19 vacancies at a BMW dealer
Discussion
For a physically demanding (and hazardous!), relatively stressful job that requires a good deal of investment in both time in order to keep skills and knowledge upto date, and tools to keep oneself working efficiently and correctly; the pay, working conditions and future job prospect as a tech are usually awful.
The earning potential for a tech is lower than just about any other skilled trade I can think of.
What's more, you're almost always required to provide your own tools and kit, an investment that can easily run into tens of thousands of pounds, and prospects for 'going out on your own' are much more limited - In the building trades, in many cases you get a van, put in your tools, do some marketing and get to work at people's homes. In the automotive trade, most people expect premises ($$$$ for units that'll take motor trade use) offering a full range of services including tyres, MOTs, parking, loan cars, and so on, which requires a massive investment to start, and a good deal of work hard and luck to keep running.
I know there is money to be made as a mobile mechanic, but even the most hardened mobile guy will recognize that there is some stuff that just isn't practical to be doing on the side of the road... And that's before we get to the fact that non breakdown roadside repairs/maintenance are technically illegal.
Working conditions generally are pretty poor - Every hour of your working day is micro managed down to as little as 5 minute intervals, constant pressure to meet/exceed targets and generate upsell, next to no respect from other staff or customers who generally see you as the lowest of the low; mainly because the job is easy cos the diagnostic computer does all the work for us
.
And then there's the underrated fact that working in a (usually cold) workshop, on your feet all day, constantly doing heavy lifting, getting covered in carcinogenic fluids on a daily basis, breathing in brake/clutch dust, rat droppings, exhaust fumes and contorting your parts of your body to fit in the most ridiculous positions generally f
ks you up physically. I've got dodgy knees, a bad back, dermatitis, an allergy to engine oil and numerous scars up and down my hands and arms from stuffing them into awkward places. I'm 25 years old 
.
Then there's the long term prospects. The vast majority of senior staff, even in service departments, are usually ex service advisers or sales staff, not techs. Progress to many seems to start and end at master tech level, which in many cases may mean a higher basic, but no chance of hitting bonuses or targets because you're going to be given the stressful crap, so its probable that someone spinning oil filters all days will make more money. And even with master tech status, we're not talking about great wages here; I know of master techs at the top of their game. with 15+ years experience bringing in 25k-30k PA.
Which brings me to another point - Society has moved on to the point where an 'average' wage doesn't really cut it in this day and age if you want to be making meaningful progress in life. 25k-30k isn't enough in many cases to buy your own home and have a decent standard of living (and in the areas where is, the wages paid to techs are adjusted to account for the lower cost of living). Many techs realize that they can earn similar money doing less stressful, semi skilled work, and jack it in.
I however, am one of the dumb ones who still persists in the trade. Partly because I love cars, partly because its all I know, and retraining (as I tried last year, and failed at miserably) requires a massive investment, commitment and sizable pay cut (if you're coming from one of the rare, decently paid tech roles). I hold out hope that there is decent money to be made in the motor trade, but I'm under no illusion that it is likely to be found in a franchise dealer service department.
The earning potential for a tech is lower than just about any other skilled trade I can think of.
What's more, you're almost always required to provide your own tools and kit, an investment that can easily run into tens of thousands of pounds, and prospects for 'going out on your own' are much more limited - In the building trades, in many cases you get a van, put in your tools, do some marketing and get to work at people's homes. In the automotive trade, most people expect premises ($$$$ for units that'll take motor trade use) offering a full range of services including tyres, MOTs, parking, loan cars, and so on, which requires a massive investment to start, and a good deal of work hard and luck to keep running.
I know there is money to be made as a mobile mechanic, but even the most hardened mobile guy will recognize that there is some stuff that just isn't practical to be doing on the side of the road... And that's before we get to the fact that non breakdown roadside repairs/maintenance are technically illegal.
