Frequently asked questions
General
This is a premium service from the AA that brings expert vehicle servicing, maintenance, and repairs directly to your driveway, whether you’re a member or not. It's the most convenient way to keep your car in top condition, without the hassle of visiting a garage for a car service.
No, this is a separate service. A standard AA membership is for unexpected breakdowns and roadside emergencies. The AA Mobile Mechanics service is for everyone, whether they’re a member or not, and is for scheduled, non-emergency, Interim, Full, or Major car servicings, plus brake repairs, fault finding and Winter readiness checks, and all carried out at a time and place that suits you.
No, you do not need to be an AA member. Our Mobile Mechanics service is available to everyone.
Our Mobile Mechanics are equipped to handle a wide range of common garage services, including:
Full, Interim, and Major vehicle Regular Car Servicing
Brake Disc and Pad Replacement
Winter Health Checks
Fault Finding
Our Mobile Mechanics can work on your vehicle in any safe, accessible private, off-street location where you have permission. This is typically a private driveway, a designated parking bay at your home, or your workplace car park, provided all are private land.
For the safety of our technicians and the public, we cannot work on vehicles parked on a public road. We require a safe, off-street location like a driveway or private car park.
Yes. Every Mobile Mechanic is a fully qualified, vetted, and directly employed AA expert. They are uniformed experts who carry the same expertise and trusted values you expect from our brand, bringing AA-quality service right to your door.
We use high-quality, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or equivalent specification parts from trusted suppliers. This ensures that any new parts fitted to your vehicle are of the same quality as those used by main dealers, protecting your car's performance and any existing warranty.
Yes. All our work is backed by a comprehensive 12-month/12,000-mile guarantee (whichever comes first) on both parts and labour, giving you complete peace of mind.
If your Mobile Mechanic discovers that additional work is required, we will explain the issue clearly, and provide a separate, no-obligation quote for the extra work. We will only proceed with your approval. There will never be any surprise charges.
While our mobile service cannot conduct the official MOT test itself (as this requires a certified test lane), we can perform pre-MOT servicings to help ensure your vehicle is more ready to pass MOT.
Booking Process
Booking is simple. You can book at TheAA.com/MobileMechanics. Simply give us your number plate and post code to get a quote and schedule a 2-hour arrival window that works for you.
Absolutely. We provide a clear, detailed, no-obligation quote for your approval before any appointment is confirmed. The price you’re quoted is the price you pay, because transparency is a central element of this service.
All we need is your car number plate, and the service location postcode to confirm you're in our service area, and your selection of the service you require. That’s it!
It depends on the service you need. Overall, We aim to schedule your appointment at the earliest convenient time for you, typically within a few working days, or sometimes less depending on your Mobile Mechanic’s availability. For jobs that require specific parts, we usually need 48 hours. But for other jobs, like our Fault Finder service, we can be with you same day¹. Please enter your details to find out. No matter which service you book, rest assured that our online booking system will show you the earliest available slots in your area.
You can easily change or cancel your appointment by calling our dedicated booking line. We do ask for at least 48 hours' notice for any changes, in order to avoid a cancellation fee.
The Appointment
No. We only need you to be present for a few minutes at the beginning of the appointment to greet the Mobile Mechanic and hand over the keys, and at the end to review the work and process payment. You are free to carry on with your day in between!
Please ensure your vehicle is parked in an accessible, off-street location with enough space for your Mobile Mechanic to work around it (roughly the space of one car door opening). Please also have your car keys and locking wheel nut key, if applicable, at the ready.
Our Mobile Mechanics arrive in vans equipped and prepared to work in most weather conditions, including rain. However, in cases of extreme weather like extremely heavy rain or very high winds, we may need to reschedule the appointment for the safety of our Mobile Mechanic. If this happens, we will contact you as early as possible.
Not at all. Our Mobile Mechanics are professionals who respect your property. They use protective groundsheets and are committed to leaving your space exactly as they found it.
If your Mobile Mechanic arrives and is unable to work on your vehicle because it is inaccessible or in an unsafe location, we may have to cancel the appointment, and a call-out fee may be charged. Please ensure the location is suitable before we arrive.
Pricing and Payment
Our prices are calculated based on the expected time (labour) required to complete the job and the cost of any parts needed, as well as your car’s make, model, and engine size. Your quote will provide a clear breakdown of these costs.
