Online Car Mechanic
Describe your car problem and get the likely cause and a fair repair cost.
What is wrong with your car? Ask our online AI mechanic.
Tap the part of the car that is giving you trouble. The mechanic asks the right questions, explains the cause and tells you what the repair should cost, so you do not overpay.
- 🔍 Right questions
- 🧾 Fair cost
- 🚫 Avoid upsells
- 📄 PDF estimate
Vehicle detailsFill in the details or mention them in the chat
How the online mechanic helps you pay a fair price
The mechanic does not simply say "this is faulty". It first understands when the problem occurs, how old the car is, whether tyres or the battery were changed recently, which roads you drive on and what the weather is like. It then gives the likely cause, the cheapest checks to confirm it, the work needed and a parts + labour range for your city, and tells you which work you should not agree to.
Download the result as a PDF and show it at the garage. To understand your car's running cost, try the cost per km calculator.
What can the online car mechanic help you with?
Describe what your car is doing in plain words, such as “grinding noise when I brake” or “AC blowing warm air”, and the AI mechanic works through it like a good garage would. Typical problems it can help you understand:
- Brakes: squealing, grinding, soft pedal, vibration while braking
- Engine: overheating, rough idle, jerking, misfire, loss of power, poor mileage, smoke from the exhaust
- Warning lights: check engine light, battery, oil pressure, ABS, airbag, temperature
- AC and electricals: AC not cooling, weak blower, battery draining, car not starting, power window or central lock faults
- Clutch and gearbox: slipping clutch, hard gear shifts, high clutch pedal, whining noise
- Steering and suspension: steering vibration, pulling to one side, knocking over bumps, uneven tyre wear
Typical car repair costs in India (indicative)
These are rough parts-plus-labour ranges for common hatchbacks and sedans in metro cities. SUVs and premium cars cost more, smaller towns usually cost less. Use the AI mechanic for a range specific to your car and city.
| Work | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Periodic service with engine oil and filter change | ₹2,500 – ₹6,000 |
| Front brake pad replacement | ₹1,500 – ₹4,500 |
| Car battery replacement | ₹4,000 – ₹9,000 |
| AC gas refill (re-gas) | ₹1,500 – ₹3,500 |
| Wheel alignment and balancing | ₹600 – ₹1,500 |
| Clutch plate set replacement | ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 |
| Timing belt replacement | ₹4,000 – ₹12,000 |
| Shock absorbers (pair) | ₹4,000 – ₹12,000 |
Indicative ranges only. The final price depends on your model, genuine or aftermarket parts, and what an inspection finds.
How to use the AI mechanic in three steps
- Tell it the problem. Tap the part of the car that is troubling you or type the symptom in your own words.
- Answer a few questions. Car model and age, kilometres run, when the problem happens, recent repairs, and your city.
- Get the diagnosis. You get the likely causes, cheapest checks to confirm them, the work needed, a parts and labour estimate, and work you should not agree to. Download it as a PDF and show it at the garage.
How to avoid being overcharged at a garage
- Ask for a written estimate with parts and labour listed separately.
- Compare it with the range from the mechanic, and get a second quote for anything costly.
- Ask for the old parts back and the part brand and warranty.
- Say no to extra work that was not part of the diagnosis, and be wary of “flushes” and add-ons you did not ask for.
When you should not drive the car
Stop and call for a tow if you have brake or steering trouble, overheating or a high temperature reading, smoke, a burning or fuel smell, a red oil-pressure light, or any red warning light. Driving on can turn a small repair into a very expensive one, or a dangerous one.
Keeping a car healthy is also cheaper in the long run: check your real running cost with the cost per km calculator and read the latest car news and buying guides.
More free tools from Automobil India
Frequently asked questions
What is an online car mechanic?
It is an AI mechanic you chat with. You describe the problem, it asks the questions a garage would ask (car age, kilometres, city, recent work, warning lights, when the problem happens), then explains the likely causes, what to check first, what work is needed and a fair cost range. It is free to start.
How accurate is the repair cost estimate?
It is an indicative range for parts plus labour in your city, not a quote. Real cost depends on your exact model, the parts used (genuine or aftermarket) and what a physical inspection finds. Use it to judge whether a garage’s quote is fair and compare quotes from at least two garages.
What car problems can it help with?
Common issues such as strange noises, brake problems, engine overheating, check engine and other warning lights, AC not cooling, battery and starting trouble, clutch and gearbox issues, steering and suspension vibration, smoke, fuel smell and poor mileage.
When should I stop driving my car immediately?
Do not drive if you have brake or steering problems, overheating or a temperature warning, smoke, a burning or fuel smell, an oil pressure light, or a red warning light. Arrange a tow. The mechanic marks such problems as “Do not drive”.
How do I avoid being overcharged at a garage?
Ask for a written estimate with parts and labour listed separately, compare it with the range the mechanic gives you, ask to see the old parts, and decline work that was not part of the original diagnosis. The PDF estimate you can download is meant to be shown at the garage.
Can the AI mechanic replace a real mechanic?
No. It helps you understand the problem and the likely cost before you go to a workshop, so you ask better questions and avoid unnecessary work. A physical inspection is always needed to confirm the fault and the final price.
Why does the repair cost change from city to city?
Labour rates and branded parts cost more in metro cities than in smaller towns, and genuine parts cost more than good aftermarket parts. The estimate shows a range for both so you can decide.
Do I need to sign up to use the online mechanic?
You can start straight away with a few free messages. After that we ask for a few basic details once, the same quick check used by our AI assistant, so we can keep the service free and protected from misuse.