Software for Auto Repair Business Leadership

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February 6, 2023

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Read time: 3 min

As much we like to think we’ve always been at the top, no one is born a boss. Before you became an auto repair shop owner, you probably held other positions and had someone else bossing you around. Think back to those bosses, and how you felt about those jobs.

You may have had some bosses who you didn’t like. Their leadership style might have been too aggressive, or maybe they didn’t take the time to show you the ropes.

But hopefully, you had at least one boss who helped you get to where you are today. Typically, good bosses:

  • Strongly support your career growth by encouraging you to gain new skills
  • Understand when you have to take some time off or shift your work hours
  • Trust you to get the job done instead of micromanaging you
  • Show you they value your contributions to the team
  • Effectively communicate instructions and priorities to you

If you had a supportive boss who championed you at work, you probably went above and beyond—you knew they valued your work. Your former boss’s great leadership qualities probably set an example for you, influencing how you run your own shop today.

We’re willing to bet you’re already an excellent leader, running your own shop in a way that inspires your team, just like how your previous bosses might have inspired you. But, just like you expect your employees to grow in their roles, your employees expect you to continue growing as a leader.

By fine-tuning your leadership skills, you can bring the absolute best out of yourself and your team.

The Impact of Strong Leadership

Reflecting on your own experience, you likely already know the impact of strong leadership in the workforce. But what do the numbers have to say about it?

According to Gallup, “70% of the variance in team engagement is determined solely by the manager.”

You might be the main manager at your shop, or you might have a shop manager who reports to you. In addition to enhancing your own leadership skills, think about how you can help your shop manager—or anyone else on your team who is formally managing other employees—do so as well. When employees are led by strong leaders, they’re more likely to bring their best selves to work. Everyone benefits.

According to the same Gallup report, managers and employees who “apply their strengths” at work are:

  • Six times more likely to be engaged at work
  • Three times more likely to say they have an “excellent quality of life”
  • Six times more likely to strongly agree that they have the chance to “do what they do best every day”

Of course, you want your employees (and yourself!) to be productive, have a good life, and do what they do best. When your employees feel like they’re using and refining their strengths at work, your business can really grow. Also, according to Gallup, teams with highly engaged employees:

  • Are 17% more productive
  • Have 41% less absenteeism
  • Have 59% less turnover
  • Have a 10% increase in customer ratings
  • Have a 20% increase in sales

And what’s more, Gallup found that added together, “the behaviors of highly engaged business units result in 21% greater profitability.”

So, high employee engagement leads to better business results. You’ll save more money and time because you won’t have to regularly deal with the expensive, lengthy process of hiring and onboarding new employees. You’ll also make more money because your productive employees will lead to repairs getting finished faster, which translates to happier customers. So, let’s take a look at how to do these things.

Finding the Balance With Software for Auto Repair Business Leadership

You might be wondering: “What’s the line between good leadership and micromanagement?”

Micromanaging essentially comes down to over-focusing on small details and getting in the way of your employees doing their jobs. Leadership, on the other hand, is about focusing on the high-level aspects of running your business, trusting your employees, and only getting involved with minor details when necessary.

It can be tempting to fall into micromanaging mode during the day-to-day of running your shop, especially when you’re analyzing your shop’s metrics, talking with your employees, monitoring operations, and more in your path to become an even stronger leader.

However, according to experts cited in the Harvard Business Review, you can avoid turning into a micromanager by taking several steps, such as:

  • Telling your team what your expectations are for communication
  • Showing your team that you trust them
  • Knowing when it’s appropriate for you to be more hands-on (like in the case of having to make sure a new hire is properly trained)

Refining the chain of command at your shop can also help you avoid micromanaging. You can have a shop manager handle most of the on-the-ground elements of running your shop each day. Of course, be sure to get them up to speed on how to avoid becoming micromanagers themselves!

So, instead of you walking around the shop and asking service advisors and technicians for updates on repair orders once an hour, you can set expectations, show them you trust them to do their respective jobs, and only check in with them once a day, entrusting your shop manager with the rest. Or, instead of standing behind technicians while they work on repairs, you can stay at your desk and tackle high-level business tasks, trusting that they know how to get the job done and that your shop manager will step in as needed.

Not being a micromanager also benefits you as a shop owner in another way—it gives you more time to focus on the high-level aspects of running your business, like expanding your shop, planning to open a second location, or fine-tuning your five-year business plan. You’ll be able to function more like a visionary.

