Mobile mechanic pricing: mechanics bid, you choose
Nearby mechanics compete for your job, so you are not stuck with one shop's price. You see the price before you pay, and any change is shown before you pay more.
How a price comes together
Your request goes out
Nearby mechanics see your car and the problem.
Each mechanic bids
They work out the parts and labor at their own rate, plus a travel fee. That is why bids differ.
The lowest bid is offered
You see it before you agree to anything.
You decide
Accept it or walk away. Asking is free.
Four parts, all of them shown
Every bid is built the same way, so you can see where the money goes and where we can save you some.
Parts
The part's listed retail price. Shops mark parts up to help pay for the building they run out of.
Labor
Hours for the job times the mechanic's rate. Mechanics on our platform bid $80 to $120 an hour depending on location, availability and the time of day. Finding the problem is part of the job.
Travel
A fee set by distance, about $21 on a typical bid. It replaces your drive and your wait.
Sales tax
Added at the end, the same as at a shop. The examples below leave it out on both sides.
A shop's labor rate and parts markup pay for rent or a mortgage, a front desk and a lobby. We have none of those, so the savings come from labor and from parts. They are biggest on bigger jobs, where hours add up. On quick jobs like filters and oil changes, the travel fee and a minimum amount of labor bring us close to a shop's price, and what you save is the trip.
Nine common jobs, nine different cars
For each job we compare the published shop price for that exact car with an example TravelMechanic bid. Open any card to see every number and where it came from.
Oil and filter change
2019 Toyota Camry 2.5L
Typical shop
$86 to $125
TravelMechanic
$99 to $119
About the same priceQuick-lube prices are hard to beat on price alone. Here you skip the drive and the wait.
See the math
- Mobil 1 0W-20 full synthetic, 5 qt: $31.97 (Walmart)
- Toyota oil filter 90915-10009: $4.68 (ToyotaPartsDeal)
- Drain plug gasket 90430-12031: $1.65 (ToyotaPartsDeal)
- Parts total: $38.30
- Labor: 0.5 hr (our estimate) at $80 to $120 an hour.
- Travel: $21, set by distance
- Shop price: Chicago ZIP 60601, parts and labor, from KBB Fair Repair Range
Front brake pads
2017 Honda CR-V
Typical shop
$267 to $324
TravelMechanic
$174 to $214
About 34% lessRotors are extra on any bid if they need replacing. Not sure which you need? Book an assessment first; its fee is credited toward the repair.
See the math
- Honda front pad set 45022-TLA-A01: $72.97 (HondaPartsNow)
- Parts total: $72.97
- Labor: 1 hr (our estimate) at $80 to $120 an hour.
- Travel: $21, set by distance
- Shop price: pads only, parts and labor, from RepairPal
Engine air filter
2016 Chevrolet Malibu 2.5L
Typical shop
$99 to $116
TravelMechanic
$73 to $83
About 27% lessSee the math
- GM air filter element 20972654: $32.15 (GMPartsGiant)
- Parts total: $32.15
- Labor: 0.25 hr (our estimate) at $80 to $120 an hour.
- Travel: $21, set by distance
- Shop price: parts and labor, from RepairPal
Cabin air filter
2018 Honda Civic
Typical shop
$66 to $83
TravelMechanic
$61 to $71
About 11% lessA quick job, so the travel fee takes most of the difference. The saving is the trip.
Spark plugs, all four
2016 Toyota RAV4 2.5L
Typical shop
$253 to $341
TravelMechanic
$136 to $176
About 47% lessSee the math
- NGK Laser Iridium 96779, 4 plugs at $8.80: $35.20 (RockAuto)
- Parts total: $35.20
- Labor: 1 hr (our estimate) at $80 to $120 an hour.
- Travel: $21, set by distance
- Shop price: Chicago ZIP 60601, parts and labor, from KBB Fair Repair Range
Timing belt, water pump and tensioner
2013 Honda Odyssey 3.5L V6
Typical shop
$1,623 to $1,773
TravelMechanic
$625 to $805
About 58% lessKBB lists the dealer price only; independent shops charge less. Coolant and a serpentine belt are usually extra on any bid.
See the math
- Aisin timing belt and water pump kit TKH002: $182.89 (RockAuto)
- Aisin hydraulic tensioner BTH001: $60.79 (RockAuto)
- Parts total: $243.68
- Labor: 4.5 hr (our estimate) at $80 to $120 an hour.
