Auto Repair Shops in Des Plaines, IL. 5 Mechanics Compared

Independent shops in Illinois usually charge $100 to $145 an hour for labor, which is about the national average. A quote is the book time for the job times that rate, plus parts. At Illinois rates, a brake pad replacement runs about $130 to $370 and a transmission fluid change runs about $130 to $380 for a midsize car.

Of the 4 Des Plaines listings that post their hours, 2 open on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. 2 open before 8 AM on weekdays, which helps if you need to drop the car off before work.

5 businesses in Des Plaines have at least 15 reviews, enough for a rating to mean something, and 5 of those hold 4.5 stars or better. Half of them have 26 or more reviews. A shop with a long history and a 4.6 is a safer call than a perfect 5.0 from a handful of people.

For work a general shop may turn away, Des Plaines has 1 body and collision shop and 2 RV and trailer shops. Call ahead with the year, make and model so you do not waste a trip.

Most 1996 and newer gas cars registered in the Chicago and Metro East St. Louis areas need an emissions test every two years, starting when the car is four years old. The test is due in the month the license plate expires. Details are on the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency site. Under the Illinois Automotive Repair Act, customers have a right to a written estimate for repairs of $100 or more unless they waive it. A shop cannot go over an itemized estimate by more than 10 percent without the customer's oral or written consent. Read the rule.

Owning a Car in Des Plaines

17Days a Year at 90°F or Hotter

121Nights a Year at or Below Freezing

38Inches of Rain a Year

38Inches of Snow a Year

28Minute Average Commute

1.79Cars per Household

5%Households With No Car

67%Drive to Work Alone

Lows drop to freezing on about 121 nights a year. Cold is when a weak battery finally fails, because a cold engine takes more power to turn over. Des Plaines averages 38 inches of snow, and road salt eats brake lines, exhaust and the underside of the car. Rinse the underbody through the winter and have the brake lines looked at whenever the car is up on a lift.

The average commute in Des Plaines is 28 minutes each way, and 67% of workers drive there alone. Long commutes add miles fast, so oil changes and brakes come due sooner than the calendar says.

Sources, checked October 13, 2026

Weather: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, station Chicago Ohare International Airport
Households and commutes: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, Des Plaines city

Pre-Purchase Inspections in Des Plaines

Buying a used car in Des Plaines? PPI Auto, our sister company, sends an inspector to the car for $225 on most cars, pickups and SUVs. That is a 122 point check with a full scan and a road test, and the report comes back the same day. Dealer lot, private seller or auction, it works the same.

There are 15 car lots within 8 miles of Des Plaines, and 13 of them sell used. PPI Auto grades 8 of them A to F from their reviews, and 0 get an F. See the Chicago dealer grades before you go look at a car.

Parts of Illinois require an emissions test. Ask the seller for the last test report, and if the check engine light is on, walk away until someone has read the code.

Book a $225 Inspection Call 951-267-8500

Questions About Auto Repair in Des Plaines

How many auto repair businesses are there in Des Plaines?

We list 5 in Des Plaines, IL. That covers mobile mechanics, workshops, diesel and heavy duty specialists, body shops and tire shops. Every one has its own page with the phone number, what they work on and the reviews we have found.

Who is the best rated mechanic in Des Plaines?

Certified Mobile Auto Repair LLC currently holds the highest rating in Des Plaines at 5.0 stars from 23 reviews. Certified Mobile Auto Repair LLC, Dereks Auto Body, Accurate Auto are the top three by rating among businesses with a real review history behind them. We rank on the ratings themselves and nobody can pay to appear there.

Are there mobile mechanics in Des Plaines?

Yes. 3 of the businesses we list in Des Plaines will travel to you rather than making you bring the car in. That covers most servicing, brakes, batteries, diagnostics and plenty of repairs that do not need a lift.

How much do mechanics charge per hour in Des Plaines?

Independent shops in Illinois usually bill $100 to $145 an hour for labor. The national range is $95 to $140. Dealers charge more. Most quotes are the book time for the job times that rate, plus parts, so ask the shop how many hours it is billing you for.

Does Illinois require a car inspection?

Are any mechanics in Des Plaines open on Sunday?

Yes. 2 of the businesses we list in Des Plaines show Sunday hours, including 24/7 Mobile Truck and Trailer Repair and Mobile Truck Trailer Repair And Tires. Call first, because Sunday hours are often short and some only take emergencies.

How do I know a shop in Des Plaines is trustworthy?

Look at the review count as well as the stars, because five stars from four people tells you very little. None of the 5 listings in Des Plaines has been claimed yet, so call to confirm hours and what the shop works on. Under the Illinois Automotive Repair Act, customers have a right to a written estimate for repairs of $100 or more unless they waive it. A shop cannot go over an itemized estimate by more than 10 percent without the customer's oral or written consent. Get the quote in writing before any work starts.

Does it cost more to use a mobile mechanic in Des Plaines?

Usually not. 3 of the businesses in Des Plaines come to you, and with no building to pay for, they often charge a bit less than a shop. What they cannot do in a driveway is work that needs a lift or a press, so heavy jobs still go to a shop.

How does winter in Des Plaines affect my car?

Des Plaines gets about 121 nights a year at or below freezing and 38 inches of snow. Cold exposes a weak battery, and salted roads rust brake lines and exhaust parts. Test the battery in the fall and rinse the underbody in winter.

Can I get a pre-purchase inspection in Des Plaines?

Yes. PPI Auto, our sister company, inspects used cars in Des Plaines for $225 on most cars, pickups and SUVs. The inspector comes to the car, runs a 122 point check and sends the report the same day. Call 951-267-8500 to book.

Mechanics in Nearby Cities

No luck in Des Plaines? A mobile mechanic from the next town over will often make the trip. See all 330 cities in Illinois.

Mt Prospect, IL1 mechanics · 3 miTop rated: D'Agostino Service Inc 4.1★Rosemont, IL3 mechanics · 3 miTop rated: 24/7 Mobile Truck Trailer Repair and Tire Services 4.2★Prospect Heights, IL1 mechanics · 5 mi

Elk Grove Village, IL6 mechanics · 5 miTop rated: Tire Service 5.0★

Glenview, IL4 mechanics · 5 miTop rated: Mobile One Inc 4.9★Schiller Park, IL7 mechanics · 5 miTop rated: Burdi Motorworks 4.8★1026 Bensenville, IL1 mechanics · 6 mi

Bensenville, IL4 mechanics · 6 miTop rated: Expedite Mobile Truck Repair 4.5★

What Car Repairs Cost in Des Plaines, IL

Typical independent shop prices at Illinois labor rates, parts and labor, for a midsize car. Each guide shows the price for your vehicle and what to ask before you pay. See all 91 repair cost guides.

Control arm replacement cost $240 to $955 Brake master cylinder replacement cost $230 to $690 Engine replacement cost $3,000 to $7,610 Transmission solenoid replacement cost $230 to $1,030 EVAP leak repair cost $120 to $660 Power steering pump replacement cost $300 to $835

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