Working conditions generally are pretty poor - Every hour of your working day is micro managed down to as little as 5 minute intervals, constant pressure to meet/exceed targets and generate upsell, next to no respect from other staff or customers who generally see you as the lowest of the low; mainly because the job is easy cos the diagnostic computer does all the work for us
.And then there's the underrated fact that working in a (usually cold) workshop, on your feet all day, constantly doing heavy lifting, getting covered in carcinogenic fluids on a daily basis, breathing in brake/clutch dust, rat droppings, exhaust fumes and contorting your parts of your body to fit in the most ridiculous positions generally f
ks you up physically. I've got dodgy knees, a bad back, dermatitis, an allergy to engine oil and numerous scars up and down my hands and arms from stuffing them into awkward places. I'm 25 years old .Then there's the long term prospects. The vast majority of senior staff, even in service departments, are usually ex service advisers or sales staff, not techs. Progress to many seems to start and end at master tech level, which in many cases may mean a higher basic, but no chance of hitting bonuses or targets because you're going to be given the stressful crap, so its probable that someone spinning oil filters all days will make more money. And even with master tech status, we're not talking about great wages here; I know of master techs at the top of their game. with 15+ years experience bringing in 25k-30k PA.
Which brings me to another point - Society has moved on to the point where an 'average' wage doesn't really cut it in this day and age if you want to be making meaningful progress in life. 25k-30k isn't enough in many cases to buy your own home and have a decent standard of living (and in the areas where is, the wages paid to techs are adjusted to account for the lower cost of living). Many techs realize that they can earn similar money doing less stressful, semi skilled work, and jack it in.
I however, am one of the dumb ones who still persists in the trade. Partly because I love cars, partly because its all I know, and retraining (as I tried last year, and failed at miserably) requires a massive investment, commitment and sizable pay cut (if you're coming from one of the rare, decently paid tech roles). I hold out hope that there is decent money to be made in the motor trade, but I'm under no illusion that it is likely to be found in a franchise dealer service department.
Good post.
Imo, being a mechanic now is, in terms of skill and knowledge, up there with the highly paid jobs..............a surgeon for example would be amazed at how difficult and complex cars are. Never mind brake pads and clutches, stripping an engine for repair - every nut, bolt, screw and clip. Start at 8 and by 5 you are physically and mentally knackered. When I started, it was fitting a cam kit to a Cortina, CVH cam belts, Mini clutches and stuff like that. An Alfasud clutch was considered difficult but today, it wouldn't phase me at all. Changing the belts of that flat four is laughably simple now.
Todays cars are very good, but diagnosing faults can be a nightmare - take something as fundamentally st as a BMW N43 petrol engine with a misfire or an Audi Multichronic CVT that judders on take off. A good tech will know how to fix that.
Good mechanics are seriously undervalued. They should be earning 50 grand a year. I'm glad I stopped doing for a living 25 years ago.
Imo, being a mechanic now is, in terms of skill and knowledge, up there with the highly paid jobs..............a surgeon for example would be amazed at how difficult and complex cars are. Never mind brake pads and clutches, stripping an engine for repair - every nut, bolt, screw and clip. Start at 8 and by 5 you are physically and mentally knackered. When I started, it was fitting a cam kit to a Cortina, CVH cam belts, Mini clutches and stuff like that. An Alfasud clutch was considered difficult but today, it wouldn't phase me at all. Changing the belts of that flat four is laughably simple now.
Todays cars are very good, but diagnosing faults can be a nightmare - take something as fundamentally s
t as a BMW N43 petrol engine with a misfire or an Audi Multichronic CVT that judders on take off. A good tech will know how to fix that.Good mechanics are seriously undervalued. They should be earning 50 grand a year. I'm glad I stopped doing for a living 25 years ago.
iSore said:
Good post.
Imo, being a mechanic now is, in terms of skill and knowledge, up there with the highly paid jobs..............a surgeon for example would be amazed at how difficult and complex cars are. Never mind brake pads and clutches, stripping an engine for repair - every nut, bolt, screw and clip. Start at 8 and by 5 you are physically and mentally knackered. When I started, it was fitting a cam kit to a Cortina, CVH cam belts, Mini clutches and stuff like that. An Alfasud clutch was considered difficult but today, it wouldn't phase me at all. Changing the belts of that flat four is laughably simple now.
Todays cars are very good, but diagnosing faults can be a nightmare - take something as fundamentally st as a BMW N43 petrol engine with a misfire or an Audi Multichronic CVT that judders on take off. A good tech will know how to fix that.
Good mechanics are seriously undervalued. They should be earning 50 grand a year. I'm glad I stopped doing for a living 25 years ago.
