7321 – Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers

Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers inspect, diagnose, repair and service mechanical, electrical and electronic systems and components of cars, buses, and light and commercial transport trucks. They are employed by motor vehicle dealers, garages, truck and trailer dealerships, fleet maintenance companies, and service stations, automotive specialty shops, transportation companies and retail establishments which have automotive service shops. This unit group also includes mechanical repairers who perform major repairs and replacement of mechanical units on newly assembled motor vehicles. They are employed by motor vehicle manufacturing companies.

Profile

Index of titles

Example titles

After sales service technician – motor vehicles

Alignment and brakes technician

Apprentice motor vehicle mechanic

Automatic transmission mechanic – motor vehicle

Automatic transmission technician – motor vehicles

Automobile mechanic

Automobile service mechanic

Automotive air conditioning mechanic

Automotive brake mechanic

Automotive brake repairer

Automotive brake specialist

Automotive carburetor mechanic

Automotive drive trains technician

Automotive electrical and tune-up service technician

Automotive electrical mechanic

Automotive electrical technician

Automotive engine mechanic inspector

Automotive mechanic

Automotive mechanical repairer

Automotive radiator mechanic

Automotive radiator mechanic apprentice

Automotive radiator repairer

Automotive repairer

Automotive service technician

Automotive service technician – electrical and fuel systems

Automotive service technician – fuel and electronics systems

Automotive service technician – steering, suspension and brakes

Automotive service technician – transmission

Automotive service technician apprentice

Automotive technician – air conditioning system

Automotive technician – automatic transmission systems

Automotive technician – brakes systems

Automotive technician – electrical and electronic systems

Automotive technician – engine and fuel systems

Automotive technician – front-end systems

Automotive technician – fuel systems

Automotive technician – standard transmission systems

Automotive technician – transmission systems

Automotive vehicle tester

Automotive vehicle testing mechanic

Brake systems mechanic

Bus and transport mechanic

Bus and truck mechanic

Bus mechanic

Car mechanic

Commercial trailer mechanic

Commercial trailer technician

Commercial transport vehicle mechanic

Diagnostic technician – motor vehicles

Engine mechanic – motor vehicle

Front-end mechanic

Fuel and electrical systems technician – motor vehicle

Garage mechanic

Mechanic – motor vehicle manufacturing

Mechanical upgrader – motor vehicle manufacturing

Motor mechanic – motor vehicle manufacturing

Motor repairer – motor vehicle manufacturing

Motor vehicle diesel engine mechanic

Motor vehicle fuel conversion technician

Motor vehicle fuel-systems and electric-systems mechanic

Motor vehicle mechanic

Motor vehicle mechanical repairer

Motor vehicle technician

Motor vehicle transmission mechanic

New car mechanic

Service technician – motor vehicle repair

Trailer mechanic

Trailer mechanical systems repairer

Transmission mechanic

Transmission technician

Transport truck mechanic

Transport truck trailer mechanic

Trolley engine mechanic

Truck and coach technician

Truck and trailer repairer

Truck and transport mechanic

Truck and transport service technician

Truck and transport vehicle mechanic apprentice

Truck and transport vehicle repairer

Truck mechanic

Truck trailer mechanic

Truck trailer repairer apprentice

Truck trailer service technician

Truck-trailer repairer

Tune-up mechanic – motor vehicle

Tune-up specialist – motor vehicle

Wheel alignment and brake mechanic

Wheel alignment and brake specialist

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Automotive service technicians

Review work orders and discuss work with supervisor

Inspect motor in operation, road test motor vehicle, and test automotive systems and components using computerized diagnostic and other testing devices to diagnose and isolate faults

Adjust, repair or replace parts and components of automotive systems including fuel system, brakes, steering and suspension, engine and drive train, emission control and exhaust, cooling and climate control, and electrical and electronic systems using hand tools and other specialized automotive repair equipment

Test and adjust repaired systems to manufacturer’s performance specifications

Perform scheduled maintenance service, such as oil changes, lubrications and tune ups

Advise customers on work performed, general vehicle condition and future repair requirements.

Mechanical repairers – motor vehicle manufacturing

Inspect and test mechanical units, such as engines, transmissions, axles and brake systems, to locate faults and malfunctions

Diagnose faults or malfunctions and confirm findings with supervisor to determine whether to repair or replace unit

Repair or replace mechanical units or components using hand and power tools

Test and adjust units to specifications for proper performance

Complete reports to record problems and work performed.

Truck and transport and truck-trailer mechanics

Adjust, repair or replace parts and components of commercial transport truck systems including chassis, frame, cab, body, engine and drive train, air brakes, steering, and fuel, hydraulic, electrical and electronic systems

Adjust, repair or replace parts and components of truck-trailer systems including structural, brake and electrical systems.

Workers in this unit group may specialize in the following areas: engine and fuel systems, transmission systems, air conditioning, cooling and heating systems, steering, alignment, brakes, drive lines, suspension, electrical and electronic systems, truck-trailer repair or diagnostic services.

Employment requirements

Automotive service technicians

Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required.

Completion of a four-year automotive service technician apprenticeship program or a combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in automotive technology is required to be eligible for trade certification.

Trade certification for automotive service technicians is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Automotive service technician (transmission) trade certification is compulsory in Ontario.

Automotive service technician (steering, suspension and brakes) trade certification is compulsory in New Brunswick and Ontario.

Automotive service technician (service station mechanic) trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia and available, but voluntary, in Prince Edward Island.

Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified automotive service technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Mechanical repairers, motor vehicle manufacturing

Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required.

On-the-job training of two to three years is provided by employers.

Truck and transport and truck-trailer mechanics

Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program are usually required.

Completion of a four-year truck and transport mechanic or truck-trailer repair apprenticeship or a combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in truck or heavy duty equipment mechanics is required to be eligible for trade certification.

Trade certification for truck and transport mechanics is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and the Yukon.

Transport trailer technician trade certification is compulsory in Ontario and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia and the Yukon.

Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified truck-trailer repairers and truck and transport mechanics upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Additional information

With additional training, mobility is possible between automobile and truck and transport mechanics.

The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.

With experience, mechanics and technicians in this unit group may progress to supervisory positions.

Mechanical repairers employed in motor vehicle manufacturing may progress to motor vehicle mechanic positions through an apprenticeship program, or with experience, they may progress to supervisory positions in motor vehicle manufacturing.

Exclusions

Heavy-duty equipment mechanics (7312)

Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers (9522)

Motor vehicle body repairers (7322)

Recreation vehicle service technicians (in 7384 Other trades and related occupations, n.e.c.)

Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling (9221)

Supervisors of motor vehicle mechanics (in 7301 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades)

Transport truck and trailer assemblers (in 9526 Mechanical assemblers and inspectors)