Professional Automotive Repair

What Professional Automotive Repair does

Professional Automotive Repair, LLC is a privately held, founder-owned automotive repair and maintenance business operating two retail shop locations in the Atlanta metropolitan area (Marietta/East Cobb and Atlanta/Midtown). Founded in 1985 by Clarke Otten, a former Volvo factory technical instructor, the company was originally a Volvo-only specialty shop and expanded in 2005 to service most import and domestic vehicle brands. The service portfolio spans more than 25 offerings, including engine and computer diagnostics, brake repair (disc and drum), A/C service, transmission flush, timing belt replacement, oil changes, tire services (inspection, repair, replacement, rotation, balance, alignment), tune-ups, fuel injector maintenance, electrical systems, and factory-scheduled preventive maintenance, plus state-licensed OBD-II emissions testing for 1996 and newer vehicles. Services are rendered in-person by ASE-certified technicians using computer-based diagnostic equipment and online technical information subscriptions, with most repairs warrantied for one year or 15,000 miles.

The business operates on a transactional, pay-per-service revenue model. Pricing is published transparently, including a $30 diagnostic scan fee and a $48.50 diagnostic scan-with-reset fee (waived if repairs follow), and the company uses percentage-off coupons on services such as transmission flush, timing belts, and brake work to drive demand. Customer acquisition is predominantly local and direct: walk-ins, phone calls to dedicated per-location numbers, and after-hours vehicle drop-off/pick-up, supplemented by online review platforms (Yelp, Google, Kudzu, MerchantCircle), the company's own YouTube channels for each location, and an educational ShopTalk blog. The company's stated mission emphasizes technical service, customer service, and fair pricing, and the owner has publicly indicated that two shops represent his optimal operating footprint, signaling a deliberate cap on expansion.

Customer relationships are built on cumulative vehicle knowledge: complete service records are retained on file at each shop and a future needs list is tracked in the shop's computer system to encourage single-shop loyalty. The business holds a state emissions testing license, has been recognized by Three Best Rated as one of Atlanta's top three car repair shops, and maintains a referral partnership with Marietta Wrecker Service for towing needs. There is no evidence of external investment, M&A activity, or product expansion beyond the 2005 multi-brand service pivot.

Name

Professional Automotive Repair

Legal name

Professional Automotive Repair, LLC

Website

https://atlprorepair.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Professional Automotive Repair is a privately held, founder-owned automotive repair and maintenance company operating two Atlanta-metro shops, offering ASE-certified diagnostics, brakes, transmission, tires, and preventive maintenance for import and domestic vehicles since 1985.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Repair and Maintenance

NAICS

General Automotive Repair (811111), Automotive Repair and Maintenance (8111), Automotive Mechanical and Electrical Repair and Maintenance (81111), All Other Automotive Repair and Maintenance (811198)

SIC

Services-Automotive Repair, Services & Parking (7500)

akta.pro primary industry

General Automotive Repair & Maintenance (TLAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Preventive Maintenance & Inspections (Oil, Fluids, Tune-Ups) (TLAKAAAB), Engine & Powertrain Repair (Transmission/Drivetrain) (TLAKAAAE), Exhaust & Emissions/Smog Testing & Repair (TLAKAAAI), Automotive Diagnostics & Electrical Systems (EDAOAEAB)

Keywords

• Automotive repair services
• Vehicle maintenance services
• Brake and tire service
• Engine diagnostics
• Volvo specialty repair

Headquarters

HQ city

Marietta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Automotive Repair and Maintenance Services: One-time and recurring revenue from a full range of vehicle repair and maintenance services including A/C, brakes, engine diagnostics, transmission, tune-ups, oil changes, timing belts, tires, and more. Revenue is transactional per service visit, with some recurring maintenance cadence driven by mileage intervals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Professional Automotive Repair is an automotive repair service provider that performs a full range of vehicle repair and maintenance services from two physical shop locations in the Atlanta metropolitan area (Marietta/East Cobb and Atlanta/Midtown). Services span A/C repair, brakes, engine and computer diagnostics, transmission flush, tires, oil changes, timing belts, tune-ups, preventive/factory-scheduled maintenance, and state-licensed emissions testing for 1996+ vehicles. Originally founded as a Volvo-only specialty shop, the company now services most import and domestic brands with ASE-certified technicians using computer-based diagnostic equipment.