Of course, you don’t want to change course and become a boss who’s so hands-off, your employees forget you exist. That’s where software for auto repair business management can be super useful.

Tekmetric enables you or any other shop managers to keep an eye on your shop without getting in the way of employees. You can see exactly which service advisors and technicians are working on specific repair orders. And because Tekmetric is cloud-based, you can stay in the loop anywhere you have internet access, such as a networking event at ASA, an airport lounge, or even at home while you’re waiting for a plumber.

Ways You Can Enhance Your Leadership Skills As a Shop Owner

There’s a wealth of opportunities in the auto repair industry to enhance your leadership skills as a shop owner:

  • Attend Conferences: Conferences like AAPEX and Shop Hackers offer opportunities for you to mingle with other shop owners and learn about their management tips and tricks.
  • Join Associations: Associations like MWACA and ASA provide great networking opportunities like webinars, workshops, and other events you can attend with fellow shop owners to enhance your leadership skills.
  • Read Industry Insights: Industry insights from sources like Auto Service World and Tekmetric’s own Shop Spotlights are a convenient way to gain leadership wisdom.
  • Use Software for Auto Repair Business Management: Software for auto repair business management enables you to fine-tune your leadership by giving you access to data and other tools.

You can, and should, encourage your shop manager or anyone else in a management role at your shop to explore these avenues, too. After all, when everyone in a management role at your shop enhances their leadership skills, the benefits will multiply.

Six Key Areas to Focus on to Strengthen Your Team

Leadership doesn’t just encompass one thing. If only it did, life would be easier! To be strong leaders for your team, there are six key areas you, your shop manager, and anyone else in a management role at your shop should focus on.

1. Employee Recruitment and Hiring

When it comes to recruitment and hiring, first impressions go both ways.

From the moment someone applies to work at your shop, they’re getting a sense of what it will be like to work there. And you’re giving them a first impression in terms of what your standards are for professionalism, teamwork, and growth.

If you have a straightforward, timely recruitment and hiring process, you’re more likely to leave a good first impression with candidates and effectively communicate your professional values.

Chances are you have a solid process for recruitment and hiring, but it’s always good to re-examine your methods and see where you can improve. A great way to get this information is to gather feedback from your current employees. Depending on your comfort level, you can gather this feedback anonymously, or just chat with employees on their breaks. Of course, you should let them know you won’t hold anything they say against them.

Maybe one of your team members suggests that you and your shop manager should follow up with candidates a bit more promptly. The life of a shop owner (and shop manager) is a busy one, and you two might not be able to respond to candidates within a day. But, you could achieve a balance and set a goal to respond to new candidates within three business days.

But before you even get to the actual steps involved in recruiting and hiring, you have to first determine if:

  1. You need to hire more employees
  2. You can afford to hire more employees

From there, you can figure out which roles you need to hire for, and how many employees you can afford to hire.

Tek-Tip: Sometimes, some shop owners decide it’s time to hire based on feeling out the day-to-day at their shop or asking their shop manager. But, there are situations that call for a more data-driven approach. That’s where software can step in.

Your shop’s metrics are a great way to determine if you need to hire more employees, if you can afford to hire more employees, which roles you need to hire for, and how many employees you can afford to hire.

With software for auto repair business management, you can analyze your shop’s metrics and get the answers you need before you hit “publish” on that job post. Tekmetric gives you quick access to your shop’s metrics in a given time range, including:

  • ARO
  • Car Count
  • Close Ratio
  • GP Dollars
  • Total Efficiency of Technicians

Once you review your shop’s data, you can make educated recruitment and hiring decisions. For example, if you see that your shop has had double the car count this year compared to last year and that your technicians’ total efficiency has been a bit lower over the same time period, you might conclude that your shop’s current repair levels are too high for your current technicians to manage, and you need to hire another technician or two.

2. Employee Management

It goes without saying—part of being a leader is, well, leading your team. How you lead your team makes a huge difference.

Take an objective look at how you and other managers at your shop have been leading employees. One great way to get this information is to send out an employee survey to identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Once you have the survey results, you can take action. Maybe more than half of your employees indicated that they don’t feel like you’re invested in their career development. To turn this around, one thing you can do is create an employee mentorship program. Or, maybe a quarter of your employees expressed that they don’t have a clear grasp of how their performance at the shop is measured. To improve the situation, you can have a chat with your shop manager and help them set clear expectations for employees.