No. The price we quote is the price you pay. The only exception is if additional work is identified and you explicitly approve the extra cost and work beforehand.
Payment is due upon booking, with any additional work charges are settled on the day, once agreed upon.
We accept all major debit and credit cards.
Yes, we offer flexible payment options, including 0% interest***.
Regular Car Servicing
Car manufacturers usually recommend a service every 12,000 miles or every 12 months, whichever comes first. For most drivers covering 10,000 to 12,000 miles a year, we recommend a Full service each year. This thorough service from AA Mobile Mechanics includes a thorough 42 point inspection. If you're a high-mileage driver clocking up more than 2,000 miles a month, it's worth considering an additional Interim service every 6 months to check for wear and tear. Our interim service is a 39 point inspection that includes top ups of your screenwash and brake fluid, basic tyre, brakes, lights, battery, and wiper checks, refreshing your engine oil, and removing your old oil filter and replacing it with a new one. This is a check up designed to keep your car running smoothly between major services.
Like any complex machine or equipment, all cars require regular servicing, and every manufacturer recommends it. There are a wide range of benefits to servicing a car, including:
Safety: A well-maintained vehicle is safer to drive.
Vehicle lifespan: regular servicing can extend the life of your engine.
Repair costs: Issues spotted earlier could cost less to repair.
Save fuel: The new filters on a service can improve fuel consumption.
Avoid breakdowns: Faults fixed promptly can reduce the likelihood of your car breaking down.
Resale potential: A full service history is helpful when you want to sell the car.
Interim service: Every 6 months, if you drive more than 2,000 miles a month
Our Interim service is a 39 point inspection, including top ups of your screenwash and brake fluid, basic tyre, brakes, lights, battery, and wiper checks, replacingrefreshing your engine oil, and removing your old oil filter and replacing it with a new one. This is a check up designed to keep your car running smoothly between major services.
Full service: every 12,000 miles, or annually
Our Full service is a more thorough 42 point inspection that includes everything in an interim service plus an air filter change, an air conditioning check, and a deeper brake inspection that involves removing the road wheels. Most drivers do this yearly.
Major service: every 24 months, or 24,000 miles
Our Major service is a deep, 45 point inspection that includes everything in a full service, plus a cabin pollen filter change, brake fluid check, and a replacement of an externally fitted fuel filter if your car is a Diesel.
There are some checks you can do at home. Check out our vehicle maintenance checklist for beginners here.
To keep your car in good working order between services, regularly check these key areas:
Car light bulbs, including headlights, rear lights, brakes and all the indicators.
Engine oil level: you just need a rag for this job.
Coolant level: the reservoir is easily visible when the bonnet is up.
Windscreen washer: top up for clear visibility.
Condition of the tyres: Check the tyres and the spare every 2 weeks. Look for cuts and uneven wear, and make sure the tread is within the legal limit. Be sure to check out our essential tyre tread advice here.
Tyre pressure: The correct pressure is in your vehicle handbook, or printed on a label either inside one of the door shuts or on the inside of the fuel flap. If you don't have a foot pump and gauge, your local service station should have an air line.
Learn more about the legal requirements for car maintenance from the Department for Transport’s Highway Code here.
Fault Finder
We can check for any issue, within reason, you have with your car.
Yes, we have full diagnostic equipment for all vehicles.
Yes, and we will also give you advice on next steps.
Yes. Let us know, and we will discuss it with you during the appointment.
It can do, depending on the fault we are looking for.
The £75 fee primarily covers the time and expertise to find the fault. However, the cost of the fix depends on what we find. If the solution is a quick, no-parts fix, such as reconnecting a loose wire, tightening a bolt, or replacing a standard fuse, we will typically sort it for you right there within the £75 fee. However, if the problem requires new parts or significant labour (e.g., replacing a sensor or fixing a leak), we will give you a clear, upfront quote for the repair work before proceeding.
Our goal is always to get you sorted as quickly as possible. Once we identify the problem, there are four ways we typically proceed: If it’s a quick fix (like a loose connection or fuse), we will often sort it for you right then and there, included in the diagnosis fee. If the fix is more substantial but we have the parts on board, we can provide a quote and do the work immediately. If specific parts need to be ordered, we will give you a quote and book a convenient time to come back and finish the job. If the repair requires heavy equipment (like a vehicle lift), we will be honest about it and advise you on the best local garage or specialist to handle the work.
