Retraining as a mechanic
Discussion
I've had a couple of beers, and I fancy retraining as a mechanic. I run my own business, reasonably happily, but it's getting to be hard graft and very long hours the older I get. I make a decent living, but I'd like to work weekdays more than weekends, and locally rather than all over Europe.
I used to be fairly handy mechanically, but for the last 8 years, it's been more cost effective to pay someone else to sort the cars and vans so that I can work.
The guy that does the work seems to have a fantastic work/life balance. He's a good bloke, working out of a nasty unit in the middle of nowhere, and is as busy as he wants to be.
I've got some savings, a very small amount of mechanical aptitude, a huge work ethic, and 8 years experience of running my own business. I'd love to operate a local independent garage, with no niche specialism, or massive expansion aspirations.
How do I start?
I used to be fairly handy mechanically, but for the last 8 years, it's been more cost effective to pay someone else to sort the cars and vans so that I can work.
The guy that does the work seems to have a fantastic work/life balance. He's a good bloke, working out of a nasty unit in the middle of nowhere, and is as busy as he wants to be.
I've got some savings, a very small amount of mechanical aptitude, a huge work ethic, and 8 years experience of running my own business. I'd love to operate a local independent garage, with no niche specialism, or massive expansion aspirations.
How do I start?
What is your mechanical background or experience?
Working in a cold workshop on a winters night is no fun I can tell you. Had a few jobs recently that have made me think long and hard on what I let in through the door.
What are you looking at doing? Specialising in anything?
I think it may seem from your friends work ethic to be a bit of fun ambling around a workshop tinkering.
When you have an issue and a customer waiting for their car I would say its as stressful as any other job.
It takes a long time to build up a customer base and get repeat custom. Add to that getting credit accounts with local factors / suppliers -you soon get fed up paying for everything up front!.
Working in a cold workshop on a winters night is no fun I can tell you. Had a few jobs recently that have made me think long and hard on what I let in through the door.
What are you looking at doing? Specialising in anything?
I think it may seem from your friends work ethic to be a bit of fun ambling around a workshop tinkering.
When you have an issue and a customer waiting for their car I would say its as stressful as any other job.
It takes a long time to build up a customer base and get repeat custom. Add to that getting credit accounts with local factors / suppliers -you soon get fed up paying for everything up front!.
I've no real mechanical background or experience, other than basic labouring work - the biggest job I've ever done is an engine swap.
It's not about building an existing skill, it's about learning something new. I appreciate it's not going to be an idyllic picture. Last month, I was in Cologne for a customer, expecting to go on to Munster and then home for the weekend. On Thursday night, it became clear that the customer had confused Munster with Munich. In a van, that's a day each way driving in addition to the day's work I was expecting. While the extra money was nice, I'm too old for that kind of thing.
I've enough money to live on for 3 years. I'd like to learn to work on cars, and ultimately establish a business. I don't see a niche that I find attractive, although I have a history of using and developing a knowledge of light commercials.
It's not about building an existing skill, it's about learning something new. I appreciate it's not going to be an idyllic picture. Last month, I was in Cologne for a customer, expecting to go on to Munster and then home for the weekend. On Thursday night, it became clear that the customer had confused Munster with Munich. In a van, that's a day each way driving in addition to the day's work I was expecting. While the extra money was nice, I'm too old for that kind of thing.
I've enough money to live on for 3 years. I'd like to learn to work on cars, and ultimately establish a business. I don't see a niche that I find attractive, although I have a history of using and developing a knowledge of light commercials.
been a mechanic for 7 years. only this year passed my level 3 and did my level 2 the year before (NVRQ) at college. Decided i needed to bight the bullet and get my papers. im 30 now. had to go to college for 2 days a week. 1 day doing practical and the other therory and tests. was hard as i was in a class room for therory with school leavers and so on' got very angry at times as they didnt want to learn and i was the boring one' i wanted to listen and learn. but once you put them in your place its fine. courses where £500-£600 each from memory. Your practical book had a list of jobs you need to do to complete the course aswell as your exams.
For example
Cambelt change
Stripping heads
Electrics
Clutches.............. To compression tests and so on. i had these done within a few month without bragging' others took the full year but it makes life easier and less stressfull.
To be an MOT tester you need to have level 3 also and its a 2 day course also from memory. you also have to be in a garage to do it
For example
Cambelt change
Stripping heads
Electrics
Clutches.............. To compression tests and so on. i had these done within a few month without bragging' others took the full year but it makes life easier and less stressfull.
To be an MOT tester you need to have level 3 also and its a 2 day course also from memory. you also have to be in a garage to do it
doogz said:
Someone with more experience than me may correct me, but, become an MOT tester?
You don't need to be a mechanic, you just have to pass VOSA's test IIRC?
Then you can open an MOT place, and MOT cars all day long. Get someone else onboard, a mechanic to do some repairs? Start building your empire from there?
Part 2:You don't need to be a mechanic, you just have to pass VOSA's test IIRC?
Then you can open an MOT place, and MOT cars all day long. Get someone else onboard, a mechanic to do some repairs? Start building your empire from there?
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must:
be nominated by an Authorised Examiner
have a current and full UK driving licence for the vehicle classes you want to test
be a skilled mechanic with at least 4 years’ full-time employment in the service and repair of the vehicle types to be tested
have no unspent convictions for criminal offences connected with the MOT testing scheme or the motor trade, or involving acts of violence or intimidation
be ‘of good repute’
If you want to become a Nominated Tester for class 3, 4, 5 or 7 vehicles you must also either:
have an appropriate qualification
pass the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) Nominated Tester Training Assessment (NTTA) exam
More info here
https://www.gov.uk/become-an-mot-tester/eligibilit...
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