Tek-Tip: Surveying your employees will give you a good understanding of where you and other managers at your shop stand with them, and what steps you all can take to enhance your leadership skills. Another piece of the employee management puzzle is knowing how well your employees are doing, so you can identify areas where you can help. That’s where software for auto repair business leadership can lend you insights.

Tekmetric’s Employee Reports give you detailed insights into your service advisors’ and technicians’ activity within a given time range. You can see information such as technicians’ total efficiency and service advisors’ total sales. Additionally, you can give your shop manager and other leaders at your shop access to these reports.

Tekmetric’s Employee Profiles can give you baseline information about your employees, such as their phone numbers, addresses, payroll types, and more. So, if you need to look up an employee’s address to send them a gift basket congratulating them on their new child, you can do so in a flash. Or, if you want to clarify if one of your employees is salaried or hourly, you can easily look it up.

3. Employee Motivation

Think back to a time you felt motivated, like when you were starting your auto repair shop. You probably spent countless hours saving up money, putting together a business plan, finding technicians and service advisors, and more. You were driven to succeed; that motivation fueled you.

Chances are that one of the key things that kept you going was seeing, in real time, how everything was coming together. You found the right building to lease, finished your business plan, started recruiting, etc. You were seeing your hard work pay off in front of your eyes.

And now, as a shop owner, seeing your team work hard probably motivates you to work hard, too. When people work together on a task and are treated as partners, their motivation rises.

Two ways you can keep your employees motivated are by:

  1. Showing them how their hard work is paying off
  2. Making it easy for them to collaborate with each other, even if they aren’t in the same part of the shop

To show your team how their hard work is paying off, one thing you could do is send out a daily email with your shop’s key stats, such as the Car Count and ARO of the day. This will help your technicians and service advisors see that they’re working toward a common goal and that they’re the ones making those stellar stats happen.

To make it easy for your technicians and service advisors to collaborate with each other no matter where they are in the shop, you can use a digital workflow management tool that shows everyone which repair orders are currently open, which technician is responsible for each repair, and more.

Tek-Tip: Make motivating your employees a breeze. Tekmetric gives you access to your shop’s key stats, such as Car Count, ARO, and GP Dollars, which you can share with your employees, showing them how their hard work is benefiting everyone, and that they’re all part of something bigger.

Tekmetric also offers two digital workflow management tools. With the Job Board, you, your shop manager, and your service advisors can get a bird’s eye view into the different stages of the repair process for every repair order at your shop. And with the Tech Board, technicians can see exactly which repairs are on their plate and can time themselves as they work on tasks—and service advisors can know who to assign upcoming repairs to, and how far along each repair is.

4. Employee Pay

People are motivated by their teammates, feeling like they’re a part of something bigger, and knowing that people in their professional lives care about them. But there’s no denying it—everyone loves money.

As a business owner, you’re always balancing investing your money between your shop and your team. There’s a fine line between the two—if you never give employees raises, they’ll leave. But if you constantly give them raises, you won’t be able to afford other business priorities, like getting a new bay or adding a second location.

By finding the right balance and setting up a process for employees to get paid more, you can financially motivate your team. How you set up your process for raises depends on various factors unique to your shop, such as how you pay your employees (hourly or salary) and how much profit your shop is generating.

Based on your shop’s unique circumstances, you might decide to bump up the hourly rate or the salaries of employees by a certain percentage with each year of tenure at your shop. If your shop is doing exceptionally well in a particular year, you can give your employees holiday bonuses, too. Or, you might decide to take on a commission-based approach, where the more work service advisors sell, and the more issues technicians uncover during inspections, the more money they make.

Setting up a commission-based payment structure doesn’t have to be complicated.

Tek-Tip: Tekmetric’s commission tracking tools make it easy for you to set up a commission-based payment structure at your shop, so everyone can be motivated to work toward a shared goal.

You can create individual pay structures for individual job categories based on various factors—hours sold, gross profit, percentage of parts, and percentage of labor. You can set up a fixed commission structure, too. And, you can do all of this while keeping the details confidential between employees.

5. Employee Mentorship

We know, we know—we keep making you recall memories. But, bear with us for another trip down memory lane.

As you were rising through the ranks of the auto repair industry, did you have a mentor who was invested in your professional development? If you did, you know how big of a difference that mentorship made.

