Germany. Coming from a family deeply involved in the industry, Carl developed his skills through hands-on training and real-world experience before bringing that knowledge to the United States.
After serving in the U.S. military and continuing his work as a mechanic, Carl opened Autohaus Merkle in Indianapolis. His goal was to provide honest, high-quality service for German vehicles. After more than four decades of serving the community, Carl passed the torch, leaving behind a legacy that continues to guide everything we do today.
Leadership Driven by Passion
Today, Autohaus Merkle is led by Scott, who started his journey here as a technician before eventually taking ownership of the shop. His hands-on background gives him a unique perspective. He understands both the technical side of repairs and the importance of customer trust.
Even as the owner, Scott still enjoys getting involved in the shop whenever he can. His passion for performance extends beyond the workplace, often finding its way to the track in his heavily modified Audi TT RS. That same enthusiasm fuels the culture at Autohaus Merkle, where a love for cars is part of everyday life.
Meet the Team
Behind every successful repair is a team of skilled professionals who care about the details. Our crew brings together experience, technical knowledge, and personality to create an environment that’s both highly capable and genuinely welcoming.
- Tyler, our Service Manager, combines his background as a master technician and diagnostician to keep operations running smoothly while helping customers understand their vehicles
- Trask, our Shop Foreman, leads the technicians with precision and discipline, ensuring every repair meets our high standards
- Eric, our talented technician, brings hands-on expertise and a passion for performance to every vehicle he works on
- Brad, our Service Advisor, helps guide customers through the repair process with a mix of knowledge, energy, and attention to detail
Together, our team works to deliver an experience that’s as reliable as the vehicles we service.
Experience You Can Trust
At Autohaus Merkle, we combine decades of experience with modern technology to provide dealership-level service without the dealership feel. Our shop is equipped with factory diagnostic equipment, advanced alignment systems, and A/C service tools for both R134 and R1234 refrigerants. We are also proud to be affiliated with respected organizations like the BBB, NASTF, and ATI.

We stand behind our work with a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty, giving our customers confidence every time they leave our shop. We believe that trust goes beyond technical skill. It’s about creating a place where customers feel comfortable leaving their vehicles. Even after hours, our facility is watched over with care, adding an extra layer of security and peace of mind.
Autohaus Merkle isn’t just a repair shop. It’s a place built on history, passion, and a commitment to excellence. If you’re in Indianapolis, IN, and looking for a team that truly understands German vehicles, we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn more or schedule your next service appointment.
The History of Autohaus Merkle
Autohaus Merkle, Inc. opened for business at its current location in 1967. Back then, Autohaus was only one bay and serviced only air-cooled Volkswagens. As time went by and the shop grew, the original 24'x24' garage was torn down and a 2-bay shop was built. Since then, Autohaus has gone through two further expansions. First into a 5-bay shop with a new office. Then to the 9-bay service facility we operate today. Gradually becoming an "all foreign" service facility. Today, we specialize in only German vehicles such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Mini Cooper, Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen vehicles. We have recently started servicing late-model Bentley and Lamborghini vehicles as well.
The Family
Scott - Owner / Occasional Wrench-Turner / Full-Time Boss Man
Scott is the fearless leader of the operation-the guy who went from turning wrenches in the back to running the whole show up front. He started at the shop as a technician and, in true "started from the bottom now we're here" fashion, ended up buying the place. Some say it was destiny. Others say he just really wanted his own parking spot.
Despite being the boss, Scott hasn't hung up the tools completely. You'll still catch him sneaking into the shop, turning a wrench or two, and pretending it's "just to help out"— but we all know it's because he misses the grease.
When he's not buried in spreadsheets or running the business like a well-oiled machine, Scott is tearing it up at the track in his heavily modified TT RS (emphasis on heavily).
It's fast, it's loud, and it's probably the reason he smiles in meetings. Off the track, he enjoys golfing—because every race car driver needs a sport where going slow is actually encouraged-and spending time with his family, who somehow still put up with all the car talk.
Carl - Founder
Carl grew up in a small town near Heilbron, Germany in an automotive repair family. His father owned an Audi dealership in 1927 that became one of the first Volkswagen dealerships in 1949. Carl studied as a toolmaker and then as a mechanic before coming to the U.S. in 1960. After serving two years in the U.S. military and working as a mechanic for a few more years, Carl opened Autohaus in 1967. After 45 years of serving the needs of German car owners in Indianapolis, Carl retired and sold Autohaus to Scott, who maintains the same high quality service you have grown accustomed to.
Manfred - Former Service Writer/ Service Manager/mentor
Manfred is originally from small town near Stuttgart, Germany where he learned his trade as a tool maker. Shortly after, he began working in the new car design and prototype department at Audi. He stayed there for 15 years, becoming a group leader. Manfred came to the U.S. in 1983 and has been with Autohaus ever since. He does everything from answering the phones and selling estimates, to lending his help whenever and wherever his specialized skills are needed. With his 45 years of automotive experience, Manfred is an irreplaceable member of the family. Manfred has since retired, and is enjoying family time. He still comes by to visit us on occasion.
Tyler – Service Manager
Tyler is our Service Manager and resident car whisperer. Before taking the wheel of the service department, he was a Master Certified Technician and lead diagnostician—which basically means if your car had a problem, he could find it, fix it, and still have time to tell you why it happened... with diagrams.
Trask – Shop Foreman
Trask is the Shop Foreman, which is a fancy way of saying he’s the guy who keeps the chaos in the shop from turning into actual chaos. With a toolbox that could probably fix the International Space Station and a glare that can silence a misfiring engine, Trask runs a tight ship—and somehow makes it look easy.
Eric – Automotive Technician
Eric brings a lifelong passion for engines and performance to our team. Before transitioning into the automotive industry, he built his technical foundation working in the power sports and go-kart fields, where precision, speed, and attention to detail are everything. That hands-on experience shaped his strong diagnostic skills and deep mechanical knowledge, which he now applies every day in the automotive world.
Marcos – Service Technician
Marcos is one of our skilled Service Technicians and quite possibly part machine himself—though we haven’t confirmed that with HR yet. He’s got a steady hand with a ratchet, an eye for detail, and the kind of cool-under-pressure vibe you’d expect from someone who ends his day with a glass of whiskey like a retired action hero.
Brad – Service Advisor
Meet Brad, our Service Advisor with an origin story that sounds like the plot of a comedy film. Brad used to be just another customer—until one day, he sat down in the waiting area, got too comfy, and decided this was his new office. We’re still not entirely sure if he’s ever actually clocked in. Now he’s the guy behind the desk, juggling service requests and still acting like he’s just there to pick up his car… even though we know he’s never leaving.
The Security
Everybody needs some peace of mind that their automobile will be safe when it's out of their hands. This sense of calm is provided by the two German Shepherds (of course!) that guard our property after hours. And these two LOVE their job!
At Autohaus Merkle our mission is to provide exceptional automotive repair and maintenance for German vehicles, delivering exemplary workmanship, on a service, and accurate diagnostics. We are committed to using only top quality parts and building lasting relationships through integrity, expertise, and a passion for precision.
