Best Online Mechanics Courses 

Over 278,00,000 vehicles are registered to drivers in the US. And they could all run into trouble at some point. As cars continue to dominate the way we travel, more and more people are learning how to be a mechanic online to break into this essential industry. 

But a search for the best online mechanic course online returns 147,000,000 results. So can you find the best mechanic course for you?

I think the answer is yes. And to prove it I’ve written this article containing what I believe to be the best online mechanic courses. 

In my opinion, the best pick is Car Mechanic Training from Alison education. This class provides a great introduction to the world of cars and how to repair them, with three hours of content covering all of the essentials. And to top it all off, it's free. 

However, I’ve tried to include a range of courses here. Half are aimed at casual car drivers looking to learn more about how to repair their vehicle, and the other half aimed at aspiring mechanics looking for their first professional qualifications.  

We’ll be taking a deep look at each course's content, strengths, weaknesses, and much more. I’ll also talk about the benefits of an online mechanic course, the average length, the cost and a buyer’s guide on what to look out for. 

What is the best online mechanics course?

These are our top recommendations:

1. Car Mechanic Training (Alison)
2. Automotive 101: A beginners guide to car repair (Udemy)
3. Car Mechanic Training: Car detailing, car maintenance & car restoration [CPD certified] (One Education)
4. Car repair and electrical training certificated: CRET2023+ (Udemy)
5. Car mechanic course (John Academy) 
6. Car Mechanic and Repair Level 3 Diploma – CPD Accredited (Apex Learning)
7. Car maintenance anyone can do (Udemy)
8. Automotive ownership maintenance (Udemy) 
9. Car mechanic and car maintenance level 3 diploma (Training Express) 
10. Car mechanic and repair training (Apex Learning)

I’ve chosen Car Mechanic Training for my top pick for a couple of reasons. With over 70,000 students enrolled, it is one of the most popular courses on this list, offering to teach students how to master all the key components of car maintenance. 

For me, this is the go-to course for any absolute beginners who are looking to take their first steps with automobile mechanics. Why? It packs a bunch of info into just 3 hours, managing to be both hugely informative to new learners and not daunting. It is also free!

Udemy is the site with the most appearances on this list. This is because it's focused on selling individual courses to help with specific skills. Often at a discounted price!

Each Udemy mechanic course has a slightly different focus. Automotive 101: A beginners guide to car repair is the most popular, well-reviewed and, in my opinion, Udemy’s best offering. 

Finally, if you’re looking for something really in-depth, that will kickstart your journey to becoming a professional mechanic, check out Car Mechanic Training: Car detailing, car maintenance & car restoration [CPD certified] from One Education.  It has over a week of content, and a Continuing Professional Development-accredited certificate available upon completion of a final exam. 

Best course reviews

1. Car Mechanic Training (Alison)

Platform: Alison | Teachers: Edukators London Ltd. | Course length: 3 hours  

Car Mechanic Training is the option on this list with the most students enrolled. I think this because it is so accessible. 

You don’t need any prior experience, yet this course will plunge you into learning about the systems and components of an automobile. And how and why they require maintenance. It's not formal training to become a mechanic, but is a first step towards that-or just a way for the average person to learn more about maintaining their car. 

At 3 hours, there's enough time to learn new info, but not so much that it is overwhelming. It is also absolutely free, so there is no need to worry about wasting money if you feel it's not for you. 

