3 Minutes on a Park Bench with Julie Holmes of VTA Valet

We emailed Patch partner Julie Holmes of VTA Valet, who explains how to avoid the usual hassles of a repair shop and offers tips on getting the most of your car.

Patch: What services does VTA Valet offer?

Julie Holmes: VTA Valet provides convenient and affordable full-service auto repair to busy Northern Virginians who value their time and don’t have a moment to spare to come to a repair shop to get their car serviced. We can do everything from brakes, tires, oil changes, and inspections to diagnostic work, scheduled maintenance and more. For a full list of our available services, visit our website.

Patch: What type of vehicles can VTA Valet service?

Julie Holmes: VTA Valet can service all makes, all models and all years. Our highly trained, ASE-certified experts are regularly relied upon to provide preventive maintenance and diagnose complicated issues on vehicles ranging from Hondas, Mazdas, Toyotas, and Fords to Audis, BMWs, Lexuses, and Mercedes, and anything in between.

Patch: What is the ultimate goal of VTA Valet?

Julie Holmes: The ultimate goal of VTA Valet is to take the hassle out of being present at the repair shop for full automotive service, so that customers can get time back in their day for their already busy lives.

Patch: How does VTA Valet work?

Julie Holmes: It’s easy. With VTA Valet, we’ll come pick up your vehicle wherever you are located, (whether that be at home, at work, or elsewhere), drop off a loaner car, take your car to Virginia Tire & Auto for service, and bring your car back to you when done. Just create an appointment at VTAvalet.com, select the services you need, and tell us where you want to exchange keys. On the day of your appointment, you will get an email from us telling you that the valet is on the way to pick up your car. You can track where they are in real time from a unique link we send in the email. We will communicate with you every step of the way via SMS/Email notifications, letting you know where your vehicle is in the service or repair process. When your car is ready, we will let you know, and you can track your vehicle all the way back to the location you identified when you made your appointment.

Patch: How did the concept for VTA Valet come to be?

Julie Holmes: In an increasingly “on-demand” world, auto repair is often considered a major nuisance. Consumers loathe having to take time out of their busy day to visit the repair shop, where inconsistent service and long wait times often loom. People want and expect attentive and individualized service that seamlessly fits into their daily routines, but have not been able to find a good solution when it comes to auto repair. Recognizing the dearth of convenient and consumer friendly repair shops in the current marketplace, we saw an immediate need for a car repair service that removes any inconvenience around auto repair or maintenance and that is catered towards busy professionals and consumers who are constantly on-the-go.

Patch: How does VTA Valet standout from the competition?

Julie Holmes: Relative to existing “brick and mortar” shops, we are completely built around convenience for our customer’s so that they never have to set foot in the shop. We will pick up the customer’s vehicle at any location of their choosing (within Northern Virginia). We also provide customers with a complimentary loaner car to use while their vehicle is being serviced. Through our partnership with Virginia Tire & Auto, we use our own service professionals who collectively hold more than 320 ASE certifications, average over 20 years of experience working on all makes and models, and utilize the latest repair technologies. We can also back up their work via Virginia Tire & Auto’s stellar reputation and 40-year history within the Northern Virginia community.

Patch: How can a reader tell if his or her tires need to be replaced?

Julie Holmes: Look at your tire tread. If the grooves have worn down, your vehicle won’t grip the road effectively. To test your tires tread, use the Tire Tread Penny Test:

1. Take a penny and hold Lincoln’s body with your thumb and forefinger.
2. Find the area on your tire with the lowest tread and place Lincolns head into one of the grooves.
3. If any of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread, your tread has at least 2/32” of tread (considered okay). If your tread is below the measurement, your vehicles grip is significantly reduced.

Patch: What three things can readers do to help improve the longevity of their cars?

Julie Holmes: In order to get the most miles out of your car, here are a few suggestions:

1. Follow your vehicle maintenance schedule. Get your oil changed on time, check your tire pressure and maintain your fluids.
2. Fix any problems immediately.
3. Drive smoothly by being gentle on your gas and brake pedals, avoiding potholes and other road hazards, and making gradual turns.

Patch: How much does this convenient service cost?

Julie Holmes: VTA Valet is only $15 plus the cost of any automotive services performed. This fee covers the cost of a loaner vehicle for as long as the customer needs it.