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As the host of Lance Mechanics put it in his YouTube episode “Dealership vs Independent Garage: The Truth From a Real Mechanic”
“I don’t care what anybody says, going into a big OEM is overwhelming. There’s a lot going on. There’s a lot of people. There’s a lot of traffic. People are generally miserable in the dealership setting. They throw on that fake smile, but they’re dying inside.”
The video dives deep into why mechanics are unhappy working at car dealerships, but it also touches on the drawbacks of independent garages.
Here is a summary of the video:
Cons of Dealership Environment
1. Garage cliques: Politics, attitudes, unfair job assignments, etc., like any profession, being a mechanic in a dealership means you will have to navigate through workplace drama and unfairness.
2. Techs Have to Lie to Customers: Without proper support from service managers, mechanics often have to “smooth over” problems just to get through the day.
Some days, I just didn’t want to deal with customers, so I spoon-fed them what I needed to do to get them out of my hair. It’s a fact. You’ll see it in other industries, too. We lie a lot. As technicians, we do lie a lot when it comes to customers because we just don’t want to deal with the BS.
3. More Skills, Less Pay: How flat-rate pay affects mechanics’ income at dealerships is a sore spot: complex jobs take longer but don’t pay enough.
The guy who plays dumb is going to make more money than the extremely talented, hardworking diagnostician.
4. Training Perks: Working for a dealership does not always mean you will receive additional training to improve your skill set which would make you not only a better mechanic but more marketable for working elsewhere.
At the dealership, you’re stuck with one brand. You’re very good at it, I hope. But I generally found that the technicians who spent time at the independent garage were often better than the guy who had 30 years’ experience on the OEM.
5. Shaky Job Security: High turnover is common where mechanics are often treated like numbers, not people.Rocking the boat over how or what repair is done can get you thrown overboard.
When I can work somewhere for 5 years and you see 20 technicians go through the door…there should not be such a high turnover rate.
6. Low Pay Percentage: A small fraction of the repair bill goes to the mechanic.
7. Warranty Work Pay is Significantly Reduced: Despite the repair being booked at a certain number of hours, when it becomes a warranty repair, the mechanic is paid only a portion of the hours.
8. Little Respect: Service advisors often get the credit and financial benefit for the mechanic’s work.
Cons of an Independent Garage Environment
“So, my experience in a private garage was not perfect, but generally positive,” states the host as he reveals these cons of a private garage environment.
1. Difficult Owners: Some have personality quirks and good intentions but lack business sense, leading to tension with high-performing mechanics.
2. No Tech-Line Support: Unlike dealerships, you can’t call factory engineers for tough diagnostics.
3. No “Parts Cannon”: You can’t just replace parts until the problem goes away if you’re not charging the customer for them.
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4. Limited Specialty Equipment: Some advanced repairs require dealership-only tools or software that costs thousands in yearly fees.
5. Higher Tool Costs: Mechanics must own a wider variety of tools to handle all makes and models.
Dealership vs Independent Garage: The Truth From a Real Mechanic
For more details, here is the summarized video posted below for your convenience.
Is It Better to Take Your Car to a Dealership or an Independent Garage for Repairs?
The answer is—it depends. Both have drawbacks, but independent garages often have happier staff, and that can translate to better customer experiences.
One theme of the video comments is this: Job satisfaction is a must, but not always achievable, whether you are a mechanic working in a dealership or an independent garage. However, happiness is more likely to be found in an independent or small family-run dealership than a big-name dealership.
I was a dealer tech for first 13 years of wrenching ‒8 years with one manufacturer and 5 with another. Master certified in both. While at the dealers, I told myself I never wanted to work at an Indy shop. Well, I got fed up at the dealer and went to an hourly independent shop. And loved it. Then I found another hourly shop and I’m happy there too. Besides the hourly pay, I like the work at the independent shops. It’s more actual car repair for higher mileage cars that people need to keep their car safe instead the BS warranty work. ‒@ghostwrench2292
This is not surprising.
According to a World Economic Forum study, “What drives job satisfaction? Researchers think this is the answer,” data gleaned as far back as 1945 shows that above all else, the key to job satisfaction is primarily your boss and colleagues.
As long as it’s something you don’t hate doing, you may find yourself very satisfied if you have a good supervisor, like your coworkers, and are treated fairly by your organization.” ‒WEF Dec. 4, 2020
What This Means to Car Owners Choosing a Garage: A Two-Pronged Approach
It can be a coin toss on whether you should go to a dealership or go to an independent garage. The video shows that both have their cons. Still, the comments amongst mechanics hint at happier mechanics overall who work at an independent garage where they are more likely to feel appreciated and valued.
Which is why I recommend a lightly focused two-pronged approach for finding the right garage and mechanic.
Choosing a garage to repair your car is a lot like choosing a physician for a health problem ‒you want someone who is experienced and knows what they are doing, and you want someone another patient has used and recommends.
What to Look for When Choosing a Mechanic for Your Car Repairs: Calling Dr. Good Wrench!
Think of it like picking a doctor; You want someone skilled and someone recommended. Mechanics are often (but not always) classified by skill level to better define the confusing labels of “Technician” and “Mechanic.”
- Lube Tech ‒ Beginner, does basic oil and tire changes.
- C-Tech – Learning under guidance, limited diagnostics.
- B-Level Tech – Handles most repairs, some diagnostics.
- A-Tech – Fully trained, can repair and diagnose all systems.
- Master Tech – Top-tier, can work on virtually any problem without manuals.
How to Find a Trustworthy Mechanic for Your Make and Model of Car
- Ask for referrals from owners of the same vehicle.
- Check if the shop has experience with your car’s model and specific problems.
- Make sure they have the right tools and software for your model.
- Talk directly with the mechanic if possible.
This two-pronged approach‒verifying skill and seeking personal recommendations‒reduces your chances of landing in the wrong shop. Whether you end up at a dealership or an independent garage, you’ll have done your homework.
For additional recent car repair-related articles, here is one that discusses who is cheating their car repair customers with overpriced non-OEM parts.
Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and restores older vehicles, often incorporating engine modifications for improved performance. He also covers modern cars—including EVs—with a focus on DIY mechanics, tool use and selection, and other topics related to automotive repair. Follow Tim on Twitter (@TimBoyerWrites) and Facebook for daily updates and insights on new and used cars and trucks.
Image Source: Deposit Photos
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Source: torquenews.com
