Are mobile mechanics any good?
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 1 year ago
5 min read
- Advice
- Repair
- good
WhoCanFixMyCar discusses the benefits of using a mobile mechanic, what jobs they can do, and how much they're likely to charge
Mobile mechanics offer a convenient service where they carry out work on your car at a location of your choice. This could be at home, at work - almost anywhere.
While there are a few major jobs that can’t be carried out on your driveway - such as a full engine replacement - the truth is that mobile mechanics are just as capable of fixing your car as their garage-based counterparts, and using them comes with several benefits.
Contents:
What does a mobile mechanic do?
How much do mobile mechanics charge per hour UK?
What does a mobile mechanic do?
Mobile mechanics offer many of the same services as conventional mechanics, usually including:
Routine maintenance
Servicing
MOT
Oil change
Oil and air filter change
Battery replacement
Brake pads and discs replacement
Common repairs
Alternator replacement
Tyre replacement/repair
Coolant hose replacement
Are mobile mechanics cheaper?
When you hire a mobile mechanic you might expect to pay slightly more for the convenience of having them come to you rather than the other way around, but this isn’t usually the case.
Most of the time, mobile mechanics have lower overheads than regular mechanics; as a result, they can pass these savings on to you, the driver.
Below you can find a price comparison of mobile mechanics vs regular mechanics for some of the most common job categories. These average figures are based on WhoCanFixMyCar data from 2021.
| Job | Average price |
|---|---|
| Full service | £176.17 |
| Mobile full service | £164.49 |
| Alternator repair | £329.10 |
| Mobile alternator repair | £212.59 |
| Clutch replacement | £522.93 |
| Mobile clutch replacement | £468.95 |
| Fuel pump replacement | £360.14 |
| Mobile fuel pump replacement | £224.11 |
How much do mobile mechanics charge per hour UK?
The average hourly rate for a mobile mechanic is between £25 and £60 per hour, though this varies greatly from one mechanic to another. Some mobile mechanics also charge a call out fee which can be between £40-£90.
Fortunately, there’s no need to guess how much it will cost for a mobile mechanic to carry out your car repairs. WhoCanFixMyCar allows you to post a job and receive quotes from the best mechanics in your area. You can then compare based on price, location, and reviews.
Do you tip mobile mechanics?
Whether or not you choose to tip a mobile mechanic is entirely up to you; there is no general rule. Often, older generations tend to tip because they have significantly more disposable income.
If you feel you are in a financial position to tip and the mobile mechanic did a good job, it will certainly be appreciated.
Benefits of using a mobile mechanic
There are many benefits of using a mobile mechanic, such as:
They come to you (not the other way around)
No need to call a tow truck if you have broken down - use a mobile mechanic
They carry out most servicing and repairs
They tend to be cheaper than garages
You can watch the work being carried out
Fast and efficient service
Case Study: Dorset Response
One person who knows only too well about the benefits of using a mobile mechanic is James Brown from Dorset Response.
James, who has worked as a mechanic since he was in his late teens, decided to go mobile a few years ago, and today his business, which is part of the WhoCanFixMyCar network, comes to the aid of drivers not just in Dorset but Hampshire as well as neighbouring Somerset and Wiltshire.
“One of the main reasons people tend to use a mobile mechanic,” explained James, who travels to most of his jobs on a specially-adapted Honda Pan-European 1300, “is the convenience. We come to you, whether it’s at home or work, and carry out the repair as long as it’s safe to do so. Nothing ever takes more than an hour. People really appreciate that, especially given that so many of us are leading such busy lives.
“Unfortunately, we can’t complete all work, as we’re limited in what we carry, but if we can’t do something then we’ll always inform the customer up front and tell them to book it in with a garage to get the necessary work carried out."
James added: “The other big benefit for customers is that they can see what’s being done to their car, which isn’t always the case with garages, and even watch you while you carry out the work. It’s a not a problem – just as long as they stick the kettle on of course!”
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