Mobile car repair startup Wrench is diving deeper into services that go beyond vehicle maintenance. The Seattle-based company has acquired Lemon Squad, an automotive inspection company, to give customers peace of mind before the purchase of a used vehicle.
Lemon Squad’s 2,800 inspectors will become part of the extended Wrench team, and Andy Dabbs, president and CEO of the Minnesota-based company, will join Wrench as general manager of inspections.
Wrench, which employs mobile mechanics to service personal vehicles and company fleets, has been thriving during the pandemic as customers turn to more contactless services. The startup also raised $20 million last November.
Co-founder and CEO Ed Peterson said Wrench was founded on the idea of removing the hassle of vehicle ownership, and that the company has done some vehicle inspection of its own since it was founded.
“Often the first hassle is the decision to purchase,” Peterson told GeekWire. “Solving this through a trusted inspection by a certified mechanic helps consumers and businesses make better-informed decisions.”
The acquisition of Lemon Squad will allow Wrench customers and fleet operators to schedule on-site, pre-purchase vehicle inspections directly through the Wrench mobile app. Within 24-48 hours, a certified technician will travel to the location of the vehicle, conduct an inspectIon and then deliver a comprehensive report. Customers can also continue to contact Lemon Squad directly.
Peterson previously said that new car sales have taken a hit during the pandemic and consumers are either buying used cars or looking to repair over replace, which translates to needing more maintenance and repair services.
