FAQ
Questions, answered.
The things people ask most about how Handled works. Don't see yours? Text us — a real person will answer.
Do I have to be home for pickup?
No. You decide where to leave the key, and we follow your instructions. Most customers use a lockbox, leave the key with their building's concierge or front desk, or arrange a specific spot at their workplace.
What areas do you service?
Our launch service area is within approximately 7 miles of 3835 Pickett Road, Fairfax, VA 22031. This covers Fairfax, Mantua, Vienna, Oakton, Annandale, Falls Church, Merrifield, Burke, and Springfield. If you're outside our current area, leave your email on the service area page and we'll let you know when we reach you.
How do I pay?
You pay by text or email after the work is approved and complete. We send a secure payment link to your phone or inbox. Most major cards are accepted. You see the estimate and approve every line before any work happens. The price you approve is the price you pay.
Who actually works on my car?
Handled's automotive technicians. Our team is ASE-certified, and we've been working on Northern Virginia cars for more than five decades. The same standards apply to every vehicle we touch.
Will I get my car back the same day?
Most maintenance and light repair services are returned the same day. If a service requires longer (uncommon parts, a discovered concern that needs deeper work) we'll communicate timing by text and confirm with you before we proceed.
Do you do state inspections?
State safety inspections aren't part of our same-day menu — but you don't have to track one down yourself. Tell us when you book and we'll get your inspection coordinated, with a straight answer on timing.
What if you find something else wrong with my car?
Every visit includes the Handled Check — a free courtesy multi-point inspection — so if something's wearing or coming due, you'll hear about it. We send you the complete findings with a clear price on anything we recommend, and you approve or decline each line by text, email, or a call. If you only want the service you originally came for, that's exactly what we do. The findings are informational — we don't pressure or upsell. Every decision stays yours.
What if I'm outside your service area?
We're expanding. Leave your email on the service area page and we'll let you know when Handled reaches your address. Most expansions happen 60-90 days at a time as we add capacity.
How much does a diagnostic cost?
$115 for most systems, $225 for complex electronic systems — flat, published, and set before we start. Every diagnostic is priced by system: brakes, steering and suspension, fluid leaks, noises, and most other concerns are $115; anything that requires connecting to the vehicle's computer network — warning lights, electrical concerns, power windows and doors — is $225. The full menu with every price is on our Diagnostics page. There's no hourly meter and no surprise at the end.
What happens after the diagnostic?
You get a clear, itemized estimate by text or email — and nothing happens until you approve it. The diagnostic finds the cause. The repair is a separate decision, and it's yours. If you approve, most repair work is completed the same day and the price you approved is the price you pay. If you'd rather wait or decline, that's fine too — you've paid for the diagnostic and you keep what we found, in writing.
My check engine light is on. What should I do?
Schedule a Warning Light Diagnostic — $225, flat. We pick up your car, connect to its computer, read what it reports, and test until we find the cause — not just the code. A code points in a direction; the diagnostic confirms the cause before any repair is suggested. This covers any dashboard warning light: check engine, ABS, airbag, traction control, or several at once. If the light is flashing or the car is driving differently, mention that when you schedule so we can plan for it.
Can you diagnose a car that won't start?
Yes. The right diagnostic depends on whether the engine turns over. If it clicks or does nothing when you turn the key, that's the Starting & Charging System Diagnostic ($115) — we test the battery, starter, and alternator. If the engine cranks but won't catch, that's the Crank No Start Diagnostic ($225) — fuel, spark, and compression territory. If you're not sure, describe what happens when you turn the key and we'll recommend the right one. We pick the car up either way — you don't need to get it anywhere.
Do I have to keep track of when my next service is due?
No — that's on us. Before we return your car, we schedule your next service, so you're never left wondering what's next or when. We send a reminder when it's time, and you can always move it. Staying ahead of the work — instead of waiting for something to break — is the whole point.