As skilled professionals, auto mechanics perform repairs and maintenance on many brands and models of vehicles. Interviewing for an auto mechanic position is an opportunity to highlight your training and expertise, and answering questions with confidence and clarity can give you an edge over your competition. In this article, we provide sample answers for the most common questions in an auto mechanic interview and a list of additional questions to expect.
Automotive Mechanic Interview Questions and Answers
15 Mechanic Interview Questions and Answers
Imagine another mechanic disagreed with you on how to approach a vehicle repair. What would you do?
This question also evaluates a candidate’s ability to work with others in repairing a customer’s mechanical system. What to look for in an answer:
- Professionalism and respect for colleagues
- Teamwork skills
- Ability to listen actively and consider a colleague’s expertise
How would you explain the repair work you carried out on a mechanical system to a non-technical customer?
By asking this question, you can evaluate a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively. What to look for in an answer:
- Customer service skills
- Strategies for communicating non-technical terms using layperson words
- Example to support their experience explaining
What mechanic tools and software do you know how to use?
This question tells you more about a candidate’s experience and mechanical expertise. Good mechanics know how to use basic tools like wrenches, pliers, hammers, and pry bars. What to look for in an answer:
- Knowledge of how to use basic mechanic tools and software
- Experience using mechanic tools
- Attitude to learning about more tools of software for mechanics
Describe the most challenging repair task you handled.
This question enables you to assess a mechanic’s problem-solving skills and experience. It also reveals what a candidate considers a challenge. What to look for in an answer:
- Experience handling challenging repair work
- Positive attitude to work
- Mechanical expertise
How do you ensure mechanical systems are in good working condition before handing them over to customers?
After troubleshooting and repairing mechanical systems, mechanics must ensure they are in good condition. This question assesses a candidate’s attentiveness and commitment to ensuring mechanical systems work properly. What to look for in an answer:
- Work experience as a mechanic
- Thoroughness and close attention to detail
- Attitude to work
Describe your ability to work with other technical employees.
Depending on your establishment, a mechanic may need to work with technical professionals and other mechanics. The purpose of this question is to find out whether a candidate is comfortable working as part of a team. What to look for in an answer:
- Ability to work independently or in a team
- Enthusiasm for working as part of a team
- Example to show their teamwork experience
What would you do if a customer was dissatisfied with your services?
Asking this question helps you understand how a candidate deals with negative feedback from customers. An excellent candidate should focus on regaining the customer’s trust. What to look for in an answer:
- Politeness and professionalism
- Excellent customer service skills
- Emotional intelligence
Can you describe your work experience as a mechanic?
Mechanics often need work experience as an apprentice, volunteer, or employee to succeed in their role. This question helps you learn more about a candidate’s background. Pay attention to the type of mechanical system they repaired in previous positions. What to look for in an answer:
- Quantifiable experience as a mechanic
- Lessons learned from mechanic work experience
- A goal statement on contributions they aim to achieve
What safety precautions do you take as a mechanic?
Regardless of their industry, mechanics may be exposed to various work hazards. This question helps you understand what safety measures a candidate would take at your establishment. What to look for in an answer:
- Knowledge of health and safety issues for mechanics
- Understanding of preventive measures for mechanics
- Ability to follow instructions
What experience do you have supervising other employees?
This question aims to find out whether a candidate can supervise apprentices and other technical professionals in your establishment. What to look for in an answer:
- Experience as a supervisor or in other leadership roles
- Leadership skills
- Enthusiasm for the opportunity to supervise others
How do you prioritize repair tasks and customers on a busy workday?
Mechanics typically handle several repair and maintenance tasks daily. This question aims to find out whether a client can work in a fast-paced environment. What to look for in an answer:
- Excellent time management and organizational skills
- Good customer service skills
- Consistent strategy for prioritizing clients
Why are you interested in this mechanic position?
This question helps you understand why a mechanic wants to work with you. Use a candidate’s answer to determine whether they researched your establishment before the interview. What to look for in an answer:
- Enthusiasm for the mechanic position
- Career goals that align with yours
- Attitude to work and personal development
What skills do you think a mechanic needs?
Mechanics use advanced technical and mechanical skills to inspect, troubleshoot, and fix problems. The goal of this question is to find out whether a candidate understands the position. What to look for in an answer:
- Problem-solving, customer service, and technical skills
- Interest in developing skills
- Value a candidate would bring to your establishment
How do you troubleshoot a faulty mechanical system?
