Who he is
Rassoul runs Rassoul Mobile Auto Service out of Mount Vernon. He got into cars because he liked figuring out how they work and solving mechanical problems. He learned on the job, working through real repairs and diagnostics on different vehicles, and eventually decided to take that experience mobile.
"I decided to take what I learned and start my own mobile mechanic business so I could bring the repair to the customer instead of making them find a way to get their vehicle to a shop," he says.
What he gets called for
The calls that come in most are brake repairs, batteries, starting problems, diagnostics, suspension work and general repairs. A basic diagnostic visit starts around $75. Beyond that, the cost depends on the vehicle and the job, and repairs can run from a couple hundred dollars up to much more for bigger work.
He gives the customer a price before starting the repair whenever the problem and the work required can be properly determined.
What people get wrong
Rassoul says a lot of customers think a diagnostic is just plugging in a scanner and reading off an answer. Sometimes it is that simple. Often it is not. Many problems need testing of wiring, sensors, power and grounds before the real cause shows up.
The reverse happens too. A repair that looks easy can eat up time because of rust, tight access, seized bolts or how the vehicle was built in the first place.
A repair he's proud of
The jobs that stick with him are the ones where another shop had already given up. "I have worked on vehicles where the customer was facing a large repair bill or was being told the vehicle was not worth fixing," he says. Instead of guessing, he works through the symptoms step by step.
Getting the car running again and saving the customer from replacing it unnecessarily is, in his words, the best feeling in the job.
What's on the van
Being mobile is the core of the business. Rassoul brings an Autel MaxiCOM MK900BT Pro scan tool along with the equipment needed for mechanical repairs, so a lot of diagnosis and repair work can happen right in a driveway or parking lot without anyone needing to tow their car anywhere.
He also pushes regular inspections. A small leak, a worn suspension part, a weak battery or a minor brake issue can turn into a much bigger repair if it gets ignored too long.
Area, first call, and his favorite build
He's based in Mount Vernon and mainly works Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Yonkers, the Bronx, Tarrytown and the surrounding Westchester area. When someone calls or texts, he asks for the year, make, model, the symptoms and the location, and photos or video help too. If it can be sorted remotely he gives an idea of what's involved. If not, he comes out, inspects the car and explains what he finds before recommending anything.
His advice before hiring any mechanic: check they actually have experience with your type of repair, make sure they're clear on pricing, and ask if they diagnose before replacing parts. "A good mechanic should be willing to explain the problem instead of just throwing parts at the vehicle," he says.
His favorite car to have worked on is a BMW 135i from 2010. It was a hard job that took careful diagnosis and a lot of hands on work, the kind of repair that reminds him why he likes doing this.
Interviewed by MechanicRank · October 5, 2026. Nothing here is sponsored and nothing was rewritten into marketing copy. Read the other features or tell us about your own shop.