Why Are Mechanics Quitting their Jobs

[@ChadAV69]

Being a mechanic is a great opportunity. You work in a hot dirty shop with ridiculous timelines, you get paid peanuts AND you have to buy your own tools. I don't know how anyone could pass that up.

[@rustedhorsepower5132]

You forgot that you occasionally get yelled at and blamed for things out of your control.

[@jamessmith2214]

Pimping at its finest!

[@darkspartan806]

Don't forget, the only job you have to pay to work.

[@Mr_BUSINESS_24_7]

paid in PIZZA

[@rustedhorsepower5132]

@@Mr_BUSINESS_24_7 ha ha haaa, yup. "We're buying yall pizza for you guys doing such a great job".

[@rustedhorsepower5132]

I AM a professional mechanic, and spent nearly 24 years working in dealerships, when i read tech shortage, i think, "good, dealerships deserve this". For decades of tech abuse. payback is a b!#@& aint it!

[@fernleytire]

Chrysler owes me 500K after 25 years of free warranty work !!

[@jeffthomas7345]

The Ford dealership in my area blamed the shortage on “ people don’t want to work “. Says he pays his guys $65 an hour. And the transmission guys even more. Somehow I doubt it.

[@rustedhorsepower5132]

@@jeffthomas7345 those do seem like high numbers. But even if its true, they bring you in at a high rate, to get you hired. Then, they start limiting what work you're allowed, because "they cant afford it", then they start limiting your hours in general. Remember, even at $65 an hour, if they are jacking with your hours and you are spending whole days there, YOU CAN come up with an actual rate below your listed $65 an hour. When i ditched the last dealer i was flagging $40 an hour, and saw my hours dragged to 20...for a full work week, maybe 50 actual hours AT WORK. Thats $16 bucks an hour! Given, that was the last, and worst week, but it was enough for me to say, "nope, this isnt working out"

[@Isaiah-ft5nx]

Yeah, but ultimately the little man will suffer the most. The corporate overlords will just cut their money and run to the next scam. They aren’t going to self reflect and feel any remorse. They’ll probably blame mechanics for being entitled and lazy.

[@rustedhorsepower5132]

@@Isaiah-ft5nx let them blame who ever they want, i walked away and im waaay happier.

[@rodvan-zeller6360]

There is no shortage of auto techs, there is a shortage of good employers. A quick example, last shop I worked at the owner handed a mechanic a pair of "latex gloves" to work safely on a hybrid.

[@lvsqcsl]

So, what did you expect? Do you think the mechanic should have been handed an arc-flash suit rated for so many calories of protection along with electrical gloves that get tested periodically for possible cracks that wouldn't adequately protect him? Surely you jest......LOL.

[@rodvan-zeller6360]

@@lvsqcsl Expected approved gloves.

[@maxscott3349]

​@@lvsqcslI don't think that's going to protect you from the actual hazards of the battery

[@InspireNThrive206]

There is definitely a short of mechanics...cuz no one wants to do bullshit warranty work.

[@GoonyMclinux]

If you are working on a hybrid and don't already have the safety equipment you likely shouldn't be working on it in the first place.

[@coolbluelights]

I've been fixing my own cars for the past 20 years just from being too broke to hire a mechanic. looks like i'm prepared for the future.

[@troyscheller5752]

I went to 3 years of school for automotive in the late 1990s. Worked in the industry for 3 years after that and realized how screwed up it was. Now i sit on my butt in an air conditioned truck for 8 hrs a day. Home every night. Awesome benefits and fantastic insurance. Hands dont hurt any more and theyre clean. No road salt dripping in my eyes. No nasty floorboards to crawl around underdash.

[@user-jc1hm3pv6i]

What job do you do now?

[@troyscheller5752]

@user-jc1hm3pv6i i drive a semi for ups

[@billyryder501]

I’ve been a mechanic for over 40 years I’m so happy my son is a electrician making a lot more than me being a mechanic sucks period

[@oscarperez5539]

Do you know why the auto industry is in shambles rn?

[@spotless624]

ford tech here.... quit 8 years ago.... why do sales people get paid more???????? all they have is a tongue and a pen ... yes im over 40 ....

[@AllanHoliday-s7z]

I live in the Midwest. There are many bad things about this career path. Cherry picking tickets, shark tank environment where you can not trust your fellow employees. Sabotage by co workers, flag time is a joke until you learn more in depth repairs. Warranty work that doesn't pay being given to one employee instead of spread out to help lessen the pay gap. Dealerships having you sign paperwork giving away your rights. This career path is heavily political. Having people who are not managers tell you what to do because they are friends with managers. Alot of snitches and employees trying to get you fired with a smile on thier face. Lying customers or fellow employees about vehicles. The investment in proper tools. Electric cars are EXTREMELY dangerous. Car companies fighting the repair industry by not allowing you to repair.

[@BV-Auto]

I started my own mobile mechanic business this year on July 4th. I'm nowhere near wealthy, but I'm free .

