720K
Subscribers
4.5M
Monthly Views
$13K-$27K
Est. Monthly Revenue
$3.00-$6.00
Est. RPM
480 videos uploaded | 145M total views
The Story
Eric O runs South Main Auto Repair in a small town in upstate New York. In 2016, he started filming his diagnostic process to help other mechanics learn troubleshooting techniques. His videos showed real customer cars with real problems, walking through his thought process step by step. What made his content special was the authentic, unscripted approach. He didn't know what was wrong with the car when he started filming - viewers watched him diagnose problems in real time, including dead ends and mistakes. This honesty made the content educational in a way that polished tutorials never could. The channel became essential viewing for mechanics and car enthusiasts worldwide. His reputation for thorough, honest diagnosis attracted customers from hours away. He's never advertised - every customer finds him through YouTube or word of mouth.
“I just film what I do every day. Turns out people want to learn how to actually diagnose cars, not just follow a script.”
— South Main Auto Repair
The Transformation
Before
Small-town mechanic serving local community with modest income
After
Internationally recognized diagnostic expert with 720K subscribers
Timeline: 8 years
Content Strategy
Real-time diagnostic videos showing actual customer vehicles with genuine problem-solving process. Include dead ends and mistakes for authentic educational value. Focus on thought process over solutions.
Key Insights
Unscripted, authentic content builds trust and shows real expertise
Diagnostic content attracts both professional mechanics and DIY enthusiasts
Small-town authenticity differentiates from polished corporate content
Business Impact
Shop booked 6+ weeks out - never advertises, 100% YouTube and referrals
YouTube revenue exceeds $200K annually - matches shop revenue
Tool and equipment sponsorships add $100K annually
Last updated: November 27, 2025