What you will learn how to:

• Analyze the cooling system of a vehicle 
• Understand the fuel and electrical systems of your car
• Interpret the outline and guidelines in an owners manual
• About the costs and factors involved in buying and maintaining a car
• The safety rules for working on a vehicle 
• Identify the warning lights on a flashboard 
• Describe and replace the brakes and tires of a car
• Know when systems require maintenance  

Pros: 

• Accessible and easy-to-follow 
• Covers a lot of core content 
• Not overwhelming for beginners
• Practical, focusing on the costs and time considerations of car maintenance, as well as the systems 
• Includes an assessment to demonstrate what you’ve learned  
• Enough content to keep you engaged without being daunting 
• CPD-accredited certificate of completion 

Cons: 

• Certificate not as valued as others in automobile world  

Best for: Complete beginners to automobile mechanics who want a quick, easy and free introduction 

Overall: Many of us are reliant on cars for our transportation. So not knowing what to do if yours stops working can be a real source of concern. If you want to abandon those fears, this free course is a great place to start. It will teach you the fundamentals of car maintenance in an accessible way, with a particular focus on various considerations like costs.   

2. Automotive 101: A beginners guide to car repair (Udemy)

Platform: Udemy | Teachers: Scott Greene | Course length: 3 hours

Automotive 101 gives you not just a basic understanding of vehicle repairs but also provides a path towards the automotive repair industry for anybody who takes to the content. 

Scott Greene, has been an automotive technician since 1983. He's taught over 12,000 students about automobile repair on Udemy alone. This class specifically has over 10,000 students enrolled, and an impressive rating of 4.6 stars from over 2,000 reviews.

Udemy specializes in allowing instructors across a range of disciplines to create and distribute courses where they can teach very specific skills. this means there's a lot of competition among mechanics courses, of which this is my favorite. 

You will learn about:

• Safety
• Tools 
• The engine, battery, starting and charging systems 
• The rear differential and the axel and driveshaft 
• Automatic transmission
• Manual transmission 
• Braking and cooling systems 
• The carburettor 

Pros: 

• Technical and detailed
• Covers the key aspects of the car 
• Super experienced instructor 
• Includes additional materials and short quizzes at the end of each section 
• Well-structured content, introducing mechanical aspects from the most familiar to the most complex 
• Certificate of completion 

Cons: 

• Might be a bit technical for some beginners 
• At some point the teaching audio/visuals aren’t as clear as they could be

Best for: Any beginners who are thinking more seriously about entering the auto-repair world 

Overall: Like our first pick, Automotive 101: A beginners guide to car repair is a three-hour course aimed at total beginners who want to take the first steps in learning how to fix their car. However, this course is packed with a bit more of a technical focus, with coverage of the rear differential, driveshaft and other terms that might mean nothing to you. If you're more serious about automobile mechanics, this might be the better option. 

3. Car Mechanic Training: Car detailing, car maintenance & car restoration [CPD certified] (One Education)

Platform: One Education | Teachers: One Education | Course length: One week and one day

This option is for those who are very serious about starting a career as a mechanic. Over 4,000 students have enrolled already. 

With over a week of learning, Car Mechanic Training contains loads of information about the first steps you can take on your professional journey to a career in auto repair. 

You’ll explore engine features and engine oil, electrical systems, brakes, the auto repair industry and more are discussed here. Upon successful completion of a final exam, you’ll also be entitled to a CPD-accredited certificate.   

You will learn about:

• Safety and maintenance 
• General maintenance for car mechanics 
• Vehicle warning lights 
• Tires & Wheels 
• Engine, cooling, fuel and electrical systems
• The drivetrain and braking system 

Pros: 

• Comprehensive overview of the automobile repair world 
• Well structured; divided into easily digestible chunks 
• Includes a mock exam and exam; the opportunity to show off your learning 
• Certificate of completion 
• Introductory, yet inducts students into detailed knowledge about the industry 
• Includes additional reading material 
• Both the old and updated courses are available upon enrolment 

Cons: 

• Bigger time commitment compared to other options listed here 

Best for: Any beginners, who have considered the first two courses, and are wanting more. 

Overall: Ideal course for those who are serious about being a mechanic, but don’t know where to start. Across a week's worth of content, divided into very digestible chunks, Car Mechanic Training equips students with the key info about both the systems they have to understand and the wider industry. There is an exam included for students to show off their knowledge and a certificate of completion. 

