What Every Car Mechanic Should Know

A good car mechanic is any motorist’s best friend but a great car mechanic is so much more!

When it comes to vehicle maintenance and car repairs, you should only use a reputable garage as they often take the time to train their employees properly. They also invest in the latest equipment and machinery to ensure your car repairs are done as quickly and efficiently as possible. A garage is only as good as its technicians and in this article, we shed some light on what it takes to be a great car mechanic.

A Car Mechanic You Can Trust

If a car mechanic has the qualifications, talents, skills, and knowledge, you will have a long line of customers who rely on you for MOTs, car servicing and general car repairs. Whether you drive a car, van, lorry or SUV, a good car mechanic should be able to handle just about any vehicle.

At Elite Garages, we employ MOT testers and vehicle technicians or car mechanics from all walks of life with a wide range of experience. As a family-run business, we take pride in delivering a high level of customer service and we continue to invest in our facilities and staff.

To ensure we deliver the best possible service, whether it’s an MOT, a premium car service, wheel alignment, brakes or a cambelt replacement, our vehicle technicians are experts at what they do.

Here are 12 of the most important skills and traits of a successful car mechanic:

1. A Good Understanding Of All Vehicles

A good car mechanic will have an understanding of all types of vehicles and these include small cars, vans, lorries, and SUVs. Not only should they know how to repair each type of vehicle but also how they operate. Any quality car mechanic will know about the different engine types and how they work as this knowledge is vital to help them diagnose any issues quickly and efficiently.

2. The Ability To Diagnose Issues Quickly And Accurately

A car mechanic should be able to diagnose an issue without wasting too much time. Since customers rely on their cars to get to work or drop their kids off at school, the last thing any garage should do is make people wait around for no reason and with no explanation. A great car mechanic should be able to use diagnostic tools and systems to accurately determine any potential faults.

3. A Car Mechanic Must Have Excellent Communication Skills

Although mechanics spend most of their time working on cars, they still need excellent communication skills. Not only do they have to explain the problem to a customer in layman’s terms but they also need to provide an accurate estimate of how long a car repair may take and the associated cost.

4. Exceptional Customer Service Skills

Customer service skills form part of overall communication as a car mechanic does more than just identify vehicle issues, perform car repairs or know the difference between wheel alignment and wheel balancing. People spend a lot of money on their cars and want someone trustworthy, friendly and professional. They need someone who can deal with any issue in a professional manner while going above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction with the job at hand.

The only way to succeed in this industry is by treating your customers with respect, courtesy and full transparency. Get that right and you’re halfway there!

5. The Ability To Perform A Car Repair Quickly And Efficiently

A good car mechanic should be able to work quickly and efficiently without getting distracted. This means they will be able to get the job done in a timely manner without cutting any corners and putting you at risk. They should also clean up after themselves and make sure your car is in the same condition as it was when you brought it in.

6. A Car Mechanic Should Always Have A Positive Attitude

A quality car mechanic will always have a positive attitude. This is important as they will be dealing with customers on a daily basis. A good car mechanic will be able to put a smile on your face, even if you’re having a bad day.

7. The Ability To Work Well Under Pressure

A quality car mechanic will be able to work well under pressure. This means they will be able to handle a high volume of work without getting flustered and making silly mistakes. They should also have the ability to stay calm in difficult situations.

8. Mechanics Must Have Problem-Solving Skills

Not only do great mechanics need to be able to identify problems quickly but they also have to be knowledgeable about potential solutions and know how to effectively communicate this to the customer. Most people may not always react positively or understand the information fully which makes it even more important for any car mechanic to be honest when addressing questions and concerns.

9. They Must Be Technically Savvy

It’s not enough for car mechanics to know their way around a toolbox as they also need to be up-to-date on the latest technology and how to use it to solve problems. Cars today are more complex than ever and so is the technology used to repair them. Working with advanced diagnostics systems and vehicle electronics separates a decent car mechanic from a great one.

10. A Wealth Of Knowledge

A car mechanic never knows what type of vehicle they will service until they arrive. As such, mechanics must have a wealth of knowledge about cars in general. This includes brakes, cambelts, air con, electrical systems and fuel systems. They also need to have a good knowledge and understanding of the different tools and machinery available to perform a car repair regardless of the vehicle’s make or model.

11. The Ability To Upsell

A great car mechanic will not only perform car repairs but should also upsell when necessary. This means they will be able to sell additional services or products that you may need. For example, if your car needs new brakes, a good car mechanic will also check your tyres and let you know if they need to be replaced.

12. A Car Mechanic Must Have A Passion For Cars

The best technicians are often the ones with a real passion for cars and that includes knowing the latest trends and technologies. As you’d expect from a top-quality car mechanic, they will be able to spot a problem with your car before it becomes a major issue which will save you time and money in the long term.

Where To Find A Reputable Car Mechanic Near You

A great car mechanic would have worked on various cars, lorries, SUVs and even motorcycles. They are not afraid to get their hands dirty and through their experience have seen a lot of different problems with different solutions.

At Elite Garages, we only hire among the best vehicle technicians and when necessary, provide additional training on new equipment. Most recently, we provided EV training for all of our service centres through Autotech Training and also opened new branches in Newport (IOW) and Shaftesbury while upgrading others with the latest equipment.

If you’re looking for a service centre you can trust and depend upon, visit your nearest Elite Garages. Whether you need an MOT, new tyres, a cambelt replacement or any other type of car repair, an Elite Garages car mechanic has you covered no matter what.