And that’s not just the nostalgia talking. Research backs up the advantages of mentorship. A 2019 CNBC/SurveyMonkey Workplace Happiness Survey found that:

  • 91% of workers with a mentor were satisfied with their jobs
  • 71% of employees with a mentor said their company gave them excellent or good career advancement opportunities
  • 40% of workers without a mentor said they’d thought about leaving their jobs in the past three months

By mentoring your service advisors, technicians, and other employees, and encouraging your shop’s other managers to mentor their direct reports, you can empower everyone to grow in their careers, and make your shop a better place than ever to work.

Tek-Tip: Good mentorship starts with you and your managers getting to know your employees and their strengths and weaknesses and learning where they want to go in their careers.

Like we mentioned in our “Employee Management” section, Tekmetric’s Employee Reports make it easy for you and your managers to get a good understanding of your employees’ current progress at work before you sit down with them to talk about their goals. By using Tekmetric’s Employee Reports, you all can gather key information about how your employees are doing in a given time range, such as technicians’ total efficiency and the sales service advisors have made.

From there, you or your shop manager can have one-on-ones with your employees to review how they’ve been doing, discuss their career goals, and develop an action plan to help them get there.

You might notice that one of your newest technicians needs some help becoming a more efficient worker, and you can have them work alongside your most tenured technician so they can fine-tune their skills. Or, your shop manager might see that one of your service advisors hasn’t been making as many sales lately; they can meet with them to see where they’re at emotionally and support them in their role.

6. Employee Work-Life Balance

Which of these two situations would you rather be in?

  1. You spend 90% of your time at work, or dealing with work-related matters once you’re home. You’re lucky if you can sit down at the dinner table with your family once a week.
  2. You spend a pretty even amount of time between work and home. Sure, sometimes you have to deal with work-related matters once you’re home, but it’s once in a blue moon, and you’re able to spend quality time with your family at dinner each day.

We’re guessing you picked option two—the choice where you have a great work-life balance. Work-life balance is important for you and your team because it keeps your stress low and enables you to tend to all areas of your life, not just work.

One way you and other managers can nurture work-life balance at your shop is to enable employees to take time off, both in the short term and the long term. Some ways you can go about this include:

  • Encouraging your employees to actually take their lunch breaks (and other short breaks during the day), so employees can take a breather and refresh
  • Creating a PTO and sick day program, so employees can take time off when they need it
  • Focusing on employees’ productivity during the day, versus the hours they work

When you and your managers help your employees achieve work-life balance, they’ll be more energized and productive. They’ll also be happier and less likely to quit.

Tek-Tip: You know what they say—knowledge is power. You can get a pulse on how your employees are doing in terms of work-life balance with the help of some data.

You can use Tekmetric’s Employee Reports for work-life balance purposes, too. Specifically, you can view Employee Timesheets and see how much each employee has been working and whether or not they’ve been taking breaks. And with the Technician Hours Report, you can see your technicians’ total billed time, total actual time, total efficiency, and Car Count.

Growing Your Business Is About Growing Your People  

At the end of the day, growing your business is about growing your people.

Attending industry conferences, joining associations, reading publications, and using software for auto repair business management are all great ways to enhance your leadership skills and become a more well-rounded leader. However, in the midst of doing all these things, don’t forget about connecting with your employees on a human level. You don’t always have to pull up a metric or discuss a workflow tip when you touch base with them—nor should you.

Instead, make it a point to check in with your team members for the sake of checking in with them. Ask them how they’re doing, how their families are doing, if they ended up adopting that new pet, etc. Be invested in them as human beings, not just as employees.

After all, they have goals outside of work, too, and by knowing what those goals are, you can help them achieve them, even if they aren’t related to auto repair! Maybe they want to adopt a dog, and you know the perfect animal shelter to refer them to. Or, maybe they’re thinking about buying a new home, and you have a friend who happens to be putting their home up for sale.

Maintain a culture where every employee feels supported and valued. You can throw some fun in the mix as well, like attending baseball games together, hosting movie nights, having employee-family picnics, and more.

Here are some of the creative ways some of the shops that use Tekmetric celebrate their employees:

  • Tim Suggs, Co-owner of Turbo Tim’s Anything Automotive: “The employees that we’ve attracted and retained over the years are a part of our community. We’re always hanging out at the shop after hours and on the weekends. A few of our employees have even formed their own band.”
  • Bryan Jewett, Owner of Casey’s Automotive: “Every January, we do a goal-poster day. Every employee that works for us writes down their goals, no matter what they are—professional or personal—and then I go out and buy a hundred different magazines. They get poster boards, cut out pictures that represent their goals, and they glue them to their poster board. That way they can track their goals.”
  • Aaron Smith, Owner of S&S Auto Repair: “We started an apprentice program here, where we’re training up the next generation of automotive staff. They’re growing in their knowledge and their experience. But I know that if I want to retain those individuals, then I need to grow myself.”

