Stop-and-go on 101, 280 and 880
Rush hour on the main freeways means constant braking and idling. Brake pads, rotors and transmission fluid wear out faster in that kind of driving than on open road, even though the odometer barely moves.
South Bay
San Jose and Silicon Valley
San Jose Mobile Mechanic
Skip the shop. We come to you.
Silicon Valley schedules don't leave room for a day at the repair shop. Our mechanics come to your driveway, apartment lot or office campus anywhere in the South Bay and fix the car on the spot.
- Open 7 days, 7am to 7pm
- Same-day service available
- Quote before any work starts
- 7 days7am to 7pm, weekends included
- South BaySan Jose to Sunnyvale and Morgan Hill
- On-siteDriveway, garage or office lot
- UpfrontA firm quote before any work
About us
San Jose's repair shop on wheels
San Jose is the Bay Area's biggest city, and most people here have more meetings than free afternoons. Losing half a day to drop off a car, find a ride and wait for a call back just doesn't fit. San Jose Mobile Mechanic brings the repair to wherever the car is parked.
We work in driveways in Willow Glen and Evergreen, apartment and condo garages downtown and in North San Jose, and office lots across Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and Cupertino. Your mechanic arrives in a stocked service vehicle with professional tools, a scan tool and, most of the time, the part you need.
It all starts with a phone call. Tell us what the car is doing, and a mechanic will ask the right questions, tell you what it most likely needs and give you a price before any work begins. If something else turns up, we explain it and wait for your OK. You keep your day, and you know exactly what you're paying for.
What we fix
Repairs we bring to your driveway
Most repairs that don't need a lift can be done right where your car is parked. These are the jobs South Bay drivers call us for most.
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Brake repair
Pads, rotors, calipers and fresh fluid. Commute traffic on 101 and 880 and the long downhill grades on Highway 17 wear brakes fast, so noise or a soft pedal deserves a quick look.
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Battery testing and replacement
We test the battery and charging system and replace a weak battery on the spot, including the 12-volt batteries in hybrids and electric cars.
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Smog check prep and repair
Check engine light on, or failed a smog test? We find the cause, make the repair and tell you when the car is ready to go back to the smog station.
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Catalytic converter replacement
Stolen or failed converter? We install California-legal, CARB-approved replacements. Many bolt right in and can be done where the car sits.
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Check engine light diagnostics
We read the codes, test the system behind them and give you a clear explanation of what's wrong and what it will take to fix.
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Starters and alternators
A click and no crank, a slow start or a charging light on the dash. We pinpoint the failed part and replace it without a tow.
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A/C and cooling system
Weak A/C, a rising temperature gauge or a coolant leak. We check the compressor, radiator, hoses, thermostat and water pump before a heat wave finds the weak spot.
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Oil changes and maintenance
Oil and filter changes, fluid service, cabin and engine air filters and factory-scheduled maintenance, done in your driveway or at work.
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Hybrid and EV service
Electric cars still need brakes, suspension, 12-volt batteries, cabin filters and wipers. We handle the everyday service, and leave high-voltage repairs to the dealer.
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Suspension and steering
Struts, shocks, tie rods, ball joints and sway bar links that take a beating from potholes, speed humps and heavy electric cars.
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No-start and electrical problems
Dead in the garage, stalling or warning lights flickering? We trace the cause, from corroded terminals to failed relays and sensors.
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Pre-purchase inspections
Buying a used car in the Bay Area? We meet you at the car and inspect it top to bottom before you hand over a deposit.
Looking for something not on this list? Call and ask. If it's safe to do on-site, we'll do it.
Call (408) 528-2448How it works
Three easy steps
Getting the car fixed shouldn't eat a whole workday.
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Step 1
Call with the details
Call (408) 528-2448 with the year, make and model and what you're noticing. We'll ask a few questions, explain the likely fix and quote it up front.
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Step 2
Pick the place and time
A driveway, garage, apartment lot or office campus all work if there's room to open the hood. Same-day appointments are often available.