[@jaredjared4451]

Professional automotive technicians are finally waking up and refusing to be paid like it's 1975. Before we start, this is the pay rate for Journeyman technicians, which means these are licensed and proper technicians that have completed their apprenticeship and have passed their trade's certification test, akin to passing the Bar exam for a lawyer, for a strict 40-hour workweek with no overtime, with 50-weeks paid per year. (Vacation time for trades is so rare that I'm not including 2-weeks of paid vacation here.) Please also keep in mind the following professions are paid hourly, regardless of billable time. This means that from the time you "Clock-in" to the time you "Clock-out" you are being paid for your time as opposed to vehicle technicians who are paid "flat-rate (In the USA) meaning they are paid a a set amount to diagnose, a certain amount to repair, and a certain amount to perform general service that does not pay them for the time to "grab" a new job, find the vehicle, commonly not even test drive the vehicle, drive the "job" to their work area, test-drive "or quality-check" their work (this could mean not checking their brake repair that you're about to put your family in for a road trip), nor does it pay them to park the "job" and walk back to repeat the process over again. Opposed to the below trades that pay you from the time you "Clock-in" to the time you "Clock-out" even if you need 20-minutes to poo, these following trades pay you for that, but not automotive... HVAC - $30.00 to $50.00 per hour, HOURLY. $60,000- $100,000+ - Tool investment - $250.00 to $2,000 Plumber - $25.00 to $45.00 per hour, HOURLY. $55,000 - $90.000+ - Tool investment - $250.00 to $4,500 (PEX tooling is not cheap) Electrician - $30.00 to $60.00 per hour, HOURLY. $60,000 - $120,000+ - Tool investment - $250.00 to $1,500 An automotive technician must be competent in all of those trades to properly do their job. Automotive Technician - $18.00 to $40.00, FLAT-RATE. $25,000 to $100,000+* - Tool investment - $10,000 to $65,000+ (You are always buying tools because cars are always changing. It is common to spend $2,000 to $6,000 PER YEAR on new tools because they are required for you to keep working.) The other trades don't have the same liability nor responsibilities. "Oh, your toilet didn't flush? Well, did anyone die?" Oh, your kitchen lights don't work? Well, did anyone die?" "Oh, your brakes failed? How many died?" *Depending on quantity and type of job. E.G. Replacing brakes all day, everyday will pay more. Diagnosing complex electrical issues all day, every day while being the most skilled and educated technician in the shop will pay less due to more time spent on the job than you have been allotted. It's not difficult to see why automotive technicians are quitting.

[@bullitthead7853]

I started in a dealership in 1997 with an aim to become the best engine performance and electrical diagnostic technician in the shop because it is what I enjoyed and what I thought could earn the most money. I was blown away when I realized that the brake job and front end repair techs made more money than the diagnostic guys!!! Flat rate works ok for the parts slingers but is TERRIBLE for the diagnostic techs. Your comment is spot on in all regards. This profession SUCKS. Things need to change drastically and soon, or the country is going to be walking.

[@alex1949]

Don't forget all the needed subscriptions to get technical data and downloads or to unlock security

[@sirtickleshitz]

Let's not forget when the shop refuses to buy shop tools and equipment, then expect you to buy it and share it with the entire shop like some damn commune. They wanted us to remove our paid for toolboxes because it "didn't match the color scheme of the shop" which included the master techs personal box with half of his tools. He brought up that he had tools the whole shop needed, manager didn't care, master tech then gave him a list of shop tools and equipment that he couldn't keep on hand because he didn't have the toolbox (keeping in mind that if your tools are stolen, they say "oh well" it's on you). Master tech gave him a list of tools and it exceeded $35k, the manager then shut up and told him he could keep the toolbox, but he already paid to have it loaded. He refused to do majority of his jobs because he didn't have the tools to perform diagnostics and repairs. Pissed the manager off 😂

[@handlesrstupid123]

Man I wish the other trades paid as well as this post, well they do but thosr jobs are rare as a union job

[@Nicks-qc6ty]

Aircraft mechanics get shit pay too

[@DKSE123]

Most vehicles built prior to about 2005 (ish) , can be kept alive and well by the owners with only a modest set of tools .

[@tonylam9548]

They said the same thing in the 80s with cars of the 70s.

[@michaelbenoit248]

As someone that’s jumped from several shops for those reading this contemplating being a mechanic DO NOT do it. It sucks!

[@ChristopherPuff]

I went to school to be a mechanic. I hated the job so now I fix computers. Cheaper tools, better pay, less assholes.

[@donaldlee6760]

At 8:27 - I'm an office worker in the San Francisco Bay Area, but I've been doing simple DIY work on my "family fleet" for years. Last summer I changed the timing belt on my wife's 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. It was my first ever timing belt job and it was both terrifying and exciting but in the end it wasn't the huge deal I had built it up in my own mind. Ended up costing $200 using an AISIN kit with included water pump, vs $2000 at my local independent Toyota/Honda/Subaru shop in Berkeley, CA. The *ONLY* reason I had the courage to change my timing belt was KZbin videos that showed me the process step by step.