I'm glad too!! Imo, being a mechanic now is, in terms of skill and knowledge, up there with the highly paid jobs..............a surgeon for example would be amazed at how difficult and complex cars are. Never mind brake pads and clutches, stripping an engine for repair - every nut, bolt, screw and clip. Start at 8 and by 5 you are physically and mentally knackered. When I started, it was fitting a cam kit to a Cortina, CVH cam belts, Mini clutches and stuff like that. An Alfasud clutch was considered difficult but today, it wouldn't phase me at all. Changing the belts of that flat four is laughably simple now.
Todays cars are very good, but diagnosing faults can be a nightmare - take something as fundamentally s
t as a BMW N43 petrol engine with a misfire or an Audi Multichronic CVT that judders on take off. A good tech will know how to fix that.Good mechanics are seriously undervalued. They should be earning 50 grand a year. I'm glad I stopped doing for a living 25 years ago.
Just to clarify, because I wouldn't want to have pay enough to cover that!
"Technician" now mostly means plug it in to the OBD and it tells you what is wrong, so you just go to stores and get the bits or have them ordered in for later and stick them on! And if that doesn't work it'll throw another fault code so you can change that bit next. It has to be much easier than rebuilding a brake caliper with new seals for example!
Which is nothing like what a surgeon has to do IMHO - people don't have an OBD port, so you have to make a judgement based on your own assessment of their condition and use your expertise to find the most effective solution.
Actually I'd rather you stayed a mechanic as I wouldn't want you to be a surgeon!
Edited by Mr Tidy on Monday 17th July 02:43
iSore said:
KobayashiMaru86 said:
Most of these garages have fitters, rather than proper mechanics. All they do is plug in a computer, follow a guide on how to change the part and do it.
Utter bks. Have you ever worked in a dealership?I do 90% of the work myself and only take it in if it would take me too long or I don't have the tool to do it.
279 said:
For a physically demanding (and hazardous!), relatively stressful job that requires a good deal of investment in both time in order to keep skills and knowledge upto date, and tools to keep oneself working efficiently and correctly; the pay, working conditions and future job prospect as a tech are usually awful.
But you and a lot of others are still doing the job. You weren't enlisted or dragged off the street, so you could leave at any time.If it's genuinely that bad, and you can't see a future where you're happier and better paid get out and do something else.
I don't particularly like my job, but it gives me the time off I want and the money to enjoy it. Without either of these factors I'd be doing something else.
I qualified as a mechanic in 2011. I applied for loads of apprenticeships, BMW and Honda included but heard nothing. I follow the BMW apprentice scheme on facebook where they often directly advertise.
The page was quiet for years then suddenly last week advertised for assembly workers. They demand a far higher level of non mechanical qualifications than is relevant or the job is worth, and recruit a handful at a time.
They probably use agency workers instead of investing anything in their own workers, seems like its the same story with this current govt in every trade. Of all my skilled trade friends im the only person employed directly by a company.
I did 6 months fitting in an LR/MG garage in Italy in 2005. I cant think of a dirtier way of earning rubbish money and directly coming into contact with hazardous substances.
Im a class 2 driver now. For a modest investment the earning potential is brilliant even if the old school anti tacho lot will try and convince you its the worst job in the world.
The page was quiet for years then suddenly last week advertised for assembly workers. They demand a far higher level of non mechanical qualifications than is relevant or the job is worth, and recruit a handful at a time.
They probably use agency workers instead of investing anything in their own workers, seems like its the same story with this current govt in every trade. Of all my skilled trade friends im the only person employed directly by a company.
I did 6 months fitting in an LR/MG garage in Italy in 2005. I cant think of a dirtier way of earning rubbish money and directly coming into contact with hazardous substances.
Im a class 2 driver now. For a modest investment the earning potential is brilliant even if the old school anti tacho lot will try and convince you its the worst job in the world.
I spent ten years working at a BMW main dealer. First as an apprentice, then technician, then BMW Technician.
As with any job there were pros and cons, the money was good at the time when qualified. I left in 2004 and my best year was around £32k pre tax. My first apprentice wage was £360 a month in 1994. I think the YTS scheme last existed in around 1988.
