Auto Repair Shop Software That Connects Every Part of the Job
One system for the schedule, the repair order, the parts, the invoice and the reminder that brings the customer back. Built for independent shops with one to ten technicians.
No credit card needed. Full access to every feature during the trial.
What Auto Repair Shop Software Should Actually Do
Auto repair shop software is the system that runs the business side of your shop: who is booked in, which bay and technician each job is on, what parts and labor went into the work, what the customer owes, and when they are due back. Good shop software does all of that from one record per customer and vehicle, so every part of the day feeds the next.
Most independent shops start with a mix of tools: a paper or whiteboard schedule, a basic invoicing app, a spreadsheet of customers and a parts list kept by whoever does the ordering. That works until the shop gets busy. Then jobs are finished but not invoiced, parts are fitted but not charged, reminders slip, and the phone rings out while everyone is working.
My Garage CRM replaces that patchwork with one connected system. A booking becomes a repair order, the repair order pulls parts from stock, the finished job becomes an invoice with a card payment link, and the visit is stored against the vehicle so the next service reminder goes out on time. Nothing is typed twice.
The Core Jobs Every Shop Needs Covered
Scheduling that shows your real capacity
The schedule is laid out by bay across the working day, so you can see at a glance which lifts are free, where a walk-in fits and which jobs are still waiting for a technician. Unassigned work sits in its own column so nothing gets lost. Read more on the scheduling and bay management page.
Repair orders that track labor and parts as the work happens
Every job has a digital repair order with the customer, vehicle, work requested, labor, parts, notes and photos. Technicians update it as they go, so the service writer can answer "is my car ready?" without walking out to the shop floor.
Estimates customers can trust
When the inspection turns up more work, send an estimate with photos showing exactly what was found. Customers approve work faster when they can see it, and the approved estimate converts straight into the invoice. More on the estimates and invoicing page.
Invoices that get paid faster
Turn a finished job into an invoice in one click and send it by email or text. Connect your own Stripe account and every invoice email can carry a secure card payment button, so customers often pay before they arrive to collect.
Parts and inventory that match reality
Parts added to a repair order come out of stock automatically and appear on the invoice, which closes the most common revenue leak in independent shops: parts used but never charged. Low-stock alerts and supplier purchase orders keep the shelves right. See parts and inventory management.
Reminders that bring customers back
Oil changes, service intervals and state inspection due dates are stored on each vehicle, and reminders go out by text and email automatically. Repeat business is the cheapest business you will ever win. See customer reminders and CRM.
Two AI Tools Most Shop Software Does Not Include
On top of the core shop management modules, My Garage CRM includes AI tools aimed at the two places independent shops lose the most time: the phone and the diagnosis.
Every call answered, even when the bays are full
Add a business phone line to your account and the AI receptionist answers calls in your shop's name, takes booking details, answers common questions about services and hours, and alerts you immediately. Every call is logged in your call history with a transcript and recording, alongside inbound, outbound and missed call stats.
How the AI receptionist worksA second opinion on tricky diagnoses
Techs describe the symptoms, codes and behavior and get suggested causes, checks to run and repair steps to consider. Chats are saved so you can pick a diagnosis back up later, and transcripts can be exported and shared. Included on every plan, starting with Starter.
See every featureStaff, Reporting and Multi-Location Tools Included
Staff accounts and roles
Give technicians, service writers and managers their own sign-ins with role-based access, so each person sees what they need. Staff get their own portal with their schedule, and you can manage rotas, time off and hours in the same system.
Reports that answer real questions
Revenue, outstanding invoices, parts margins, labor sold and technician productivity, all updating live as jobs are completed and invoices are paid. No exporting to spreadsheets at the end of the month.
More than one location
Each location keeps its own address, opening hours, bays, tax number and staff, and you can pick the location across scheduling, repair orders, invoices and parts. Staff can be assigned to specific locations or to all of them.
Questions to Ask Before You Choose Shop Software
Whichever system you pick, these are the questions that separate software that saves you time from software that adds work.
| Question to ask | Why it matters | My Garage CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Does a booking become a repair order automatically? | Retyping customer and vehicle details is where mistakes and wasted minutes come from. | Yes |
| Do parts on a job come out of stock and onto the invoice? | Parts fitted but never billed is one of the biggest revenue leaks in independent shops. | Yes |
| Can customers pay invoices by card from a link? | Faster payment, fewer awkward conversations at the counter. | Yes, through your own Stripe account |
| Who answers the phone when everyone is busy? | Missed calls are lost bookings, and most go to the next shop on the list. | AI receptionist add-on |
| Are reminders automatic? | Manual reminder lists always slip when the shop gets busy. | Text and email |
| Is migration included? | A hard switch keeps shops stuck on software they have outgrown. | Free |
| Can I try everything before paying? | You should see the full system with your own work, not a cut-down demo. | 28 days, every feature, no card |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best auto repair shop software for a small independent shop?
The best fit is software that connects scheduling, repair orders, parts, invoicing and reminders in one place without charging extra for each module. For a small shop, ease of setup and a free trial with full features matter more than a long feature list. My Garage CRM starts at $139 a month and includes a 28-day free trial with every feature switched on.
Can my technicians use it on a tablet or phone in the shop?
Yes. It runs in any web browser, so techs can open repair orders, log labor, add parts and attach photos from a tablet or phone at the vehicle.
Does it handle state inspections?
Inspection due dates can be stored on each vehicle and used to trigger automatic reminders, so customers come back to you when their inspection is due. Requirements and schedules vary by state, so you set the dates and reminder timing that fit your state.
How does sales tax work on invoices?
Tax is shown on estimates and invoices, and each location keeps its own tax number. Sales tax rules on parts and labor vary by state, so check the rates and what is taxable where you operate when you set up your account.
Can I take card payments?
Yes. Connect your own Stripe account in settings and invoice emails can include a secure card payment button. Payments go straight to your Stripe account.
How long does setup take?
Most shops are up and running within a day or two. We import your existing data for free, and a guided setup checklist walks you through your business details, bays, staff and reminder templates.
Run Your Whole Shop From One System
Try every feature free for 28 days. No credit card, no contract, and free data migration from your current software.