[@iamredrunt172]

Congratulations. These jobs can be quite complex. Especially on hybrids. Timing belt issues and gear timing. Glad to hear a DYIr did it with no problems. I bet you it took you awhile. 🤪

[@donaldlee6760]

@@iamredrunt172 - "...I bet it took you awhile..." - Yep, I made sure we had an extra car and did it over a couple weekends a couple hours at a time. The biggest part was waiting for an 8mm stud extractor. Amazon sent me the wrong size and I had to wait for an exchange. I had my kids film the first start figuring if the engine grenades at least we have a fun video to share with friends and family, but it started up just fine. Years from now when I do this again I'm confident I can do it 3x faster and I've got the tool so it should be a 1 day job.

[@davids.9834]

Fellow DIYer here. I do it all........ and electric cars don't scare me. I went to voc tech for electrical in high school and did extensive electronic repair in the Air Force, with a side helping of creating software........ Bring on the electric cars... Im ready...... I am in the minority though, and it is going to be real tough to find people who will work on them. High voltage DC is a dangerous animal......

[@messemphanger]

I've been out of the automotive repair business for over 24 years. I worked at a very large, well known, dealership in Bucks County Pennsylvania. Yes, warranty work sucks, saw it back then when I was a newbie and knew I made the wrong career choice. I now work at a large pharmaceutical manufacturing company as a machine repair technician making quadruple the money with excellent benefits. Also, all of my tools are supplied for me. The one thing that I don't regret is the knowledge I gained whilst working at the dealership which I use to this day.

[@lisalarrr]

Mechanics over worked and under paid. Not appreciated and taken advantage of by suits.

[@fernleytire]

Chrysler owes me 500K afrer 25 years of free warranty work !!

[@YuckFou0x0FFFF]

One time my employer tried to dock a ridiculous amount of money from my pay for a damaged door panel reported by a customer. What stopped him was the husband calling and saying that their grandson did it. God bless that man's soul. Like, If I'm financially responsible for any damages, why aren't I getting a 50% commision or more?

[@gregorymalchuk272]

Is it even legal to take money out of paychecks for damaged stuff?

[@YuckFou0x0FFFF]

@@gregorymalchuk272 Under contract, it is.

[@newjersey502]

I went out on my own 10 years ago and have done ok. No more warranty work and if the job is not worth it I diagnose and pass on the job . Also I can turn down Chrysler, VW, Mercedes and BMW or any car that is back A$$ backwards. I stay busy and don’t miss the dealership . I started out with word of mouth and business cards. I can charge a good rate and don’t have to share my pay with the service adviser or dealership. The rate mechanics get at the dealership in my opinion is way too low. I feel lucky and appreciative it worked out for me.

[@truthseeker2190]

I've been a mechanic for many many years now and I'm actively seeking a new trade Mechanics have to be electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians all on top of being a mechanic, and most shops it takes threatening to put your toolbox in your truck before these filth rich, greedy shop owners will even consider giving you a raise and other trades start their low end salaries where mechanics top out For all the headache it's just not worth it, and besides, mechanics know they'll always be able to fix their own vehicles

[@jasonleatherwood2172]

I left the industy to fix floor scrubbers pays 25$ a hour they provide tools 3 weeks vacation no bulkshit

[@fernleytire]

Chrysler owes me 500K afrer 25 years of free warranty work !!

[@king49334]

i worked as over night wawa cleaner for 5 months. pays 22$ hour

[@jasonleatherwood2172]

@@fernleytire ive seen this post other places i believe you but youll never get it man thats why i left i aint doing shit for free anymore

[@Beef_Supreeeme]

I had my car at the workshop for 6 weeks because they couldn't figure out what was causing a warning light. They don't understand the product that they officially represent and service. They also quoted $1600 for a water pump replacement. I decided to do it myself and it came to $300 all up.

[@Re.T986]

High risk, low reward. I think that sums it up.

[@robertsaliceti2122]

Dead end job

[@AllenNix-iz6ev]

After I retired from the shop... I went out and bought my self a van now I'm now doing mobile mechanics.... Don't have to be pressured on time and enjoying the freedom being my own boss ...

[@markfromtinder9616]

Im a bodytech and im done. My body feels so tired and broken

[@jamessmith2214]

IM GLAD TECHS ARE FINALLY STANDING UP FOR THEMSELVES. GO WHERE YOU'RE APPRECIATED FOR YOUR WORK AND EFFORTS!

[@iamredrunt172]

I am a retired 65 year mechanic aka automotive technician. Everything you say is true. Technology is changing very fast. It used to be nuts and screws, now it's computers and high end scan tools. Modern cars are like BIC lighters, when they run out of gas, throw it away and buy a new one. It's all about the🤑

[@cryora]

Computers wouldn't be so bad if manufacturers didn't lock everything away in the software. Maybe the solution will be open-source automobiles.

