How visible are NZ mechanics to AI?
As of July 2026, the average AI-visibility score of 191 audited New Zealand mechanics’ websites is 65/100 — 5% block at least one AI search crawler, and 47% have no structured data telling AI engines what the business is.
average score
65/100
block AI crawlers
5%
no structured data
47%
City by city
| City | Sites audited | Avg score | Block AI crawlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 21 | 72/100 | 0% |
| Tauranga | 21 | 61/100 | 10% |
| Palmerston North | 20 | 63/100 | 5% |
| Christchurch | 19 | 68/100 | 5% |
| Hamilton | 19 | 70/100 | 16% |
| New Plymouth | 19 | 67/100 | 0% |
| Wellington | 17 | 65/100 | 0% |
| Dunedin | 17 | 67/100 | 6% |
| Napier | 17 | 64/100 | 6% |
| Nelson | 16 | 69/100 | 0% |
| Rotorua | 15 | 64/100 | 0% |
Why does AI visibility matter for mechanics?
When someone asks ChatGPT or Google’s AI for “a good mechanic near me”, the engines can only recommend businesses they can find, read and trust. A site that blocks AI crawlers or renders everything in JavaScript is invisible in those answers — the job goes to whoever is visible. The average here is 65/100, which means most mechanics are competing for AI recommendations with a handbrake on — and the ones who fix it early inherit the category.
Are you above or below 65?
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Check my siteLast updated July 2026 · based on 191 audited websites · methodology · aggregates only, no individual business is named