Mobile phones have been the rage in recent years, but the origin of mobile auto repairs dates back to the invention of the automobile in the late 1800s. The classic “auto garage” didn’t exist back then, so cars were fixed wherever and whenever by whoever.
“For the early car owner, there were no auto repair businesses,” states a history page on the AFO-CIO’s British Columbia affiliate. It explains that wealthy car owners employed chauffeurs who doubled as mechanics. “If the owner himself maintained his vehicles, he would seek out a bicycle mechanic, machinist, plumber or blacksmith to repair or fabricate parts.”
Historical accounts on the subject are difficult to trace, but it can be assumed that cash was used to pay for auto repairs, effectively establishing “mobile payments 1.0.”
In 1915, the popularity of Ford’s Model T placed a half million vehicles on the road, and the demand for professional auto mechanics grew.
Auto Repair Services Come of Age
The auto mechanic trade struggled during the Great Depression, but demand dramatically increased after the Second World War as it followed the beat of the auto industry boom. It continued to grow in the 1950s as specialty shops (body, transmission, brakes, alignments, etc) became more prevalent.
Today, auto repair shops are found in nearly every US town and city because car owners enjoy the benefits of shopping locally.
On the other hand, mobile auto repair services were rare between 1950 and 1990, but the demand for convenience — in conjunction with increased affluence — prompted more players to gradually enter the field. Mobile mechanics became commonplace in the 1990s as independent operators, national companies, franchises and referral organizations recognized the opportunities. Acknowledging its great contribution to agribusiness over the years, the repair of heavy farm equipment is frequently conducted in the fields where it breaks down.
Mobile Repair Offerings
Several mobile repair services are currently available within a reasonable distance of CrossCheck’s headquarters in Petaluma, California. Those with an online presence address three main functions: paintless dent removal, general repairs and windshield replacement. A handful are mentioned here. CrossCheck did not assess their reliability nor does it endorse them, but the respective websites provide a level of information that is relevant here.
Paintless Dent Removal
Dent Dynamics has provided paintless dent removal services from its Santa Rosa location since 1993. Owner Daniel Gromm calls his profession “skilled metal artisans” and offers free estimates.
Under the watchful eye of owner Ian Cordle, Dent Solution in Napa has specialized in paintless dent repair for 15 years with 100% guarantees on work including body-line dents, parking lot dings and hail damage.
General Repairs
Chris Nunes founded On Site Auto Repair in 2011. He studied at the Universal Technical Institute and provides services including brakes, transmissions, air conditioning, suspensions and diagnostics.
Your Mechanic is a referral group founded in 2012 that connects car owners directly with mechanics. Its online offerings include a Fair Price Calculator for services offered every day of the week.
Windshield Replacement
Located in Rohnert Park, Reliable Glass fixes rock chips, broken mirrors, leaks and side windows that fail to operate. Owner Mike Andrews has 30 years of experience.
In 1947, Safelite Auto Glass was founded in Wichita, Kansas at a single repair shop, but has grown to over 720 locations. The retail entity is part of the Safelite Group, a multifaceted auto glass and claims management service.
Mobile Payments for Mobile Repairs
The mobile repair services mentioned above as well as others including upholstery specialists can be found by simply searching for “mobile auto repair service near me” on a computer, utilizing location apps on smart 
phones, or getting a referral from AAA.
Whatever the repairs, the ability to pay for them is best conducted via channels such as the ProcessNow Mobile service. The convenience comes to life as the repair person processes debit and credit cards using the magstripe reader in conjunction with Mac or Android smartphones and tablets.
Learn how ProcessNow Mobile can help your mobile auto repair service accept mobile payments in the most cost-effective manner on the market.