Austin drivers turn to mobile mechanics to save money

AUSTIN, Texas — For Patrick Eitel, a broken alternator could have meant leaving his truck at a repair shop, renting a car and rearranging his busy workday.

Instead, the Keller Williams realtor drove to a parking lot outside an AutoZone off Riverside Drive, where mobile mechanics work on customers’ vehicles while they wait nearby.

“Weird story, this morning the alternator went out of my truck,” Eitel said.

Eitel, who drives frequently for work, said he learned about the mechanics online and decided to give the setup a try. He estimated he would save about $300 on the alternator repair compared with what he expected to pay elsewhere.

The time savings were another major factor.

“For me, because I use my car all the time, the fact that we’re knocking it out in two hours and I don’t have to get a rent-a-car and leave my car at the shop for a week, probably about $1,000,” Eitel said.

Eitel said he first went inside AutoZone, where an employee diagnosed the problem by checking his alternator and battery. The employee then directed him to a mechanic working outside the store.

Eitel said he chose that mechanic in part because he wanted a recommendation before hiring someone in what he described as a unique situation.

“I want to make sure I’m using someone who they use,” Eitel said.

An AutoZone employee told Spectrum News that the mechanics working outside the store are not contracted with AutoZone and are not taking up the store’s parking spaces. The employee said AutoZone and nearby businesses sell parts, while customers decide how and where they want their vehicles repaired.

Luis Garcia came to the parking lot to have his brakes replaced. He said he has a friend who works as a mechanic at a dealership, which gives him an idea of what repairs should cost.

That knowledge helps him compare prices before having work done in the parking lot.

Garcia said he previously came to the location when his car was having problems with its battery terminal. He said he needed the vehicle repaired that day and was quoted about $20 by a mechanic working outside the store.

Now, Garcia said he expects to use the mechanics for many of his repairs.

“I would say like 80, 85% of the stuff that I would get done, I would obviously come here,” Garcia said.

Garcia estimated he saves between 30% and 40% on many repairs and as much as 50% on larger jobs. He said the ability to get immediate attention is another reason he returns.

“At least know what’s wrong with your car almost immediately,” Garcia said. “So yeah, it’s mostly a time thing.”

Still, Garcia said he would be less comfortable having major engine work performed in the parking lot.

AAA Texas recommends that consumers research a repair shop before agreeing to have work done. The organization recommends checking a mechanic’s credentials and reputation, including looking for technicians certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, or ASE.

Consumers should also ask for a written estimate and a written warranty covering both parts and labor. AAA Texas said a standard warranty typically covers at least 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first, although some shops offer longer coverage.

AAA Texas also recommends choosing a repair facility that keeps detailed service records. Those records can help a shop track a vehicle’s maintenance history and identify recurring problems.

Consumers can also check a shop’s standing with organizations such as the Better Business Bureau and review online complaints and customer feedback for recurring issues.

Eitel acknowledged that using a mechanic in a parking lot might not be everyone’s first option.

“There’s obviously risks, and obviously I wouldn’t say this is for everyone,” he said.

Eitel said he felt more comfortable because he knows a lot about cars and first had the vehicle diagnosed before hiring the mechanic.

For Garcia, the experience has made the parking lot an increasingly familiar place to get repairs.

“I think people are a lot more comfortable with giving their money to the people here,” Garcia said. “They’re not looking to get rich or make money off of you. They’re just looking to make money to survive and feed their families.”