[@Roaddawg68]

I walked away after 34 years , shit pay, i have to buy my own tools , one lousy week vacation, no 401k and treated and spoken to like garbage, you have all the stress of fixing these new cars owmers reap the benifits, do something else horrible dead end job. Not to mention greedy ass shop owmers who cry poverty, what is the incentive to be a technician? Nothing. Way to much work and knowledge and not enough pay for what you do, its truly sad. I like what i did but hated the biz. We want to be employed not exploited like people say.

[@ooqueso2732]

I've been a shade tree mechanic for almost 20 years. Maintenance is key, but how you drive it makes a big impact on your vehicle's longevity. People don't just need to learn how to fix them, they could learn a lot about how to drive them, too. It's your personal transportation machine, not a disposable appliance (unless you bought an electric car)!

[@rustedhorsepower5132]

Sidework is where its at. Find good customers, give them high grade service, and charge an honest amount. Set good communication lines that run both ways. Customers...find a good mechanic, and be truthful and loyal to them, dont cheap out on them, dont be that customer NO ONE wants to deal with. Go old school, know your mechanic, 1 on 1, no one needs the dealership hierarchy.

[@binggo2787]

THIS GUY IS 100% RIGHT.

[@michaelwilliams-wg3ng]

You will never make any money working for someone else. Doesn’t matter what field you’re in.

[@logan00721]

Thats why i just rented my own space charge 50% less than almost every shop in my area and actually help people instead of charging people $1000 to still have a broken car haha

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

People have the right to leave a bad job that doesn’t work for them, even if it is making them money. Money ain’t everything and if a bad job becoming a detriment to your health and life, have no shame to close shop and move onto learning new job skills and better jobs.

[@fernleytire]

Chrysler owes me 500K afrer 25 years of free warranty work !!

[@bluelightguy1]

Shortage of paying mechanics is the problem

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

prison laborers will be working on your car in the future.

[@douglastaylor8039]

No immigrants

[@mostwantedmotor]

At high levels a tech needs to be intelligent, which is counter productive to slave like working conditions, once they smart enough to work on these complex machines they will also be smart enough to know their getting screwed.

[@Aaron-or6ov]

I was a 25 year dealership tech. Left for another career. The dealers And also independent shops that do not want to help techs. They are greedy and only care about themselves and their own profits. I know I can get into why and when and what but we all know the issues if you are an Auto Tech.

[@fernleytire]

Chrysler owes me 500K afrer 25 years of free warranty work !!

[@jigthepuff4540]

Be a mechanic and make a whole $50k a year if even that in my area.

[@MrCaribe65]

Mechanics always tried to rip me off, so I started fixing my cars myself. I own two cars, so if one is down for a while, I can still get around. If you find an honest and quality mechanic, pay him/her. They're rare.

[@cantbuyrespect]

I left the field after 15 years, I make more money in a entry level IT role then I did as an advanced level tech that could do diagnostics, engine rebuilds, axle rebuilds, transmission replacements, frame replacements etc.

[@gavinelliot3564]

Shortage in every trade/tough men treated like shit that's why we walk/goes the same for relationships/fukit.

[@jagesosot]

My friend was a mechanic many years ago. He missed it a bit but did not want to change job fully. So he started a firm and put up some posters around his neighborhood. He recently built a fairly big garage with a lift and space for about 6 cars. He have 2 classics of his own. No electrical jobs because today you need company's expensive computers and codes, but he can change anything, just don't code it in. The jobs are poring in like crazy and his neighborhood is not even that big. He is a good mechanic and helped me alot of times when im at my wits end. He called me and said he just hoped he could get maybe a job a week or less. in 3 days he already is booked on 8 jobs. its crazy so he has paused for now he has a family and an ordinary job as well. If he likes it there is no shortage of jobs thats for sure. This weekend he have done 5 of the jobs, and he have looked up some prices and takes about half of an ordinary shop. It's good money and the customers are so happy because he is so cheap. So something is happening for sure.

[@justcallmeeddie1]

Seeing the same thing in our area. Glad to hear there are people doing there best to help out others.

[@themaverickmechanic7240]

It’s a great idea and would create competition for all the big chains charging $200 an hr. Just sucks that zoning in a lot of areas act like mechanic shops are a blight on the neighborhood. I do things similarly and it’s a great work from home scenario. Just can’t get too big or the local government gets upset.

[@thomasfricke8262]

I quit last year after 9 years and ive never been happier.

[@gennadiyfriedman9741]

I have been a DIYer past 10 years and fixed a lot on my 3.2l XC90 ‘07, Jeep and other cars I owned and absolutely love it. Huge satisfaction from the job done, tons of money saved over time and, most importantly, quality work I guarantee simply b/c I do it for myself: proper parts, all torque to spec, triple checked everything etc. I asked another day the Volvo dealership how often I need to change the tranny fluid, they said never b/c it’s designed to last for life, but define me what “life” means? For them it’s 5years which is the average time an average American household keeps a car before they buy a new one which is exactly what the car makers want … so 100% agree and support all you said. Awesome channel, love it!

