Many people consider a career as a mechanic, a job that is as decent and honourable as any. However, many myths and misconceptions about the job can sometimes make people think twice about embarking on a career fixing cars.
The movies and TV shows we watch and the materials we read have given us preconceived notions about mechanics, from the money they earn to how they’re supposed to look.
However, it’s highly likely that those preconceptions aren’t anywhere near the truth. Maybe they were decades ago, but the industry has changed so much since then.
For example, many of today’s mechanics are already as adept at car audio installation jobs as they are with taking apart a car’s engine and putting everything back together. To get a clearer picture of what a mechanic’s career is like, let’s debunk some of the persistent myths surrounding the job to this very day.
1. Mechanics don’t earn much
One of the more risible myths about working as a mechanic is that it’s a job that doesn’t pay well. In reality, the average salary for a mechanic in England is pegged at nearly £30,000 per year, which isn’t a trifling amount of money by any stretch of the imagination.
Over the course of a mechanic’s career, that figure could get even higher depending on factors such as the location and revenue of the shop that employs them.
2. A mechanic’s only option is to work in a garage
While it’s true that many car mechanics work at a garage or repair shop, they have other employment options. They can work at car dealerships, specialty shops, and even garages that specialise in construction vehicles or heavy equipment.
If you’re an aspiring mechanic, it’s always great to choose an establishment that you believe would be a better fit for you.
3. Mechanics are uneducated
Being a mechanic may not require a college degree, but that doesn’t mean that they are uneducated. Most shops require mechanics to have finished secondary school at the very least. Some don’t even hire people who don’t have a trade school education.
Becoming a mechanic these days also requires a lot of brainpower, as most modern cars are computer-controlled. Auto repair would be tough without the slightest understanding of computer technology, which mechanics can get through special training courses.
4. Mechanics can provide an auto repair estimate over the phone
If you ever believed that one phone call describing your car’s problems is enough to enable a mechanic to give you an accurate auto repair estimate, then you’re assuming that your mechanic has psychic powers.
Auto repairs can get complicated, with components that may differ from one carmaker to another. If you want a spot-on estimate, it’s best to have your trusted mechanic inspect your vehicle personally.
5. Mechanics are out to get you
We’re not saying that there are no rotten eggs in the auto repair industry, but it’s simply unfair to assume that mechanics are out to scam you, especially if they’re recommending that you buy this part or avail of that service.
Auto repair is a face-to-face business where running scams on the regular simply isn’t viable. In all likelihood, a mechanic suggesting something that you will have to spend money for means they just want the best solution for your vehicle.
Then again, you still might bump into unscrupulous mechanics, the same way you could be dealing with unscrupulous lawyers, accountants, and all sorts of service professionals in the future.
That’s why it’s best that you only work with mechanics you can trust, whether ones who have been fixing your automobiles for years or those referred by friends and family
6. Being a mechanic is boring
If you genuinely love cars (an unspoken requirement to be a mechanic), there’s no way inspecting, repairing, and maintaining them could get boring. Few things are more engaging, fun, or even intellectually stimulating than tinkering with a car’s engine and all its systems.
On top of conducting diagnostic work and solving your auto problems, mechanics also get to interact with clients, all of which sound much more interesting than being glued to an office desk, spending an entire working day filling reports or creating spreadsheets.
Ignore the misconceptions about working as a mechanic mentioned above, and you will see how viable a career in auto repair can be.
Author Lauren Bricks is the Content Specialist for Streetfighter Motorsports LLC, a family-operated car audio and accessory installation, sales and customisation facility located in Phoenix, Arizona. She loves cars and although she spends much of her week writing about them, she still finds the time to hop onto the second-hand Corvette convertible her dad gave her.
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