4. Car repair and electrical training certificated: CRET2023+ (Udemy) 

Platform: Udemy | Teachers: OSCALY Academy | Course length: 7.5 hours

At number four, we have another option from Udemy. 

Car repair and electrical training certificated: CRET2023+ has over 49,000 students enrolled, making it one of the most popular courses on our list. 

If we have been tending towards classes that prepare you for a professional qualification in automobile repair, this option is back-to-basics. 

There is no prior experience required and you will learn the absolute fundamentals, including how to perform a basic car tune-up, different electric and battery systems and more. 

Oscaly Academy are your instructors and they have already taught over 274,000 students on Udemy.    

Tou will learn about:

• Car parts, frames and the chassis
• The engine system 
• Car repair principles 
• Brakes and ABS systems 
• Tips and tricks for tuning a car
• Suspension and connections 
• Car engines and the difference between them
• Electricity fundamentals 
• Car electronic components 
• Wiring
• Engine control unit 
• Sensors 
• Car tuning 

Pros: 

• Very accessible 
• Teaches all of the essential functions, starting from the very principles of car repair 
• Goes into detail about the differences between particular systems and components of the car
• Certificate of completion 
• Course is often on sale 

Cons: 

• Needs better visuals  

Best for: Beginners looking for an accessible yet comprehensive introduction to mechanics 

Overall: This is a very solid introduction to the inner workings of cars and how to repair them, made explicitly for complete newbies. Although the visuals could be more engaging, the way this course is split up and taught creates a systemic overview of all the essentials you need to get started with repairing your car.   

5. Car mechanic course (John Academy)

Platform: John Academy | Teachers: John Academy | Course length: 2 hours and 38 minutes 

Here, you’ll begin with the general safety guidance for working under the hood of your car. You’ll then take a schematic view of the various components of the car before taking a test in order to receive your certificate. 

At just over 2 and a half hours long, John Academy’s Car mechanic course will not teach you how to be a professional mechanic in that time. But it just might be the first step you take towards becoming one. 

You will learn:

• What to consider when buying a car 
• Dashboard indicator lights 
• General maintenance 
• Introduction to safety and maintenance 
• The cooling, electrical and fuel systems
• The drive train 
• To understand the internal combustion engine 
• Tires 

Pros: 

• Offers a CPD-accredited certificate 
• Includes a mock and an exam, meaning you can fully demonstrate your knowledge 
• Option to take the course and not do the exam for more casual learners
• Not a very big timed commitment, yet covers all of the key components 
• Broken into easily digestible videos covering each major component of the car 

Cons: 

• Could go into more detail  

Best for: Aspiring mechanics ready to take the very first step 

Overall: This is a brief yet schematic pick that is ideal for anyone considering a career as a mechanic, with no prior experience, who is ready to take the first step in that career journey. You’ll cover all the essentials and, after completing an exam, will have the accredited certification to show for it. 

6. Car Mechanic and Repair Level 3 Diploma – CPD Accredited (Apex Learning)

Platform: Apex Learning | Teachers: Apex Learning | Course length: 11 hours 

This is the first of two courses from Apex Learning to appear on the list. With over 11 hours of content, it's twice as long as its sister course, so it is another good pick for anyone who's a little more serious about getting into car mechanics. 

Modules here cover everything from safety and maintenance to vehicle restoration. There is a specific emphasis on modern car systems. 

So, like Car Mechanic Training: Car detailing, car maintenance & car restoration from One Education, this one is worth considering if you think being a professional mechanic might be for you.     

