Avoid These 3 Mistakes When You Become a Mechanic

Mechanic using laptop while working on car

Whether you choose to work as a mechanic in a dealership or for a repair garage, customers trust that you’ll have the skills and experience required to diagnose and fix their cars. Sometimes, auto mechanics make mistakes—a part might be installed too quickly, small items may be overlooked, and the wrong fluids can sometimes be used. In most cases, such errors are due to mechanics being under a heavy workload, and they can quickly be remedied.

Want to become a successful auto mechanic? Read on for a quick guide to some of the most common mistakes made in auto garages, and learn how you can avoid making them during your own career.

Mistake #1: When a Car Mechanic is Overconfident

It’s important to have confidence in your skills and mechanic abilities, especially if you’ve received training from a reputable mechanic college. However, overconfidence occurs when an auto mechanic is in way over his or her head, but continues to work on a repair. Of course, it should not come as a surprise that this can cause more harm to a vehicle than good.

If ever you are stuck while performing a diagnosis or repair, don’t hesitate to ask for help from a car mechanic with more experience. You may come across a car model you don’t know much about, or perhaps a vehicle that boasts new auto technology you’ve never worked with. It’s ok not to know everything, and asking for help can provide you with new approaches to solving various car problems.

Mistake #2: When A Car Mechanic Misdiagnoses Car Problems

When it comes to car problems, taking the time to run a proper diagnosis is essential. When a mechanic relies on sheer experience, he or she can jump to conclusions which can lead to performing the wrong repairs, or having common repairs take much longer than they should.

Let’s say a customer shows up with a burning smell coming out of his or her car’s engine. One of the most common and straightforward reasons this happens is because the car is low on transmission fluid, and many mechanics will simply check fluid levels and top them off if they’re low. However, after taking an auto mechanic course, you’ll learn that there are almost a dozen reasons why a car’s engine would emit a burning smell. Some of these include leaking fluids, damaged oil gaskets and more. So even if you suspect what an issue might be, make sure you double-check your suspicions, and always run a thorough diagnostic check.

Running a diagnostic test is a crucial step that should never be skipped.
Running a diagnostic test is a crucial step that should never be skipped.

Mistake #3: When A Car Mechanic Does Not Keep the Client’s Needs in Mind

Oftentimes, mechanics are not required to communicate with clients directly. In fact, shop managers and service advisors are typically a client’s main point of contact.

With this in mind, it’s important for mechanics to know and remember that customers generally look for 3 things when it comes to getting their vehicles serviced:

  1. Fast service, which will get them back on the road as quickly as possible.
  2. Quality service, including skilled repair work and durable auto parts.
  3. Trustworthy service, which helps to build customer loyalty.

Underperforming in any of these three areas makes customers unhappy. The auto business is highly competitive, and forgetting the customer’s needs is a mistake that mechanics commonly make, which can impact their success, as well as their employer’s reputation. Therefore, it is crucial to always keep the client’s needs in mind when you are servicing their car.

The customer should always be kept in mind when repairing a vehicle.
The customer should always be kept in mind when repairing a vehicle.

Are you interested in enrolling in training to become a mechanic?

Visit ATC to learn more about our automotive programs or to speak with an advisor.

Form is submitting