Yes, we do carry some parts, however if you know that you need something specific, do let us know and we will bring it along.
Yes, you will get a full quote and be offered a suitable time for us to complete this.
Yes, if you would like to.
We will give you advice on how to get repaired and AA approved repairers.
Generally no but if there are any works that may do so, we will let you know ahead of time. You should check whether you are entitled to servicing or repairs for your car under any existing warranty (such as a warranty provided by your car manufacturer or an aftermarket warranty provider) before booking in. Please be advised that regular car servicing and brake replacements are not typically covered under manufacturer warranties, in any event. In fact, to keep your warranty going, many manufacturers require that you keep your car regularly serviced.
Brake Disc and Pad Replacement
Common signs include a grinding or squealing noise, the car pulling to one side when you brake, or a warning light on your dashboard. If you notice any of these, book a Brake Disc and Pad Repair appointment. However, if you aren't sure, please just give us a call, or book a Fault Finder appointment so we can check them for you.
Yes. Unusual noises are a typical sign of wear. We recommend booking our Fault Finder service, so we can inspect the brakes at your home and confirm exactly what needs doing. Alternatively, give us a call and we can talk through the symptoms with you in order to make sure you book the right kind of Mobile Mechanics appointment.
This is strictly a replacement service. Brake discs and pads are consumables ("wear and tear" items) designed to be replaced, not repaired, to ensure maximum safety and performance.
We will inspect both and advise you on exactly what is needed. While pads often wear out faster than discs, we frequently recommend changing them together to ensure the new pads bed in perfectly. We will never replace parts that don't need changing.
No. For safety reasons, brakes must always be replaced in pairs across the axle (both front wheels or both rear wheels). This ensures your braking force is balanced and the car stops in a straight line.
Yes, our Mobile Mechanics are fully qualified to work on both modern disc brakes and traditional drum/shoe systems.
No, the replacement covers the hardware (eg, the discs/pads) only. However, we do offer a brake fluid change as a separate service, and we strongly recommend having this done as part of your Regular Car Servicing schedule.
Yes, although please note that we will quote an additional charge for this. Please let us know in advance if your light is on so we can ensure we bring the correct sensors for your car.
No, we don't fit third party provided brake parts.
No, as long as we can get around your vehicle (eg, with enough space to open your vehicle’s doors) we can change your brake discs and pads.
It depends on your car, but we recommend allowing around 90 minutes to be safe. However, sometimes Brake Disc and Pad Replacement can be quicker than that.
Winter Health Check
A 20 point check of your vehicle that gives guidance and confidence your car is winter ready. We will inspect the condition of your tyres, visual inspection of your exhaust system, windscreen wipers, battery and brakes (without removing the wheels) and check your oil, coolant and washer fluid levels. We’ll also make sure there are no oil or shock absorber leaks or windscreen cracks and test your horn, external lights and more. The check will take around 30 minutes.
The Winter Health Check will check your car is ready for the cold, dark, and wet conditions of Winter. A Regular Car Service covers dozens of physical checks, and manufacturers usually recommend a service every 12,000 miles or every year, whichever comes first. The MOT test checks a range of car parts, from the braking and fuel system to the seatbelts, wipers, mirrors, lights and the exhaust. It doesn't look at the condition of the engine, gearbox or clutch. Exhaust emissions are also tested on most vehicles and if the emissions are too high, your vehicle will fail its MOT.
Yes, we check all of your fluid levels, but only a top up of screen wash and water is included in the price.
Yes, absolutely. For Hybrids, the check is standard. For EVs, we tailor the Winter Health Check specifically to your car. Because EVs have fewer moving parts (no engine oil, exhaust, or fuel systems), we skip the internal combustion engine-specific checks, and rather focus entirely on the safety essentials relevant to your vehicle, such as tyres, suspension, lights, and battery health.
Around 30 minutes.
Yes
This isn’t included in the price, however we will give clear pricing and supply and fit for you with a 5 year warranty. If you think you’ll need a new battery, please tell us in advance, and we will make every effort to bring it with us.
Yes, we can. However, because every car requires specific parts, please let us know at least 24 hours before your appointment if you need replacements, and we’ll quote separately for those. (This will ensure your Mobile Mechanic has exactly the right bulbs or blades for your vehicle on the van.) If we haven’t got your specifically needed parts with us on the van, replacement will be a separate charge and appointment.