- Travel: $21, set by distance
- Shop price: Chicago ZIP 60601, dealer price, parts and labor, from KBB Fair Repair Range
Transmission fluid drain and fill
2016 Toyota Highlander 3.5L
Typical shop
$309 to $400
TravelMechanic
$170 to $210
About 46% lessA machine flush needs shop equipment; mobile mechanics do a drain and fill.
See the math
- Toyota ATF WS, 4 qt at $16.61: $66.44 (209Yota1)
- Drain plug gasket 90430-12008: $2.13 (ToyotaPartsDeal)
- Parts total: $68.57
- Labor: 1 hr (our estimate) at $80 to $120 an hour. Fluid quantity is our estimate for a drain and fill.
- Travel: $21, set by distance
- Shop price: Chicago ZIP 60601, parts and labor, from KBB Fair Repair Range
Battery replacement
2016 Toyota Corolla
Typical shop
$305 to $371
TravelMechanic
$215 to $235
About 33% lessA refundable core charge may apply to the old battery.
See the math
- EverStart Maxx battery, group 35N, 640 CCA: $154.34 (Walmart)
- Parts total: $154.34
- Labor: 0.5 hr (our estimate) at $80 to $120 an hour.
- Travel: $21, set by distance
- Shop price: Chicago ZIP 60601, parts and labor, from KBB Fair Repair Range
Coolant drain and fill
2017 Honda Accord
Typical shop
$219 to $340
TravelMechanic
$128 to $168
About 47% lessSee the math
- 50/50 coolant for Honda, 2 gal at $13.28: $26.56 (Walmart)
- Parts total: $26.56
- Labor: 1 hr (our estimate) at $80 to $120 an hour. Coolant quantity is our estimate for a drain and fill.
- Travel: $21, set by distance
- Shop price: Chicago ZIP 60601, parts and labor, from KBB Fair Repair Range
Checked October 12, 2026. Shop prices are the published ranges for that car and job. Ours are examples, not quotes: parts at the retailer's listed price, labor hours are our own estimate, and all prices are before sales tax. Real bids vary by mechanic, car, trim and distance.
What protects your wallet
Price changes come first
If a job needs more parts or time, or a part is out of stock, you hear the new price before you pay anything more. Not OK with it? Cancel for a full refund.
Pay when it's done
A payment method is held to reserve the visit. For cards that is a temporary authorization hold, not a charge. You are charged when the job is finished.
No rent, lower costs
We are an online shop with no storefront and no front desk. Those savings are passed on to customers.
Inspection credit
Not sure what's wrong? Book an inspection. If you fix it with us, it 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.
Your own parts
If a bid includes parts, you can ask to supply your own. With your OK, the parts amount comes off the total.
No cash
Pay by bank account, debit or credit card, or Klarna or Afterpay, all through one secure link. Cash is never accepted.
Pricing questions
Where do the example prices on this page come from?
Shop prices are the published ranges for each car and job from Kelley Blue Book (Chicago ZIP 60601) or RepairPal. Parts prices come from the retailers linked on each card. Labor hours are our own estimate, and labor is priced at the mechanic rates on this page. Real bids vary by mechanic, car and distance.
Why is a bid sometimes about the same as a shop?
On quick jobs like an oil change or a filter, the travel fee and a minimum of labor time bring a bid close to a shop's price. You are not paying less there, but you skip the drive and the wait. The savings are larger on bigger jobs, where a shop's labor rate and parts markup add up.
How is the price for my repair worked out?
Each nearby mechanic works out the parts and labor your job needs at their own rate and adds a travel fee, so how far they are from you changes the price too. The lowest bid is offered to you, and you see it before you agree to anything.
Is the quote the final price?
Every quote is a best estimate. If the price changes, for example because a job needs more parts or time or a part is out of stock, 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 do I pay?
Only when the work is done. We hold a payment method to reserve your visit. For cards that is a temporary authorization hold, not a charge. You can cancel before the mechanic starts traveling and the hold is released.
Can I supply my own parts?
If a bid includes parts, you can ask to supply your own. With your OK, the parts amount comes off the total. Text us to ask.
What if I only need an inspection?
Book an inspection. If you fix the problem with us, what you paid 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.
More answers in the Help Center.
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.