Pros and Cons of Being a Dealership Mechanic 2022

I just hate the idea of having to buy your own equipment.. No entry job pays good enough for that. Tools are expensive!

Work with your service advisor, if you make him/her look good. pay it forward attitude

Show me your best ways!!!

I can't get a job at a dealership as a apprentice nor mechanic ive tried jiffy lube but they always say to me that they aren't hiring. Try another place but i dont have a car. Its very frustrating.

What would entry level tech expect to make? I got a interview Monday

I’m 53 and have been in sales for 20 years. My industry is dead and I am making non wage now. Was making 6 figs. I need steady money and used to be a tech in 1990s. I love working on cars and want to get back in. What is chances to get back into it?

PROBKEM IN DEALERSHIP LIFE IS THAT PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE FEEDING YOU AS A MECHANIC YOU MAKING YOUR LIVING EVERYONE IS PUTTING ITS EFFORT I HAD WARANTY PEOPLE BE PEDDY ABOUT PAYING ME LIKE IF IT WAS COMING OUT OF THEIR POCKET

I wanna know how your time at bmw was

I wanna be an official mechanic so bad and start my own projects . Only thing is I have a criminal background 🙁 this will hold me back from top name dealerships . I wanna specialize in Nissan & Infiniti. I do know how to change a catalytic converter and change tires and headlights . Any supportive comments and or tips would be glorified 😇

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For the people that work in dealership shops, is there ever shady jobs where they fake fixing problems to ensure they come back for more repairs?

Should I accept this lube tech position? It pays $75k lol

Why would the dealer let you make six figures? if you do it's not for long. The Dealer will say you're overpaid from your hard and correct work and cut flat rate times accordingly. Work harder for less money. They determine how much you'll get paid for a job. If some guys quit so what they hire in others at a lower wage...

Nice video man, very interesting. Im a dealership technician/mechanic in South Africa.
Here we have a fixed salary but we can make incentive by ensuring our productivity and efficiency is good and we get checked but all depends of course if its busy or not like you mentioned.
So Salary will depend on the dealership/brand and your ability to work hard, not all dealers have a incentive bit it does exits .

Dropped expensive pen in a/c vent. How do I get it out?

Old Head here,
27 years in stuck to Flat Rate Dealerships, My 2 kids are now graduated from College,
Owned 4 nice homes, had almost anything I've wanted. Have things gone downhill for sure but I see that in most industries. Pensions gone etc.
Most of what Nick says about the dealerships is spot on and as a old timer its still pretty good.

With that said I have had 4 apprentices in my Nissan Years , 2 are completely out of the Business, One is a service advisor , the other works Fleet for Excell Energy in Colorado. I don't take apprentices on any more, "that would be a good video subject".

To Sum it up, I prefer Family Owned Highline Dealerships . I done Mercedes Benz 16 years now
The hourly rates are higher and its harder to replace your experience as the cars are more complicated. " Family Owned Dealers vs Corporate owned" another good subject.

Dealership Life is not for everyone, I was told by old timers back in the 90s get out while you can. Same story same complaints.

Hey I’m watched a few of your videos! I just finished the 30,000 maintenance on my wife’s 2019 RAV4 hybrid ! I I’d rather do it myself with OEM Toyota parts then I’d know it’s done right I’ve had my vehicle over filled with oil more than once at the dealer if they can’t get that right what kind of job do you get when it gets technical! Good luck on your new venture I’ll be subscribing and giving you thumbs up! Good luck you will do good! I also watch the “Toyota maintenance” channel

Here in japan, working in dealerships isn't fun. Everybody's so serious, you can't even crack any jokes lol

Wonder how much does South Main Auto make?

Ur last comment about hourly pay and effort applies to my industry too. Pest control.

That’s why you take your car to the dealer to do a transmission service and it doesn’t get done and they still charge you! Probably some crooked tech!

Ive been working a toyota dealership for just over 3 months now. Did my first oil change in the shop on day one. It took me several weeks of only hitting 15-25hrs/week to finally get into the groove and start hitting 40s regularly. The better jobs definitly have an easier opportunity to make up the difference on time. But in the beginning if you take it slow and make sure theres no mistakes/come backs they will keep you while you grow. Just remember its very corporate. Kill people with kidness and dont be afraid to reject a job that you think will hurt you long term.(passing a state when it shouldnt, a car with a massive oil leak or double/triple gaskets, etc) you are an independent who works at a dealership not a typical salary employee

If your making a 1000$a week the dealer will charge for 1 car a 1000$ and if you worked on 5 car a day so the daeler make 5000$ that day times that by 5 days ?can you see where i.m going ?

