Taking the Stress Out of Car Repairs with More Transparency and Control
Car repair can be a stressful and frustrating experience, causing many people to distrust mechanics and delay necessary maintenance, leading to bigger issues down the line. The root of this anxiety often lies in a lack of control—people rely on their cars for daily life, and any disruption feels overwhelming. Autotrack offers a solution that gives users more control throughout the repair process. With transparent repair updates, trusted reviews, and clear communication, this app helps reduce stress, build confidence, and improve the experience for both car owners and mechanics.
Team
Personal Project
6 Weeks
The Problem
When your car starts making noise, a trip to the mechanic is an unavoidable stressor. Car repair is a specialized skill that few fully understand and it can feel as though the mechanic always has the upper hand. A lack of familiarity over the service combined with no control over how well it is performed can make a customer experience feelings of stress, anxiety, and a general lack of control. Such a commonplace and often necessary service should not have to elicit such negative emotions as it places undue stress on the consumers and places an unfair stigma on mechanics.
USER DEFINITION
Gaining an Understanding of Users Through Research-Based Personas
LOW-FIDELITY TESTING
Defining a User Flow Through Low-Fidelity Testing
EXPLORING COLOUR
Creating a Colour Palette That Represents Core Values
Colour and branding decisions will play a major role in how users perceive this product so a colour study was used to determine the best colour for the application. Research of popular car brand and auto repair shop branding showed a use of highly saturated reds, oranges, and blues. While these colours would be too stimulating for a product meant to ease stress, toning them down and emphasizing the use of blue helped convey a sense of trust without losing the association with the automotive industry.
After creating a few different colour palettes, I asked users to rate them by how well they represent the main themes of the product: Automotive, Repair, Trust, and Reliability. The colour palette that ranked the highest overall moved forward into the final design.
DESIRABILITY TESTING
Measuring User's First Impressions Through Desirability Testing
Desirability testing was used throughout this project to test the way users react to certain design elements. The Desirability test below is testing the styling of a progress bar for the auto repair tracking page.
STYLE GUIDE
Creating a Style Guide for Consistent Branding and Design
Using the learnings from the colour studies and user testing sessions, the branding was established and adhered to through further product development.
FIVE SECOND TESTING
Using Five-Second Testing to Optimize User Understanding
Hierarchy of information is extremely important for the main tracking page of this product. Users should be able to quickly check the status of their vehicle throughout the day and understand all the necessary information with a simple glance at the application. Five second testing was conducted in order to test these principles.
Users were given five seconds to look at a mockup and after the time was up, they were asked to recall certain information. If three users in a row correctly recalled the pickup date and process update then the design was a success. If the design failed the mockup was altered and test was re-conducted.
Find the Right Repair Shop for Your Car Needs
Whether you need routine maintenance or urgent repairs, finding the right auto repair shop can make all the difference. Whether it's a 24-hour emergency service or an affordable oil change, Autotrack helps you search for repair shops based on your specific needs. With detailed business profiles, specialty listings, and customer reviews, you’ll have the confidence to choose the best shop for your car.
Repair With Confidence by Learning Before You Book
Car repairs can feel overwhelming, especially when discussing technical details with mechanics. Autotrack empowers you by providing clear, easy-to-understand information about each service before you bring your car in.
With online booking, you can explore your options at your own pace, compare services, and schedule an appointment when you’re ready, removing the pressure and helping you feel confident in your choice.
Feel in Control of Your Car Repair with Real-Time Updates
Waiting for car repairs can feel uncertain, but Autotrack keeps you updated in real time. Track your car’s progress, see its current status, and know exactly when it will be ready. You'll also see the name and photo of your mechanic, adding a personal touch that fosters trust. If any issues arise, the repair shop’s contact information is always accessible.
By increasing transparency and control, Autotrack helps reduce stress for both customers and mechanics, making the repair process smoother and more reassuring.
