Automotive Technician Interview Questions

"If a customer asked about how to maintain their car and keep it in good condition, I would tell them to check their battery, tyres, lights, brakes, and fluid levels regularly. I would also recommend they bring in their car as soon as they notice anything wrong with it, so the problem doesn't become worse with constant use."

"A customer once brought in a vintage Ford Frontenac with an engine issue. I had never seen or worked on a Frontenac before, as they are quite rare now, so I had to call a fellow technician that I knew worked on one before. He walked me through how to diagnose the issue and repair it, and I successfully did so."

"I had a customer come in for an engine repair as their check engine light came on. I went with the customer to look at their car and noticed that the gas cap was loose. I told him that was the issue, so we tightened it. He seemed grateful and left. He came back the next day and said the light came back on, so I checked his car more thoroughly and realised his oxygen sensor was failing. I should have examined his car properly when he originally brought it in, which I now always do."

"I took an automotive certification course with the Automotive Training Centre in Toronto. I had to complete 6000 supervised workplace hours and passed multiple exams to prove my knowledge. I then got a mechanic job at the garage I did my apprenticeship with. After three years there, I obtained my Red Seal Certification, allowing me to work in any province or territory."

"Whenever a customer brings in their vehicle, I perform a diagnostic test on it. I use an OBD-II scanner to perform the diagnostic test by plugging it into the car's OBD-II port. The scanner will show me a code that diagnoses the issue. I have the most common codes memorised already but, if I don't recognise it, I'll pull up our codebook. If the car was made before 1996, it has no OBD-II port, so I would diagnose the issue by looking under the hood and taking the car for a test drive."

"Before I return a car to a customer, I always turn it on and take it for a test drive. Turning it on tests the ignition. Once I turn it on, I make sure no repair lights are on, then test the headlights, hazard lights, and turn signals. I then take it for a drive to test the brakes and listen for any issues."

"I have worked as a Mercedes-Benz certified mechanic for over five years, so I have the most experience with their cars. Before that, I apprenticed at a garage that serviced every brand for two years, so I worked in various types of cars and trucks. My experience and knowledge help me work on any type of vehicle, but I'm also happy to ask for help or extra training when necessary."

"I always serve customers in the order that they arrive at the shop, no matter how difficult or easy the task will be. I want customers to know we value them and don't prioritise one person over the other. Finishing repairs in the order they came in is fair and helps me manage my schedule."

"The most difficult customer I had was one that wanted their car fixed the same day, even though we did not have the part available at the time. I explained we wouldn't be able to fix his car that day but could do it next week when the part came in. He got angry and demanded we fix it that day. After a lot of back and forth, I told him I would order the part immediately, request a rush on it, and call him as soon as it came in."

"In my previous role, I used a lot of automotive technology and equipment. For example, I used electronic diagnostic tools, heat guns, rotary tools, wheel balancers, electronic testing tools, computerised alignment machines, and more. I adapt quickly to new environments, so I will be able to operate any technology or equipment you have easily."

"If a customer was unhappy with my repair, I would discuss the issue with them and offer to walk them through my repair process to help them understand the repair. If they were still unhappy, I would ask a colleague to offer a second opinion. If the customer still wasn't happy, I would offer a discount or refund."

"In my previous role, I had the highest seniority at my shop. This meant a lot of new and existing mechanics approached me with questions or asked for my input on their repairs. I was always happy to help and allowed mechanics to observe me when they had free time to further improve their knowledge."

"I would tell the customer that there are several reasons why an engine could overheat, such as the cooling system is clogged, there's not enough or too much anti-freeze, or the radiator house collapsed or is blocked. I would explain that I need to look at the car to diagnose and repair the issue properly."

"Manual transmissions are not only easier to repair, but they're also cheaper to repair as well. Automatic cars have more parts to shift gears for the driver, while manual cars rely mostly on mechanical gears that the driver engages and shifts themselves. As automatic cars have more parts, repairing them is more complicated."

"I would explain to the customer that there was no way I could complete their repair within the hour as it is quite complicated. I would tell them that their safety is my number one priority, so I want to take the necessary time to ensure I fix their car properly. After diagnosing the issue, I would give the customer a realistic timeline for repair."