When you grow your business by growing your people, things will fall into place. Your employees will be happy to show up to work each day, knowing that they’re working toward not only their own goals but the common goals of the entire team.

That happiness will shine through to customers; they’ll notice your smiling, energetic technicians and service advisors. Customers will walk away happy, ready to refer your shop to everyone they know. And before you know it, your shop will be one of the best places for people to work—and get their cars repaired.

FAQ

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Whether you're just getting started in the world of auto mechanics or you're a seasoned professional looking to sharpen your skills, having the right books in your toolkit can make a world of difference.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best 10 books for anyone looking to master automotive repair—five books for beginners and five for professionals. Whether you're diving into DIY oil changes, understanding electrical systems, or prepping for ASE certification, these books can help you become the car mechanic others rely on.

Top mechanic books for beginners.

Top 5 Mechanic Books for Beginners

1. Auto Repair For Dummies by Deanna Sclar

Deanna Sclar, a trusted name in car books, breaks down automotive repair in a clear, engaging way. Topics include basics like changing oil, identifying car parts, and performing simple diagnostics. Updated editions also include guidance on hybrid and electric vehicles.

This book is great for high school students, DIY car owners, and anyone who wants to enhance their car repair knowledge. It teaches vehicle maintenance fundamentals and gives you the confidence to handle everyday car repair tasks.

This book is available in paperback and audiobook format on Amazon and Goodreads.

2. How Cars Work by Tom Newton

“How Cars Work” is an illustrated mechanics book designed to make complex automotive technology digestible. It covers everything from internal combustion engines to carburetors using simple diagrams and descriptions.

Ideal for visual learners and those completely new to auto mechanics. This is a great first book for beginners, high school students, and anyone wanting a strong visual foundation. This book is available at Amazon, Goodreads, and Walmart.

3. Service Repair Manuals

Service repair manuals offer detailed, step-by-step instructions specific to various makes and models. Whether you're working on a Chevy or a lawn mower, there's likely a repair manual for it.

These manuals walk you through every procedure—from basic maintenance to full rebuilds—making them excellent for DIY mechanics. The manuals are great for car owners who want to perform their own maintenance and repairs, especially oil changes and part replacements.

4. Auto Repair and maintenance for Beginners by Dave Stribling

This is a more recent release that blends practical guidance with a conversational tone. It’s designed for car owners who want to understand what’s under the hood without going back to school.

It breaks down diagnostics, basic electrical systems, and essential car repair projects with clarity and confidence. DIYers, automotive technology students, and anyone just entering the field will benefit from this resource. This book is available on Amazon and Target.

5. ASE Study Material

While not a traditional repair resource, these ASE guides cover specific topics you may be interested in. In addition, these resources can also help you study for your ASE exams/certification. These study guides cover everything from refrigerant to engine diagnostics.

These resources are great for beginners looking to become ASE certified or just want to deepen their technical knowledge of car repair. You can find these ASE resources on the ASE website.

Top 5 Mechanic Books for Professionals

1. Automotive Technology: A Systems Approach by Jack Erjavec & Rob Thompson

Used in technical schools and ASE training programs, this comprehensive study guide covers every vehicle system in detail. From brakes to diagnostics and internal combustion engines, it’s a powerhouse of professional knowledge.

Excellent for instructors, professional auto mechanics, and shop technicians. It’s also used as a curriculum base in many accredited auto mechanic programs. This book can be found on Amazon and Goodreads.

2. Engine Repair (A1) – ASE Test Prep Study Guide by Delmar Cengage

If you’re serious about becoming ASE certified, this study guide is one of the best tools to prep with. It’s focused on the A1 Engine Repair certification exam and is updated with the latest questions and procedures.

It contains practice questions, answer keys, and step-by-step breakdowns of engine troubleshooting and repairs. Mechanics pursuing ASE certification and current techs looking to refresh their credentials will benefit from this book.

3. Bosch Automotive Handbook

This is not your average repair manual. The Bosch Automotive Handbook is a dense, technical reference filled with precise definitions, formulas, and design principles behind modern vehicle systems, including electrical systems and diagnostics.

A must-have for those working on diagnostics or developing automotive systems. Not ideal for beginners, but invaluable for seasoned pros. This book is available on Amazon.

