Low Cost Auto Repair Services - Lift Garage, The
Inspection and Repairs Provides free inspections (by appointment only). Focus on safety and drivability issues with the car. After the inspection, individuals will receive an estimate. Repairs cost $15/hour for labor and parts are sold without a markup. The appointment calendar opens one month at a time - on the second Monday of each month the calendar is open for scheduling appointments in the following month. Pre-Purchase Inspection Offers free pre-purchase inspections. Alerts individuals of any repairs that are needed to help individuals make the best possible choice with available resources. Will not write an estimate or offer any repairs from this appointment, pre-purchase inspections are to help inform the individual's purchase. Appointments available within a day or two. Call the shop to schedule an appointment. Express Service Provides walk-in and low-cost express services (first come, first served) 10 am to 12 noon Fridays. Services include checking and topping off fluids, checking and replacing bulbs/headlights, checking and replacing wiper blades, and testing and replacing the car battery. Immediate Need Partners with other garages to reduce the wait for simple and immediate car repair needs. Individuals may be eligible for a referral to another repair location for low-cost car repair. Individuals should review the eligibility requirements and if they qualify should complete a referral request form on the website. This program will fix only one immediate need for a repair to keep the individual's car safely on the road until The Lift can do a full inspection. Repairs that are eligible for referral must be experiencing just one of these needs: - Brakes (brake light, unable to stop) - Radiator and hoses (overheating, coolant leak) - Batteries, Alternator (charging system) - Power Steering systems (power steering fluid leaks, stiff steering) - Suspension (shocks, struts, sway bar links, ball joints and wheel bearings) - Tires Vehicles/ Repairs NOT eligible for this program (include but are not limited to): - Any Diagnosis required - Heavy Duty Engine or Transmission repair/ replacement - AC systems - Body work or Collision Repair - Glass work NOTE: This program is meant only to address a specific, urgent repair need and does not include a full vehicle inspection. If individuals are eligible for a referral, they will be offered an upcoming, full-vehicle inspection appointment at The Lift Garage at a later date.
Last assured
07/08/2024
Physical Address
2401 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Hours
- 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday - 10 am - 12 noon Friday, offers walk-in express services - Hours are subject to change
Voice
Application process
- The website has the most up to date appointment cancellation information and not the front desk. - Appointments for car repair can be scheduled online at www.theliftgarage.org/appointments - If there are no available appointments on the online calendar, check again later for openings. - Referrals are not required. Caseworkers can fill out an income verification form found on website. - Customers can drop off vehicle for Inspection Appointment the night before the appointment, morning of the appointment before the shop opens, or when the shop opens at 8:30 am. Customers must plan to leave vehicle with the shop until the end of the day. Any repairs will always carry over into the next business day. - There are limited appointments available to reschedule for the repairs (after inspection), and ask that repairs be completed within 30 days of the inspection. - Customers dropping off vehicles for approved work should plan for repairs to take 2-3 days, and is subject to change based on repairs required - Express Services; walk-in
Fee
- Fees are dependent on the work required and can only be determined after an inspection is completed - Labor rate and parts costs are well below market rate (approximately 50% of what a for profit shop charges); labor and parts are paid by the customer
Required documents
Proof of income such as EBT cards, Medical Assistance cards, WIC cards, SSI/SSDI award letters, income verification form completed by a caseworker or paystubs from the last 30 days. Documentation can be uploaded when scheduling online, by text (must inquire for the number), email, mail, or bring on the day of the appointment. No faxing capabilities.
Eligibility
Inspection and Repairs, Pre-Purchase Inspection, and Express Service: - Eligibility based on income; eligible if household income is below 150% of federal poverty guidelines. Income verification at each inspection appointment. Immediate Need; to qualify for a referral form individuals must meet all four of the following requirements: - Live in the 7-county metro area of Minneapolis/Saint Paul - Vehicle can be driven to the appointment - The Lift Garage has seen this vehicle within the past 12 months - Individuals can pay the balance and pick up the car within 72 hours of the repair being completed (rates are $15/hour of labor and parts at cost)
Service area
MN
Agency info
Lift Garage, The
A non-profit garage providing low-cost car repairs and free pre-purchase car inspections to low-income Minnesotans