Most car owners put up with the hassle of taking their car into an auto shop for repairs because they assume that’s the only way to get it fixed. But there is a way to get your car repaired without sacrificing hours of your time or dealing with the frustration of visiting an auto repair shop. Nowadays, car owners can use a mobile mechanic service for car repair or maintenance services.
A mobile mechanic is an auto technician who travels to your location to provide high-quality car repair and maintenance services. If you’ve never used a mobile mechanic service before, you may have a lot of questions about how it works. When should you use a mobile mechanic? What should you expect once the mechanic arrives?
Here’s everything you need to know about using a mobile mechanic service:
What Services Do Mobile Mechanics Perform?
It’s helpful to know what types of services mobile mechanics can perform, so you know whether or not they can help with your specific car issue. AutoNation Mobile Service mobile mechanics can perform about 90% of auto repairs on-site, which means they can do nearly everything that an auto repair shop can do, but at your home or workplace.
Some of the most common services provided by mobile mechanics include:
- Maintenance Services
- Tire Replacement / Tire Services
- Spark Plugs Replacement
- Brake Pad Replacement / Brake Services
- Battery/Starter Motor/Alternator Replacement
- Check Engine Light Diagnosis
Maintenance Services
Performing maintenance services as needed is crucial to keeping your vehicle in good condition. Mobile mechanics can perform various maintenance services, including oil changes, air filter replacements, and even tire replacements and rotations.
Tires
Tires play a major role in steering, suspension, and stopping your vehicle. If your car is pulling to one side, your steering wheel is vibrating, or you have noticed another change in the way your vehicle operates, it may be an issue with your tires.
Let a mobile mechanic inspect the wear and tear on your tires and perform any necessary repairs or replacements. New tires, a tire rotation, or other services may be needed to address the issue.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are responsible for igniting the fuel/air mixture that is compressed inside of your engine’s cylinders. This tiny explosion gives your engine the power that it needs to move your vehicle.
If your spark plugs are worn, your vehicle may struggle to accelerate or your engine may start to misfire. If this happens to you, it’s time to contact a mobile mechanic to replace your spark plugs.
Brakes
Brake pads wear out over time and need to be replaced. If you hear a loud screeching or grinding noise when you apply pressure to the brakes, this could indicate that you need new brake pads. Let a mobile mechanic thoroughly inspect your brake system and make the necessary repairs.
Battery/Starter Motor/Alternator Replacement
If your car isn’t starting, it could be an issue with the battery, starter motor, or alternator. Your vehicle cannot start and run properly unless all three of these parts are in working order.
A mechanic can run diagnostic tests to determine which part is causing the problem. Then, the mechanic can replace the failed battery, starter motor, or alternator, so you can carry on with your day.
Check Engine Light Diagnosis
Your check engine light could turn on for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s a minor issue such as a loose gas cap, whereas in other cases, it’s a far more serious issue such as a failing oxygen sensor.
It’s better to be safe than sorry, which is why you should get your check engine light diagnosed right away. A mobile mechanic can quickly diagnose the problem and fix the issue.
What to Look for When Choosing a Mobile Mechanic
All mobile mechanics are not created equal, which is why it’s so important to know how to choose the right technician to service your vehicle. Here is what to look for when searching for a mobile technician:
- ASE Certifications
- Positive Reviews
- Warranty
ASE Certifications
It’s in your best interest to choose a mobile auto technician with at least one certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
Technicians can earn an ASE certification in one specific area of auto repair, such as engine performance, suspension, and steering, or electrical systems. If they earn all eight certifications available for auto repair, they are considered Master Auto Technicians.
Mechanics do not need to be certified in order to perform auto repair services. However, ASE-certified technicians are highly skilled individuals who are capable of performing the most complex repairs. For this reason, it’s best to choose a mobile mechanic that has been certified.
Positive Reviews
It’s wise to research a mobile mechanic service prior to scheduling your appointment. Start by asking friends or family for recommendations. Then, go online to conduct your own research.
Visit Google, Yelp, Angie’s List, and other review websites to see what other car owners are saying about their experiences with the company. You can learn a lot about the quality of a company’s services simply by reading these reviews.
Warranty
You shouldn’t work with a mobile mechanic that isn’t willing to stand behind their work, which is why you should look for a technician that offers a warranty.
If you choose AutoNation Mobile Service, you will get peace of mind knowing that all services are backed by a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty. This warranty provides insurance on all services or parts used for 12 months or 12,000 miles after the service was performed, whichever occurs first.
If a mechanic doesn’t offer a warranty, it could indicate that they aren’t providing high-quality services.
What to Expect When Using A Mobile Mechanic Service
If you are thinking of using a mobile mechanic service, it’s important to know how to schedule an appointment and what to expect once the technician arrives.
You can schedule an appointment either online or over the phone. Be prepared to provide some basic information about your vehicle, including the make, model, and year. It’s important to provide accurate information, so the mechanic comes to your appointment with the correct parts for your vehicle.
You should also be prepared to discuss the issue you are experiencing with your vehicle. If you don’t know what the problem is, describe it to the best of your ability. Do you hear any strange sounds? Do you feel unusual vibrations or jerking motions? Is fluid leaking from your vehicle? Provide as much information as possible, so the technician can learn more about your issue.
