Meet Sarah Lateiner: The pioneering BMW mechanic breaking barriers for women in autos
American BMW technician and reality television star Sarah Lateine has defied industry norms to empower women in the automotive field. Born on December 15, 1977, in Flushing, New York, Sarah has captivated audiences on MotorTrend TV’s All Girls Garage from 2012 to 2021, showcasing her commitment to transforming not just cars, but the lives of aspiring female mechanics across the nation.
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Key takeaways
- Lateiner has been making waves in the mechanic field since she joined the industry over two decades ago.
- Her love for cars began in high school. She drove an old VW minivan and was frustrated when she couldn't get quality car care.
- Since joining the car business, Sarah has helped countless women make great automotive careers through her Girl Gang Garage initiative and All Girls Garage show.
Sarah Lateiner's profile summary
Full name | Sarah Lateiner |
Other names | Bogi Lateiner |
Date of birth | 15 December 1977 |
Age | 48 years in 2026 |
Birth sign | Sagittarius |
Place of birth | Flushing, New York City |
Nationality | American |
Height | Approximately 5 feet 6 inches |
Gender | Female |
Sexual orientation | Straight |
Relationship status | Not known |
Education | Oberlin College (Law & Society and Women's Studies) Universal Technical Institute (Mechanics) |
Profession | Certified BMW mechanic, reality TV star, Businesswoman, educator |
Sarah Lateiner's TV shows | All Girls Garage (since 2012), Garage Squad (since 2021) |
Social media | |
Website |
Who is Sarah Lateiner "Bogi" on Motor Trend?
Bogi, whose real name is Sarah Lateiner, is an American reality television star, certified BMW mechanic, entrepreneur and educator. She has co-hosted the All Girls Garage on MotorTrend TV since 2012 and offers car care classes to women across the United States.
Sarah Lateiner's age
Sarah Lateiner (aged 48 in 2026) was born on 15th December 1977 in Flushing, Queens Borough, New York City and was raised in Montclair, New Jersey.
How did Bogi get her name?
The reality star adopted the Hungarian name, Boglárka, when she moved to Hungary for a high school study abroad program. Bogi is the shortened version of the name.
Source: Original
Sarah Lateiner's family
Bogi has a younger sister called Jenny. The reality TV star has yet to disclose details regarding her parents and other siblings. It is also unknown whether the 44-year-old mechanic is married or in a relationship.
Sarah Lateiner's education
Sarah attended high school in Hungary. She later enrolled at Oberlin College to pursue Law & Society and Women's Studies with the intention of becoming an advocate for women's rights and survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Lateiner joined the automotive industry instead of pursuing a career in law.
After graduating from Oberlin College, she was to go to Harvard for further law studies. Still, she decided to follow her dreams and enrolled at the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Avondale, Arizona, to become a mechanic. She finished her UTI studies in 2001 and enrolled on Manufacturer-Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) programs for Ford and BMW.
Sarah Lateiner's career
Lateiner was employed as a certified BMW mechanic in New York and Arizona. She worked for about six years and was the only female mechanic in the workshop. Later, in 2006, she established an automotive business in her driveway.
I’ve always been into puzzles, I love figuring things out,
Bogi told BASF in an interview.
I love that process of taking nothing and making it something—that’s a very satisfying process.
Bogi's impact in helping women join the automotive space
Sarah later founded 180 Degrees Automotive in Phoenix, Arizona. The auto-repair shop could only hold two cars when she started, and she managed to purchase a two-storied house after about six years. The building's first floor was for auto repairs, whereas the second floor was converted into classrooms for educating women about cars. Apprenticeships at her shop are reserved for female mechanics, and she offers scholarships to women pursuing car-related careers. She is currently a sought-after coach in the automotive industry.
Women make up about 24% to 25% of the overall automotive manufacturing workforce in the United States, according to HR Dive, 2020.
You can tell a kid until you’re blue in the face that they can grow up and be anything they want to be—but until they see somebody like them doing it, they don’t quite believe it,
Bogi spoke about her motivations for inspiring more women to join the industry.
Part of this build is to highlight and show off these amazing women, and to make them feel a little bit more normalized and celebrated for a change.
Sarah Latainer has also featured in several TV shows. From 2012 to 2024, the mechanic co-hosted the All Girls Garage television series on the MotorTrend TV Network. She also appeared on the Network's Garage Squad show and is an industry spokesperson and the leader of the Girl Gang Garage initiative.
Sarah performs shop evaluations and assessments for independent repair shops across the United States. Phoenix Business Journal named her one of the Forty Under 40 people in 2011.
Sarah Lateiner's net worth
Her exact net worth has not been published by reliable financial outlets, but entertainment sources such as FanBuzz estimate she is worth between $2 million and $5 million in 2026. She primarily earns from her garage business, education classes, public appearances, the All Girls Garage show on MotorTrend TV and other business endeavours.
FAQs
- Is Sarah "Bogi" Lateiner from Garage Squad married? The reality TV star does not have a husband or children. Sarah Lateiner has also remained tight-lipped about her past relationships.
- What are Sarah Lateiner's measurements? Sarah Lateiner's height is about 5 feet 6 inches. Her body measurements are approximately 36-30-36.
- Who pays for parts on the Garage Squad show? The team on the show covers the costs of parts used on the show. They also receive sponsorship from sponsors, including RockAuto.com and Cooper Tires.
Trivia
- She loves puzzles.
- Bogi wanted to become a lawyer.
- She loves fixing and building things.
- Sarah would want to have kids someday.
Sarah Lateiner continues to make huge strides in the male-dominated automotive industry. She is a huge inspiration to aspiring female mechanics, and her efforts have created many opportunities.
Briefly.co.za also highlighted facts about Constance Nunes, a multifaceted talent known for her role as a mechanic, model, and reality TV star on the hit Netflix series Car Masters: Rust to Riches.
Despite the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry, Nunes has carved out a successful career, becoming an inspiration for aspiring female mechanics everywhere.
Proofreading by Rianette Cluley, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
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