Checkatrade garages vs AutoFixFair: which gets you more car repair jobs?

The core difference: subscription directory vs job marketplace

Side-by-side comparison

Subscription fee vs commission: what you actually pay

The Checkatrade subscription model means you pay every month regardless of how many jobs come in. In a quiet month, the fee still lands. For a newer garage or one testing whether online directories work, that is a risk before you have seen any return.

AutoFixFair charges no subscription. Instead, it takes a commission only on bookings paid through the platform. If a month is quiet and no jobs arrive, you pay nothing. As a Founding Partner, your first 10 completed bookings are at 0% commission (up to £2,500 of total booking value). After that, the standard rate is 12.5% + VAT on confirmed AutoFixFair jobs.

The trade-off: a subscription model means you keep every penny of jobs that come in (Checkatrade does not take a cut of the job value). A commission model means you only pay when you earn. For garages still testing a new channel, commission is usually lower-risk.

What does a job request actually look like?

On Checkatrade, a customer sends you an enquiry, typically a name and a short message. You ring them back, qualify what they need, quote verbally, and wait to hear if they booked with you or one of the other garages they also contacted. No confirmation until they show up (or if they never do).

On AutoFixFair, a job request includes the vehicle registration (make, model, engine, MOT history), a description of the fault, any photos, and the customer is actively comparing quotes through the platform. You know exactly what the job is before you quote. The customer books and pays through AutoFixFair, so when the job is confirmed, it is confirmed. No phone-tag, no tyre-kickers.

Is Checkatrade worth it for garages?

The Checkatrade directory can work well for trades that need general local visibility across multiple service types. For a garage focused specifically on car repair, the broad multi-trade platform means your listing sits alongside builders and electricians rather than being found by someone actively searching for a local mechanic.

AutoFixFair is purpose-built for car repair. Every car owner on the platform is looking for a mechanic or MOT station. The search, filtering, and job-request flow are designed specifically for the car repair job, which means the intent of the enquiries you receive is much higher.

Common questions from garages

How much does it cost for a garage to join Checkatrade?

Checkatrade charges garages a monthly membership fee, typically in the range of £80 to £200 per month depending on location and trade. This fee is due whether or not the platform sends you any bookings in that month. Costs and plans do change, so always check directly with Checkatrade before signing up.

Does Checkatrade specialise in car garages?

No. Checkatrade is a multi-trade directory covering builders, electricians, plumbers, cleaners, and many others alongside garages. Car repair is one category among hundreds. This means your listing competes for general directory attention rather than appearing in a platform built specifically around car repair jobs.

What is AutoFixFair and how is it different from a garage directory?

AutoFixFair is a car repair marketplace, not a directory. Instead of listing your garage and hoping car owners find it, AutoFixFair brings you job requests from car owners who have already described their fault, attached their vehicle registration, and are ready to compare quotes. You receive a request, submit a quote, and if you win the job, the customer pays through the platform and you receive a Stripe payout when the job is done.

Which is better for independent garages and MOT stations?

It depends on what you want. Checkatrade gives you a broad directory presence across all trades, useful if you also do home repairs or general maintenance. AutoFixFair is purpose-built for car repair and gives you qualified job requests with vehicle details attached. For a garage or MOT station that wants more confirmed car repair bookings without paying a subscription, AutoFixFair is the more focused option.

Can I be on both Checkatrade and AutoFixFair?

Yes, there is no exclusivity on either platform. Many garages use a directory like Checkatrade for general trade visibility and AutoFixFair for confirmed, prepaid car repair bookings.

What is the AutoFixFair Founding Partner offer?

Founding Partner garages pay 0% commission on their first 10 completed bookings. After that, a standard 12.5% + VAT commission applies only on jobs the platform brings you. There is no monthly fee, ever.