Auto Mechanic Interview Questions

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How do you prioritize clients and repair jobs on busy days? See answer
What was the most difficult repair job that you’ve ever handled? See answer
Imagine I am a difficult customer who knows nothing about cars. How do you work with me? See answer
How much experience do you have in determining the extent of malfunctions or damage in vehicles? See answer
Have you ever had a disagreement with another auto mechanic about how to approach a vehicle repair? What did you do to resolve the situation? See answer
Can you walk me through how you test-drive vehicles to make sure all systems are working?
A customer comes to the shop complaining of a strange burning smell in their car, a juddering noise when they press on the gas and more difficulty coming to a stop quickly. What is your initial diagnosis?
Do you have experience using vehicle diagnostic software?
How do you differentiate between a crankshaft and a camshaft?
Is a car battery healthy if the voltmeter reads 10? What is the standard reading?
Which car models do you have the most experience working with? Do you hold any certifications?
You’ve used diagnostic software and completed various checks, but you still can’t determine the problem. What do you do?

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6 Auto Mechanic Interview Questions and Answers

Q:

How do you prioritize clients and repair jobs on busy days?

A:

It’s hard to predict how many people will come into a repair shop every day. It’s also difficult to know the extent of damage that a person’s car has sustained pre-inspection, so it is inevitable that there will be times when customers are waiting their turn. An auto mechanic should be able to explain the circumstances clearly to clients and offer an estimate of waiting times.

What to look for in an answer:

Has a consistent strategy for prioritizing clients
Communicates circumstances and wait times effectively
Explains to customers reasons for delays

Example:

“When the repair shop is very busy, I make sure that I serve customers in the order that they arrive at the shop. This helps my clients feel that their time is valued and that my process for selecting which car to work on is fair.”

Q:

What was the most difficult repair job that you’ve ever handled?

A:

Knowledgeable auto mechanics should be familiar with multiple types of vehicles and the repairs necessary to put customers’ cars back on the road. Your candidate’s answer to this question will allow you to assess their familiarity with different makes and models, especially if the example that they bring up is of a particularly challenging nature.

What to look for in an answer:

Ability to solve problems
High level of mechanical expertise
A positive attitude toward challenging work

Example:

“The most difficult repair I have done was on a vintage Thunderbird. The car had extensive rust damage, and the motor needed repairs. I was able to recommend and complete cost-saving repairs that the customer loved.”

Q:

Imagine I am a difficult customer who knows nothing about cars. How do you work with me?

A:

Auto mechanics are necessarily a client-facing position. Customers will bring their vehicles to your shop and expect your techs to find and fix the problem so that they can drive away satisfied. Not all clients will be civil, so your candidate should be able to handle possible conflicts. Your applicant should be able to explain to the customer what type of work needs to be done so that they understand what is going on with their vehicle.

What to look for in an answer:

Candidate prioritizes customer needs
Shows a positive disposition
Has a strategy for explaining the situation to customers

Example:

“I would tell you that I understand that you are very frustrated that you will not be able to drive your vehicle home today. We have already ordered the parts necessary to fix your engine, but they are currently in transit. We should have your vehicle ready in three days.”

Q:

Walk me through how you test-drive vehicles to make sure all systems are working.

A:

Depending on the scope of your organization, your auto mechanics may need to bring vehicles in for complete checks before turning them over to customers. As such, it is important that your technicians understand the different safety inspections they need to go through before the car is deemed safe to return to the road.

What to look for in an answer:

Identifies a clear process for checking all car systems, not just the repaired system
Clearly explains the computerized diagnostic systems they are familiar with
Shows a strong grasp of vehicle repair and testing processes

Example:

“To undertake a complete vehicle check, I first test the ignition. Afterward, I test all the turn signals and headlights. Next, I run through an engine check.”

Q:

How much experience do you have in determining the extent of malfunctions or damage in vehicles?

A:

Your candidate should have a clear understanding of the types of cars that they know how to work with well. Listening to their response to this question can help you see if they would be able to potentially widen their skill set to other types of vehicles.

What to look for in an answer:

No hesitation when identifying their level of experience
Confidently outlines their process for making assessments and repairs
Expresses an interest in mastering repairs on more vehicle models

Example:

“I have five years of experience working at a repair shop that specialized in Mercedes repairs. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to your facility and applying my skills to other car brands.”

Q:

Have you ever had a disagreement with another auto mechanic about how to approach a vehicle repair? What did you do to resolve the situation?

A:

Auto mechanics can work independently or as part of a team of mechanics to complete diagnostic tests, make repairs or replace auto parts on vehicles. This question allows interviewers to gauge a candidate's ability to listen to the ideas of others and come to a solution in a professional manner. It also provides interviewers with insights into whether a candidate can work as a part of a team to achieve quality repairs for customers.

A candidate's answer should emphasize:

Respect for one's coworkers
Ability to consider the expertise of others
Team-work skills

Here is one example of a quality candidate answer:

Example:

"One time, I was working on an assignment where I needed to replace a client's brake pads. They had complained about their last brake pads wearing their rotors quicker than before. Because of this, I decided to replace the previous fully-metallic brake pads with semi-metallic brake pads as semi-metallic brake pads promise less frequent replacements. However, one of my other coworkers disagreed with me, saying that the previous brake pads were fully-metallic, so we needed to stick with those.

I thanked them for their opinion and decided to go to my supervisor to get their thoughts. They confirmed that semi-metallic brake pads would work just as well with the vehicle model, so I went ahead with my decision. To conclude, I am always grateful for my coworker's input because everyone makes mistakes and I know I am not an exception."

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