Mobile car diagnostics, in your driveway
Warning light on the dash? Strange sound at idle? Car running rough? We diagnose it on-site using professional scan tools plus physical fault-finding, then quote you a fixed price to fix it.
When you need diagnostics
Modern cars run dozens of sensors and a handful of computers. When something goes wrong, the car flags it on the dashboard as a warning light, often without telling you what is actually broken. Some common scenarios we diagnose every week:
- The check-engine light came on and will not go away
- The car is running rough or losing power on hills
- Fuel economy has dropped noticeably in the last month
- The transmission has started shifting late or harshly
- The ABS or traction-control light is on
- The car keeps stalling or has trouble starting hot
- A new noise has appeared (ticking, knocking, whining)
Some of these have simple fixes. Some hint at expensive repairs. The point of a proper diagnostic is to tell you the difference before anyone replaces a part.
What's included
A full diagnostic from us covers:
- Reading all fault codes from every available control module (engine, transmission, ABS, airbags, body)
- Pulling freeze-frame data and historical codes for intermittent faults
- Live data testing of the relevant sensors (oxygen sensors, MAF, MAP, coolant temp, fuel trims)
- A physical inspection of related components (vacuum hoses, connectors, obvious leaks and corrosion)
- A clear written explanation of what we found and what it means
- A fixed-price quote for the repair, with the diagnostic fee credited against it if you proceed
We do not just clear codes and hand the car back. Cleared codes always come back if the underlying fault is still there.
How it works
1. Tell us the symptoms. Call 0451 159 954 or use the quote form and describe what the car is doing. The more detail the better. "Engine light came on while driving up Stanley Street, car shudders at idle, fuel use up about ten per cent in the last month" tells us a lot.
2. We come to you. A full on-site diagnostic, takes about 30 to 60 minutes. You see exactly what we read from the car.
3. You get a written answer. We email you a plain-English summary of what the codes were, what we tested, and what the fix is. Plus a fixed-price quote for the repair.
What it costs
We quote a fixed price in writing before any work begins, based on your specific make, model and the actual job. Call us with the details and we will give you a real number on the spot.
Routine servicing in Brisbane typically ranges from $188 to $449 as a general market guide, depending on whether it is a minor or major service and the size of the vehicle, before any extra repairs. See how our pricing works for more.
Why customers pick us for diagnostics
- Real scan tools. Professional-grade scan tools. Not the cheap OBD readers from a parts shop that only read engine codes.
- Diagnosis before parts. We do not sell you a part on a guess. We test until we have a definite answer.
- Honest scope. Some faults need a workshop hoist or specialist tooling we do not carry. If yours is one of those, we will tell you straight and recommend where to take it. You will not be charged for diagnostic work we cannot complete.
Where we cover
Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich and the Gold Coast. If you are outside that area, call us anyway and we will tell you if we can help.
Book your diagnostic
Call 0451 159 954 or send your details through the quote form. For a flashing engine light, the phone is faster. That is the one that turns expensive fast if you keep driving.
What customers ask about warning-light diagnostics.
What does my check-engine light actually mean?
It means the engine management computer has logged at least one fault code. The code could be something minor (a loose petrol cap, a worn oxygen sensor) or something serious (a misfiring cylinder, a failing catalytic converter). The only way to know is to read the codes and follow up with physical testing. We do both in the same visit.
Should I keep driving with the engine light on?
It depends on how the light is behaving. A steady, on-all-the-time light usually means a non-urgent fault and you can drive home and book a diagnostic. A flashing light means an active misfire that can damage the catalytic converter inside a few hundred kilometres. Stop driving and call us. We can usually be on-site the same day.
Will you just clear the codes for me?
We will clear them after we have diagnosed the cause. Clearing codes without diagnosing the fault means the light comes back in a few drives, often along with worse damage. The diagnostic is what gives you a real answer.
What if the fault is intermittent and the light is not on right now?
Intermittent faults are the hardest, and they are what professional scan tools are made for. We pull historical codes (faults that have triggered in the past), look at freeze-frame data (the engine conditions at the moment of the fault), and live-test the relevant sensors to reproduce the fault. Most intermittent issues are solvable in one or two visits.
Can you read codes for all warning lights, not just the engine light?
Yes. Our scan tools read codes from the engine, transmission, ABS, traction control, airbag system, body control modules and tyre-pressure system. We read codes from those systems and explain what the codes mean. Repairs to safety-critical systems like airbags and ABS go to a workshop specialist. If a warning light is on, we can pull the code for it.
Will the diagnostic tell me how much the repair will cost?
Yes. After the diagnostic we give you a written fixed-price quote for the repair, in plain English. The diagnostic fee is credited against the repair if you proceed with us. We confirm the fee upfront when you book. If you decide not to proceed, you have still paid only for honest diagnosis, not for a part we sold you on a guess.
We also handle these.
Alternator & starter motor
Slow cranking on a cold morning, stalls in traffic, or won't turn over at all.
Read moreLogbook & general servicing
Manufacturer-spec scheduled servicing using OEM filters and the right grade of oil for your engine.
Read moreRadiator & cooling system
Overheating in stop-start traffic, a sweet smell in the cabin, puddles under the engine.
Read moreBook your warning-light diagnostics today.
Fixed-price quote upfront. Same-day service available.