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Map of Mechanics in Evanston

6 pinned locations · open the full MechanicRank map →

All Auto Repair and Mobile Mechanics in Evanston

6 independent businesses in our directory.

Getting a Car Fixed in Evanston

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 spark plug replacement runs about $120 to $450 and a wheel alignment runs about $80 to $190 for a midsize car.

Of the 6 Evanston listings that post their hours, 5 open on Saturday and 1 on Sunday. 2 open before 8 AM on weekdays, which helps if you need to drop the car off before work.

5 businesses in Evanston have at least 15 reviews, enough for a rating to mean something, and 3 of those hold 4.5 stars or better. Half of them have 118 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.

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 Evanston

17Days a Year at 90°F or Hotter
128Nights a Year at or Below Freezing
40Inches of Rain a Year
34Inches of Snow a Year
28Minute Average Commute
1.23Cars per Household
17%Households With No Car
41%Drive to Work Alone

Lows drop to freezing on about 128 nights a year. Cold is when a weak battery finally fails, because a cold engine takes more power to turn over. Evanston averages 34 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 Evanston is 28 minutes each way, and 41% of workers drive there alone. 17% of households have no car at all, which is part of why mechanics who come to you do well here.

Sources, checked October 13, 2026

  • Weather: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, station Chicago Botanic Garden
  • Households and commutes: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, Evanston city

Pre-Purchase Inspections in Evanston

Buying a used car in Evanston? 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 97 car lots within 8 miles of Evanston, and 73 of them sell used. PPI Auto grades 56 of them A to F from their reviews, and 3 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.

Questions About Auto Repair in Evanston

How many auto repair businesses are there in Evanston?

We list 6 in Evanston, 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 Evanston?

N&A AUTO REPAIRS currently holds the highest rating in Evanston at 4.9 stars from 381 reviews. N&A AUTO REPAIRS, North Shore Auto Clinic, HEART Certified Auto Care - Evanston 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 Evanston?

Yes. 1 of the businesses we list in Evanston 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 Evanston?

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?

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.

Are any mechanics in Evanston open on Sunday?

Yes. 1 of the businesses we list in Evanston show Sunday hours, including N&A AUTO REPAIRS. Call first, because Sunday hours are often short and some only take emergencies.

How do I know a shop in Evanston 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 6 listings in Evanston 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 Evanston?

Usually not. 1 of the businesses in Evanston 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 Evanston affect my car?

Evanston gets about 128 nights a year at or below freezing and 34 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 Evanston?

Yes. PPI Auto, our sister company, inspects used cars in Evanston 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 Evanston? A mobile mechanic from the next town over will often make the trip. See all 330 cities in Illinois.

What Car Repairs Cost in Evanston, 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.

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