Free or Cheap Auto Repair in Tacoma, WA!

Need free or cheap auto repair in Tacoma, Washington? Unfortunately, there aren’t many resources… but after receiving requests, we looked and did find a few!

Bates Technical College

Trade schools need hands on projects in order to develop the skills of their students. In most cases, these programs charge quite a bit less than commercial services. Bates Technical College has a list of various services available to the public, including Auto Mechanic Shop, Auto Body Repair and Refinishing, Motorcycle Repair and Refinishing, and a Vehicle Parts Store.

You can look up the appropriate phone number on their services page and call them to price compare with local commercial services. Availability can be limited due to shop space and school year schedule, so be aware you might not be able to get in right away.  But do check it out!

Need a Break

Another place to find help with auto repair in Tacoma is Need A Break.  They provide free minor auto repairs worth $300 or less to working single mothers who need to have their car to get to work. They also provide furniture and other household needs you may have. You can start your application process online at their website. Please call them at (253) 353-7054 or check their website for additional details.  Or visit to find out more: 11105 Steele Street S, Tacoma, WA, 98444

Military members have even more options for free or low-cost auto repair in Tacoma.

Army Emergency Relief – AER

Armed Forces Community Service – Joint Base Lewis-McChord Family Morale, Welfare & Recreation can be found at the AFCS Annex. This is at the corner of Liggett Ave and 12th S, Waller Hall, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA, 98433. They are open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

They provide help with auto repair in Tacoma, in the form of loans and grants for personal emergencies such as vehicle repairs, rent, utilities and other necessities. They serve active duty personnel, retirees and military dependents. Check their website for additional details or call them at (253) 967-9787. Veterans of Foreign Wars Service Division Unmet Needs

This program helps military members and their dependents with unexpected financial difficulties that are a result of hardships directly related to military service, such as deployments. You can check their website or call them Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (866) 789-6333 to find out more.  Their offices are at 915 2nd Ave, VA, Rm 1044, Seattle, WA, 98174.

American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance Program

This is a nationwide program that helps you connect to local resources for assistance with things like car repair, rent, utilities, child care and other needs. Call the Legion at (800) 504-4098 or check out their website for additional information.

Need other transportation assistance?

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army provides a number of different programs to help needy families. Their transportation assistance programs include gasoline vouchers, car repairs, and bus tokens for Pierce County Washington transit systems. You can call them at (253) 572-8452 or check out their website to get additional details about their transportation assistance programs or any of their other helpful programs.  Find them locally at 1110 S. Puget Sound Ave., Tacoma, Washington 98405.

United Way of Pierce County

The Ride United program of United Way of Pierce County is available to provide free round trip Lyft rides for necessities such as medical appointments (both emergency and non-emergency) or employment application and training trips, and even for getting to public benefits trips such as getting to the Social Security office, WIC appointments, Housing Benefits access, and more.  Check out their website for more information.