CARSON, Calif. — U.S. Auto Parts has acquired the assets of AutoMD.com, a provider of online auto diagnosis and repair technology.

Over the next year, U.S. Auto Parts plans to enhance the existing site. Once fully developed, the website will enable a vehicle owner to input information about the symptoms of a car’s ailment, and ultimately arrive at a diagnosis and “prescription” for repair. Consumers will be provided with counsel on services, parts, cost and how-to guides aimed at building consumer confidence in their knowledge and ability to perform the service themselves. The vehicle owner will also be presented with local repair shop options for service if they deem it is best to have a professional perform the service. 

Founded on a philosophy of creating a user-friendly educational site for car owners and enthusiasts alike, AutoMD offers free online tools that empower people to educate themselves about their vehicles, according to its founders Erwin and Eugene Reyes’. The inspiration for AutoMD came the Reyes’ mother, who was the victim of an unscrupulous repair shop. The shop turned a simple oil change into thousands of dollars of needless parts and repairs. "At AutoMD, we are committed to providing drivers like our mother with friendly, easy automotive repair and maintenance suggestions to ensure they are treated fairly," said the Reyes brothers.