Mobile Mechanic Guidelines
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Our goal is to provide fair, honest, dependable service to every customer, many of whom return repeatedly
because of the trust we’ve built. We look forward to assisting you when you’re ready.
And please, always remember that delivering quality work with integrity extends beyond financial considerations.
What sets us apart is the quality of our work, with the extra care and attention your vehicle deserves.
1.1 Tests and Procedures
Tired of replacing the wrong parts and still having issues?
Before a modern vehicle can be repaired, the issue must first be diagnosed. The days when a technician could diagnose
most issues just by looking at and listening to a vehicle are long gone. And no, a parts store scan cannot
accurately tell you which part needs to be replaced. Their role is to sell parts, not to repair vehicles.
Our goal is the exact opposite; we focus on repairing your vehicle without replacing parts unless absolutely necessary.
Today's networked, computer-based vehicles are far more complex and require professional diagnostic methods to
accurately pinpoint issues.
Prior to proceeding with services, repairs or part replacements, it is often necessary to perform diagnostic tests and
procedures to precisely identify and confirm a vehicle’s malfunctions. A thorough diagnostic is an essential part of
the repair process, designed to save you money by avoiding unnecessary part replacements. Additional charges
may apply based on the complexity of the diagnostic, but this process forms the foundation
for creating an accurate estimate of the total repair cost and serves as an integral part of the repair itself.
Because diagnostics may require some disassembly, parts of the repair could already be underway.
By approving the repair, the final cost will remain consistent, and the risk of replacing incorrect parts, which
leads to higher expenses, is virtually eliminated.
In short, we don’t guess the problem, we prove it, then we repair.
1.2 Diagnostic, testing & Inspection Fees
While some minor repairs, such as those involving visible or obvious issues, may not require diagnostic work,
a diagnostic fee for each issue is required
for more complex problems to ensure accurate identification and confirmation. This fee must be prepaid in
full before we examine a vehicle and does not guarantee that the issue will be identified. Any increase in
diagnostic fees will be communicated to you for approval prior to proceeding. This charge may exclude final
repair costs, but does include reassembly if the repairs are not approved.
While diagnostic time may be factored into the total cost of repairs and parts, we prefer to be
completely transparent and not hide this cost within the total repair. This ensures that you, the
vehicle owner, have the information needed to make informed decisions. This approach allows you to decide
whether to proceed with repairs, especially if costs are higher than anticipated,
before further work is undertaken.
That said, in many cases, the diagnostic charge can still be factored into the total cost of the repair, meaning it
may cover the repair itself, with no or minimal repair-related additional service charges.
If you choose not to pay a diagnostic fee, or in cases where a diagnostic is unnecessary, work can proceed
without it, and the total should remain approximately the same. However, the exact cost may not be determined
in advance. Refer to Sections 2 (Estimates and Pricing) and 3 (Service Payment Structure) below for additional
information.
1.3 Diagnostic Levels and Pricing
At Speedy Pit Stop, we categorize our diagnostic services into three levels to reflect the complexity and
precision required to address various vehicle issues. Each level builds on the previous, offering a structured
approach to identifying and resolving problems effectively. Pricing is aligned with our hourly rate, ensuring
transparency and value.
In addition, our Basic Pre-Diagnostic Scan
is a quick, budget-friendly service to assess your vehicle’s health. It involves connecting a scan
tool to your vehicle’s onboard computer system to retrieve stored Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).
This scan provides a preliminary overview of potential issues by identifying error codes that can
point to specific faults.
However, this scan does not include the analysis of live data, electrical system checks, or a detailed inspection
of the vehicle’s systems. It’s ideal for a general overview but will not provide a comprehensive diagnosis of complex
issues, mechanical failures (e.g., low compression, valve timing problems, vacuum leaks, etc.) or failures in systems not monitored by
the vehicle's computer.
Note that in many cases, a full repair estimate cannot be prepared based solely on this scan.
However, the scan often serves as a foundation for a more accurate diagnostic estimate. This approach
helps minimize costs by ensuring you only pay for what’s necessary to determine the source of the
problem.
Refer to the
Diagnostic Trouble Codes document
for more information.
Price: Please contact us for current rates.
Level 1: Enhanced Diagnostics
Enhanced Diagnostics (Level 1) goes beyond the basic scan by incorporating a visual inspection of the
vehicle and more comprehensive tests to identify common issues like sensor failures, wiring problems,
and other more apparent malfunctions. We will utilize basic OBD scan tools and other tools to assess
the condition of the most commonly failed parts.
If the issue is found during this process, we may proceed with repairs immediately. If we need further
tests or disassembly to diagnose, we may recommend advancing to Level 2 diagnostics.
Price Range: Please contact us
for current rates.
