Broken Bro's Auto Repair in Columbus Fixes Cars After Dark

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Most auto shops close at 5 p.m. Broken Bro’s Auto Repair is just getting started then.

The home-garage shop, run by Shaun and Kelley McBee, opens at 6:30 p.m. on weeknights in Columbus. It is built for drivers who cannot get a car into a shop without taking time off work, and for the ones whose car quits after dark, when most shops are already closed.

Shaun and Kelley McBee in their shop — Photo submitted by Shaun and Kelley McBee.

Before a holiday trip

With holiday travel season almost here, Shaun says to start with tires, battery, and brakes. Check tire tread and pressure when the tires are cold, using the sticker inside the driver’s door as a guide. If the engine has been cranking slowly in the mornings, get the battery tested. If the brakes are grinding, the pedal feels different, or the car pulls when you stop, get the brakes checked.

People often forget how much they rely on wipers, defroster, and lights until they are driving in the dark with road salt covering the windshield, he said. Check all three, top off the washer fluid with a winter-rated formula, and have the coolant level and freeze protection checked. Give yourself a few days before you leave so there is time to fix anything you find.

In case you get stranded, pack a blanket, a charged portable phone charger, bottled water, snacks, and any medication or medical supplies you might need.

Same-night answers

The shop offers same-night diagnostics. Shaun said if the car was running well before the trip and the problem is easy to reproduce, they may be able to identify the cause within an hour of starting the diagnostic. Once they have confirmed the problem, they provide an estimate that explains what needs to be done and how much it will cost.

Often, he already has an idea of where to start just by asking a few questions over the phone. They can usually identify the cause and give an estimate that evening, and if they can get the necessary parts, they may be able to fix it that evening too.

For travelers, they explain what was found, what can safely get them back on the road toward home, and what is needed for a permanent repair. They go over the estimate and send it by text or email for approval before they begin the work.

Why evenings

Shaun and Kelley both work full-time during the day, so they know how hard it can be to get a car into a shop without taking time off work.

“Evenings and weekends made sense for us and for people who have limited room in their schedules,” Shaun said. “If your car quits on your way home from work, it helps to have a shop you can call that evening and a chance of getting it repaired by morning.”

A lot of families live paycheck to paycheck, he said, and an unexpected repair bill can be hard to cover. The first-time diagnostic discount gives people a lower-cost way to get the problem checked and decide what to do next. They keep their rates affordable so families can get the repairs they need without having to give up something they have been saving for, like a special occasion together.

If your car quits at night

Turn on the hazard lights. If you can still drive safely, take the nearest exit or pull as far off the road as you safely can. If you are stuck in a travel lane or in immediate danger, call 911 first.

If you are safely off the road and it is safe to stay in the car, stay buckled inside while you wait for roadside assistance. Tell the dispatcher which road you are on, which direction you were traveling, and the nearest exit or mile marker. A flat tire can wait for a tow, Shaun said. Changing it inches from traffic in the dark is a risk you do not need to take.

Once you are safe and have called for help, you can call or text Broken Bro’s at 220-216-1937. The shop and waiting area are behind their home, so they sometimes see an urgent text and can get back to a customer after they have officially closed.

Broken Bro’s Auto Repair is at 2797 Key Place in Columbus. Hours are 6:30 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and Sunday by appointment. Learn more at brokenbrosauto.com.

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