Grow Your Auto Business — Free
Join the NOVA area's fastest-growing auto marketplace. Mechanics, dealers, or both — no monthly fee, no upfront cost. You only pay a 3% commission on repairs when you get paid. Vehicle sales have zero commission and are handled in person.
Apply to Join NowTakes about 3 minutes. No credit card required.
Why Mechanics & Dealers Choose Informal Auto
Built for independent operators — not big shops or franchises with marketing budgets.
No Risk, No Monthly Fee
Zero upfront cost to list. You pay 3% on completed repair jobs. Vehicle sales have no platform commission. If you don't earn, we don't earn.
Always Get Paid
Customer payment is held by Stripe, Inc. before the job starts — not by Informal Auto. No more chasing invoices or unpaid customers. Stripe releases funds to your account when the job is confirmed complete.
Built-In Customer Reach
Tap into a growing base of NOVA customers actively searching for mechanics. You focus on the work — we handle the marketing and discovery.
Dispute Protection
Before/after photos and job notes protect you from false claims. The platform provides communication tools so both parties can share evidence and resolve disagreements directly. Informal Auto does not adjudicate disputes. Dispute Policy
Build a Verified Reputation
Every completed job builds your star rating and review count. Verified mechanics get priority placement and a trust badge customers look for.
Bid on Job Requests
Browse open job requests from customers in your service area and submit bids. You set your own price — no race to the bottom, no forced pricing.
How We Compare
Other platforms charge you whether or not you get work.
| Feature | Informal Auto | Competitors |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $0 — never | $30–$99/mo |
| Commission | 3% on repairs / 0% on vehicle sales | 15–20% |
| Upfront Cost | $0 — nothing to start | Setup fees apply |
| Payment Protection | Stripe-secured hold | Varies / none |
| Dispute System | Evidence-based communication tools | Customer-first bias |
| Certification Required | No — all levels welcome | Often required |
| Fee If No Work | Nothing owed | Still charged monthly |
Verification — Your Choice
You can start listing immediately. Verification is optional but unlocks higher placement and the trust badge customers look for.
Basic Profile
Name, contact info, service area, and what type of work you do. Takes 3 minutes.
Government ID
Verify your identity with a government-issued ID. Earns the "ID Verified" badge and boosts search ranking.
ASE Certification
Enter your ASE certification number. We verify it against the ASE database and display your cert type on your profile.
State License
Upload a photo of your state mechanic license. Our team verifies against the state database within 48 hours.
Insurance Certificate
Upload your liability insurance certificate. Highly attractive to customers booking larger jobs.
Dealer License
Enter your state dealer license number. Earns the "Licensed Dealer" badge on your profile and listing cards, verified against DMV records.
No certification? No problem. Non-certified mechanics are welcome and clearly labeled so customers can make informed choices.
Apply to Join Informal Auto
Mechanics, dealers, or both — fill out this form and we'll get you set up within 24 hours.
Certifications (optional — fill in what applies)
Application Received!
We'll review your application and reach out within 24 hours to get your profile live.
Create Your Account Now