What you will learn:

• Safety protocols 
• General maintenance techniques 
• Understanding vehicle warning lights 
• Mastering brake maintenance
• The intricacies of the engine
• Cooling, fuel and electrical systems
• Drivetrain
• Step-by-step process of car restoration, including the interior, exterior, and engine.
• Workplace safety 
• Equipment regulations
• Maintaining a safe and efficient working environment

Pros: 

• Really focuses on the professional aspects of being a mechanic 
• Prepares students well for the working world whilst not overwhelming them 
• 11 hours of learning is the ideal amount to gain new skills whilst not putting off beginners 
• Very easy to follow and understand 
• Includes assignments and quizzes 
• Accredited certificate upon completion
• Course is often on sale  

Cons: 

• Could include more visual demonstrations  

Best for: Complete newbies who are serious about pursuing a future as a mechanic  

Overall: Oftentimes people become interested in a new profession but have no idea where to start. If the profession you’re considering is becoming a mechanic, you might’ve found that place right here. This is a pick that focuses directly on inducting students into the professional world of being a mechanic. 

7. Car maintenance anyone can do (Udemy)

Platform: Udemy | Teachers: Barry Bertollini | Course length: 3 hours 

As you can probably tell from the title, Car maintenance anyone can do from Udemy is for more casual learners. 

With three hours of learning, it is one of the shorter options on the list, but it's still packed with information. You will become fully aware of all the absolute essentials, including checking and fixing flats, maintaining fluids, battery levels and more. 

Your instructor, Barry Bertollini, has worked in the automobile industry for over 23 years and now works as a school teacher, so he encompasses the best of both worlds for mechanic education. He has taught over 3,000 students and has a 4.8-star instructor rating. 

What you will learn:

• Tools needed and how to stay safe 
• Monthly checks and why they are important 
• Tips on selecting radiator coolant 
• Serpentine belt inspection  
• Checking and replacing headlights, turn signals and brake lights 
• Battery maintenance 
• Air filter inspection and replacement 
• Checking tire pressure and inspecting treads for wear 
• Proper placement of jack stands 
• Selecting oil filter 
• How to change oil, spark plugs and a flat tire 
• Jump-starting a car 

Pros: 

• Experienced instructor in both car repairs and how to teach new things 
• Clear and engaging instructions 
• Covers the fundamentals all car drivers need to know 
• Not so much content that it is overwhelming for beginners 
• Course is often on sale 
• Includes a certificate of completion 
• Very practical 

Cons: 

• Some demonstrations are off-screen 
• Could include some quizzes and assignments to test student’s knowledge  

Best for: Drivers who know nothing about the vehicle they are driving and feel like they should 

Overall: Lives up to its name. In just three hours, students will be equipped with all essential knowledge that can be life-changing if they ever find themselves and their vehicle in a spot of bother. The instructor is super experienced and explains everything very clearly, and with a 4.8 star rating this is one of the best-reviewed options on the list. 

8. Automotive ownership maintenance (Udemy)

Platform: Udemy | Teachers: Scott Greene | Course length: 2 hours 

The main difference between this and Automotive 101 (number two) is that it is focused mainly on those who are just casual car owners interested in learning more about their vehicle rather than aspiring mechanics.

As a result, it is about an hour shorter. However, it has also been updated more recently, so this is worth considering. Automotive Ownership Maintenance has a 4.7-star rating. 

You will learn how to:

• Appreciate what (and what not) to wear when repairing your car 
• Organize your toolbox
• Patch a damaged tire and change a flat one
• Identify tire wear patterns 
• Proper tire rotation 
• Tire identification and pressure testing
• Understand belt wear patterns 
• Change your oil filter 
• Change your fuel filter
• Inspect and change your air filter
• Jump start and change a battery
• Inspect and change a fuse 
• Short and long trip checklists 
• Tail light bulb replacement 
• Air conditioning system inspection 
• Radiator, cooling hoses and coolant inspection  

Pros: 

• Extremely experienced teacher with over 30 years of experience (I also love his Southern accent) 
• Very well communicated with all concepts easy to understand 
• Explicitly aimed at regular drivers who want to learn more about their vehicle 
• Created more recently than Automotive 101: A beginners guide to car repair
• Combines traditional teaching with a whiteboard with practical examples on actual cars
• Certificate of completion 
• Course is often on sale  

Cons: 

• Similar material is covered more comprehensively in Automotive 101: A beginners guide to car repair
• Closed captions don’t always align with what is being said on screen  

Best for: Car owners and drivers who want to learn the essentials of maintaining their vehicles 

Overall: Scott Greene is the only instructor to appear on this list twice, and it's easy to see why. With three decades of experience in car maintenance and having taught over 12,000 students on Udemy, he is the ideal teacher for this topic. I’d recommend this course for those who are interested in Scott’s content but are less intrigued by the prospect of becoming a full mechanic. 

