With delivery and at-home services becoming increasingly prevalent, it’s no wonder that several mobile car repair services have sprung up in the recent years. Three of these companies that are shaking up the car repair industry are YourMechanic, Wrench, and AutoNation Mobile Service. While they all have similar missions – to make car repair more convenient – they differ in how they’re fulfilling that mission. So, how do they stack up against each other? And which should you choose to service your vehicle?
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Overview
Founded in 2012, YourMechanic is a mobile mechanic service that connects car owners with vetted mechanics to save them a trip to the auto shop. The company operates in most major cities and provides numerous on-site services such as oil changes, brakes, belts, heating and A/C, diagnostics, and more. Car owners can get upfront pricing and book appointments directly through the YourMechanic mobile app or website.
Similar to YourMechanic, Wrench, which was founded in 2016, is also a mobile mechanic service that matches car owners with vetted mechanics. Repairs can be done anywhere from an office parking lot to a home driveway, and they even offer roadside assistance. Car owners can receive instant quotes and book appointments using the Wrench mobile app.
Founded in 2018, AutoNation Mobile Service may be newer to the scene, but they’re showing up in a big way – by providing car owners with the first full-service mobile car repair solution. This means that not only do they employ expert mobile mechanics and offer a wide range of mobile repair services, but if your car requires shop-level tools, they’ll bring your car to one of their certified shops and back to you when the job is complete. Car owners can get upfront pricing and book appointments directly through the AutoNation Mobile Service website.
Booking, Appointment Availability, and Service Warranty – Tied
Before diving into their differences, there are actually several similarities that make them all viable options when it comes to convenience.
Easy Online Booking
All three companies have easy-to-use websites that allow you to search for the exact service your car needs. Choose from a long list of services, such as an oil change, spark plug replacement, battery replacement, or something more specific. If you’re not sure what you need, you can simply describe the symptoms, and their customer support will assist you further.
Appointment Availability
Ease of booking is one thing, but appointment availability is another. Because what good is a mobile service if it takes several days get an appointment? In testing a few different common repairs, all three companies offered several available time slots – including some next day appointments and options to call for same-day appointments.
Service Warranty
Warranties offer peace of mind, and fortunately, all three companies stand behind their work with a 12-month, 12,000-mile service warranty. So, rest assured that if anything goes wrong with your repair, they’ll send someone back out to inspect your car and make sure it runs smoothly and safely.
Convenience – Winner: AutoNation Mobile Service
While mobile mechanics can certainly perform a lot of services directly in your driveway, there are some limitations. For example, engine and transmission work often require shop-level tools such as a lift.
AutoNation Mobile Service addresses this by offering a concierge service should your car require a visit to the shop. They have vans equipped to tow your car to one of their certified shops and back to your home when the job is complete. YourMechanic and Wrench, on the other hand, do not offer towing from your driveway to the shop. Since their technicians operate their own vehicles, it’s a toss-up whether they’ll be equipped to get your vehicle to a shop.
Quality of tools – Winner: AutoNation Mobile Service
AutoNation Mobile Service technicians use arguably some of the best tools in the business. The company is backed by Daimler AG, one of the most successful automotive companies in the world, which means they don’t mess around when it comes to quality parts and tools. Each technician is equipped with a state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz van chock full of a wide variety of tools. Their latest vans even include oil tanks for oil changes and tire machines. All of this is important in ensuring that the technicians can a) complete a wide variety of jobs on-site, and b) perform quality work without the risk of damaging parts, or worse, your car.
YourMechanic and Wrench technicians operate with their own vehicles and set of tools rather than company-provided vehicles and tools. While this doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t well-equipped to perform most jobs in your driveway, it does leave some room for uncertainty. They may not have all the tools and equipment necessary to complete your repair, which could result in a delay, and their tools might not be of the best quality, which could result in damage to your car.
On-site experience – Winner: AutoNation Mobile Service
When booking with AutoNation Mobile Service, you can expect to see their signature blue van pull up with a neatly uniformed technician. When the service begins, their technicians are trained in keeping worksites clean by protecting surfaces with spill mats and disposing of fluids and other waste properly. They also come equipped with canopies to protect the vehicle from any potential rain or extreme heat.
Similarly, YourMechanic and Wrench technicians are trained to keep clean worksites and dispose of fluids and waste properly. It’s important that the fluids from your vehicle don’t stain your driveway or make their way into the sewage. However, given that YourMechanic and Wrench technicians are contractors who operate their own vehicles, ranging anywhere from sedans to minivans to pick up trucks, there is no guarantee that they’ll have all the necessary equipment on-hand to keep a clean worksite or protect your vehicle from harsh weather conditions.
Conclusion
In comparing top mobile mechanic services, YourMechanic, Wrench and AutoNation Mobile Service, all companies are viable options if you’re looking for convenient at-home car repair. Appointments are easy too book through their websites, and they stand behind their work with a 12-month, 12,000-mile service warranty.
However, there are a few factors that make AutoNation Mobile Service truly stand out in the crowd. These factors include overall convenience, quality of tools, and on-site experience. When it comes to overall convenience, AutoNation Mobile Service is a full-service company in that they offer both mobile and shop repair option. In terms of quality, there’s no arguing that they have some of the best tools and equipment in the business. And lastly, when it comes to on-site experience, they’re tough to beat with their level of professionalism, efficiency, and cleanliness.
Ultimately, as a car owner, choosing a trustworthy mechanic is crucial to increasing the longevity of your car and maintaining your peace of mind. YourMechanic, Wrench, and AutoNation Mobile Service are dedicated to making this easier with their convenient mobile mechanic services.