Level 2: Advanced Diagnostics
Advanced Diagnostics (Level 2) builds on Level 1 by incorporating additional testing methods and
diagnostic tools. This level involves the use of live data monitoring, electrical system testing,
and sometimes partial disassembly to examine components in more detail. It’s designed to find issues
that are not immediately apparent through a standard OBD scan and visual inspection.
If your vehicle is experiencing intermittent electrical failures, poor performance, or warning
lights without clear codes, Level 2 diagnostics will explore deeper system interactions and provide
more insight into what’s causing the issue. This diagnostic level boasts an 85% success rate,
resolving more complicated issues and offering a clearer path to repair.
Price Range: Please contact us
for current rates.
Level 3: Expert Diagnostics
Expert Diagnostics (Level 3) involves the use of highly specialized tools and techniques to address
the most complex and hard-to-diagnose vehicle issues. This level may include reprogramming, advanced
software diagnostics, or collaboration with third-party specialists to uncover problems that require
expert attention.
This level is best suited for rare or intricate problems, such as hybrid system failures, ADAS
malfunctions, or deep electrical or system issues. It guarantees the highest likelihood of resolution
for even the most difficult cases.
Price Range: Please contact us
for current rates.
1.4 Online Technical Resources
There may be additional varying charges for accessing online technical resources, which are
necessary for obtaining shop manuals, schematics, troubleshooting information, repair procedures, and electrical diagrams.
These fees will be assessed based on the complexity of the repair and the specific resources required to
complete the service effectively.
2.1 Our Approach to Pricing Estimates
We do not provide fixed-price quotes due to the numerous variables involved with modern vehicles.
Offering a fixed price would require quoting either high enough to cover all possible scenarios or
too low to complete the repair effectively. Instead, we may provide informed estimates or estimated ranges
based on our expertise, experience, and industry standards, while emphasizing that the diagnostic approach
described above is typically the most effective for all parties.
For repairs exceeding $150.00, the law requires that customers be offered the option of a detailed written estimate. You have three options to choose from:
Any updates to an estimate or adjustments to pricing will be communicated according to your preference.
2.2 How Our Hourly Rates Are Determined
Our pricing aligns with industry standards, ensuring fairness and transparency.
Our rates are determined using a service matrix, taking into account specific circumstances
such as time of day, work performed outside normal business hours, on holidays, during bad weather, for
certain vehicle brands, for particularly complex tasks, for older vehicles that require
additional attention, or for situations requiring special equipment.
2.3 Save on Afternoon Service Appointments
Looking for a way to save on expert automotive diagnostics and repairs? Afternoon appointments
come with a discounted rate, making it easier to get the service you need at a lower cost. By
scheduling in the afternoon, you help us maintain a more balanced schedule, ensuring we can focus
on delivering top-quality service for all our customers.
This discount applies to select services and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Schedule your appointment today to check availability and take advantage of lower rates without compromising
on quality.
3.1 Our Step-by-Step Payment Structure Keeps You in Control
For any daily work or stages of the repair process, we follow a Step-by-Step Payment Structure,
where payment is requested before each phase begins (along with parts and applicable sales tax).
This approach ensures transparency and keeps you informed throughout the process.
In most cases, this does not involve paying for the entire job upfront. Instead, payments are made
at each stage as the work moves forward. First, you begin by covering the diagnostic process as
applicable. Once our findings are shared with you, you can decide whether to move forward. If you
choose to proceed, payment will be made for each subsequent stage of work as outlined. Our approach
helps you avoid unexpected large invoices and empowers you to make the best decisions for your vehicle,
while modern payment methods like Zelle greatly simplify this method.
The following example illustrates the process:
In this example, the first payment was made on Day 1 for the diagnostic process that began on
the vehicle. After sharing our findings with the customer, they decided to continue the process
until the issue was fully identified, which led to the second payment being made on Day 2.
On Day 3, the customer gained a better understanding of their vehicle and chose to proceed
with a secondary repair. At that time, they made a payment for both the secondary repair and
the remaining balance needed to complete the primary repair. On Day 4, the customer made their
final payment. The project's reassembly was completed on Day 5 when the parts arrived, and
some programming was done on Day 6 before the vehicle was delivered to the customer.
You are invited to choose us for your vehicle maintenance and repair needs. We strive to provide you with an
exceptional experience and want to ensure that our payment expectations meet with yours.
Guidelines:
1. Diagnostic Procedures and Fees
2. Estimates and Pricing
This option typically includes both a diagnostic fee and an estimate preparation fee.
In this case, Speedy Pit Stop provides a written estimate, which may be less comprehensive or exact, and typically only includes a diagnostic fee without an estimate preparation fee.
This option avoids both diagnostic and estimate preparation fees, but the exact service cost may not be determined in advance.
