Mechd

Safety first

Mechd helps you understand a noise. It can’t inspect your car, so treat every result as a suggestion and let a mechanic have the final say.

Recording safely

  • Only use Mechd when the car is parked. Never record, read a result or use the app while you’re driving.
  • If the noise only happens on the move, ask a passenger to record it.
  • If the engine is running, keep your phone, hands, hair and clothes away from belts, fans and anything hot.
  • Park somewhere safe and legal, with the handbrake on, before you start.

What the three answers mean

Every result has one of these. They tell you how soon to get the car looked at.

  • Book in when convenient

    It's worth having a garage look at it, but it doesn't sound urgent. Book it in when it suits you, and sooner if the noise gets worse or changes.

  • Get it checked soon

    Something sounds wrong. Book a garage soon rather than leaving it, because some faults get worse, and dearer, the longer they go.

  • Don't drive

    This could be dangerous. Leave the car parked and call a garage or your breakdown service.

Mechd never tells you a car is fine. Even “Book in when convenient” means a garage should look at it. If the car feels wrong, don’t drive it, whatever the result says.

Don’t wait for an app

Some problems need help straight away, whatever Mechd says or whether you’ve recorded anything.

Stop and get help if:

  • the brakes feel different, soft or don’t stop the car as they should
  • the steering is heavy, loose, or pulls to one side
  • a red warning light comes on
  • you can smell burning, see smoke, or something is leaking
  • a tyre is damaged, bulging or going flat

Pull over when it’s safe, leave the car parked, and call a garage or your breakdown service.

What Mechd can and can’t do

Mechd can

  • Listen to a short recording and point you towards the likely cause
  • Tell you what else it could be
  • Say how soon to get it looked at
  • Give a rough estimate of what a UK garage might charge for your car
  • Give you a summary to share with your garage

Mechd can’t

  • Inspect your car or confirm it’s roadworthy
  • See leaks, smells or warning lights, or feel how the car drives
  • Always tell faults apart. Different faults can sound alike, and background noise or a poor recording can mislead it
  • Spot a fault that isn’t making a noise. “No clear fault heard” doesn’t mean nothing is wrong
  • Replace an MOT, a service or a mechanic’s check
  • Give a quote. Prices are rough estimates of what a UK garage might charge

Brakes, steering, tyres, suspension and warning lights are safety matters. Always have a qualified mechanic check them.

Getting a clearer answer

  • Record while the noise is actually happening.
  • Hold the phone close to where the noise seems to come from, without touching moving or hot parts.
  • Keep other noise down: radio off, windows up, no talking.
  • Record for 5 to 10 seconds.

Read the full terms of use, or email info@mechd.co.uk with any questions.