How TravelMechanic works: from a text to a fixed car
TravelMechanic is an online mechanic shop. No storefront, no rent, no waiting room. You text, mechanics bid, and the winner comes to you.
From a text to a repaired car
No forms to dig through and no intake desk. Here is everything that happens, in order.
- 1
Text us what's wrong
Tell us your car and the problem, by text or the short online form. Odo, our AI assistant, asks only what mechanics need to bid, and a team member steps in whenever it helps.
- 2
Nearby mechanics bid
Your request goes to mechanics near you. Each works out the parts and labor the job needs, at their own rate, plus a travel fee. The lowest bid is offered to you.
- 3
You choose
Accept the quote or walk away. See the breakdown first. Asking is free and there is no obligation.
- 4
Meet your mechanic first
Before anyone arrives you can see who your mechanic is and read their reviews. Then you pick a time and set up payment once.
- 5
They come to you, you pay when it's done
The mechanic works at your home, office or curb with a fully equipped van. You are charged when the job is finished, and you get a video walkthrough and a report of what was found and done.
Why quotes differ, and why that works for you
Mechanics compete for every job, so nobody gets it without earning it. Every quote is the price that mechanic is willing to do the job for.
Parts and labor
Year, make, model and trim decide which parts and how much time a job needs. Each mechanic prices that work at their own rate.
Travel
Mechanics are paid a travel fee, so how far they are from you changes the price. That is one reason bids differ.
Availability
If a part is out of stock or needs a different supplier, the price can move. You hear about it before you pay anything more, and you can cancel for a full refund.
Quotes are our best estimate of the price to fix the problem, never a fixed or final price. Odo, our AI assistant, makes sure mechanics have every detail they need to price it.
Send a mechanic first. The inspection counts toward the fix.
Starter, battery or something else? Book an inspection and let a pro find out.
They inspect
A mechanic comes to your car and finds the real problem.
Fix it with us
What you paid for the inspection is credited toward the total.
Or walk away
The fee covers the mechanic's time and travel. If they can't diagnose exactly what's wrong, you get a full refund.
Know who is working on your car.
Shops never tell you who is under the hood. Here it is the first thing you see.
- Independent, ASE-certified mechanics
- Background-checked, with platform access only after rigorous vetting
- The work is insured by TravelMechanic
- Fully equipped vans with what the car might need
- Customer reviews decide who stays on the platform
You pay when you're happy.
Charged when the work is done
We keep a payment method on file to reserve your visit, like a ride or food delivery app. For cards it is a temporary hold, not a charge.
100% back if it falls short
If the service isn't delivered or you aren't happy, you get a full refund. Cash is never accepted.
Warranty built in
We buy parts with warranties and stand behind the service with them. If a warranty claim needs labor, we charge only the travel fee and the labor.
The new way
We run the online shop. Mechanics bring the van.
TravelMechanic handles everything a shop does behind the counter, with AI and without the building. The work happens at your door.
No rent. No lobby. No overhead.
A physical shop pays for a building, and you pay for the shop. We don't have one, so what we save on rent and brick-and-mortar goes straight to your price.
Getting started
Research shops, call around, drive over
One text from wherever you are
Waiting
Line, intake desk, drop-off, lost day
None. The mechanic comes to your car
Overhead
Rent, lobby and front desk, all built into your bill
No brick and mortar, so no rent. We pass the savings to you
Price
Unknown until after the inspection
Mechanics bid. Lowest price wins
Your mechanic
Whoever is free. You never find out
You see who it is and read their reviews first
Paying
Pay when you pick it up, no matter what
Charged only after the work is done
Questions, answered.
What is TravelMechanic?
TravelMechanic is an online mechanic shop. There is no storefront and no front desk, so repairs cost less. You text us what's wrong with your car, nearby mobile mechanics bid on the job, and the winner comes to your home, office or curb.
How does pricing work?
When you ask for a service, your request goes to nearby mechanics. Each one works out the parts and labor the job needs, and each mechanic charges a different rate. Mechanics are also paid a travel fee, so how far they are from you changes the price too. That's why quotes vary from mechanic to mechanic. Parts availability matters as well: if a part is out of stock, the price can change. Every quote is the price that mechanic is willing to do the job for, and you see it before you agree to anything.
Can the price change after I book?
Sometimes. Year, make, model and trim change the parts and time a job needs, and parts can be out of stock. If anything changes, the mechanic tells you the new price before you pay anything more. If you are not OK with it, you get 100% of your money back.
When am I charged?
Only when the work is done. We keep a payment method on file to reserve your visit, the same way a ride or food delivery app does. For cards this is a temporary authorization hold, not a charge. You can cancel before the mechanic starts traveling and the hold is released.
What if I'm not sure what's wrong with my car?
Book an inspection. A mechanic comes to you and finds the problem. If you fix it with us, what you paid for the inspection is credited toward the total. If you decide not to fix it with us, the fee goes to the mechanic's time and travel. If the mechanic can't diagnose exactly what's wrong, you get a full refund.
Who are the mechanics?
Independent, ASE-certified mechanics with their own fully equipped vans. Mechanics only get on our platform after a rigorous vetting process that includes a background check, and the work is insured by TravelMechanic. You can see who your mechanic is and read their reviews before they arrive, and customer reviews decide who stays on the platform.
Is the work guaranteed?
Yes. We buy parts with warranties and stand behind the service with them. If you are not 100% satisfied, you get your money back, and if something is wrong after the visit we can send a mechanic to take another look. If a warranty claim needs labor, we charge only the travel fee and the labor.
Where do you operate and what can you fix?
We serve Chicago, Atlanta, Tampa, Washington DC and Virginia, with more than 500 services including oil changes, brakes, batteries, alternators, starters, tires, diagnostics and pre-purchase inspections.
What are your hours?
Text us anytime, day or night. Mechanics are usually available around the clock, depending on their schedules.
Do I have to book?
No. Asking is free and there is no obligation. Text us, see what mechanics bid, and walk away if it isn't right for you.
Can I pay in cash?
No. Cash is never accepted, including paying the mechanic in person. You can pay with a bank account, debit card or credit card, or finance with Klarna or Afterpay, all through one secure link.
Skip the shop. Send a text.
Tell us what's wrong. Nearby mechanics bid, the best price wins, and you pay only after the work is done.
Text us anytime, day or night. Mechanics are usually available around the clock, depending on schedules.