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How to use a mobile car mechanic and Google to fix your car for 80% discount

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written by Tomas 

Today I was quoted $1486 to repair my broken Mercedes. With few adjustments I am getting it fixed for $272.66 instead. Yes, I saved $1200. I am not a car mechanic, I just own and drive the car and know how to use Google search. I did this from my office, it took 30 minutes to set everything up.

My beautiful 1999 Mercedes ML320. Real classic with cracked bumpers, stolen Mercedes emblem in front (the hole provides better air flow for cooling). Bought it for just $1400. (how to do this).

Figure out the possible causes of the problem with Google

My Mercedes ML320 wouldn't start. Battery was good, it had gasoline, the starter motor turned, but engine would not go. I googled and found discussion where possible causes are explained. This took me 5 minutes on Google.

Get car towed to nearest shop

I had to pay $70 to get it towed, in retrospect, I could have asked for a mobile mechanic to go look at it. I will do this next time.

Tell the shop exactly what to check, authorize nothing else

I told the shop to only check the fuel pump, and call me back with results. The shop charged me $145 for this, 1 hour labor. I"m $210 in and nothing is fixed yet.
If I didn't tell the shop "check fuel pump only" diagnosis would have cost much more. They'd check all the spark plugs, the ignition system, the computer, all costing more money.

I was right - the fuel pump was bad. Replace it, car will be perfect again.

Get a quote from shop and throw it away

The shop quoted me $1500 to replace the fuel pump! Fuck. And I had to remind them to also do the fuel filter, they would have forgotten.

I told him to break down the quote into labor and parts. He did this, but refused to give me part numbers.
  • pump $350
  • harness $154
  • labor $207
  • diagnosis $145
  • filter 125
  • fuel filter install labor $120
  • After tax total $1486.1
**He warned this is just an estimate, it could cost more.

I google "ml320 1999 fuel pump" and it only costs $90 online, including wire harness. That's right, the shop charges $404 for a $90 part! I called the shop and asked them to not use the Mercedes pump, to use a cheaper one. They said they already use the cheaper after market pump!
So I said I will order the parts myself. Shop said they will absolutely not install owner supplied parts. I told them I am not authorizing any work.

Find mobile mechanic on craigslist or google maps

There are lots of mobile mechanics, call them and get quotes. I got quotes of $350 labor. This is more than the shop quoted so I know something was up. The guy said the gas tank must be removed, complicated job.

Find the repair procedure on Google

I searched for "fuel pump replacement ml320" and found youtube videos and forum instructions. It's easy - you just remove the back seat, the pump is underneath. With this info I went back to mechanic and respectfully told him it's under the seat, immediately he reduced his rate to $250.
Another mobile shop said he'll do it for $100. I emailed the procedure to him since I already had this up. You'd think the mechanics used Google, but not necessarily.

My final costs

Labor: $100
Fuel filter, fuel pump, harness, including overnight shipping: $172.66.
Total cost: $272.66.
Total savings: $1200+
Discount: 80%

What could go wrong?

The mobile mechanic could be terrible and not really fix it. But this is the same risk with a shop, they already forgot about the fuel filter. I'd rather save $1200 knowing that either mechanic could screw things up.

My mobile mechanic called me on the phone (with auto shop you don't ever actually talk to your mechanic, could be a new hire) and he used to work at Mercedes dealership in 1999 and knows these cars really well.

Why you should do this even if you don't care about saving money


  • Saved lots of money  (everyone cares about saving money)
  • Completely short circuited the "unnecessary repair" potential shops are famous for (fixing stuff that isn't broken)
  • Got a super experienced mechanic, and now know him personally for other jobs
  • I got some education on fuel pumps in the process
  • The job will be done next day

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