4. Advanced Automotive Fault Diagnosis by Tom Denton

Tom Denton is a trusted author in the world of automotive technology. This book focuses on advanced diagnostics using real-world case studies and troubleshooting processes.

It covers OBD systems, scan tools, sensor data interpretation, and diagnostics strategies used in modern repair shops. ASE certified professionals, diagnostic techs, and repair shop leads will appreciate this book. This book is available at Walmart and Amazon.

5. Motorcycle Basics Techbook by Matthew Coombs (Haynes)

Auto mechanics often expand into motorcycles. This Haynes book explores motorcycle maintenance and repair with the same detail they bring to their car repair manuals.

Great for mechanics who want to branch into motorcycle repair or work at specialized repair shops. This book is available on Amazon and Thriftbooks.

Other Mechanic Resources

While books are still relevant, many mechanics have transitioned to other resources like YouTube videos and podcasts. Here are some of our favorites.

YouTube

YouTube is a gold mine for car repair veterans and DIYers alike. Some of our favorite channels include:

Reddit

Reddit can be another powerful resource for new techniques plus an online community to answer questions you may have. Some of the best subreddits include:

Podcasts

Podcasts can be entertaining and an easy way to learn while working or driving. Some of our favorites include:

Final Thoughts

Investing in a good book isn’t just about reading—it’s about building your skills, your confidence, and your future in the automotive industry. Whether you’re just learning how cars work or studying classical mechanics principles, there’s a resource here that can guide you. The best mechanics know that their education never stops.

10 Best Automotive Mechanic Books (2025 Guide)

April 23, 2025

Read time: 3 min

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In the ever-evolving automotive industry, staying ahead of the curve means constantly learning and growing. For automotive service technicians, certifications aren’t just credentials—they’re powerful tools that open doors to better job opportunities, increased pay, and credibility with customers and employers alike.

Whether you're just starting out or already working in auto repair, understanding the most common types of mechanic certification can help you create a successful, long-lasting career. This guide will break down the most recognized certifications, how to attain them, and why they matter for every auto mechanic who wants to stand out.

Image showing the various type of mechanic certifications.

Types of mechanic certifications

Mechanic certifications come in many forms, each tailored to different specializations and career goals. The most common types include:

1. ASE Certifications

Issued by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), these certifications are the gold standard for automotive mechanics. They cover a wide range of specialties, from engine repair to electronic systems and air conditioning.

ASE certification is considered the most prestigious and widely accepted credential in the automotive world.

More about ASE

Founded in 1972, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence sets the benchmark for automotive service technicians. ASE offers over 50 different certification tests in categories like:

  • Engine Repair
  • Brake Systems
  • Air Conditioning and Heating
  • Suspension and Steering
  • Electrical/Electronic Systems
  • Engine Performance
  • Manual and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle
  • Light Truck and Diesel Engines

Master technicians

There’s also a separate path for master technician status, which is achieved by passing all certifications in the required testing areas for that series. For example, technicians certified in tests A1 through A8 are Master automobile technicians.

Master technician status is not for life. You must keep each one of those certifications current to maintain master technician status. If you lose master technician status due to the lapse of one or more required certifications, it can be reinstated by taking and passing the recertification tests.

How long does it take to become ASE certified?

To become ASE certified, expect to spend anywhere from 1–3 years, depending on your work experience and whether you’re currently enrolled in training programs. Each certification test typically takes 1 to 2 hours to complete and can be scheduled at a local test center.

Being ASE certified shows you’ve mastered the skills needed for the job. It’s a badge of excellence recognized by employers, repair shops, and even customers looking for reliable service.

2. Student certifications

Geared toward high school and post-secondary students in automotive technology programs, these ASE certifications offer a head start in proving foundational knowledge.

What are student certifications?

Student certifications validate entry-level knowledge in core areas of vehicle repair and maintenance. These don’t require work experience and serve as a stepping stone to full ASE status.

Programs approved by the ASE Education Foundation often include student certification exams as part of their curriculum. These are excellent options for students at auto mechanic schools or in a community college training program.

Student certifications are valid for two years and help you build confidence before entering the workforce as an entry-level technician.

3. Manufacturer certifications

These certifications are specific to vehicle manufacturers and offered by companies like Ford, Toyota, GM, and others. Often, auto technicians working in dealerships will pursue these to show mastery of brand-specific systems.

For repair technicians who want to specialize in a particular brand, manufacturer certifications are essential.