9. Car mechanic and car maintenance level 3 diploma (Training Express)

Platform: Training Express | Teachers: Training express| Course length: 11 hours  

The penultimate course on this list is another pick for aspiring mechanics. 

Car mechanic and car maintenance level 3 diploma is another class that goes into a lot of depth about the professional world of being a mechanic, with over 11 hours of content covering all the essentials of establishing a safe and efficient automobile repair workplace. 

Upon completion, you will receive a diploma certificate accredited by the CPD. Car mechanic and car maintenance level 3 diploma has a 4.77-star rating from over 800 reviews.  

You will learn about:

• Safety and maintenance 
• General maintenance for car mechanics 
• Vehicle warning lights 
• Tires and wheels 
• The engine, cooling, electrical and fuel systems
• The drivetrain and braking system 
• Restoring a car’s interior, exterior and engine 
• Provision and use of work equipment regulations
• Selection and conformity of work equipment 
• Safe functionality of work equipment 
• Monitoring and maintenance of work equipment

Pros: 

• Strong focus on creating a professional environment 
• All lessons are related to professional development 
• Very comprehensive with hours and hours of content 
• Ends with accredited certification 
• Self-paced 
• Course is often on sale 

Cons: 

• Expensive if not bought on sale  

Best for: Aspiring mechanics serious about being professionals 

Overall: This pick is set apart by its focus on the professional development of its students. Whether it's covering safety and regulations to the actual work of maintenance itself, Car mechanic and car maintenance level 3 diploma ensures its students are fully prepared to enter the workplace as mechanics. 

10. Car mechanic and repair training (Apex Learning)

Platform: Apex Learning | Teachers: Apex Learning | Course length: 4 hours and 45 minutes

Rounding off the list we have the second option from Apex Learning. 

I’ve included this course because I feel it sums up the point I’ve been trying to make throughout this article quite nicely; there are a range of car mechanic courses out there but really they can be divided into two groups. 

There are classes for people considering becoming a professional mechanic and there are classes for those who just want to learn a bit more about how to fix their car. 

At under half the length of the other Apex Learning course, Car mechanic and repair training is Apex’s attempt to tailor to the latter group. 

What you will learn:

• Safety rules 
• Introduction to tools
• General maintenance 
• Dashboard indicator lights 
• Tires
• Internal combustion engines 
• Engine oils 
• Cooling system 
• Fuel system 
• Electrical system 
• Drive train 
• Brakes 
• Buying a car 

Pros: 

• Offers a very brief introduction for absolute beginners 
• Systemically covers all of the essentials 
• Very easy to follow 
• Includes an assignment 
• Can be studied at your own pace 

Cons: 

• Not massively comprehensive 
• Covers very similar content to other courses on this list  

Best for: Anyone interested in Apex’s first course who felt it was a little too long 

Overall: With almost 5 hours of learning, Car mechanic and repair training will equip you with all the essentials you need to get started with repairing your car. Although I feel this course is better suited to casual learners, if you enjoy it you might consider checking out Apex’s other courses or just going straight to in-person training. 

What are the advantages of taking an online mechanic course?

