One of the questions someone asks when first hearing about YourMechanic is “how can mobile mechanic services compare with traditional shops?” People are skeptical of the services that can we do, how much it’ll cost, and how it can be reliable.

The short answer to how YourMechanic compares to brick-and-mortar shops is: it’s much better. Having a mobile mechanic work on your car at your house is not only more convenient for you, but it’s also less expensive and more transparent.

The convenience factor

Life is short; we all know this. Driving to a repair shop, getting a taxi to work, getting another taxi back to the repair shop after work, and then — hopefully — driving home wastes hours of your day, not to mention the added headache and hassle. And doesn’t your car always seem to break down the same day as your most important meeting at work?

Taking your car to the shop is an annoyance, plain and simple, Recognizing this pain point, YourMechanic flipped the industry on its head to become customer-centric instead of being the least convenient industry out there.

Often, it’s not even possible to take your car to a shop. If your vehicle doesn’t start, why pay for a tow truck to take it somewhere when a mechanic can come to you? It just makes sense for our technicians to come to you, not the other way around. (Fun fact: cars not starting is one of our most common services).

Mobile mechanics carry all the necessary tools, equipment, and parts they need for every job they perform. All maintenance and necessary repairs can be done right in your driveway or office parking lot. We service several thousand cars every month, from simple jobs such as oil changes and brake pad replacements to more complicated repairs like replacing timing belts. As long as you have a driveway, parking lot, or garage, YourMechanic can service your car.

It’s less expensive

As a network of mobile mechanics, we don’t have the overhead costs like shops and dealers. As a national brand, we can negotiate better pricing from parts vendors than your local garages. We also don’t spend money on stocking an inventory of parts; we buy exactly what your car needs as soon as you book an appointment, which adds up to savings of 30% on each appointment, on average.

It’s all about the customers

We’ve created an easy way to maintain your car through online booking, online payments, and online service receipts and service records. Our mobile app makes it even easier for you request quotes, book services, and access advice from expert mechanics. With your free online account, you can also view the maintenance schedule and track the service history of your car.

Using YourMechanic is like having your own personal mechanic: unlike shops and dealers who make you go through a service manager, you’ll work directly with a mechanic to answer all your questions and give you advice. The work is done right in front of your eyes. You can choose to see how we do it, or you can go about your life while the mechanic is working right outside.

Anytime you get a quote, you will also get a detailed price breakdown with labor and parts information (there are no hidden fees or shady markups).

It’s guaranteed

All services are backed by our 12-month/12,000-mile (whichever comes first) warranty. To protect you, your car, and our mechanics, YourMechanic carries liability insurance for jobs performed by our mechanics. YourMechanic stands behind the work performed by any mechanic in our network that you request under our Limited Warranty.

The Limited Warranty guarantees that the new parts provided through YourMechanic installed in your car perform as expected and that the work done to install the new parts is done properly.

Thousands of customers are raving

Total transparency will give you complete trust: when you book, you can see mechanics’ work history, certifications and, perhaps most importantly, reviews from car owners in your community.

Customers are asked to rate each mechanic after each appointment. The mechanic is evaluated on his or her timeliness, presentation, cleanliness, the accuracy of work, and customer communication. If a mechanic’s average rating dips below 4 out of 5 stars, they’re no longer permitted to accept appointments.

If mechanics score highly, they receive higher pay. The highest-paid mechanics on our platform take home almost the entire hourly rate the customer pays. The mechanics are well aware of this and work hard to hit performance targets and earn favorable reviews by delivering world-class service. Everybody wins with high-achieving mechanics.

So how does it work?

Through our website or our iPhone app, you can get a quote. We’ll ask for your location, car, and the service you need. In most cases, we will give you a quote instantly. You’ll see the breakdown of labor fees and parts costs. If an instant price is not available, we will send you a quote within one business day — often sooner.

Book an appointment by choosing a time that’s convenient for you. Mechanics are available seven days a week, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time. We'll match you with a mechanic who’s an expert on your specific car.

At the time of your appointment, the mechanic will arrive with the parts and tools required to perform the service at your location. A parking space, driveway, or garage is required; mechanics cannot perform work on the street. The mechanic will protect the ground and work neatly. You’ll never know a mechanic was there.

Only after the work is complete do we bill your credit card. You’ll sign off on the mechanic’s phone or tablet, and the receipt will be emailed to you, along with a full report on the service that was performed and a general health report for your car, so you know what will need attention in the future if anything. You can also access your service report and receipt in your online account.

Giving mechanics the respect they deserve

Mechanics who work in shops often aren’t treated as the highly skilled experts they genuinely are. Shops pay them a tiny percentage of the hourly rate they charge customers. Mechanics spend thousands of dollars on education and tools and shops routinely ask them to complete strenuous work that’s hard on their bodies — with minimal reward.

We treat our mechanics as the knowledgeable, skilled, and fantastic problem-solvers they are. We empower our team to be independent workers who are in charge of their schedule — and their lives — instead of treating them as second-class citizens. Mechanics are the backbone and lifeblood of this company, and we respect every one of them as the masters they are.