Manufacturer training programs

  • Toyota T-TEN
  • Ford ASSET
  • GM ASEP
  • Honda PACT
  • BMW STEP

These accredited programs often partner with dealerships to offer real-world, hands-on experience while you earn your credential. These programs can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months and typically require completion of automotive technology coursework alongside on-the-job work experience at a brand-affiliated repair center.

Why they matter

Manufacturer-certified auto technicians often have a faster path to high-paying roles within dealership networks and brand-specific repair shops. These certifications also prepare you to service increasingly complex vehicle systems, especially as brands continue to innovate with hybrid and electric vehicles.

4. Specialty certifications

You’ll also find credentials related to diesel engines, heavy truck systems, collision repair, and even hybrid/electric vehicles.

Each of these certification types plays a unique role in an automotive technician’s career path, and in many cases, earning more than one will make you significantly more marketable in repair shops and beyond.

Depending on your interests, you may also want to pursue:

  • A/C Refrigerant Certification - Necessary if you want to be able to to buy refrigerant and work on air conditioning service.
  • Diesel Mechanics Certification – Focused on diesel engines used in commercial fleets and heavy truck applications.
  • Collision Repair Certification – Great for auto mechanics looking to work in body shops.
  • Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Certification – A growing field with high demand.

Each of these certifications typically requires completion of a specialized training course and a passing score on certification exams. These programs may be part of a broader certificate program or offered as a standalone credential.

Tek-Tip: Another way to get ahead as a young technician is to be experienced with auto repair shop software so your employer doesn't have to teach you how to use their system.

Benefits of mechanic certifications

Getting certified is one of the most direct ways to turn your hands-on experience into a long-term career asset. Mechanic certifications do more than look good on a resume—they deliver real-world advantages. Here are some of the benefits of completing automotive certifications:

  • Increased Pay: Certified mechanics typically earn higher wages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), certified automotive mechanics can earn higher hourly rates, especially in competitive markets.
  • Job Security: The more certifications you have, the more valuable you are to auto repair businesses.
  • Professional Credibility: Certification demonstrates a commitment to quality and standards, building trust with customers and employers.
  • Career Advancement: Certified automotive service technicians are more likely to advance to roles such as shop foreman, master technician, or service manager.
  • Mobility: Certifications make it easier to move between different types of employers—whether that’s independent repair shops, starting a mobile mechanic business, dealerships, or specialty service centers.

What does the certification process look like?

Most mechanic certifications follow a similar pathway but always refer to the specific instructions for your program.

Step 1: Enroll

Start by enrolling in an automotive technology program. These are offered by community colleges, trade schools, and accredited auto mechanic schools. Many programs are supported by the ASE Education Foundation, ensuring alignment with real-world industry standards.

Look for certificate programs or associate degrees that offer hands-on training. Financial aid is often available for eligible students.

Step 2: Gain work experience

Work experience is critical for most certifications. For ASE certification, for example, you need at least two years of on-the-job experience—or one year plus a diploma from an accredited program. You’ll need to show that you’ve worked on everything from brake systems and axles to manual drive train repairs and electrical systems.

Step 3: Pass certification tests

Most mechanic certifications require passing written or computer-based certification exams. These are typically held at a certified test center. The exams cover a variety of topics depending on the specialty, including engine performance, electronic systems, and automatic transmission repair.

Tek-Tip: Some auto shops/employers will pay your test fees for you.

Step 4: Maintain certification

Many certifications require recertification every five years. Staying current ensures you’re up to date with the latest automotive repair techniques, tools, and systems.

Final thoughts

Becoming a certified mechanic takes dedication, but the payoff is worth it. From better job prospects to increased credibility, mechanic certifications help you build a successful, respected career in automotive repair.

Invest in your future. Get trained, get certified, and become a leader in the ever-growing world of automotive repair.

Automotive Mechanic Certifications: The Complete Guide

April 8, 2025

Read time: 3 min

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Mechanic interviews are challenging for both the employer and candidate because the right candidate has to be a fit in personality and technical ability. Plus, the numerous certification types, manufacturer nuances, and shop needs make it even more challenging.

This guide can be used to help repair shops/dealerships ask the right questions and also help technicians be prepared for questions they will likely encounter. Below you will find the most common car mechanic interview questions broken down by mechanic and service advisor level plus tips to ace your next interview.