Product overview

Professional Automotive Repair is an automotive repair service provider operating two shop locations (Marietta/East Cobb and Atlanta/Midtown) since 1985. Originally founded as a Volvo-only specialty shop by former Volvo factory technical instructor Clarke Otten, the company has expanded to service most import and domestic vehicle brands. The service portfolio consists of a comprehensive suite of vehicle repair and maintenance offerings including brake services (disc and drum brakes with full tutorial content), A/C system services, engine diagnostics using advanced computer-based equipment, transmission services (flush and fluid replacement), tire services (inspection, repair, replacement, rotation, balance, and alignment), oil changes and lubrication, timing belt replacement, tune-ups, and full preventive maintenance programs. The company also provides specialized check engine light and emissions testing services (licensed for OBD-II emissions testing on 1996+ vehicles). Services are delivered by ASE-certified technicians using computer-based diagnostic equipment and online technical information systems. Work is warrantied for one year or 15,000 miles on most repairs, with extended warranty periods on emission-related parts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• A/C System Service Air conditioning system maintenance and repairs performed by ASE-trained technicians; available to Atlanta-area vehicle owners at both shop locations.
• Brake Service (Disc and Drum) Complete brake repair services including pad/shoe replacement, rotor/drum replacement, brake system flush, and ABS diagnosis and repair; supported by an in-depth online brake tutorial.
• Engine and Electrical Diagnostics Computer-based engine and electrical diagnostics including alternators, starters, fuel injectors, electrical systems, power windows/doors, and battery testing/replacement, using OBD-II diagnostic equipment.
• Check Engine Light Service and Emissions Testing OBD-II diagnostic scanning and reset for the check engine light, plus state-licensed emissions testing for 1996+ vehicles; available at fixed service charges ($30 recording only; $48.50 with reset attempt, waived if repairs are performed same visit).
• Tire Services Tire repair, new tire sales and installation, tire rotation and balancing, and front-end and four-wheel alignment, including free tire inspection and tread pattern analysis.
• Oil Changes and Lubrication Oil change services using high-quality oil and filters, with complimentary vehicle inspection performed at each visit.
• Transmission Flush and Service Transmission flush services using new technology to replace fluid and flush the system clean; recommended every 30,000 miles (organic fluid) or 60,000 miles (synthetic fluid).
• Timing Belt Replacement Timing belt replacement performed with inspection of related components to prevent engine damage.
• Tune-Up Service Engine tune-up including computer system check for diagnostic trouble codes, service light reset, and inspection of computer control systems and sensors.
• Preventive / Factory-Scheduled Maintenance Factory-scheduled maintenance services including checks, adjustments, and replacements prescribed by vehicle manufacturers to maintain warranty eligibility, with complete service records maintained on file at each shop.
• Volvo Specialty Service Specialized Volvo service from vintage models to newest models, branded as Atlanta's Volvo Experts, drawing on founder Clarke Otten's background as a former Volvo factory technical instructor.

Quantifiable outcome

• 660,000+ miles on a single vehicle maintained with regular service

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Marietta Wrecker Service (Marietta Towing)minorOthersRecommended towing service for customers whose vehicles cannot be driven to the Marietta shop. Referenced on the Marietta location page as a trusted resource for customers in need of vehicle transport.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Brakes Plus: Regional multi-shop full-service auto repair chain focused on brakes, tires, and maintenance. Comparable on service mix (brakes, tires, alignments), shop-level service model, and growth-via-de-novo-units playbook.
• AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care: National transmission-specialty franchise that has expanded into general auto repair. Highly comparable to PAR's transmission flush/timing-belt/tune-up offering and multi-shop footprint model.
• Tuffy Tire & Auto Service: Franchised full-service auto repair chain offering brakes, tires, alignments, and general maintenance. Comparable shop-level service breadth, customer-base profile, and franchise-driven expansion model.
• Christian Brothers Automotive: Multi-shop independent automotive repair franchise with a faith-based, ASE-certified, customer-service-differentiated model. Most directly comparable to PAR on positioning, service breadth, and shop-by-shop quality emphasis.

Broad incumbents

• Meineke Car Care Centers: National franchise chain offering exhaust, brakes, oil changes, and general repair. Overlaps with PAR's service mix but at significantly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Pep Boys: Large multi-service auto care chain providing tires, parts, and repair across a national footprint. Overlapping on service categories and customer base, but with a much broader retail and parts-supply orientation.
• Firestone Complete Auto Care: Bridgestone-owned national chain offering tires, maintenance, and repair. Overlapping service categories with PAR, particularly on tires, alignments, and brake service, but at corporate-dealer scale.
• Midas: National franchise automotive service chain historically centered on exhaust and brakes. Comparable on core service mix and franchise model, but with much greater brand awareness and scale.
• Jiffy Lube: National quick-service chain specializing in oil changes and preventive maintenance. Overlaps with PAR's preventive maintenance and oil change services but operates a fundamentally different (faster, lower-ticket) service model.

Regional players

• Eurotech Auto Service: Independent import/European specialty repair shop with multi-location presence in select metros. Comparable to PAR's import-brand specialty origin story and ASE-certified technician model, though focused on European brands.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSCoRkwQhpevo0dzn9XWWQw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pro-automotive-repair

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Professional Automotive Repair