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

so?

[@jeffreylyons1531]

I left a Toyota dealership as a master tech, I’m done working for anyone. If your feel stuck, your not, it’s scary but take the jump and get out of there. I’ve been out for almost 5 years now and I have ZERO regrets, my life is beautiful and stress free now. Good luck.

[@bullitthead7853]

I'm kind of thinking that planned obsolescence is key to the EV push. If an EV battery lasts 10 years, that's almost a guarantee that people will replace their car every 10 years, good news for manufacturers. Unless the cost of batteries end up coming down, it's going to be a hard decision to replace a $15,000 battery on a 10-year-old car that can be replaced with a new vehicle for $30,000.

[@location_florida]

When that does actually become a problem, people will start put combustion engines in these pos EV if they weren't smart enough to hold on to an old vehicle

[@MrCrossface007]

Yes in deed. People have to learn to fix their own cars. It’s the only way. I learned how to fix my own cars and now I’m no longer afraid of buying cars that are on their last leg. That’s pretty much all I look for. Either that or one with high miles. Great deals to be had! I will say, and many won’t believe me but, bmws are the easiest cars by far to work on. Not only that but there are more KZbin videos, forums and black market software to fix them.

[@cnadjohnson3546]

I have been a mechanic for 20 years, mostly fleet maintenance on medium and heavy duty trucks. Boys and girls it's not worth it, you will spend tens of thousands of dollars on tools, your body will be broken, and you will have to fight tooth and nail to get paid a wage worth your work.

[@danhewitt5109]

This problem has been coming for 20+ years, the pay has gone down, hours gotten worse, management is horrible, tools costs are ridiculous, no retirement or respect, so why would anyone want to do this kind of work, they expect us to repair things like a doctor but pay us like we work fast food, hold on tight it's going to get way worse

[@fernleytire]

Chrysler owes me 500K afrer 25 years of free warranty work !!

[@MarcosMartinez-m3k]

I was a master technition for honda. I just reseantly left the dealer ship after being a tech since 1999. And i got tired of the dealer making money. And them coming the labor rate of a tech should get payed for a job. Example an alignment used to pay 2.0 hours there labor rate went up and now thay wanted to pay the tech 1.0 for an alignment. After doing the math for the past 5 years i been losing money and working harder to earn a decent check. I left to go work at a better and hourly pay job. I hung up my tools for good. Now i am much happier with what i do.

[@castajc82]

What was your rate at Honda? Were u turning at least 65 to 75 per week?

[@davidbrewer8402]

I will be 46 this week since I was 17 years old, I have worked from quick lube and tune-up places not naming names to the dealers perfectly Fords back in the day when they were not junk Master at the old school power strokes to several private shops until I relocated a little over 10 years ago to the East Coast been at the place I'm at now for approximately 12 years My specialty is heavy repair motors transmissions differentials. It don't matter if it's a Ford Chevy Dodge Audi Volkswagen heater cores evaporator cores. Pretty much everything. I'd preferably avoid electrical which sad reality. A lot of stuff is turning electrical I've worked commission. I've worked hourly spend an average of $3000to $5,000 a year to keep up with basic specialty tools on top of what I spent the past 20 plus years. Buying the money where I'm at is okay as far from the Grand slam but it beats the hustle and politics of the most dealerships And after approximately 28 or 29 years of doing this I've came to the point where I'm flat out saying I am absolutely sick and tired of looking at cars. And yeah I probably have about 10 years left in me but it's really bad when you so sick of it. You're actually debating applying to be a bus driver because I could put about 10 to 15 years into the state and county get a better retirement than what this industry provides

[@jameshibbert9813]

My shop in Decatur, Ga. had very little turnover. We paid more than anyone in the Atlanta area. But the main reason we had low turnover was we cared about our mechanics. Most places do not seem to care.

[@LuwiigiMaster]

It feels like the only mechanics that people are willing to be are fleet mechanics. With how comically complicated cars have become, people would rather work on the same car a hundred times, than work on a hundred different cars once each. It's easier to work for a company that has dozens of Grand Caravans, since they're all practically identical and what you learn from one will transfer to another.

[@vkpc1]

I have been fixing my own cars for the last 6 years but no way i will fix a friend or relatives car as you suggested, the risks are too high

[@mcgee1864]

I have 2 absolutely great, 100% trustworthy, A+ Mechanic shops that are very close to me!! Both independent "mom and pop" shops where the owners are there and helping to work on things!!! The one shop its just the owner and one helper!!! They can be a little backed up with work sometimes because of how absolutely solid both their reputations are. Though, i believe its definitely worth it to wait an extra day or two to get your car fixed. That way you know that the job is getting done properly and for the most reasonable price a mechanic can afford to offer!!! I'd rather go that route as opposed to being in a rush to get my car fixed, so i get it back at the end of that same day or the next day, but come to find out that it hadn't been done properly or I got charged a good bit more thsn what I should have/could have paid!!! Im so glad i don't have to worry about finding good mechanics and getting my vehicles worked on!!!