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Step 3
We handle the repair
Your mechanic shows up with the tools and parts, does the work, hands you the old parts and checks everything with you before leaving.
Local know-how
What San Jose does to your car
The South Bay's weather is mild, but that doesn't mean it's easy on cars. Here's what we see most around San Jose and Silicon Valley.
Highway 17 and the hills
The winding climb over the Santa Cruz Mountains is hard on brakes and cooling systems, especially coming back down. The hillside neighborhoods in Almaden, Evergreen and the East Foothills work them too.
Long dry summers
From about mid-May to early October it barely rains at all. Sun and heat dry out wiper blades, rubber hoses and belts, and the first rain of fall lifts months of oil off the pavement and makes roads slick.
Heat waves
July afternoons usually run in the low 80s, but South Bay heat waves can push past 100. Heat is the real enemy of car batteries, and it's when weak A/C systems and tired cooling systems finally give out.
Catalytic converter theft
San Jose police counted 84 stolen catalytic converters in 2019 and more than 1,000 in just the first ten months of 2021. Hybrids and trucks are frequent targets, and a cut-out converter means a loud car that won't pass smog.
Electric cars and hybrids
In 2023, more than 43% of new cars registered in Santa Clara County were zero-emission, the highest share in California. EVs skip oil changes, but they're heavy, so brakes, tires and suspension still need regular attention.
Where we work
Freeways and corridors we cover
We cover the South Bay and every freeway running through it. Stuck near one of these? Call and tell us the nearest exit or cross street.
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US 101
The Bayshore
From Morgan Hill up through San Jose past the airport to Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and Mountain View, the main commute route of the valley.
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I-280
West side and the Peninsula
From downtown San Jose west past Santana Row and Cupertino toward the Peninsula, usually a bit calmer than 101.
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I-880
North to the East Bay
From central San Jose up through Milpitas toward Fremont and Oakland, heavy with commuters and big rigs.
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SR 87
Guadalupe Parkway
Through downtown alongside San Jose Mineta International Airport, and south toward Almaden and Blossom Valley.
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SR 85
West Valley Freeway
From Mountain View through Cupertino, Saratoga and Los Gatos around to south San Jose and 101.
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SR 17
Over the hill
From San Jose and Los Gatos over the Santa Cruz Mountains to the coast, with tight curves and long brake-heating grades.
Service area
Neighborhoods and cities we serve
We come to you across San Jose and the surrounding cities. If you don't see your neighborhood, call anyway. We're probably working nearby.
Downtown and central
- Downtown
- SoFA District
- Japantown
- Naglee Park
- Rose Garden
- Willow Glen
- Hanchett Park
North San Jose
- North San Jose
- Berryessa
- Alviso
- Milpitas
East side
- Alum Rock
- East Foothills
- Evergreen
- Silver Creek
- Mount Pleasant
South San Jose
- Almaden Valley
- Cambrian Park
- Blossom Valley
- Santa Teresa
- Edenvale
- Morgan Hill
West Valley
- West San Jose
- Campbell
- Saratoga
- Los Gatos
- Monte Sereno
Silicon Valley
- Santa Clara
- Sunnyvale
- Cupertino
- Mountain View
Timing depends on the repair and the day's schedule. Call (408) 528-2448 to see how soon we can get to you.
California smog check
Smog checks, warning lights and catalytic converters
In Santa Clara County, most cars need a smog check every two years to renew their registration. Gas and hybrid vehicles eight model years old or newer are exempt and pay a small abatement fee instead. When a car is sold, it needs a passing smog certificate unless it's four model years old or newer, and diesels get no model-year exemption at all.
A check engine light means an automatic fail. We aren't a smog station, but we do the part that comes before it: we find what's setting the light, fix it where the car is parked and confirm it stays off. After a repair, the car needs some normal driving before its self-tests are complete, and we'll tell you how much before you book the test.
