Working as a car mechanic

Types of functions

- Chief of workshop

The position of workshop chief is twofold. In this position, on the one hand, you are executive and perform the same tasks as an MOT inspector and a technical specialist.

On the other hand, the workshop chief has managerial duties. This is the most important thing in the job. The workshop chief is responsible for planning. Both of staff and of the work. For example, he has to take into account the duration of repairs and how much work can be done at the same time. The tricky part is making sure the planning is as efficient as possible. On the one hand, you don't want idle mechanics, on the other, you don't want dissatisfied customers because the work takes longer than initially expected.

The Workshop Chief also has a monitoring role on behalf of the work. He is the person ultimately responsible and must therefore ensure that all work has been carried out properly.

Further duties that fall under the workshop chief include stock management, administration and training of staff.

- Technical Specialist

The technical specialist is the most skilled mechanic in a workshop. The technical specialist is mainly concerned with performing diagnoses and dealing with MOTs. A technical specialist looks for faults in the electrical parts of a car, in addition, the technical specialist mainly deals with difficult mechanical cases. Think, for example, of changing and overhauling an engine block.

Troubleshooting is done through the knowledge of the technical specialist. For instance, a technical specialist will do a diagnostic plan based on vibrations, shudders, driving characteristics and by reading the electronics.

After the diagnosis is completed by the technical specialist, the car is transferred to a 1st car technician for repairing the damage. In difficult cases, the technical specialist will also tinker with the car.

- 1st car technician

A 1st car technician is a self-employed car mechanic. This mechanic has knowledge of all repairs carried out on a car. To a lesser extent, a 1st car technician will have to deal with diagnoses, in addition, a 1st car technician assists in performing MOT inspections. Thus, the 1st car technician will ensure that the inspections have already been carried out, so that the technical specialist or the inspector can give the green light.

- 2nd auto mechanic

The second car mechanic mainly deals with smaller and low-level repairs. Examples include servicing, carrying out minor repairs such as changing lights or replacing wheels. The 2nd car mechanic is usually someone who has recently graduated and therefore has less experience. As the person has been with the company longer, more tasks are assigned.

- MOT Inspector

An MOT Inspector is a technical specialist or first mechanic who exclusively performs MOT inspections. For this, he/she must hold inspection papers.

- Car body repairer

A car body repairer mainly deals with repairing damage to the car. For example, damages caused by a collision. The aim of the car damage repairer is to get the car running responsibly again.

Think, for example, of dent removal and lamp repair. This involves repairing very large damages down to the smallest scratches. The car body repairer also interfaces with the metalworking profession, as parts sometimes need to be welded.

- Auto painter

A car painter who provides a car with a new coat of paint. Besides spraying cars, a painter is responsible for pre-treatment. This includes covering parts that should not be painted, but also mixing the paint so that it is the right colour and there are no colour differences with the original paint.

It is therefore important that a car painter has a good eye for colour in addition to precise work. In case of damage caused by stone chips or dents, the painter also has to putty the spots. This until the surface is completely even. When applying several layers of paint, the paint has to dry before applying a new layer.

- Sales consultant

Simply put, the sales consultant helps advise and sell cars, mostly to consumers. Together with the customer, the car salesman discusses the requirements and wishes, but certainly also the budget to ensure that the car stays within budget. The salesperson then maps out the options and shows them to the customers and, if the customer is interested, makes a test drive. Ultimately with the aim of closing the sale.

It is important that the seller has knowledge of the cars and their various options. In addition, the seller should ensure proper administrative handling and possibly take care of financing (leasing).

- Service advisor/ Workshop receptionist

The service advisor is the translator between the customer and the workshop. You usually come across this position in larger companies, in smaller companies it is often done by a 1st car technician or a higher position. As a service advisor, you are responsible for customer contact. Thus, you have contact with the customer, you need to properly identify what the problem of the car is and you must clearly communicate this to the workshop.

You are also responsible for providing feedback to the customer you have to make it clear what was going on and what work was done. Finally, you are responsible for the administrative handling and, where necessary, switching with the insurance company.

Types of companies

- Dealership/Garage

If you want to work as a car mechanic, you can join many different companies. A dealership focuses solely on sales, service and maintenance for specific car brands. This makes a company a specialist within a particular brand. For example, Radrema has been a Mazda service partner for over 45 years. Dealers therefore focus on a specific client group, in this case Radrema appeals to the client group that drives or wants to drive a Mazda car.

You often see within the car world that dealers focus on multiple car brands. Kessels automobiles, for instance, is an authorised service partner of BMW & Mini and a specialist in Jaguar and Land Rover. In this way, a larger customer group is addressed, which ultimately results in more turnover.

The reason many people want to work at a dealership is the parts. Because a dealership is brand-dependent, they always get the best parts from the car brand first-hand. This ensures that mechanics can work with new material of which there is always enough in stock (if ordered properly).

- Authorised service partner

As a dealer, you don't just become an authorised service partner, for this you really need to get a distinction from the car brand itself. The dealer must know all the ins and outs about the brand's cars and must also carry out service and repair work according to the brand's protocols.

So unlike an independent garage, the dealer may not deviate from the work according to the car brand's guidelines. To continue on the example of Kessels automobiles. Its staff are trained by BMW and Mini. This is done by the car brands themselves to ensure that the dealer employs the right professionals who know the car brand's protocols and do not come up with creative solutions themselves.

Therefore, when you buy a car or have it repaired, you can assume it will be delivered to the standards of the car brand itself.

- Specialist

There is a difference between being an authorised service partner and a specialist. A specialist works with the original parts of the car brand and the protocols and access to expertise are also available. The big difference is that the specialist does not have to fulfil all dealer obligations regarding repairs and delivery of the car. As a result, you will see that the rates can also be lower than with recognised service partners.

