Fixing your car, without the guessing.
Mechanic Mate exists to make fixing your own car easier. Instead of swapping parts until the problem goes away, you get a clear, safety-first plan: what to check first, what to skip, and when to stop.
Free during the beta · 10 diagnoses a month · no card needed
How it works
Three steps from warning light to repair
- 01
Describe the problem
Pick your car, then add the fault codes from your code reader, the symptoms you notice, or both.
- 02
Answer a few questions
Yes or no: what have you already measured or replaced? Up to five quick questions, tailored to your car and fault.
- 03
Follow the plan
Step-by-step checks in the right order, skipping what you’ve already done, with a clear line where you should stop and call a pro.
Why the questions matter
The same fault code can need a different first step
A misfire on cylinder 1 usually starts with the spark plugs. But if you replaced them last month, checking them again is wasted time. Your answers reorder the plan so you start where it actually helps.
P0301 Cylinder 1 misfire · 2004 Volvo V70
Have you already replaced the spark plugs?
YesHave you swapped coil 1 with coil 2 to see if the misfire moves?
No- Swap coil 1 and 2 and check whether the misfire moves with the coil.
- Check the injector on cylinder 1.
- Compression test if both check out.
Already done: spark plugs
It tells you when to stop
Brake, steering, fuel-leak, overheating, airbag, and high-voltage faults get a clear “do not drive” warning before anything else, however the question is phrased. No repair plan is worth an accident.
Who checks this
Maintained by a licensed car technician
Mechanic Mate is built and maintained by a licensed car technician. The diagnosis rules, the known problems per model, and the car problem guides are fact-checked by hand before they go live, and updated regularly as new faults and recalls come in.
The AI second opinion in a plan is automated and always labelled as such; the plan itself doesn’t depend on it.
Beta
Free while we build it
Every account gets 10 diagnoses a month, and you don’t need a card. Tell us what worked and what didn’t at info@mechsmate.com: your feedback decides what we build next.
Car problems
Common problems, model by model
The faults owners and garages report most often for popular cars, with how to check each one before you buy parts.
- Citroen C3 common problems 5 problems
- Ford Focus common problems 5 problems
- Peugeot 308 common problems 5 problems
- Skoda Octavia common problems 5 problems
- Volkswagen Golf common problems 5 problems
- Audi A3 common problems 4 problems
- BMW 3 Series common problems 4 problems
- Citroen C4 Picasso common problems 4 problems
- Fiat Panda common problems 4 problems
- Ford C-Max common problems 4 problems
- Ford Fiesta common problems 4 problems
- Hyundai i30 common problems 4 problems
FAQ
Before you start
Is it free?
Yes. While Mechanic Mate is in beta, every account gets 10 diagnoses a month for free, and we never ask for a card, so nothing can be charged.
Who is behind Mechanic Mate?
A licensed car technician builds and maintains it. The diagnosis rules, the known problems per model, and the guides are fact-checked by hand before they are published and updated regularly. The AI second opinion is automated and clearly labelled.
Can this replace a mechanic?
No. Mechanic Mate helps you understand the likely cause and check it safely, but it can’t see or touch your car. For brakes, steering, fuel leaks, airbags, and high-voltage systems it tells you to stop and get professional help.
What do I need?
A fault-code reader (OBD-II) helps a lot and costs about €20, but you can also start with symptoms. For the checks themselves: basic hand tools, a multimeter for electrical faults, and proper axle stands if you go under the car.
Why do you ask questions before showing the fix?
Because the best next step depends on what you’ve already done. If you’ve replaced the spark plugs, we skip them. If you haven’t measured the battery yet, that becomes step one. It saves you from buying parts you don’t need.
Which cars are supported?
Every modern car with on-board diagnostics (OBD-II, called EOBD in Europe): petrol cars from about 2001, diesels from about 2004, and US cars from 1996. Just plug in a code reader and add the codes. Older cars work too: describe what the car is doing and the plan works from the symptoms. Over 450 models are in our list, and if yours isn’t there you can type it in. The Volvo V70 and S80 have extra workshop-manual detail.