The 9 Best Apps for YourMechanic Workers

YourMechanic.com is one of the many app-based companies taking the world by storm.

It has taken a problem so many people struggle with – finding a decent, honest on-demand car mechanic – and solved it using the power of technology and the gig economy.

YourMechanic customers schedule auto repair jobs to get hooked up with a qualified freelance mobile mechanic like you. The YourMechanic accepts the job and then drives to the car’s location and does the repair to the highest industry standard.

This is excellent news for mechanics. It means more clients and less headache, making your time more rewarding and profitable.

But freelancing in the auto repair industry requires new approaches in how you work. You no longer need to worry about chasing down client payments or paying for repair shop utilities, but you do need to keep track of appointments and get yourself from client to client.

We’ve found nine mobile apps out there that will make managing YourMechanic work easy. Several will also allow you to be even better at it, leading to more jobs, and, of course, more money.

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1. The YourMechanic App (Free for Android and iOS)

To become a YourMechanic mechanic, you must first download the worker app. This is what will handle your entire workday, from booking repairs to getting paid.

Of course, you have to have the YourMechanic App (Android & iPhone) if you’re going to work for YourMechanic.

Technicians can download the mobile app after completing the application and onboarding process. Someone will give you a code which you can use to get the app.

It’s so important to have the app because this is how you will get jobs. When YourMechanic receives request to book appointments, they will notify you within the app.

This notification will give you information about the car repair. That includes how long YourMechanic expects it to take (something that helps factor in your pay), required parts,  pay, etc.

If you accept the job, you will then have the chance to order the parts you need and communicate with the customer.

You can log in to your YourMechanic dashboard to manage the various jobs you have, keep track of your payments, and also communicate with clients.

The app is a great task manager,  but it falls short in one thing. It does not provide diagnostics or parts information.

Customers describe what car repair services they need in the quote request. But we all know how reliable the average car owner is when it comes to understanding what’s going on with their car.

So, unless it’s something really obvious like an oil change, you may need to go above and beyond to be able to meet client expectations and finish the job.

The YourMechanic app doesn’t provide all the practical information you need to succeed, such as turn-by-turn directions. This is why it’s so important to have some, if not all, of the following apps downloaded on your phone.

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2. AutoCodes ($1.99 on Google Play. No iOS)

If you’re not already using AutoCodes, then prepare for your life to change. You enter the engine codes reading from your OBDII scanner to get instant diagnostic information from the car.

This is exceptionally useful if you are going to be working on a car with which you’re not familiar.

Part of what makes this mobile app so useful is that it also provides information about each code.

It will not only tell you what’s wrong; it includes a brief description of what could be causing this code to appear. In some cases, it may even give you directions or a video to help you with the repair.

YourMechanic will give you the opportunity to work on all kinds of cars.

If you aren’t familiar with a rarer model, it might be smart move to turn it down. On the other hand, don’t shy away if it’s a basic repair. That would mean losing out on both business and a chance to broaden your skill set.

AutoCodes will help you expand the range of cars you can work on so that you can stay busy working for YourMechanic.

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3. CarScanner ELM OBD2 (Free for Android and iOS)

This app does more or less the same thing as AutoCodes, but it does have a few key differences.

First, it’s available on the App Store, which makes this an option for the iPhone-using YourMechanics out there.

The next major difference is that the CarScanner ELM OBD2 app connects directly with your scanner via WiFi or Bluetooth. You save a step when running diagnostics.

It’s also free.

The WiFi/Bluetooth setup can make repair jobs go more smoothly. You can get your scanner set up right away while you speak with the client and talk about what’s going on, and then when you’ve got your information, you can proceed with confidence.

Of course, this does mean you will need a scanner with a wireless connection.

In the end, you’ll want to choose between either AutoCodes or the CarScanner ELM OBD2. Either one will be a tremendous asset when you’re out on the job and require information about a car with which you’re not very familiar.

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4. Repair Buddy (Free for Android)

Repair Buddy is an absolute must-have for all YourMechanic automotive technicians.

As mentioned, it’s quite possible you will be asked to work on cars you don’t know much about.

For simple jobs, such as replacing a flat tire or changing the oil, this isn’t a big deal.

