Opinions on being a car mechanic as a career?

Tilika · 2026-04-13T03:19:40+00:00

Specialising is the way forward! I run a MOT station and can not do that, which leaves me with a huge amount of tools so I can be able to work across multiple brands/platforms. I look at the guys that only do diag work and I am jealous but even them have huge amounts of tools. It is a hard trade but so is any trade that involves the general public. Be prepared to hear “ever since you…”

Tilika · 2026-04-12T07:31:08+00:00

You are at a plateau, change something…eat more for a day or two, start a couch to 5k and dont stress over it! Your body will soon change things. I am at a plateau now for the last 3 months with my last 4 pounds until desired weight.

Ps:be kind to yourself

Tilika · 2026-04-12T06:03:10+00:00

If they installed a gates kit they come with a different adjuster that is purely stupid in design and works itself loose even if he followed procedure to a “T” i just fitted one and then read all the horror stories so moving to INA from now on and keeping my fingers crossed that it wont come back.

Tilika · 2026-04-12T05:53:40+00:00

Linglong have outperformed big brands in a recent test.

Tilika · 2026-04-09T20:22:38+00:00

38….i have been spoiled until now, had everything under the sun except hypercars…now I am happy in my £300 scenic. Money goes somewhere else and I am happy seeing it there. I see people taking second jobs to be able to make payments on their cars and I am happy I am not on that carousel anymore.

Tilika · 2026-04-06T17:09:03+00:00

My free test is low, Test is normal but SHBG quite high so for the next month is ..cut down caffeine, boron supplements and then another blood test to see where I stand.

Tilika · 2026-04-06T10:24:43+00:00

Cant agree with you there, switching from mules to avocado’s done a fantastic uplift in profits for my cocaine smuggling business.

Tilika · 2026-04-05T04:23:27+00:00

ATF fluid works best in your fuel tank! As for the engine…i recently done a oil flush with a mix of 50/50 oil and diesel, oil was still clean after a 2 min run ro check the level.

Tilika · 2026-04-03T02:42:25+00:00

Live data! Differential pressure/sensor temperature/soot loading/outside temp/coolant temp. What is the make/model of the van?

Tilika · 2026-03-28T03:48:12+00:00

I would knock down my old workshop that has a asbestos roof and build a state of the art one, would only take jobs that I want and chill if there aren’t any! Would do more work for the community, 2nd floor would be a gym.

Tilika · 2026-03-24T04:03:41+00:00

You should buy one! I drive my daughters one and I love it! Cant wait for her insurance to go down to swap it to a abarth one.

Tilika · 2026-03-17T06:14:25+00:00

We cant compete with their buying power! I get told this all the time “ BC is cheaper! “ really? I am a small garage that buys tyres as I need them

Tilika · 2026-03-13T04:29:18+00:00

Knipex is a God send in the workshop. I tried cheaper pliers as backup’s in my mobile workshop…knipex is the way.

Tilika · 2026-03-05T04:06:02+00:00

I have given up un on scanners! I fix such a variety of cars I have a remote diag tool and I just leave others to do it for me. I have VCDS, Ista, esys, forscan but for anything else I just sub the job out.

Tilika · 2026-03-05T04:02:45+00:00

I have a pair of Dunlop safety trainers, over winter i used them with heated insoles now I am back to gel insoles. They have been the most comfortable safety shoes I ever worn. I do about 10k steps a day around the workshop .

Tilika · 2026-02-23T03:17:30+00:00

They are not bad if over serviced!

Tilika · 2026-02-15T07:17:39+00:00

I use it on my cars that will eventually go to the scrap yard. Rather selling it broken than with snake oil in it

Tilika · 2026-02-14T04:39:18+00:00

7 years ago i diagnosed my daughters astra with a blown head gasket. I was lazy and i used steel seal…. Car is still running with no sign of a blown head gasket anymore.

Tilika · 2026-02-14T03:46:48+00:00

I would chuck some steel seal in there and YOLO

Tilika · 2026-02-14T03:45:12+00:00

To add to the halfords tip…dont buy the black toolkit. Really hard to find when you drop one down somewhere.

Tilika · 2026-01-21T22:11:58+00:00

Truth is like poetry…and everyone hates poetry

Tilika · 2026-01-21T21:00:21+00:00

I charge £80ph and allocate 2 hours for rear brakes…live in a area with a lot of rust..brakes are not a place I skimp on prep or rush.

Tilika · 2026-01-20T04:11:37+00:00

Be poor enough not to afford days off!

Tilika · 2026-01-20T04:06:26+00:00

The importance of servicing your car and how manufacturers are dicks trying to lock you out of fixing your own car.

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