By asking this question, you can discover what troubleshooting technique a mechanic uses to identify technical issues. What to look for in an answer:
- Excellent critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
- Knowledge of how to troubleshoot mechanical systems accurately
- Ability to remain calm when troubleshooting mechanical systems
What’s your greatest strength as a mechanic?
By asking this question, you can determine what qualities make a mechanic stand out. It also reveals whether a candidate’s strength aligns with the position. What to look for in an answer:
- Character-based or skill-based strength
- Honesty
- Preparedness for the interview
1 How do you encourage vehicle maintenance?
This question concerns customer service and your efforts to encourage customers to return. Aim to demonstrate how youll support the company.
Example: “I consult the owners service records to see if they missed any recommended fluid changes or checks. I remind them that car warranties may require certain mechanical inspections and alert them to any they might have missed. I strive to schedule their next appointment before they leave the shop.”
Tell me about a typical day
Assure the employer that you are versatile and alert to the needs of the company. Outline how you approach your tasks and set priorities.
Example: “Well, its hard to describe a typical day since there isnt one in the automotive repair industry! I check work orders regularly and work with other mechanics to monitor the repair process. I may perform maintenance services like oil changes, tire rotation or brake checks, or the day might include diagnosing and repairing a faulty electrical system on a vintage VW or a diesel tractor transmission failure.”
In-depth and technical questions to expect in an auto mechanic interview
Employers ask these questions to test your knowledge and critical thinking skills. They may contain a mixture of technical questions and essay-type answers to hypothetical situations.
Here is a list of the top four in-depth questions asked during an auto mechanic interview:
The dual clutch transmission allows gears to be pre-selected before they are changed, so one clutch selects the second gear while the second clutch selects the third gear. There are usually seen in race cars
9) How can you judge whether the problem is due to alternator and not due to battery?
For functional battery, the standard reading for voltmeter is 14-15 which is normal, but if reading shows 13 or less then, there is a problem with the battery.
Independent suspension is referred to the mounting of the wheel on a separate axle. So, that road shocks affect only the particular wheel.
CC stands for Cubic Centimetres; it tells the total volume of the engine cylinder. It indicates that the automobile with more CC produces more power than the other engines.
Why do you want to work as an automotive technician?
Because you love cars and repairing them. You enjoy getting your hands dirty, and seeing results of your work. It’s a great feeling to work on a car that won’t move an inch when you first put your hands on it, and eventually return the keys to a satisfied customer, who drives away at full speed.
You just want to do the job you like, and since you have passion for cars, and haven’t earned a college degree to perhaps design them, job of an automotive technician seems like a perfect choice for you–perhaps the only viable choice at this stage of your career.
Why don’t you start your own car repair company? Why employment, and not freelancing?
This is a logical question, because many guys will start their own shops. Starting with repairing their own cars and cars of their friends, they are getting good references and slowly building up the list of clients. But this isn’t the way for everyone…
I suggest you to say that you love repairing cars, but do not enjoy (or outright hate) the other part of running the business–setting up a company, doing accounting, taking care of branding and marketing, handling with complains and legal obligations, etc. It’s simply not your cup of coffee. You won’t to devote 100% of your working time to the activity you enjoy the most, and excel in–repairing cars.
Another option is saying that you are just starting out, and do not feel qualified to start your own shop, or do not have the capital to run anything serious at the moment. You may reconsider your decision in five years time, when you learn more and have some savings, but definitely not earlier.
Ensure them that you do not think already about the career of en entrepreneur. Many things can happen, and the option is on the cards in the future, but now you want to work as an auto mechanic for their company, and do not think about leaving in six months time, taking some of their clients with you…
FAQ
How do I prepare for a mechanic interview?
Why do you want to work as a mechanic?
- Why did you become a mechanic? …
- Why do you want to work here? …
- What is your previous experience? …
- What are your qualifications and training? …
- Describe your idea of the main duties of an auto mechanic. …
- What is your customer service experience?
What are the main duties of a mechanic?
Auto Repair is a licensed and regulated trade, and you can choose to work your way all the way up to the master level if you have the ambition to do so. Master Mechanics have a higher salary, more job flexibility, and more opportunities than many other professions.
