Mister Mechanical is a local, family-owned automotive workshop located at 12 Smarts Road, Hornby, Christchurch, near The Hub. Owner and Workshop Manager Alastair Herreman brings over 25 years of industry experience, with specific trade expertise in Ford and Toyota, to every vehicle that comes through the door.
Alastair's automotive career started young, fixing cars alongside his mechanic father from as early as age two, and getting his own first car to work on - an HB 2-door Viva - at age 12. He completed his apprenticeship at Ford and spent 8 years as a fully trained Ford mechanic before leaving in 2003 to work in a Toyota-based workshop that eventually evolved into Mister Mechanical. His two boys sometimes help out in the workshop during school holidays.
The workshop services all makes and models, covering everything from wiper blades to full engine overhauls. Services include vehicle repairs, servicing, transmission servicing, steering and suspension work, computer diagnostics, WOF inspections and repairs, tyres and wheel alignment, battery replacement and charging, and pre-purchase vehicle inspections. Mister Mechanical only sells quality parts from brands including TRW, Penrite, Century and Ryco.
Customers are given a cost estimate before work begins, with a follow-up call if further work is needed, and can choose to wait in the workshop's waiting room, run errands nearby, or take advantage of one of the courtesy cars.
Mister Mechanical is a local, family-owned automotive workshop located at 12 Smarts Road, Hornby, near the heart of the suburb and close to The Hub. The workshop is run by Owner and Workshop Manager Alastair Herreman, who brings over 25 years of industry experience and specific trade expertise in Ford and Toyota to every job.
Alastair's connection to cars started early. He began fixing cars alongside his father, who was also a mechanic, from as young as two years old, with fond memories of getting his hands dirty on the family's AP5 Valiant Safari wagon. By age 12, he had his own first car to work on - an HB 2-door Viva. He went on to complete his apprenticeship at Ford, spending 8 years as a fully trained Ford mechanic, before leaving in 2003 to join a Toyota-based workshop that eventually evolved into what is now Mister Mechanical. Outside the workshop, Alastair enjoys spending time with his two boys, who sometimes help out during school holidays.
Mister Mechanical services all makes and models, handling everything from wiper blades to a full engine overhaul. The workshop's services include vehicle repairs (from minor fixes to major engine work, including supplying and fitting exchange engines), general servicing, automatic transmission servicing with fluid flush and conditioner, steering and suspension testing and repair, computer diagnostics, and brake work.
For legal roadworthiness, the team's certified WOF inspectors can complete any necessary repairs to keep a vehicle on the road, whether customers wait on-site or drop off and collect later. The workshop also offers pre-purchase vehicle inspections, ranging from basic to comprehensive, giving buyers confidence before they commit to a used car.
Beyond repairs, Mister Mechanical supplies and fits tyres, carries out puncture repairs, and organises wheel alignments. The workshop also handles battery charging and stocks Century Batteries for replacement. Across all of its work, Mister Mechanical only uses quality parts, stocking brands including TRW, Penrite, Century and Ryco.
A key part of how Mister Mechanical operates is transparency around cost. Before starting any work, the team talks through the job and gives customers an idea of costs. If further work turns out to be necessary once a vehicle is on the hoist, they call first to get the customer's go-ahead rather than proceeding without agreement.
Customers dropping off a vehicle have options: relax in the workshop's waiting room, head over to The Hub nearby to get some shopping done, or take advantage of one of Mister Mechanical's courtesy cars if they're leaving the vehicle for the day.
Mister Mechanical is located at 12 Smarts Road, Hornby, Christchurch 8042, and is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm. The workshop can be reached by phone at 03 349 5982 or by cell at 027 305 9270.