Are Mobile Mechanics Any Good?
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 18 days ago
5 min read
- Mobile mechanics
- Review
FixMyCar discusses the benefits of using a mobile mechanic, what jobs they can do, and how much they typically charge.
Mobile mechanics offer a convenient service 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
Oil and air filter change
Common repairs
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 is a price comparison of mobile and regular mechanics for some of the most common job categories. These average figures are based on FixMyCar's data.
| Job | Average Garage Price | Average Mobile Price |
|---|---|---|
| Alternator repair | £468.93 | £250.17 |
| Battery replacement | £220.85 | £176 |
| Brake pads & discs | £381.40 | £390.78 |
| Clutch replacement | £624.58 | £562.32 |
| Full service | £197.58 | £191.36 |
How much do mobile mechanics charge per hour UK?
The average hourly rate for a mobile mechanic is between £30 and £60 per hour, though this varies from one mechanic to another. Some mobile mechanics also charge a call-out fee 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. FixMyCar 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. If the mobile mechanic did a good job and you feel you are in a financial position to tip, 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 FixMyCar 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 at home or work and carry out the repair as long as it’s safe. Nothing ever takes more than an hour. People appreciate that, especially since so many of us lead busy lives.
“Unfortunately, we can’t complete all the work, as we’re limited in what we carry, but if we can’t do something, we’ll always inform the customer upfront 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 not a problem – just as long as they stick the kettle on!”
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers in a language they understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.