[@CloudStrife-zk6uv]

Flatrate + gravy suckers = no more good techs.

[@baits9301]

Got out of the trade a long time ago , and have never looked back . Lowest paid trade for getting dirty and greasy . Some of the cars you work on , you'll never be able to afford . Long warranty means Mechanics have to work for less .

[@fernleytire]

Chrysler owes me 500K afrer 25 years of free warranty work !!

[@stevemcqueen5974]

I have been licensed 30 years in canada and it's like that here too. Shithole shops Politics General bullshit So are you hiring ?! I am on medical leave.. mental breakdown and heart attack related to stress. And I am damn good still.

[@stephenb7902]

It was time to get out of the business you get sued for not working on someone car. That's what happen to me

[@fernleytire]

Chrysler owes me 500K afrer 25 years of free warranty work !!

[@joecummings1260]

Being a mechanic isn't like other jobs. You can't be like the office worker who says shit like "people make mistakes, that's why they put erasers on pencils" or some other stupid stuff spewing from their mouths. When you are a mechanic, small mistakes make really expensive shit go bang, and if you are unlucky, seriously hurt somebody.

[@fernleytire]

Chrysler owes me 500K afrer 25 years of free warranty work !! Everything is all good untill something goes wrong, Then you are called a lier and a theff

[@woodrmp1]

I had a colleague recently make a small mistake on a mfg line and it cost our company over $250k usd

[@jesserochabrun4863]

I work at a dealership and I feel bad for the customers because there are some hacks that work here because management does not want to pay technicians but they raise the labor rate to keep the money coming in. They really don't care about the customer. They would rather sell you a new car and add their 1.5% interest on top of the bank loan. That's how they make money. Planned obsolescence is real.

[@E39M5SPEED]

Because flat rate. That’s why I left. I would always get told by the shop owner and by the service advisor. Well, you know alldata says so-and-so for time. To which my response was well, how about let’s get all data over here and have them do the job Otherwise pay me the hours that I’m quoting. 😅

[@douglastaylor8039]

@bullitthead7853 how does that happen when the dealerships are pushing the mechanics to bring in more money changing more parts even if it's not necessary??? Plus you get a cut of every part you change. Plus by the book if a job says 3 hours and mechanic does the repair in 1 hour the dealership charges 3 hours. Criminal. We're becoming a nation of crooks.

[@johnc1014]

The way I see it, these mass shortages in trade jobs are a huge encouragement to learn to do more on your own. I personally always seek to do my own maintenance/repairs as much as possible. Sometimes I do need the professionals to do something. But, most often, I can work on my own vehicle. Also, this is a big reason why people should seek to buy more reliable vehicles that just break less over time. I always encourage people to buy older, used Hondas and Toyotas. If you want an endless money pit with few people available to actually fix it, get some Audi, BMW, or other European brand.

[@castajc82]

Damn… I been fortunate in this industry over the last 20 years. I’ve been able to work for some pretty decent dealerships. I was in the aftermarket for a few years before I made the jump to the dealership. Worked for Nissan, Hyundai, Cadillac, Honda and current gmc and Subaru. I’m at 45 per hour flat rate. Work 45-50 hours per week and usually turn between 70 and 80 hours per week. More if I work Saturdays and stay late or come in early a few times a week. I’m at 45 per hour right now. Be at 48 once I complete all my gmc and Subaru self studies. Also have my ase master tech cert, state inspection license, emissions license and working on my L1-L3. I’m on track to clear 150k this year and hopefully hit the 170-180 mark next year. First quarter of the year was shit for me. I left a Honda dealer after 8 years there due to being tired of the commute and being mis led about my pay increase to 50 an hour. Went to a small independent shop in January and was quickly reminded why I prefer the dealer. Can’t work with the low alldata labor times. Many which are actually factory warranty times. Ended up at my current dealer 5 min from my house. This business has its ups and downs like any other but it definitely has its upsides to.

[@charlesharnois3684]

Retired Tech 35yrs. in the trade great comments here, so I won't repeat, my last foreman sums up the auto mechanic trade, he stated, there are plenty of people who want to work on cars! Yeah i want my 40 thousand car serviced by a hamburger flipper! This is the problem in a nutshell! great video thanks!

[@chevalsauer]

I call myself a petrol-head, untrained mechanic, with an interest in it, and as such, I've learned so much from youtube channels and how to do the basics to the more advanced head gasket, valve seals, injector seals, and timing belts jobs on my old Toyota, which is very well designed and durable, compared to the rest of the modern over-engineered rubbish that's out there. They shouldn't be this complex, and there's going to be a massive shortage and outrage as the majority are misinformed buying over-priced junk that needs too much work including transmissions, plastic timing chain guides, computers and now high voltage heavy high priced battery replacements and disposal, not to forget the added fire dangers of impact accidents, heavy tire wear and lengthy re-charging time frames. Mechanics are going to be swamped, are underpaid and over-stressed, and my old yota sitting pretty on 470k kms is still going strong. It shouldn't be this way, just corporate greed - corruption on all levels - sell them rubbish forcing them to buy new again in 5 to ten years.