No, everyone is welcome to book a Winter Health Check.
Don’t worry, our Mobile Mechanics will arrive to you in vans equipped and prepared to work in most weather conditions, including rain, and we have the kit to keep us dry and warm, and get on with the check. However, in cases of extreme weather like extremely heavy rain or very high winds, we may need to reschedule the appointment for the safety of our Mobile Mechanic. If this happens, we will contact you as early as possible.
No, just a driveway or workplace.
No, we need to work on private land, e.g. a driveway or a workplace, or any private land where you have permission to be.
Yes, once completed, you will get an emailed report of our findings, along with any advice.
Some issues require a garage. If our Mobile Mechanics can do the repair, we will quote you the price, and book you in right there and then. If the vehicle needs garage attention, we will give you the options and solutions.
Need a hand?
Give us a call
Our advisors are more than happy to help, call us on 03300 530 972, our lines are open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
Chat with us
Reach out to our advisors via live chat! We're available to assist you Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
AA Mobile Mechanics is only available for vehicle servicing and associated repairs in specific locations, and is subject to availability. Appointments are available Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm.
The service location must be a private driveway or private land, and the vehicle should be on a flat surface with good access all around. A service can't be done on a public road (including street parking and other public spaces). You need to obtain all necessary permissions from any occupier of the premises where the car is located before our Mobile Mechanic arrives.
Once a Mobile Mechanic is sent to your location, if the service can't be done because the vehicle isn't available or the location isn't suitable we may charge you the full cost of the service.
The AA Mobile Mechanics service is not included as part of AA breakdown cover membership. If you are a member in a breakdown or accident please use the AA app, or you can get help online.
Key drop option: Subject to this option being available in your location, you can opt for the Mobile Mechanic to drop off your car keys at the end of the booking to a secure place if you provide us with permission to do this and confirm your chosen secure place. A secure place must be a secure, private/non-communal external lock box or internal letter box at the location of your booking. If you opt for this option, you acknowledge that we will not be responsible for any losses you suffer as a result, except to the extent we cannot exclude liability under law and/or our full terms. Mobile Mechanics full T&Cs apply.
AA Mobile Mechanics services is subject to terms and conditions.
*0% interest installment option details: Payment will be split into 4 equal installments, with the first 25% payable on a debit or credit card. Using this service will mean taking out a credit agreement with Payment Assist. Payment Assist can refuse credit, but the application process is immediate online, with no footprint left on the customers credit record. If the subsequent payments aren’t made on time, Payment Assist do reserve the right to charge a late payment fee.
**Parts and labour guaranteed for 12 months/12,000 miles (whichever happens earlier).
¹ Same day appointments subject to availability and booking by 2pm.
Promotional Terms and Conditions
10% off service offer for AA Breakdown Members
*The 10% off a service (major, full or interim) offer is subject to availability, and can't be used with any other promotional offer or discount and cannot be claimed retrospectively. This is a member benefit offer, should we choose to make any changes to this benefit, we will add details to this page. We may withdraw or change the terms and conditions, the offer itself, or any part of it, at any time without notice.
SMS service reminder - 10% off service offer for non-AA Breakdown Members
*The 10% off a service (major, full or interim) offer is only valid for those receiving an SMS reminder. Bookings must be made and completed by the offer end date specified in the SMS reminder. The offer is subject to availability and can't be used with any other promotional offer or discount and cannot be claimed retrospectively. We may withdraw or change the terms and conditions, the offer itself, or any part of it, at any time without notice.
10% off service, brake replacements, fault finder and winter health check for AA Breakdown Members
*The 10% off a service (major, full or interim), brakes replacement, fault finder, and winter health check offer is only available to those receiving a communication and booking via the offer link in that communication. The offer is subject to availability, and can’t be used with any other promotional offer or discount and cannot be claimed retrospectively. This is a member benefit offer, should we choose to make any changes to this benefit, we will add details to this page. We may withdraw or change the terms and conditions, the offer itself, or any part of it, at any time without notice.
10% off service offer for non-AA Breakdown Members
*The 10% off a service (major, full or interim) offer is only valid for those receiving a communication and booking via the offer link. Bookings must be made and completed by the offer end date specified in the SMS. The offer is subject to availability and can't be used with any other promotional offer or discount and cannot be claimed retrospectively. We may withdraw or change the terms and conditions, the offer itself, or any part of it, at any time without notice.