What does an automotive mechanic do?

An automotive mechanic is responsible for inspecting the vehicle's engine, identifying defects and inconsistencies, and repairing malfunctioning components through diagnostic tests. Automotive mechanics diagnose problems and inform the customers of troubleshooting procedures and provide cost estimates for maintenance. They may also offer additional services to boost the engine's optimal performance and efficiency, at the same time, to generate more revenues for the business. An automotive mechanic must have excellent knowledge of the automotive industry, especially in responding to the inquiries and concerns of the customers regarding their vehicles and schedule regular repairs as necessary.
Automotive mechanic responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real automotive mechanic resumes:
- Inspect cars, service and repairs specializing in BMW repairs, manage shop, price and order parts, customer service
- Panel building, PLC programming, AC/DC drives, air compressors.
- Read and interpret engineering prints and diagrams, knowledge of PLC.
- Supervise all aspects of plumbing installation, also work in the field as a trainer.
- Perform repairs of all types on all makes and models of passenger vehicles as well as pursued ASE certification.
- Operate wide variety of equipment including power saws, sanders, grinders, cranes drills press, and forklift.
- Master ASE certify automotive mechanic.
- Inspect and repair Chrysler vehicles to original equipment manufacturer specification for resale.
- Hand on experience of adequately explaining technical diagnosis and need repairs to non-mechanical individuals.
- Explain technical diagnosis and need repairs to non-mechanical individuals which may include other teammates and customers as required.
- Work for general and sub-contractors installing, maintaining troubleshooting and repairing electrical and plumbing components fixtures and systems.
- Repair Chrysler LLC vehicles with manufacture support diagnostic information and factory service procedures in a fast pace shop environment.
- Maintain and repair all helicopters to ensure that all safety specifications and requirements are met according to FAA regulations.
- Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
- Operate an 80 ton overhead crane to precisely marry the turret to the hull of the Abrams vehicle.
Automotive mechanic skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Automotive Mechanics are proficient in Customer Service, Work Ethic, and Hand Tools. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Automotive Mechanics that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 17%
Contributed to repeat business through commitment to top quality workmanship, maximizing accuracy and excellent customer service.
- Work Ethic, 9%
showed good work ethics and work hard no matter the task.
- Hand Tools, 8%
Performed tune-up type adjustments and used common hand tools and a variety of automotive test equipment, both electronic and mechanical.
- Customer Vehicles, 7%
Completed system diagnosis* Maintained mechanical service tools on a scheduled basis* Repaired and completed service on customer vehicles
- Mechanical Problems, 5%
Utilized diagnostics test equipment to troubleshoot and resolve mechanical problems.
- Diagnosis, 5%
Explain technical diagnosis and needed repairs to non-mechanical individuals which may include other teammates and customers as required.
"customer service," "work ethic," and "hand tools" are among the most common skills that automotive mechanics use at work. You can find even more automotive mechanic responsibilities below, including:
Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for an automotive mechanic to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "service technicians discuss automotive problems—along with options to fix them—with their customers." Additionally, an automotive mechanic resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "repaired and performed preventive maintenance, minor and major repairs on customers' automobiles within allotted timeline while ensuring quality. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling automotive mechanic duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "service technicians must be aware of small details when inspecting or repairing vehicle systems, because mechanical and electronic malfunctions are often due to misalignments or other easy-to-miss causes." According to an automotive mechanic resume, here's how automotive mechanics can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "performed general and detailed preventive maintenance on manual and automatic transmissions, all mechanical systems and components. "
Dexterity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of automotive mechanics is dexterity. This skill is critical to many everyday automotive mechanic duties, as "service technicians perform many tasks that require steady hands and good hand–eye coordination, such as assembling or attaching components and subassemblies." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "used hand tools, precision instruments, power tools, welding equipment, jacks, and lifts. "
Mechanical skills. A big part of what automotive mechanics do relies on "mechanical skills." You can see how essential it is to automotive mechanic responsibilities because "service technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical automotive mechanic tasks: "received certifications for multiple automotive systems, including steering and suspension, engine mechanical, electrical, and brakes. "
Organizational skills. A commonly-found skill in automotive mechanic job descriptions, "organizational skills" is essential to what automotive mechanics do. Automotive mechanic responsibilities rely on this skill because "service technicians must keep workspaces clean and organized in order to maintain safety and ensure accountability of parts." You can also see how automotive mechanic duties rely on organizational skills in this resume example: "performed organizational and intermediate level maintenance on test equipment, launching/firing systems, and stowage facilities associated with under ordnance. "