You stated this perfect. I’m also a Toyota tech. Very high flagging and efficient compared to others and I’m constantly stressed and running around with my head cut off to clear over 6 figures a year. I’m 25 but I can already tell I will not be able to do this at my current rate in my 30’s lmao. I love it and hate it. I hate being that guy that everyone always looks at when I have 40 more hours a week then most but I’m also always running non stopped , stressed , getting shit out on time with a LOW comeback rate and that’s what it takes to make real money in this industry. I try to tell all the young bloods that it is forgiving if you WORK but I haven’t seen a tech come in my dealership since I started with the same enthusiasm to hustle like me and put out quality work. It really makes you wonder..

I’m only a flat rate lube tech but I was working a tire shop for a year before I just recently started at a union ford dealership. Compared to my last job all I see is pros: better pay, better benefits, amazing split schedule, and nicer shop. I love it so far.

Ever considered heavy duty fleet tech? Hourly, better benefits, no "rushing"

Any advice for a new shop tech (long term mobile) been in one shop, looking to go to a dealership. 🤷🏽‍♂️

Good video. Question, I have a 2015 rav4. When i go over slight bumps, theres a squeak sound on the drivers side towards the back. Im thinking ball joint or shock. Please let me know based on your experience, thank you.

Sucks because i love working on cars but i’m only a hobby mechanic and knowing how bad it is at the dealership i wouldnt make a career out of it even tho i want to.

Im a lead tech at firestone and yeah they always want the job to be done asap

Also one thing to look after when going to a dealership is the service writers, friendly service writers are the beat because they help you out. The bad writers don’t give a fuck and just want it done ASAP

way too many cons. Warranty times are ridiculous, free diagnostics when the vehicle is under warranty, parts are back ordered now, less and less cash work, recalls times are low, writers not charging diagnostic time, horrible benefits, wages aren't increasing and so much more things are going wrong. I left the dealer world for the last time and I'm glad I did. The shops that seem to be better now are fleet/diesel shops. Either way the auto industry is dying.

The real question is would you buy a Toyota?

You should make a video about the EV’s now
Pretty sure dealers are going to have to pay there techs high wages to work on EV’s due to your life is at a higher risk.
Like who in there right mind will work on EV’s for just double minimum wage (in Cali)

Great points man, really helpful. I'm currently working my way up to a flat rate with Honda. I've been concerned on how the system 'really' works with flat rate and the pros vs the cons.
I do have a question though, does the "brand/make" really make all the difference? In my head I've been battling between staying with Honda or even going to Acura, same brains different faces. Like since their the "luxury" brother, does that make the money better? Even BMW, was the money a big difference between them and Toyota/Chev for you?

I used to love being a flat rate technician. As you stated in the video the times of the jobs just started to dwindle and I realized that actually going to work was hurting me financially so I made the decision to leave and go to a another dealer. Once I got settled in at the new location I quickly realized that it was the same regardless of where I went. Finally made the decision to do my own thing and now I do work more than I did in the dealer but the money I make is almost scary! I basically write my own paycheck everyday!

hey man
make a vid of your new job.

So what are you doing now that you left flat rate?

Hey Nikko maybe try luxury brands something like Mercedes or Lexus. Just simply for the fact that all the recommendations you sent through with most likely be approved and they pay more. But still as long as you get paid and happy stay up brother.👍

I love being a tech. You can literally go anywhere and grow with this skill !!!

God bless everyone. Give your life unto Jesus follow God

As many pros and cons a person can list, my number one thing to tell people is that your tool box has wheels for a reason🤷🏽‍♂️

yah if dealerships start going hourly nothing would get done!

I'm a flat rate tech last 20 years, 7 Dealerships so far Lol 120 to 140 hrs a pay check

So where are you going to work now Nick?

My goals right now is to study for my L1 ase exam and then eventually get my smog license. Also Im thinking of starting mobile detailing business too. I have the tools and been doing it occasionally on the weekends. I like where I work but I want to get paid more lol There's no better feeling than working for yourself.

Ive been following you Nick since I was in college studying automotive. during college and after college i was at my ford dealer and I realized that this flat rate work style was not for me and bounced when covid happened. I got my unemployment and then months later, I started working at an independent shop and I love the environment. I worked as an hourly tech and learned alot more. My checks are smaller but Im more happier. I am working on getting L1 and get my smog license and hopefully open my own shop.

Don’t forget about the hot dog lickers and the ones that only grab the “gravy” jobs(brakes,timing belts,full tune ups if they still exist) Lol