[@davidbrewer8402]

And one more little note to add back when commission first started on automobiles was with Henry Ford and correct me if I'm wrong but back in the day Craftsman is what they were called. Their commission was 50%. Ford gets 50%. The Craftsman AKA technician gets 50%. Nowadays it's more like company gets 85%. While technician gets 15%

[@jasonwareing905]

It's amazing at this point there are so many videos telling us why it's so difficult to find mechanics now considering it's blatantly obvious why.

[@chandlermcroberts1875]

I’ve not seen a mechanic do mechanic work in decades. I’d say that at this point in time the vast majority merely replace old parts with new parts and cross their fingers.

[@strangeroamer3219]

I just fix my own cars and that's it. Sometimes people see me and come ask me for advice. I tell them I don't know. I'm already struggling fixing my own stuff. I'm not dealing with other people's mess. And then they won't even pay me for my time. I'm fine with my day job. Fixing my own cars is just a way to save money. I don't even like it as a hobby.

[@michaelwilliams-wg3ng]

Rais your prices. Be up front. don’t haggle. Own your own shop

[@russelljconquerslifehawkey]

I’m a service tech at Amazon. Don’t have to break a sweat and make 38 bucks an hour. Why would I ever go work in a mechanic shop

[@frankporfidio9813]

Auto industry went WAY TOO far with technology , do we really need a whole circuit boards for a tail light ? They passed the point of no return !!

[@loganfox9424]

The problem is that the industry is long, hard hours with little pay. Seeing it firsthand. I'm over this industry. It taught me a lot and didn't regret it in any way. That knowledge will always be sacred. The point is that the pay sucks.

[@luigicassar1153]

I am a retire mechanic the good old days we made good money now everything is under warranty and warranty. Unfortunately it doesn’t pay I work for Nissan for 40 years

[@SmudgyContent]

6:19 roomer on methplant Chrysler after they bought Originally Developed AMC’s 4.7L engine, they engineered it to be reliable for around 150k miles. They were intended as their first production throwaway engine. Me personally, I love that little 4.7L V8. Even bought a 01 DakotaSport. Spec was 4.7L NV3500 4wd 9&1/4 rearend factory LSD. Single cab short bed. Rated it for 290hp. Which it was faster than my 00 Silverado 5.3 scsb. After my 2nd Gen Dakota I got a 3rd Gen due to false virtues on reliability and simplicity of maintenance. 3rd gen was a lemon. I’m just now getting into electrical work with vehicles. It was the old farmers and hillbillies in Luther Mi who taught me about fixing my crap.

[@ashleyc8303]

The only reason I has to learn some mechanic stuff is because during covid mechanics at my shop quit and they did this new service writer plus maintenence stuff but gave bonuses if you could do fleet hours it was crazy

[@fernleytire]

Chrysler owes me 500K afrer 25 years of free warranty work !!

[@zerozero1944]

😂 warehouses pay more and buccs pays like $25 hr the problem is that the shop owners scam their workers and a mechanic buys and buys and buys and buys and buys and continues to buy 😂 while the owner cashes in

[@king49334]

the money spent on tools could be use on some where else for investing

[@russelljconquerslifehawkey]

Every time I take my car to the dealership, they wanted me to spend $5000 and I just come in for an oil change. Those people are a holes and complete rip off.

[@xobk]

I found out how much it cost to replace my timing belt and suddenly that day I became my own mechanic and never looked back.

[@spinkey4842]

this is an issue that spans all trades. some folks out here shaming men for being men and a blue collar worker and unfortunately it effects the young boys out there when looking for work. "O no, i'll never do any labor jobs, that's for losers!!" brother we're fooked

[@kaidakemes1260]

Thx alot i love the skill learnt. Freedom to learn cause i bin broke. Getting close to money by reading n doing with mentors.

[@DavidRodriguez-qd1yv]

New vehicles requires 1st oil change at 10K ! Every mechanically inclined person would have it change on the 1st 1K mileage, every new engine will have metal shavings after the break in period. That’s one way dealers keep mechanics workforce to the minimal.

[@nlnl4523]

Skilled,highly skilled mechanics AKA automotive techinicians are hard too find... Buying the tools and electrical automotive scanners are the easy part. The average mechanic with 5 yrs of experience get paid the same as somebody who has 10 too 15 yrs of provable experience and knowledge. Just cause a person works at a quick lube shop for a yr doesn't make you a skilled mechanic AKA auto technician . The highly skilled ones will not for for that pay after what they have put out for just tools,not including the tool box,the extra wire kits,etc and then theres the time away from being home or missing your family cause you are working 12hr shifts for 8 hrs of pay. Not right.