As with any job there were pros and cons, the money was good at the time when qualified. I left in 2004 and my best year was around £32k pre tax. My first apprentice wage was £360 a month in 1994. I think the YTS scheme last existed in around 1988.
if you think working on a car is hard work try working on a truck, every thing is BIGGER and way heavier you also have to qualify as a car mechanic then carry on to heavy mechanics and pass your hgv driving test to road test vehicles. but been doing this for 40ish years and still love most it most of the time.
Monty Python said:
Perhaps if they spent less money on building flash showrooms on expensive sites they could reduce their servicing costs and get more people to use them instead of going to an independent.
They have little choice but to "build flash showrooms on expensive sites", BMW decree what is built and where it it's built. Failure to comply means loss of franchise. It's that simple.Mr Tidy said:
I'm glad too!!
Just to clarify, because I wouldn't want to have pay enough to cover that!
"Technician" now mostly means plug it in to the OBD and it tells you what is wrong, so you just go to stores and get the bits or have them ordered in for later and stick them on! And if that doesn't work it'll throw another fault code so you can change that bit next. It has to be much easier than rebuilding a brake caliper with new seals for example!
Which is nothing like what a surgeon has to do IMHO - people don't have an OBD port, so you have to make a judgement based on your own assessment of their condition and use your expertise to find the most effective solution.
Actually I'd rather you stayed a mechanic as I wouldn't want you to be a surgeon!
And for every fifty of the "technicians" you've aptly described, there's one who can actually diagnose issues properly. Unfortunately they end up with all the sJust to clarify, because I wouldn't want to have pay enough to cover that!
"Technician" now mostly means plug it in to the OBD and it tells you what is wrong, so you just go to stores and get the bits or have them ordered in for later and stick them on! And if that doesn't work it'll throw another fault code so you can change that bit next. It has to be much easier than rebuilding a brake caliper with new seals for example!
Which is nothing like what a surgeon has to do IMHO - people don't have an OBD port, so you have to make a judgement based on your own assessment of their condition and use your expertise to find the most effective solution.
Actually I'd rather you stayed a mechanic as I wouldn't want you to be a surgeon!
t jobs the other muppets can't fix (often because the muppets want to only do oil services and brake pads/discs). Do the skilled diagnostic technicians get paid any more ? Nope. Do they tend to stay at said dealership any length of time ? Nope (and why would they)
The likes of Sytner are slowly reaping what they've sown, by paying their workshop staff poor wages, making bonus schemes unattainable, increasingly long working hours, forcing technicians to waste valuable time producing facile videos, complete lots of pointless paperwork etc etc, the job has become all but untenable.
Add in the corporate mentality most large dealership chains have displayed over the past 10 years, ie "if you don't like the job, hours, pay, etc, leave, as you're disposable and easily replaced" it's no small wonder there isn't a queue of applicants for what is fast becoming known as a poor career choice.
metelmickey said:
if you think working on a car is hard work try working on a truck, every thing is BIGGER and way heavier you also have to qualify as a car mechanic then carry on to heavy mechanics and pass your hgv driving test to road test vehicles. but been doing this for 40ish years and still love most it most of the time.
Not only bigger and heavier, more often than not a lot dirtier too in my experience ! ! I did my three year apprenticeship C&G Parts 1 & 2 HGV and stayed on the shop floor for another three years, and that was enough ! ! I certainly wouldn't have wanted to have made a career out of HGV spannering, I was fortunate the company I worked for lost its Bedford franchise and shut the commercial service department down, so i was forced to find other employment.Whilst the work was hard and dirty, they were some of the best years of my life
Ninja59 said:
I think Volvo's future is going to be interesting where the techs will have a direct relationship with the customer.
My old Saab dealer used to be like that back in the late 90's/2000's.Service reception was manned by a hugely experienced old tech who'd had been a spanner man at the same dealership since an apprentice...pretty much always knew what the problem was by the description and made appropriate note on booking in form for the workshop tech. They had no problem in me ever popping into the workshop to talk to the tech doing the work! I was also lucky back then that I was able to use the sme dealer all the time, which hbeing an old fashioned family owned dealership was more like an indie than a franchise dealership.
