“Fixing cars is fun, being a mechanic is not” - by Vicky Coates, Garage Talk
A TikTok comment sparked a candid conversation about time pressure, parts, pay and workshop culture
It all started with a TikTok comment. A short clip from Garage Talk Online prompted one mechanic to make a blunt observation which we’re sure resonated with many in the trade: “Fixing cars is fun, being a mechanic is not.” What followed was a series of replies that read like an insider’s briefing on the frustrations, satisfactions and structural problems facing technicians across Britain.
Hobby satisfaction and workplace strain
For many enthusiasts, repairing a vehicle is a rewarding puzzle - diagnosing faults, dismantling and rebuilding components, and experiencing the tactile satisfaction of work done to specification. The TikTok commenter described that pleasure in detail: working at home, choosing trusted parts, replacing every removed fastener and following manufacturer procedures. They spoke about the small, satisfying moments - the click of a torque wrench, the beep of a multimeter - that make the project enjoyable.
Yet that enjoyment can fade in the harsh reality of the workplace. In a busy garage, the mechanic can feel like they’re working “against the clock” while maintaining precision on machines where a single small mistake can cost tens - sometimes hundreds - of thousands of pounds. Time pressures, production targets and the judgement of colleagues turn what would be a satisfying trade into a high-stress job.
“Fixing cars is great if you have the time to work at your own pace and you have all the parts to do the job properly and you get to choose what you work on.” - TikTok user (anonymised).
Problems that slow the job and risk safety
Several recurring themes emerged from the replies:
Parts and fasteners: Technicians are often required to fit whatever parts are supplied by parts departments, and the new fasteners manufacturers specify for replacement are rarely available. That forces compromises, increases repair time and raises the temptation to cut corners.
Vehicle design and accessibility: Some makes and models are engineered in ways that make routine repairs excessively difficult. The mechanic described a CV boot job on a Peugeot 5008 that escalated after a gearbox oil leak was triggered; hidden drain plugs, obstructive subframes and a tight working area required draining oil, removing mounts and prying the engine forward - turning a simple job into a major task.
Workplace culture: In larger workshops the mechanic described colleagues who publicly criticise others’ approaches, sometimes even when a junior is following the correct repair procedure. That culture contributes to an unpleasant working environment.
Pay and choice: The commenter contrasted the freedom and satisfaction of working on personal cars or running your own business - where you can choose jobs, use proper parts and replace fasteners - with employed technicians’ experience of low wages and no control over incoming work.
Listening and helping change the conversation
Garage Talk thanked the mechanic for taking the time to explain their experiences, agreed that many technicians are underpaid and that some garage owners undercharge (which prevents investment in wages, training and equipment), and said the site will keep pushing to educate owners and change that mindset. We also welcomed that resources such as Alldata are helping technicians solve complex problems and encouraged the mechanic to keep doing what they love.
“We definitely agree that a lot of mechanics aren’t paid enough, and a lot of garage owners don’t charge enough.” — Garage Talk Online
That response reflects Garage Talk’s wider aim: not simply to report on the aftermarket but to engage with technicians, amplify their experiences and help steer conversations towards practical solutions - from better parts sourcing and training to rethinking how garages price work so mechanics can be paid fairly and equipped properly.
Why it matters
When technicians are rushed, forced to fit sub-standard parts, or work in hostile environments, repair quality and customer safety can suffer. The issues raised in the TikTok thread, design-for-serviceability, parts supply, workplace culture and fair pay are not niche gripes; they are systemic factors that affect the future of the trade.
Join the conversation
We’re committed to listening to the bays. Real change starts when owners, parts suppliers, manufacturers, and the trade speak to one another, and platforms like Garage Talk give those voices a place to be heard.
Garage Talk Online invites mechanics, workshop managers and vehicle owners to share their experiences. Tell us what works in your workshop, what doesn’t, and which garages are getting it right. Join the discussion on our TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook channels, or email stories and suggestions to hello@garagetalkonline.co.uk. Your voice helps shape the stories we cover and the improvements we want to see across the trade.