A mobile diesel mechanic repairs diesel pickups, box trucks, semis, trailers, buses and heavy equipment where they are: a job site, a truck stop, a yard or the roadside. They carry heavy-duty tools, diesel scan software and common parts in a service truck. To find one, search a directory's diesel category by state and city, then call and give the unit type, engine and the fault codes if you have them.
Why diesel owners use mobile mechanics
- Towing a heavy truck is expensive and slow to arrange
- Downtime costs money: every hour a truck sits is an hour not earning
- Equipment can't move: an excavator or generator on a job site needs the mechanic to come to it
- Many repairs are doable on site with the right tools
What mobile diesel mechanics typically fix
- No-starts: batteries, starters, glow plugs or intake grid heaters, fuel problems
- Aftertreatment: DPF, DEF and SCR faults, sensors, forced regens. See DPF and DEF problems
- Air systems: air leaks, compressors, dryers, brake chambers
- Brakes: pads, shoes, drums, slack adjusters
- Electrical: lights, wiring, alternators, ABS faults
- Cooling: hoses, belts, water pumps, fans
- Fuel: filters, water separators, lift pumps, some injector work
- Preventive maintenance: oil and filter service, greasing, inspections
- Trailers: lights, brakes, air lines, tires (if they offer tire service)
Roadside breakdowns
For semis broken down on the road, see our guide to semi truck roadside repair. Fleet owners who want scheduled service at their yard should read mobile fleet maintenance.
What to tell the mechanic when you call
Unit type: pickup, box truck, tractor, trailer, equipment
Year, make, model, engine
Exact location, including mile marker or yard address
Symptoms and any fault codes on the dash
Whether the unit is loaded, and any time constraints
What affects the price
- Distance and time of day (after-hours road calls cost more)
- Diagnostic time on electrical and aftertreatment faults
- Parts availability for your engine
- Service truck capability: cranes, welders and air compressors make bigger jobs possible
Ask for the call-out fee, the hourly rate and whether parts are on the truck.
Cold weather
Diesels have their own winter problems: gelled fuel, glow plugs, batteries. See diesel won't start in the cold.
Frequently asked questions
Do mobile diesel mechanics work on pickups too?
Many do, including heavy-duty diesel pickups. Ask when you call.
Can a mobile diesel mechanic do a DOT inspection?
Some are qualified to do annual inspections. Ask about their qualifications and paperwork.
Are mobile diesel repairs more expensive than a truck shop?
Hourly rates can be similar or higher, but you skip the tow and often the wait for a shop bay.
Find a mobile diesel mechanic
Browse mobile diesel mechanics on the directory, or pick your state on the locations page. For gas cars and light trucks, see our guide to finding a mobile mechanic near you.
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