Why is the motor trade such a low paying trade when it requires such high levels of knowledge?
Answers:
why is teaching such a low wage when it requires far higher levels of knowledge and time?
because they can. if like plumbers, everyone charged high prices, then we would have to pay it. with the other trades you dont have any choice but to pay high prices, whereas with cars yo can get them cheaply so you do!
Can't be easy trying to make a living out of us mealy mouthed misers.Seriously, can hear what you are saying. I value my car and I do pay for it to be maintained, why would I risk my life and others in a machine that if faulty could kill. Perhaps you should mention that to some of the people who begrudge maintaining a potential killing machine.
Supply & Demand son!
I wish I could use your garage! I'm used to paying about £50/h, and although I agree that it's a skilled job I'm not sure that it's worth the equivalent of £100k per year.
Competition is the main influence on price. If there are lots of people out there offering what appears to be the same service as you, prices will be forced down because consumers can ask around and choose the lowest price.
Low paying when thy charge so much? You could have fooled me!
I'm in an industry related to the trade, I deal with various manufacturer finance companies, and was at the coalface itself for a few years, salesman, BM etc.
We may, to a certain extent, have dug our own grave but, I am always astonished that in the eyes of the public and media we are not allowed to make a profit.
Why do people go to work, to make money?
However we in the motor trade seem to be exempt from that and should work for charity.
Totally agree with you.
Possibly low pay , but high prices for sure.
Another answer you have states £50 per hour, totalling £100k per year.
I imagine a motor engineer is paid about £25k per year, which beggars the question, who has the missing £75k? Can only be the garage owners. So no low wages for them then!
Unfortunately the motor trade has a bad reputation for over charging, and it does so. a "dealer" will charge £70 / hr. Far more than the £120 / day for a spark , plumber or joiner.
If you are a small independent and service older cars then, no disrespect, but you are at the bottom of the car-serviceing food chain. You've chosen your target customer base, which unfortunately for you, doesn't have any money, thats why they drive older cars
So, to compare yorself to a plumber you need to compare yourself to a plumber at the bottom of the plumber foodchain - one who works for a DIY shop or one who does new build first fix - they will definately get paid less than a garage mechanic.
I used to get my car serviced by a specialist SAAB independant in Slough. The quote for the annual service was £200. It was never below £600.
Luck of the draw for you I'm afraid. If you are so highly skilled it wouldn't take 2 minutes to re-train as a plumber, why not do that than spend time moaning about the people that give you a living.
Quite simple, people pay the going rate for a service. If your industry pays low that means either there are too many people in the industry or the skill level is low/not valued.
I was shocked recently to learn that a Quickfit MOT inspector gets £14K, a Nationwide Autocentre one gets £18K. I though it would be much higher. But thats a reflection of the industry you choose.
I would not go and become a hair stylist because i know there is no money in it. Likewise I don't moan because I don't earn £1M as a city broker, although I'm sure my skill level is higher. I have to accept the rates for my chosen career, or move on.
There is probably nothing to stop you putting your garage on the market tomorrow morning at 9AM. You could use the money to retrain. If things are as bad as you say, you wouldn't hesitate.
I did more than 8 years worth of intensive training to be on top of the job at hand, and yes, even after that, as a service manager, the salary really sucked,,,,,,big time. Electronics on the newer models are going to put you in demand, that's for sure. So, if you have not done those courses mate, get out there and do it, as the days of the "backyard mechanics" and the D.I.Y. guys are counted forever.
I will be the first to agree that some dealerships are asking tariffs that is totally out of line, and the buying public have to suffer as a result of that, but, the days of the franchise dealers making all the bucks are also going to end, and they will be forced to pay is a reasonable salary, as the technology is going to surpass a great many of the existing technicians as well. Step up, and get the appropriate training and you will be laughing, and soon !!
yes
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