Catalytic converters are the other big smog problem here. If yours was stolen or has failed, California only allows replacement converters approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). We install CARB-approved converters, and many direct-fit models bolt in without a trip to a muffler shop.
Car care calendar
A San Jose car-care calendar
South Bay weather is gentle, but each season still has a job for your car.
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March to May
Spring
The rainy season winds down. Replace wipers that chattered all winter, check tire tread, and handle any smog renewal before summer road trips.
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June to August
Summer
Dry heat and beach trips over Highway 17. Test the battery, make sure the A/C blows cold and have the brakes checked before mountain driving.
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September to November
Fall
The first rain makes roads slick. Swap sun-baked wiper blades before it arrives and check the tires, lights and defroster.
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December to February
Winter
The wettest months, with the occasional atmospheric river. Keep wipers, headlights and tires in good shape, and fix leaks before they soak the carpet.
Mobile vs. shop
Mobile mechanic or repair shop?
Most repairs are the same either way. The difference is how much of your schedule they take.
Compared
Mobile mechanic
Repair shop
Getting the car there
Mobile mechanicNothing to arrange. The mechanic comes to the car.
Repair shopDrive it in during commute traffic, or tow it if it won't start.
Your time
Mobile mechanicStay at your desk or at home while the work gets done.
Repair shopRideshare to and from, or wait it out in a lobby.
Seeing the work
Mobile mechanicWatch over the mechanic's shoulder and keep the old parts.
Repair shopThe work happens out of sight in the back.
Scheduling
Mobile mechanicSame-day service is common, seven days a week.
Repair shopBusy shops often book days ahead and close on weekends.
Best for
Mobile mechanicBrakes, batteries, smog repairs, starters, A/C, diagnostics and maintenance.
Repair shopEngine and transmission rebuilds or anything that needs a lift.
FAQ
Questions San Jose drivers ask
Answers to what people around the South Bay ask us most. Anything else, give us a call.
Call (408) 528-2448Do you cover Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Cupertino and Milpitas?
Yes. We work throughout the South Bay, including Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Milpitas, Campbell, Los Gatos and Morgan Hill. Tell us where the car is and we'll give you a time.
Can you get my car ready for a smog check?
Yes. We aren't a smog station, but we diagnose and repair what would make the car fail, from a check engine light to a bad converter, and tell you when it's ready to test.
Do you work on hybrids and electric cars?
We do the everyday work they need: brakes, 12-volt batteries, suspension, cabin filters and wipers. High-voltage battery and drive-motor repairs belong with the dealer or an EV specialist.
Can you replace a stolen catalytic converter?
Yes, with a CARB-approved replacement, which California requires. Many direct-fit converters bolt in on-site. If yours needs welding, we'll tell you up front.
Can you work at my office campus or apartment garage?
Usually. We need a level spot with room to open the hood and doors. Some office campuses and apartment garages have rules about repairs, so it's worth checking with security or the property manager first.
How soon can you come out?
Same-day visits are often possible, especially when you call in the morning. The exact time depends on the job, parts and traffic across the valley.
How much does a mobile mechanic cost in San Jose?
Pricing depends on the car and the repair, and we quote it over the phone before we come out. You also skip the tow and the rideshare. Anything extra we find, we explain and price before touching it.
My car won't start. Can you fix it where it is?
Usually, yes. Most no-starts come down to the battery, starter, alternator or a connection, and we can test and fix those in your driveway or garage.
What can't you do on-site?
Work that needs a lift or heavy equipment, such as transmission rebuilds, internal engine repairs or frame work. If your car needs that, we'll say so and point you to a good shop.
What are your hours?
We're available every day from 7am to 7pm. Call (408) 528-2448 to book a time.
Call now
Car trouble in San Jose? We'll come to you.
Call now, tell us what's wrong and we'll send a mechanic your way. No tow, no shuttle, no lost afternoon.
Open 7 days a week, 7am to 7pm