But if the task is more complex, it’s nice to know you have some help. And unlike when you’re working in a shop, you won’t be able to just ask a fellow certified mechanic to “take a look.”

The Repair Buddy app will help you learn all you need to know about the various jobs you wind up doing when working for YourMechanic.

The app gives you step-by-step instructions about how to do certain jobs. Many of these instructions include labeled diagrams so that you can get a better idea of what you need to do.

This is a great app to use before heading out to the job. You can study up on what you might see so that you can ask the right questions and be 100 percent prepared when you arrive.

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5. Google Maps/WAZE (Free for Android and iOS)

When you accept an assignment, the YourMechanic app will tell you the location address of the customer’s vehicle.

It’s a good idea to turn on a GPS with turn-by-turn instructions so that you can take not only the fastest route, but the most direct.

Remember, YourMechanic doesn’t reimburse you for gas or the time you spend traveling from one job to the next. Make use of mapping technology so that you can be as efficient as possible.

Don’t just use the map in unfamiliar territory. Use it even in your own neighborhood or hometown.

Your usual routes might not always be the best way. Mapping technology takes traffic problems and construction into consideration. Use these mapping apps for the fastest and most accurate directions. Otherwise, you’ll be wasting gas and putting unneeded strain on your car.

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6. Gas Buddy (Free for Android and iOS)

Along those same lines, consider downloading the Gas Buddy app. It keeps track of all the gas prices in the area in real time so that you can quickly find the cheapest place to get gas.

When you look at the costs offered by local gas stations,  you might not see the huge differences in fuel prices you’re hoping for.

But think about those savings compounded over time. You might not be driving long distances, but you will use your car a lot to move around to different jobs. It’s still a ton of mileage.

Your Gas Buddy savings add up over time and help to make your time spent working for Your Mechanic more profitable.

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7. Hurdlr (Free for Android and iOS)

When you’re working as a freelance car mechanic, you’re operating as a sole proprietorship. In other words, you’re running your own business.

Therefore, you only need to pay taxes on your net earnings for the year. You can deduct all business related expenses.

Sometimes calculating those expenses can be a real headache if you’re using your own personal car. You can deduct the miles, as well as tolls you pay and some of your maintenance, but you need to have accurate totals for these expenses, as well as proof.

The Hurdlr app is particularly useful for this. You can turn it on when you’re driving, and it will keep track of how many miles you travel. It will then calculate an estimated deduction using the standard mileage deduction of $.58 per mile.

You can input other expenses you incur, such as maintenance and tolls, manually. That way you keep track of all the business costs associated with your personal vehicle.

You will save the headache of having to calculate all of this come tax day, but it will also save you quite a bit of money.

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8. Google Calendar/Calendar App (Free for Android and iOS)

One of the main perks of working for a company such as YourMechanic is that you don’t have to deal with a boss. However, because of this, you alone are responsible for making sure you get to your appointments on time.

Make sure you are using a good scheduling app, such as the Calendar app that comes default on iPhones or the Google Calendar app. You can download them for free from Google Play.

You will be able to add YourMechanic events right to your calendar. Include details, such as the client’s address and contact information, as well as set reminders. Doing so will make sure you’re where you’re supposed to be at the right time.

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9. YouTube (Free for Android and iOS)

Car mechanics are required to update their knowledge base continually. It’s true the fundamental principles governing how a car works haven’t changed much over time, but this doesn’t mean there aren’t new things to learn.

Professional courses and other resources can be costly. Without a shop or dealership to help you absorb these costs, it can be difficult to keep up.

YouTube can become your best friend when you’re a YourMechanic worker. You’d be surprised at how many videos are out there giving detailed looks at different auto repair topics.

Watch videos to keep up with all the latest automotive repair tricks and techniques to become adept at the providing the speedy but quality fixes customers want. Do this in your downtime or especially if you have a job coming up on a car you’re not used to working on.

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YourMechanic is a useful app that sets you up with jobs. In reality, you are an individual contractor. It’s up to you to determine what tools you need to do the job well.

The apps we’ve presented in this guide are a good place to start. They will not only make you a better mechanic on the job, but they will also help you take care of some of the business aspects of working freelance.

If you are a current or future YourMechanic worker, consider getting these apps to see how they can help make your job and your life much easier.