Have really struggled with moving to BMW after that level of service, as trying to explain an issue to a spotty yoof 'service agent' is an exercise in futility sometimes, doesn't help that I have use multiple dealers being freelance.
aeropilot said:
My old Saab dealer used to be like that back in the late 90's/2000's.
Service reception was manned by a hugely experienced old tech who'd had been a spanner man at the same dealership since an apprentice...pretty much always knew what the problem was by the description and made appropriate note on booking in form for the workshop tech. They had no problem in me ever popping into the workshop to talk to the tech doing the work! I was also lucky back then that I was able to use the sme dealer all the time, which hbeing an old fashioned family owned dealership was more like an indie than a franchise dealership.
Have really struggled with moving to BMW after that level of service, as trying to explain an issue to a spotty yoof 'service agent' is an exercise in futility sometimes, doesn't help that I have use multiple dealers being freelance.
I know that feeling, lucky I know the AM at my dealer which does mean I can point at anything wrong and go it is that. Downside like others have said is getting to that stage has been hard, as some of the service guys are next to useless and more interested in getting you a coffee and to sit down....Service reception was manned by a hugely experienced old tech who'd had been a spanner man at the same dealership since an apprentice...pretty much always knew what the problem was by the description and made appropriate note on booking in form for the workshop tech. They had no problem in me ever popping into the workshop to talk to the tech doing the work! I was also lucky back then that I was able to use the sme dealer all the time, which hbeing an old fashioned family owned dealership was more like an indie than a franchise dealership.
Have really struggled with moving to BMW after that level of service, as trying to explain an issue to a spotty yoof 'service agent' is an exercise in futility sometimes, doesn't help that I have use multiple dealers being freelance.
Mr Tidy said:
I'm glad too!!
Just to clarify, because I wouldn't want to have pay enough to cover that!
"Technician" now mostly means plug it in to the OBD and it tells you what is wrong, so you just go to stores and get the bits or have them ordered in for later and stick them on!
No it doesn't.Just to clarify, because I wouldn't want to have pay enough to cover that!
"Technician" now mostly means plug it in to the OBD and it tells you what is wrong, so you just go to stores and get the bits or have them ordered in for later and stick them on!
Slippydiff said:
And for every fifty of the "technicians" you've aptly described, there's one who can actually diagnose issues properly. Unfortunately they end up with all the st jobs the other muppets can't fix (often because the muppets want to only do oil services and brake pads/discs).
Do the skilled diagnostic technicians get paid any more ? Nope. Do they tend to stay at said dealership any length of time ? Nope (and why would they)
The likes of Sytner are slowly reaping what they've sown, by paying their workshop staff poor wages, making bonus schemes unattainable, increasingly long working hours, forcing technicians to waste valuable time producing facile videos, complete lots of pointless paperwork etc etc, the job has become all but untenable.
Add in the corporate mentality most large dealership chains have displayed over the past 10 years, ie "if you don't like the job, hours, pay, etc, leave, as you're disposable and easily replaced" it's no small wonder there isn't a queue of applicants for what is fast becoming known as a poor career choice.
I wonder if that is why the local BMW independent specialist I use is ex-Sytner? (And was once a Sytner Apprentice of the Year). t jobs the other muppets can't fix (often because the muppets want to only do oil services and brake pads/discs). Do the skilled diagnostic technicians get paid any more ? Nope. Do they tend to stay at said dealership any length of time ? Nope (and why would they)
The likes of Sytner are slowly reaping what they've sown, by paying their workshop staff poor wages, making bonus schemes unattainable, increasingly long working hours, forcing technicians to waste valuable time producing facile videos, complete lots of pointless paperwork etc etc, the job has become all but untenable.
Add in the corporate mentality most large dealership chains have displayed over the past 10 years, ie "if you don't like the job, hours, pay, etc, leave, as you're disposable and easily replaced" it's no small wonder there isn't a queue of applicants for what is fast becoming known as a poor career choice.
I've had nothing but good experiences since I started going there (thanks to a recommendation on here and a BMW forum) - I think he must have been the one who could actually diagnose issues properly!
bmwmike said:
gizlaroc said:
...you may as well work a factory line.
Spot on IMO. Probably why techs leave and become specialist/indy. Probably most hands on enthusiast owners know their particular model better than the master techs..Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff