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About Ocala Mobile Mechanics

Hi, I'm Gary Tantanella. I run Ocala Mobile Mechanics. I want to be straight with you about what this site is, who I am and why I think you can trust the mechanics I send you to.

What this site does

This is a free referral service. When you call or fill out the form, I connect you with an independent, Florida-registered mobile mechanic who works in the Ocala area. That mechanic quotes the job, does the work and is responsible for it. I don't do the repairs, and I don't charge you anything.

My background

I spent more than 30 years as an all-around Ford mechanic. I came up through a four-year apprenticeship and earned an associate degree in automotive technology. Over that time I worked on just about everything that comes through a service bay: brakes, charging and starting systems, cooling systems, AC, drivability problems and electrical gremlins.

I also spent 25 years as a robotics technician. That work is all sensors, wiring, controllers and troubleshooting logic — which, honestly, is what most modern car trouble is now. Today's cars are networks of computers on wheels. Knowing how to trace an electrical problem methodically, instead of throwing parts at it, matters more than ever.

Why that matters to you

I know the difference between a mechanic who diagnoses and one who guesses. I know what a fair labor time looks like for a starter or a set of front pads, and I know when an estimate is padded. That's what I use to decide who gets referrals from this site.

How I screen mechanics

• I ask for their Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) motor vehicle repair registration and look it up myself.
• I ask for proof of liability insurance.
• I read their reviews and look for patterns, good and bad.
• I talk to them about how they quote and how they explain work to customers.
• If I hear about a problem from a customer, I follow up. A mechanic who doesn't treat people right doesn't keep getting calls.

If you ever have a problem with a mechanic you met through this site, tell me. I want to know.

Ready to get help? See how it works or call (352) 780-1503.