There are many advantages to taking one of the courses on this list:

• The chance to take a first step towards a lifetime career 
• Learn more about your own vehicle, which could save time, effort and money
• Improve your safety when driving by knowing what faults and problems to look out for 
• Gain a professionally-accredited certification 
• Help out friends and family with their own car troubles 
• Learn more and develop your intuition about systems and vehicles generally through practical examples 

There are also specific benefits to taking a mechanic course online: 

• Access to top instructors from around the world with years of experience in the motor industry 
• You can learn when you like and fit everything around your schedule 
• You can combine different platforms for example, taking a One Education course to gain a certification and supplementing it with free Alison lessons 
• There’s access to endless additional materials including safety guides and manuals
• The skill will stay with you for life 
• Your general knowledge about cars will improve 
• Learning a new skill is great for engaging the brain 
• A certificate from a credible online institution looks great on a CV  

Buyers guide: what to look out for

There is clearly a wide range of mechanic courses out there. So here’s a helpful buyer’s guide to look out for: 

• Positive reviews and feedback from both users and sites like Learnopoly 
• The credentials of the instructor e.g. are they a professional mechanic? How long have they been teaching?  
• How long the course is and what parts of the car each lesson will teach you about 
• Any additional materials like safety manuals 
• What kind of vehicle does the course focus on 
• How many people are enrolled 
• Is there any free trial or refund available? 

How much does it cost?

The costs of courses here range from free to $424.99. There are a couple of things worth noting about this. 

All of the options I have selected frequently have classes on sale. This means that you can get courses at a heavily discounted price and it is very rare for these lessons to only be available at these higher prices. 

For example, $424.99 is the price of Car Mechanic Training: Car detailing, car maintenance & car restoration [CPD certified] from One Education. However, when I was researching and testing the course it was on sale for $29.00. 

You might think that it is not worth paying these prices anyway, especially as there are classes on being a mechanic on places like YouTube which you can access for free. 

I would agree that paying for these kinds of lessons might not be worth it for casual learners. However, if you are serious about improving your skills, having a course where everything is organized and structured in one place to develop your learning is really helpful. 

Also, many of these classes include a certificate of completion, some of which are professionally accredited. This can make a world of difference for those who are serious about entering the profession. 

How long does it take to learn how to repair your car?

Courses here last between two hours and one week. However, that doesn’t mean it will take you this long to learn how to fix your car. 

Cars are very complex vehicles and all kinds of things can go wrong with them. And all cars are very different. This list contains beginner courses on automobile repairs, but no option on here claims to cover each and every aspect of car mechanics.  

What these lessons do provide is the absolutely essential fundamentals of understanding the systems and parts that make-up your vehicle. 

If you are looking to become a mechanic, or to really advance your knowledge of cars and how they function, some in-person training and experience will be required. But every option on this list will be an excellent starting point. 

Conclusion

My top pick is Car Mechanic Training offered by Alison. 

This course is the most popular on this list, with over 70,000 enrollments. It's three hours long, which is ideal for a beginner course and it's totally free. 

However, the main reason I picked it is because of the comprehensive focus on key systems and components of a car. As well as its attention to the costs and considerations of car maintenance, makes it ideal for absolute beginners who want to learn more about how to fix any problems with their car. 

Another good pick is Automotive 101: A beginners guide to car repair from Udemy. This is also a three-hour course aimed at beginners but includes a bit more of a focus on technical language and components of the car. 

If you are a total newbie to car maintenance but are also quite interested in becoming a full mechanic, this could be a better option. 

Finally, there is Car Mechanic Training: Car detailing, car maintenance & car restoration, from One Education, for those who are a little more serious about taking on the role of a mechanic. This course includes a final exam and a CPD-accredited certificate of completion. 

As I mentioned in the cost section, a lot of the content on this list can be found elsewhere for free. So what you’re really investing in is a structured programme available all in one place and a certification to show what you have learnt. 

Most courses on this list are also on sale, so you do often get really good value for money. Make sure to look at the course page of the ones that appeal to you to check their most recent prices and watch any free material. Good luck! 

Online Mechanic Courses – Frequently asked questions