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From Augusta to Presque Isle, a Millinocket auto mechanic brings his repair shop to homes, parking lots, the roadside and even a towing yard.
Hayden Maxfield, owner of Maxfield Mobile Mechanic, travels hundreds of miles in a day to keep up with a growing number of requests from basic oil changes to more complicated repairs like brakes and transmissions.
He joins a rapidly growing remote auto repair sector that automotive experts say is growing 15 times as fast as brick-and-mortar shops. Its popularity in Maine has surged with independent technicians popping up in remote locations. And with the passage of Maine’s Automotive Right to Repair law they now have the same data access as dealerships.
“My business is really growing and my customer base likes the convenience,” Maxfield said.
Maxfield, who started his business last August, has been so busy that for a time he was booked a month out. He currently serves 25 towns in Aroostook County, 39 in Penobscot County, 12 in Piscataquis County and 19 in Somerset County.
This spring, Maxfield Mobile Mechanic was named the Best Auto Repair of 2026 in the Best of Millinocket awards.
“They love the fact that I am a branch off of a shop. I can do everything and anything a shop can do with minor restrictions, because I cannot do state inspections,” Maxfield said.
He works on engines, transmissions, timing, major engine teardowns, head gaskets and wheel bearings.
“I have an engine hoist. I can pull motors. I have a transmission floor jack and can drop a transmission in your driveway,” he said.
The mobile mechanic market, currently valued at more than $11 billion, is projected to soar to $16.9 billion by 2033, according to mobile repair giant Auto Monkey. In Maine, there are a handful of mobile mechanics noted in locations like Portland, Sanford and two serving central Maine.
Convenience, no wait times and lower cost for customers attracted Maxfield to the idea, he said.
“There needs to be a change. I wanted it to be as affordable as possible to get people the fixes that they need to keep the reliability of their car,” he said.“It shouldn’t be that when you are bringing your car to a shop, [you] have to choose between paying the electric bill or fixing your car. “
Maxfield started out tinkering with car repair at a young age and fell in love with it, especially when helping his late uncle work on his classic Pontiac Firebird.
“Beautiful car and that’s what inspired me,” he said.
The weather can pose some challenges, and when scheduling he always checks the weather reports for rain before scheduling a repair with a customer. But winter is not a problem, he said.
“Winter, I am out there turning wrenches just like any other day. Forty degrees below zero, it doesn’t matter. I will bundle right up to the nose,” he said. “I will do your brakes, I will rip out your suspension, I will swap out your thermostat. I actually did that this past winter.”
Maine’s 2023 Automotive Right to Repair law has helped independent professionals like Maxfield access vehicles’ onboard data that previously was only available to automotive dealerships.
In January, Gov. Janet Mills vetoed an amendment to that law that would have given independent technicians access to a vehicle’s telemetric data that analyzes vehicle performance.
Maxfield prefers quality new parts, but also gives customers options, he said.
He is fully insured and licensed. Until July his rates are $.95 a mile for travel and $65 an hour. On July 1, it will be $85 an hour, he said.
“I am proud that the industry is growing,” he said. “With today’s economy people need to know that there are alternatives to sitting at a shop and being late for work, missing children’s sporting events, missing out on functions or dropping the car off.”
