On-Demand Garage Finder for Classic Vehicles

Executive Summary

On-demand garage finder app for classic vehicles offering real-time, location-based emergency repairs, offline access & multilingual support across borders.

A prominent classic vehicle club, with over 14,000 members, struggled to provide timely breakdown assistance. They stored emergency garage details in spreadsheets and shared them as static PDFs, which left members without reliable help—especially during breakdowns abroad. These files often contained outdated or irrelevant entries, and there was no way to confirm the reliability or location of listed garages.

To solve this, the club partnered with us to develop a modern on-demand garage finder. Within 12 weeks, we delivered a cross-platform mobile app and secure admin portal. Members now access 280+ verified garage listings instantly, with multilingual support, location-aware search, and offline access. Volunteers, who previously spent over 10 hours monthly on manual updates, now manage the platform effortlessly—cutting their workload by over 60%. Members can now find help in seconds instead of hours.

Client Challenges with Traditional Garage Finder Methods

The existing system caused delays because the garage lists were only updated quarterly and often failed to reach members in time. Members travelling abroad couldn’t easily identify nearby garages or reach local support. Volunteers faced burnout due to the time they spent editing and distributing spreadsheets. The club also lacked a feedback mechanism, so members couldn’t report bad experiences or suggest better alternatives. Without access controls, anyone could modify garage data, which led to inaccuracies and reduced member trust.

Project Overview

We built a mobile application for both iOS and Android, supported by a secure web-based admin portal. Our team chose Django for the backend, Ionic for the frontend, and PostgreSQL with PostGIS to enable advanced geo-location features. A token-based REST API handled secure data communication, while Google Maps API v3 enabled location mapping and deep-link navigation. The entire project ran from February to May 2023, staying within a cost-effective budget and using an architecture that supports future scalability.

The solution combined advanced geo-location functionality with robust security and multilingual support, forming the core of a flexible on-demand garage finder that can adapt to both rural and urban settings across international borders.

Why Our Emergency Garage App Was the Right Fit

The club selected us for our commitment to delivering a functional MVP in 8 weeks. We prioritized accessibility for senior members, streamlined admin tools for volunteers, and focused on multilingual support and offline functionality. Our proven track record with real-time, location-aware apps reassured stakeholders we could deliver a robust garage finder that worked across countries and in low-signal areas.

Delivering a Cross-Border On-Demand Garage Finder Platform

We used an Agile delivery model with fortnightly sprints and regular reviews with stakeholders to keep the project aligned with evolving needs. Our team adopted a microservices approach, combining a Django REST API with an Ionic mobile frontend. PostgreSQL with PostGIS enabled spatial queries for fast and accurate results. We implemented offline-first functionality using IndexedDB for background data syncing and local caching on mobile devices. The Google Maps API integrated real-time mapping, geocoding, and navigation. To maintain reliability and reduce deployment time, we set up CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions for automated testing, linting, and environment-based deployments.

Key Features of the Location-Based Garage Finder App

The app enables real-time, location-based searches using GPS to help users discover the nearest verified garages. Members can apply distance and rating filters to refine their results and make informed choices quickly. To support reliability even in poor signal areas, the app seamlessly caches critical data, ensuring garage listings and contact details remain accessible offline. A built-in review and feedback system allows members to submit ratings and suggestions, which follow a moderation workflow before becoming publicly visible. Volunteers can manage listings easily through the admin dashboard, which offers bulk editing, version history, and content moderation tailored to regional needs. The interface is fully localised in five languages, using intelligent fallbacks when a user’s preferred language isn’t available. For ease of navigation, the app provides one-tap deep linking to native map applications, allowing users to receive turn-by-turn directions with minimal effort.

Measurable Results of the Emergency Garage Locator

Since launch, the on-demand garage finder platform has dramatically improved the club’s service delivery. Administrative burden has decreased by 62%, with volunteer hours dropping from 15 hours per month to under six. All members now enjoy real-time access to an accurate, moderated database of verified garages. Strict role-based permissions and content controls have eliminated data breaches and listing errors. More than 250 garages are now featured, each with detailed GPS coordinates, contact details, and member-contributed reviews. Member feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly around the app’s intuitive design and map-based interface. These factors have driven a strong adoption rate from launch.

Challenges in Shifting to a Mobile Garage Finder

Transitioning from a legacy system presented several hurdles. Some members hesitated to abandon the familiar PDF format, so we developed clear and concise onboarding materials to ease the change. In certain rural areas, Google Maps estimates proved inaccurate, prompting us to explore the integration of open-source mapping alternatives. Garage descriptions, often written in regional dialects, required human translators to ensure clarity and consistency across languages, which slowed the initial setup process. The offline access feature also required refinement. In early versions, the app struggled to load data in low-signal areas until we introduced background caching improvements to address the issue.

Lessons from Developing a Real-World Breakdown Support App

This project reinforced the importance of simplicity in volunteer-led environments. Tools that prioritise clarity and ease of use consistently outperform feature-heavy alternatives. Although hybrid mobile apps can sometimes raise concerns around performance, our careful scoping and thorough testing ensured that the chosen stack met all performance needs. Early feedback from field users was invaluable—it allowed us to prioritise essential workflows and avoid unnecessary development cycles.

Future Plans for Our On-Demand Repair Finder Tool

Building on the success of the core system, the next phase includes launching a visual directory that allows members to locate non-professional helpers such as fellow club members. We also plan to introduce functionality for users to store personal notes about their own vehicles, which can be shared when needed. Future updates will offer integration with insurance providers for emergency support, and the garage search feature will expand to display useful travel indicators, such as toll roads, ferry routes, and national borders. We are also exploring opportunities for in-app branding and sponsor partnerships to support ongoing development and monetisation.

Final Thoughts

This project empowered a traditional motoring club to embrace modern technology without compromising its values. A process that once relied on slow, manual updates now runs with speed, precision, and reliability. Whether a member is stuck in Kent or navigating a breakdown across the Alps, they now have a dependable support system in their pocket—one designed with their real-world needs in mind.

Get in touch today to explore how we can help you build smart, scalable solutions tailored to your needs. Whether you’re starting from scratch or upgrading an outdated process, our team will guide you every step of the way. Let’s work together to turn your idea into a reliable, real-world solution. Contact us now to start the conversation.