Physical strength. Another skill commonly found on automotive mechanic job descriptions is "physical strength." It can come up quite often in automotive mechanic duties, since "service technicians must sometimes lift and maneuver heavy parts such as engines and body panels." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day automotive mechanic responsibilities: "strengthen critical thinking and analytical skills to efficiently troubleshoot performance issues. "
The three companies that hire the most automotive mechanics are:
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Automotive mechanic vs. Mechanic helper
The job of a mechanic helper is to support lead mechanics and perform a variety of duties and responsibilities. You will be assisting in the maintenance of cars, such as changing tires and oils, replacing brakes, and diagnosing vehicle issues. In addition, you will be responsible for logging labor costs and inventory use and take vehicles for test drives. Other duties include replacing belts and hoses, assisting the lead mechanic in major projects, and repairing and maintaining cars.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, automotive mechanic responsibilities require skills like "customer service," "customer vehicles," "diagnosis," and "ase." Meanwhile a typical mechanic helper has skills in areas such as "strong work ethic," "safety equipment," "safety procedures," and "mechanical equipment." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Mechanic helpers really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $36,229. Comparatively, automotive mechanics tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $51,398.On average, mechanic helpers reach similar levels of education than automotive mechanics. Mechanic helpers are 0.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Automotive mechanic vs. Shop technician
Shop Technicians are skilled workers assigned to a retail store. Their main activities depend on the nature of the business their company is in. Usually, Shop Technicians work with machines in the shop. They conduct repair and maintenance work for machines that have long been in the shop. They are also in charge of installing and building new machines as well. Shop Technicians are assigned to manage records of such machines or s other mechanical items in the store. This is part of the administrative activities they may do for the shop.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real automotive mechanic resumes. While automotive mechanic responsibilities can utilize skills like "ase," "diagnostic equipment," "mechanical repairs," and "automotive repair," shop technicians use skills like "preventative maintenance," "cranes," "electrical systems," and "dot."
Shop technicians earn a lower average salary than automotive mechanics. But shop technicians earn the highest pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $45,857. Additionally, automotive mechanics earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $51,398 annually.In general, shop technicians achieve similar levels of education than automotive mechanics. They're 1.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for automotive mechanics in the next 3-5 years?
Automotive mechanic vs. Mobile equipment mechanic
Mobile equipment mechanics are skilled employees who are responsible for conducting repairs and maintenance of construction and surface mining equipment such as bulldozers, cranes, and excavators. These mechanics must inspect machines and heavy equipment while evaluating operating manuals to perform diagnosis and resolve any defects. They are required to use hand and power tools to perform repairs on the defective equipment parts. Mobile equipment mechanics must also check any open circuits on the electrical systems of heavy equipment.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an automotive mechanic is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "work ethic," "customer vehicles," and "diagnosis," while a typical mobile equipment mechanic is skilled in "cranes," "electrical systems," "loaders," and "mechanical systems."
Mobile equipment mechanics make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $84,306. On the other hand, automotive mechanics are paid the highest salary in the manufacturing industry, with average annual pay of $51,398.When it comes to education, mobile equipment mechanics tend to earn similar degree levels compared to automotive mechanics. In fact, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Automotive mechanic vs. Diesel technician
Diesel technicians specialize in repairing and handling the maintenance of vehicles powered by diesel. They are primarily responsible for inspecting cars, conducting tests, and identifying its problems to determine what course of action to take. Aside from repairing engines, diesel technicians may also fix other systems such as brakes, steering, and even lighting. It is essential to discuss the extent of repairs to clients and make them understand the costs involved. Furthermore, it is vital to maintain an accurate record of data at all times.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between automotive mechanics and diesel technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an automotive mechanic might have more use for skills like "customer vehicles," "customer satisfaction," "diagnostic equipment," and "mechanical repairs." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of diesel technicians require skills like "cdl," "preventative maintenance," "dot," and "electrical systems. "
Diesel technicians enjoy the best pay in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $49,875. For comparison, automotive mechanics earn the highest salary in the manufacturing industry.In general, diesel technicians hold similar degree levels compared to automotive mechanics. Diesel technicians are 0.2% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of automotive mechanic
Updated January 8, 2025











