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Auxo Workshop vs MechanicDesk

MechanicDesk is made by Autodeck in Melbourne. It says more than 20,000 mechanics use it, and it's sold to marine, heavy machinery, bike and tyre businesses as well as car workshops. Auxo Workshop is our cloud platform for automotive workshops in New Zealand and Australia. It's built on 25+ years of making software for mechanics, and it's owned by the Motor Trade Association (MTA).

Both run in the cloud, both work on either side of the Tasman, and both will bring your existing data across at no charge. The differences are in the detail: WOF compliance, how you talk to customers, and how far each system stretches beyond the workshop.

We checked MechanicDesk's website on 20 October 2026. If something's changed since, let us know and we'll put it right.

  • You do WOFs in New Zealand

    SmartCheck Pro WOF check sheets are live, with NZTA submission coming soon.

  • You want customers to text back

    Customers can reply to our texts. MechanicDesk's site only describes outbound texts.

  • You need multisite or MYOB today

    MechanicDesk has both. We're Xero only for now, and multisite is still on our list.

Fine-tuned for car workshops

MechanicDesk is built to suit a lot of trades at once: auto service centres, marine, heavy machinery, bikes and tyre shops. Auxo Workshop is built only for automotive workshops, from one-bay owner-operators to sites running 10 or more hoists. Being owned by the MTA keeps us close to the trade.

That focus shows up on the money side of the job. Auxo Workshop Pro has a price matrix, low-margin alerts, technician performance reports and live clocking against the estimate, so you can see which jobs are paying their way while they're still on the hoist.

In New Zealand, SmartCheck Pro adds electronic WOF check sheets to Auxo Workshop. It's free to switch on and you pay per check, with direct submission to NZTA coming soon.

If you're a Capricorn member, Auxo Workshop is a Capricorn Preferred Supplier. Your invoices can go straight to Capricorn, and your subscription earns Capricorn points.

The spec sheet, side by side

Feature
Auxo Workshop
MechanicDesk
WOFs and compliance
NZTA WOF submission
Coming. Coming soon. Check sheets live now
Not listed
WOF and service reminders
Yes.
Yes. By email and SMS
Running the business
Parts suppliers
Yes. BNT, Repco Nav Pro, NAPA (NZ). Burson EzyParts, Repco Nav Pro (AU)
Yes. BNT, Autolign, Repco, NAPA ProLink, Burson EzyParts and more
EFTPOS
Yes. Windcave
Yes. Windcave, Till
Accounting
Yes. Xero. MYOB and QuickBooks planned
Yes. Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks
Multisite
No. Not yet
Yes. Linked sites share customers, vehicles and stock
Customers and coverage
Two-way texting
Yes. Customers can reply. 10c a text
Outbound texts listed. 10c a text
Rego lookup
Yes. NZ and AU, 20c
Yes. CarJam in NZ, plus Australian lookups
Built for
Yes. Automotive workshops
Auto, marine, machinery, bikes and tyres
Available in
Yes. NZ and Australia
Yes. Australia, NZ, UK and further afield
Support
24/7 Axel bot, plus chat and email with our team
Chat, email and phone

Both include free data migration and iOS and Android apps. MechanicDesk imports up to 3 years of history. Prices exclude GST. MechanicDesk details are from mechanicdesk.com.au, checked 20 October 2026.

Where MechanicDesk pulls ahead

  • More integrations

    MYOB, QuickBooks, Mailchimp, Vehicle Visuals and more parts suppliers.

  • Multisite now

    Link workshops and move stock between sites from one login.

  • Lower price per seat

    Team is A$150 + GST a month for 6 users.

Running costs, compared

MechanicDesk sets its prices by country. In Australia, Starter is A$85 + GST a month for one user, Small is A$115 for 3, Team is A$150 for 6 and Large is A$250 for 15. Extra users are $15. Auxo Workshop is the same number in NZ and Australian dollars: Essentials is $99 + GST for 2 users, Pro is $199 + GST for 5, and extra users are $19.

For a two-person workshop, Essentials ($99) comes in under MechanicDesk Small (A$115). Once you're at five or six people, MechanicDesk Team is cheaper than Auxo Workshop Pro. Texts cost 10c each on both.

The profitability tools (price matrix, low-margin alerts, technician performance and live clocking against the estimate) are on Pro, along with every Elite feature while Elite is on its way. MechanicDesk's NZ prices are different, so check their site for current NZ rates.

See Auxo Workshop pricing

Common questions

Can I move from MechanicDesk to Auxo Workshop?

Yes. We'll bring your data across for free, and there's no contract to tie you in.

I run more than one site. Will Auxo Workshop suit me?

We don't have true multisite yet. If each site runs fairly independently, Auxo Workshop works well. If you move stock between sites every week, talk to us first so we can tell you honestly where it's at.

I use MYOB. Can I still switch?

Today Auxo Workshop connects to Xero. MYOB and QuickBooks are on our roadmap. If MYOB is a must-have, tell us when you'd need it.

How did you check MechanicDesk's details?

Everything about MechanicDesk on this page comes from their own website, checked on 20 October 2026. If anything's changed, let us know and we'll update it.

Take it for a spin

Put a few real jobs through Auxo Workshop and see how it suits your crew.