Top mechanic job interview questions

While every auto repair shop differs in how they run their job interview process, these are some of the most common questions you can expect. Ranging from technical questions to customer service, be prepared to answer these common questions before your next interview.

An image highlighting the top job interview questions for mechanics.

General interview questions for car mechanics

These common questions cover basic automotive repair experience and relevant work history.

  • Tell me about yourself and your experience as an automotive technician.
  • Why do you want to work for our company/shop?
  • How do you stay up to date with new automotive technologies and repair techniques?
  • What certifications do you currently hold (ASE, manufacturer-specific, etc.)?
  • Are you comfortable working weekends, evenings, or overtime if needed?

Technical interview questions for mechanics

These technical interview questions cover more specific hand-on experience and tools/equipment.

  • Which repairs are you best at?
  • How much would you estimate your tool inventory to be worth?
  • What steps do you take when diagnosing a check engine light?
  • What tools and diagnostic equipment are you most familiar with?
  • Have you worked with hybrid or electric vehicles?
  • Do you believe in factory recommended vehicle maintenance intervals?
  • How comfortable are you with OEM scan/diagnostic tools?

Experience & situational questions for mechanics

These questions help employers understand how you would handle various shop situations and also helps them understand your communication skills.

  • Can you describe a time when you had to work under a tight deadline?
  • How do you deal with angry customers?
  • How do you prioritize tasks when you have multiple vehicles to work on?
  • What would you do if you made a mistake on a repair? How do you handle accountability?
  • What do you do if you encounter a vehicle with an issue you've never seen before?

Additional questions to expect

  • Are you comfortable serving those in need once a month?
  • Are you comfortable doing a DVI on the majority of vehicles you touch?
  • How do you handle a high-pressure environment when the shop is busy?
  • How do you handle a situation where you're unsure about how to fix a problem?
  • Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a customer?

Top interview questions for service advisors

While the interview questions for service advisors will be similar to mechanics, there will be small differences. Typically, service advisors will be more customer facing and shops will tailor their questions to focus more on customer service and communication style.

General interview questions for service advisors

  • Are you comfortable selling repair services?
  • Are you comfortable working on a commission based salary structure?
  • Who do you believe has the best after market products?
  • Which shop management software is your favorite?
  • How do you deal with a customer saying that you are more expensive than their last shop?
  • How do you win back angry customers?
  • How do you handle over the phone quotes?

Technical interview questions for service advisors

  • What are your greatest strengths as a service advisor?
  • Who do you trust for moving electrical parts?
  • How do you handle working in a fast-paced environment?
  • Are you comfortable meeting sales goals and upselling services?
  • How do you stay up to date with new automotive technology and service trends?
  • How do you handle stress during busy hours?

Experience & situational questions for service advisors

  • How do you explain complex vehicle repairs to a customer who doesn’t understand cars?
  • What steps do you take to build trust with customers?
  • Have you ever had to deal with a miscommunication between a technician and a customer? How did you resolve it?
  • Can you describe a time when you turned a dissatisfied customer into a repeat customer?
  • How do you handle multiple customers needing assistance at the same time?

Additional questions to expect

  • How do you explain the importance of routine maintenance to a customer?
  • What experience do you have with automotive service software or point-of-sale systems?
  • How do you prioritize repair orders and schedule work efficiently?
  • How do you explain repair estimates to customers?
  • How would you respond to 1-star reviews?

Job interview tips for mechanics

  • Research: Not all shops are created equal so make sure to research before applying to make sure they are a good fit. You can also look at online reviews to see what their customers are saying.
  • Preparation: Use the commonly used questions above to help you prepare for the interview. Practice how you would answer each question and ways you can present yourself well.
  • Attire: You have 7 seconds to make your first impression and attire is a big part of that. Dress to showcase your professionalism and experience.
  • Highlight your experience/certifications: Showcasing your certifications and experience can go a long way to in making sure you land the job.
  • Ask thoughtful questions: Some interviewers will allow you to ask questions during the conversation. Make sure you have a few questions to ask that help you learn more about the shop.
  • Follow up: if you haven’t heard back from the shop and you are still interested, give them a call and remind them of your interest in the position.

Final thoughts

Interviews are challenging in any industry but mechanic interviews can be even more challenging with the shortage of talent available. This guide will help you either prepare for your next interview or provide you with common questions to ask your next hire. Lastly, always hire for culture fit and talent second. Culture problems are a lot harder to correct than technical car knowledge.

Top Interview Questions for Automotive Mechanics

March 25, 2025

Read time: 3 min

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