Narrow Down Your Options When Reading Automotive Repair Shop Software Reviews

Adjusting your pricing on parts to make a profit is pretty straightforward. But when it comes to labor times for auto repair shops…that’s where things can get a bit tricky. Yes, you need competitive labor rates, but you also need to keep those rates reasonable so you don’t scare off your customers with sky-high prices.

3 ways your shop can make more money on labor:

1. By using a labor matrix
2. By creating custom labor rates
3. By applying a labor guide markup

Before we dive into the differences between these three methods for setting the best labor times at your shop, here’s a quick refresher on the one thing these methods have in common: the labor guide.

What is a Labor Guide?

A labor guide is like the gospel of labor times for auto repair shops. It tells you how long, on average, it takes to complete different types of repair work. Remember that the times listed in auto repair labor guides are averages, so it’s best to treat them as a starting point.

Factors That Can Affect Labor Times for Auto Repair Shops

Let’s take a look at some of the factors to consider when determining how much to mark up (or mark down) your shop’s labor rates.

How to Choose a Reliable Labor Guide

A reliable auto repair labor guide is foundational for your shop when you’re setting labor rates, so you’ll want to use a labor guide that stays up-to-date with the latest labor times in the industry. Just like many people use online directories instead of the Yellow Pages, many auto repair shops use digital labor guides that are constantly updated with the latest labor times.

When seeking out a digital labor guide, look for one that:

• Offers consistent, comprehensive data on labor times from industry leaders, so you can set accurate labor rates that will keep your shop profitable
• Adds labor times for new vehicles and jobs periodically, so your shop’s pricing can stay competitive
• Integrates with your auto repair shop management software, so you don’t have to dig through multiple systems

Your shop’s ability to grow, make a profit, and succeed hinges on clear and accurate invoicing.

If you’re still using pen and paper for your invoice software, you probably spend a lot of time reconciling records at the end of the day and may even have to stay late to put your books in order.

Paper means lots of copies, transposition of information, and a high probability of making mistakes. The same holds true if you’re using multiple software programs to juggle records at your shop to put together information for invoices. If you aren’t using a single, comprehensive system, there’s a good chance details will be incorrectly copied or left out.

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 to become a mechanic.

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.

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.