Then, pick a date and time that works best for you. There are a few things you can do to ensure your appointment goes smoothly. If possible, park your vehicle on a flat, paved surface, so the mechanic can easily and safely maneuver under it. Parking lots, driveways, garages, and carports work best, though they are still able to provide service if street parking is the only option Ideally, there should be enough space for the technician to park their vehicle near yours for ease of access to their tools and equipment.
The technician will arrive with all of the necessary tools and equipment to repair your vehicle. They are prepared to ensure they can service your vehicle as quickly as possible. You don’t need to stay with the technician while they work on your vehicle. But if you do, the technician would be happy to answer your questions and address your concerns while they work.
However, if the technician discovers a serious issue that requires more sophisticated tools and equipment to complete the repairs, they will arrange to have your vehicle transported to the closest certified AutoNation Mobile Service shop to complete the repairs. Once the repairs are complete, the vehicle will be brought back to you.
The technician will collect payment from you once the repairs are complete. You can pay via credit card, cash, or check. Shortly after your appointment, you will receive a detailed invoice via email that you can keep for your records.
How Much Does It Cost to Use A Mobile Mechanic Service?
Some people assume that a mobile mechanic will charge more than a traditional mechanic because they offer the added convenience of traveling to your home or workplace. But that’s not the case. AutoNation Mobile Service offers competitive pricing that is in line with the cost of services at local repair shops. You won’t be charged extra for the convenience of having a mechanic travel to you to repair your vehicle.
There won’t be any surprises when it comes to the cost of your services, either. You are provided with a quote upfront so you know how much you will have to pay before your repairs are made.
What are the Benefits of Using A Mobile Mechanic Service?
There are a number of benefits to using a mobile mechanic service, including:
- Convenient
- Easy-to-Schedule
- Fast Service
- No Tow Truck Needed
- No-Contact Car Repair
Convenient
The main benefit of using a mobile mechanic service is the convenience. Mobile technicians travel to you, so you won’t need to interrupt your day in order to get your car fixed. You can carry on with your busy day while your mobile technician services your vehicle.
Easy-to-Schedule
You can schedule an appointment with a mobile mechanic either online or over the phone. You won’t be placed on an extended hold or be forced to answer dozens of questions in order to book an appointment. In fact, the entire process can be completed in a matter of minutes.
Fast Service
Auto mechanics at repair shops typically work on more than one vehicle at a time, so you will have to sit in a waiting room and wait for the mechanic to get to your vehicle. But a mobile technician only works on one vehicle—yours. As a result, these mechanics provide faster, more efficient service.
No Tow Truck Needed
If your car is in need of certain repairs, it may not be safe to drive it until the repairs have been made. Sometimes, it may not even be possible to start your car until the repairs have been made. Either way, you will have to pay for a tow truck to transport your vehicle to a local auto repair shop.
But with a mobile mechanic, there’s no need to waste money on a tow truck. The mechanic will come to you, so your vehicle can stay right where it is.
No-Contact Car Repair
Many car owners are hesitant to visit auto repair shops due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But some car repairs simply cannot wait. Don’t put yourself at risk by coming into contact with dozens of other people in a crowded auto repair waiting room. Instead, contact a mobile auto mechanic to perform no-contact car repair services.
The technicians at AutoNation Mobile Service are trained to avoid direct contact with car owners to keep everyone safe. You can even leave your keys in a specific location and communicate with them over the phone to avoid all forms of contact. The technician will also thoroughly disinfect any surface they come into contact with while making the repairs.
Thanks to no-contact car repairs, you won’t have to choose between getting your car fixed and protecting your health.
DIY Repairs vs. Mobile Mechanic Services
If your car is in need of repair or maintenance services, you may wonder whether or not you should try to perform the services on your own instead of paying a mechanic. But a lot can go wrong when servicing your vehicle on your own. This is why it’s best to contact a professional even if a repair seems simple.
For example, say it’s time to replace your spark plugs. Removing the old spark plugs and replacing them sounds simple, so you may be tempted to handle this repair on your own. But it’s actually far more complex than you may think.
For starters, there are many different types of spark plugs, so you must know what type to choose for your vehicle. Choosing the wrong type of spark plug could affect your vehicle’s performance and even cause serious damage to the engine.
Making even a small mistake during the process of completing this repair could lead to extensive damage. If you don’t install the new spark plugs properly, for instance, you could damage the threads inside the engine, which is a costly mistake. You could also seriously damage the engine if you accidentally get dirt or debris inside the spark plug well.
Furthermore, you will need a number of different tools to complete this repair. Professionals typically use a ratchet, spark plug socket, gapping tool, universal joint extension, ratchet extension, and dielectric grease to remove and replace spark plugs. If you don’t have access to these tools at home, you can’t safely perform this repair without them.
This spark plug example illustrates that what may seem like a simple repair is probably more complicated than it looks. This is why it’s always best to let a professional mechanic handle your auto repairs instead of attempting to complete them on your own.
Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a mobile mechanic the next time your car is in need of maintenance or repairs. Getting your car serviced has never been easier!