[@guysparks]

Where there's scarcity, there's opportunity.

[@Just-HitAWall]

In Canada the guys I know make 45h to 70h for diesel specialist.

[@theniceneighbor]

I started working on my car about 10 years ago. It's an old paid for Honda Accord. At this point I have not had many required repairs, but things that I chose to replace prematurely to keep the vehicle in top shape. Over that time I have learned a lot about this car and what makes it so reliable. I am concerned that the new Hondas and Toyotas lack the characteristics that made Honda and Toyota reputable names. As manufacturers switched to smaller turbocharged engines to appease the EPA while simultaneously people are less inclined to work on their own vehicles and manufacturers extending service intervals. It is a recipe for disaster. If my engine where it goes out. I will buy another one and put it in and go for another 300,000 mi.

[@2bfranky]

3:36 Customer: You scratched my paint and interior door sill panel. 😂

[@laughingatjeffisencouraged1975]

About a two week week to get into my mechanic! With mechanics that I’ve known for years

[@williamdebene2394]

Aaaaaaandd THAT, my friend is everything we’ve been saying for ten years. We fix things for a living, you better bet that gives us the esp to have been saying this for ten years at least.

[@cryora]

There might eventually be an opportunity for experienced mechanics to train and assist DIY mechanics. Less work because there's more than 1 person doing the job, and less of a need to buy all your tools cause the DIY mechanic will buy some tools. The problem would be finding a suitable location. Maybe a home garage, but not everyone will have one, and over time fewer people will have private garages because more people are renting.

[@donbenjamin1102]

One word, or three. Roof opening panels. As a dealer flat rate tech, I have lost tens of thousands from moon/sunroof panels. A guaranteed failure, guaranteed to pay a fraction of actual time to diagnose and repair.

[@JamesSmith-xs7sr]

NEVER touch the sunroof control button! esp if its been dormant for years. Not worth the risk..

[@Soundsofthewood]

I still do it to this day. I'm self employed though. Personally what I want to do. Get a piece of country land and open my own shop as well farming. I would cut out all the government garbage because its deemed nonessential to me. Just take pay under the table by friends.

[@theonetheycallsix2526]

went into the industry and went to a community college and went through their automotive program. I enjoy working on cars , its a challenge and something not everyone can do. However 5 years in a couple different shops it was easy to see the severe draw backs. The environment sucks , AC is a rarity even in Texas , advisors know nothing about mechanics and treat you like trash when you're the one making the whole place money. I'm tired of the B.S and moving to something with less hazard more pay and less stress its no wonder the good techs are done their skills are invaluable and the industry sees that but refuses to pay them properly . All that's going to be left is hack jobs and guys that get tanked every night after work and the reputation will get worse and worse until its impossible to get your car fixed and then the world will ask where did all the techs go?

[@Brian_C_]

Haven't gone to a mechanic since before the pandemic... Shops have been putting themselves out of business slowly for decades with ridiculous labor rates and poor quality. The main reason that I have gone was because I either didn't have the tooling to do the job (like replacing the VGT actuator, which requires Cummins licensed software), or the vehicle was under warranty. I know my vehicles well, and I can't stand poor quality or lack of attention to details like when they don't put stuff back together properly - they leave panel screws out or break clips... dude, I brought it to you with all of them, go walk your axx over and get one from parts... I realize that's mostly the shop's doing/policy; but I don't care if its warranty or not - I still paid for the parts and labor as part of the terms of the purchase...

[@danbritto4964]

32 years in the industry, you should seen the future with the shit auto technician job , I knew as a dealership job I day traded for the last 5 years preparing, and now I day trade Fore a living !

[@sr20dett1000]

Open a DIY shop. There are no locals near me, but I wish one was. Hey sometimes we need a lift to make things easier.

[@Zgreasewood]

Get onto it and learn all you can, go to night school, this seperates you from the JUST A MECHANIC name. One or 2 uears of classes and someone will hear about you and offer a much better job. Never got a degree but,,, ended up as facilities manager at 4 intetnational ports, got hired without filling out a resume. The trade is the first step up the ladder, then education , thenbusiness management, then do what you enjoy. For Christmas one year all the mechanics bought me a very nice Diamond ring. Finshed like next to last in High School, if Can do it You will do more and better.

[@inflationsux]

Better to work for the maker in the labor union. Hard to believe mechanics pay hasn't kept up with the labor unions that put the cars together. Sounds like the future will be a great time to open your own shop. I work on my own but they are older hondas and toyota cars and gm trucks. Popular models with readily available parts and strong aftermarket support that will continue for years. People will need to get a lot smarter when purchasing vehicles. They may even have to get their hands dirty.

[@user-tk4gc9jn3n]

the cars are not fixable any more just pure junk run by pcs i lasted till i was 67 then decided i cant do this crap anymore