3. Service Payment Structure
Of course, not every project is this complex or takes this long, but we’ve provided a comprehensive scenario to help you better understand our payment structure.
3.2 How a Progressive Payment Structure Benefits You
Progressive, step-by-step payments are a standard practice in many professional services, allowing us to operate efficiently while maintaining competitive rates. By collecting payment at each stage, starting with diagnostics and initial work, we ensure fair resource allocation and smooth scheduling. This structure allows us to secure necessary parts and schedule appointments with confidence, preventing wasted materials and unfilled time slots due to no-shows.
Our incremental approach also helps reduce instances of non-payment, which can lead to increased costs for all customers. While most people have no issues paying their repair invoice, a small number may try to take advantage of repair shops or mobile technicians. Since we cannot apply different payment terms to different customers, we use a consistent payment structure that works for everyone, allowing us to focus on delivering quality service. We believe that if you are committed to the repair process, the payment structure should make little difference from your perspective as a customer.
While prepayment covers diagnostics or initial work, additional costs may apply depending on the complexity of repairs as shown above. However, many customers find peace of mind in knowing that we provide clear communication and detailed updates throughout the process. In addition, because our payment structure helps keep our overhead low, you benefit from excellent pricing compared to most shops.
3.3 Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy
When an appointment is canceled, a shop or mobile technician loses valuable productivity, resulting in a financial impact. While we understand that cancellations may be unavoidable for valid reasons, we charge a reasonable Cancellation and Rescheduling Fee to help offset the lost time rather than passing that cost on to other customers.
4. Final Payment
Any remaining balance (plus applicable sales tax) is due upon completion of the work if it is finished the same day or at the end of each day if the work spans multiple days.
5. Parts and Supplies
All necessary parts and supplies (plus applicable sales tax) must be prepaid before work on your vehicle begins. For liability, warranty and other reasons, we generally cannot install customer-supplied parts. A Parts Research fee may apply for locating hard-to-find or specialty parts.
In some cases, appropriate replacement parts may not be immediately available, and the existing part cannot be repaired. When this occurs, the vehicle may remain disassembled until a suitable part is located, or it may be reassembled with the defective part if no alternative is found, resulting in no effective repair. In such situations, all service and supply charges remain fully payable, as they would if a replacement part were available.
In the instances that we agree to install customer-supplied parts (such as with new tires, batteries and audio equipment), our standard hourly rate will increase by a minimum of 25%, and no warranty will be provided for either the parts or the associated repairs, upgrades or services.
6. Estimates and Adjustments
In some cases, we can provide a free estimate.
For more extensive projects, or if you request a highly detailed written estimate, an estimate preparation fee may apply.
Additionally, for complex issues, providing an accurate estimate may require inspecting the vehicle, which could involve a diagnostic fee.
In any case, you will never be charged for anything without your explicit consent.
If you received an estimate, please review it carefully. Changes may occur during the repair process, and we will notify you of any adjustments before proceeding.
7. Other Fees
Please
contact us
if you'd like to inquire about our rates and fees.
8. Overdue Fee for Unpaid Balances
If your vehicle is released before full payment is made, and an unpaid balance remains after three days of notification, a daily fee on the cumulative unpaid balance will be applied.
9. Consultation Time
We value open communication regarding your vehicle. However, after one hour of discussion, additional time will be billed at our shop rate as "Consultation" time.
10. Accepted Payment Methods
- Cash
- Zelle
- Visa & MasterCard debit or credit cards (upon pre-approval* + processing fee)
- PayPal (upon pre-approval* + processing fee)
- Check (upon pre-approval)
*Please refer to the Paypal, Credit & Debit Card Agreement for important information about paying with PayPal, or a debit/credit card.
*You can contact us directly if you'd like specific information about our various rates and fees.
11. Warranty
Our warranty coverage for parts and service is flexible, allowing you to choose the level of protection that best suits your needs. If you prefer a lower-cost repair, you can select a 30-day warranty. However, you also have the option to choose an extended warranty of 90 days, 180 days, 1 year, or 2 years. The warranty you select will directly impact the price of parts and service, as longer coverage periods may involve higher costs. This gives you control over your warranty terms, allowing you to balance cost and coverage based on your preferences.
We hope this document clarifies our payment expectations and contributes to a smooth transaction.
Refer to it often as our prices may change from time to time. Should you have any questions or concerns,
please feel free to reach out.
Sincerely,
Speedy Pit Stop
Acknowledgment of Receipt
I, the undersigned, acknowledge that I have received and read this Guidelines document. I understand the payment terms and agree to adhere to them.
| Customer Name: | Vehicle (year/brand/model): |
| ____________________________ | ___________________________ |
| Date: | Customer Signature: |
| ____________________________ | ____________________________ |