For example, the Kessels car company is a specialist in Land Rover and Jaguar. This means that the employees have years of experience working on these brands. Also, the parts are original and they have the necessary knowledge from Land Rover and Jaguar.

But should a customer come in with a problem, which is laborious to fix according to official protocols. The specialist may choose to apply a more creative solution outside the book. In short, it is allowed (to a certain extent) to deviate from the set requirements of the car make.

- Universal garage

A universal car dealership is a car dealership that is not associated with specific car brands. As described above, you see many companies that specialise in a small number of car brands. For example, car company Wealer focuses on Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda. Kessels Automobiles focuses on BMW, Mini, Jaguar and Land Rover. Universal car companies therefore do not do this. These companies often operate independently and on a smaller scale.

This does not mean that they do less quality work than a branded dealer. However, they often solve some problems more "creatively". Whereas brand dealers have to stick to the rules in terms of maintenance of the brand, universal garages are more willing to think with the customer to find non-official solutions to problems. In terms of activities, the companies often do the same. Sales of (mostly second-hand) cars, damage repairs, MOT inspections, maintenance, etc.

- Damage repairer

As the name suggests, the car damage repairer repairs car damage. These can be major damages like a broken bumper with large dents after a collision, but can also be minor paint damage after driving into a pole.

Possible damages include: windscreen damage, paintwork damage requiring respraying, bumper, rims, car upholstery, headlights, stone chips, spot repair, scratch removal, dent repair, car tyres, etc.

Damage repair companies often have a full service package. This means that in addition to fixing damages, they also take care of the administration for the customer. For example, payment is arranged with the insurer or leasing company.

- Tyre specialist

A tyre specialist is a company that focuses entirely on (company) car tyres. The tyre specialist deals with the sale and exchange of car tyres. The specialist advises the customer on the different types of tyres, after which the choice to purchase them is up to the customer. Tyres are then changed and the old tyres can be stored if required.

The busiest periods for these companies are October/November and April/May. This is due to the changing of summer and winter tyres. Temporary hiring is then often needed to cope with the peak during these periods. Outside these periods, the main source of income is on the side of commercial vehicles.

The tyre specialist usually consists of 2 parts. The workshop and storage. The workshop should be large enough to accommodate any trucks. The storage is a well-organised place where all tyres are stored by specific codes. This way, they can be easily found by the system.

Besides the workshop, a tyre specialist also does service. When a car is at the side of the road, the tyre specialist is called in to change the tyre and make sure the car is safe to drive again.

Competences

- Maintenance service

To ensure safety on the road, a car needs servicing from time to time. This prevents you from being unexpectedly stopped by the roadside with problems that could easily have been fixed. A distinction is made between a Major and a Minor service. As a rule, a major service is carried out every 20,000 KM and a minor service follows after 10,000 KM.

If you do not manage 10,000 KM within one year, it is still recommended to have the car looked at. During the service, the car is completely checked, fluids are topped up and parts are replaced (preventively).

Previously, servicing was done more frequently, but because of ever-improving car parts, the car lasts longer. Before, it was mainly mechanical work, but now you see more and more electrical parts coming in. This ensures that the level of the car mechanic also has to go up.

Maintenance checks are recorded digitally these days. It is important that this is done properly, this way the car keeps more value because the future buyer knows that regular maintenance has been done.

- MOT

To perform an MOT, you need MOT papers. You obtain these papers by completing the MOT exam. The exam consists of 2 parts. The first is a test with knowledge and insight questions, followed by the practical part. If you pass both parts, you are an MOT inspector. You then receive a pass, authorising you to carry out MOT inspections. This pass is valid for 2 years and must be renewed by means of an authorisation extension exam. There are 2 requirements to take the exam.

1. An MBO 3 diploma in first car technician or similar training
2. A VOG

If you do not have an MBO level 3 diploma, you can eventually take the exam after having gained enough relevant work experience. This requires an Experience Certificate.

In practice, you see that there are also many employees who do a pre-inspection. This means that employees check the car to the best of their knowledge and make any repairs, so that the MOT inspector only has to check the car and then approve it.

- Repairs

Repairs are carried out at different levels. Repairs can be either mechanical or electrical. Repairs that are common are:

Most common Mechanical repairs:

• Replacing shock absorbers
• Replacing or repairing brakes
• Replacing or repairing
• Overhauling the engine block
• Overhauling the gearbox
• Repair of mirrors and wipers
• Renewing the timing belt
• Air-conditioning repair (F-gases required)

Most common electrical repairs

• Replacing lamps/lights
• Battery replacement
• Reverse sensors replaced / adjusted
• Resolving dashboard messages
• Software troubleshooting
• Door lock troubleshooting

Most common Fluids repairs

• Oil (tank) change/replace
• Coolant (tank) change/replace
• Air conditioner refill
• Brake oil (reservoir) replacement/change
• Replacing/changing windscreen fluid (reservoir)

Carrying out the above repairs will help you work out what work is already known. An experienced mechanic will do well on all three categories. Less experienced mechanics or apprentices will be particularly good at the last category at first.

Auto mechanic salary

The average salary for Auto mechanic based on 40 hours is €2,559 gross per month. The average amount is compiled from job postings over the past 36 months. Experience, age, location, holiday pay or any bonuses are not included in the calculations, as these are employer-dependent. Would you like to work as a car mechanic? Then get in touch soon and who knows, you might soon be tinkering with cars yourself!

*Please note! The salary mentioned is an indication of what you could earn. No rights can be derived from the amount shown and may be higher or lower. Salary indication 13 January 2023. No rights can be derived from this data.