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How exposed to AI is a Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanic?

Of the 30 tasks O*NET lists for automotive service technicians and mechanics, 1 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 27 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Automotive Drivability Technician (Auto Drivability Tech)Automotive Mechanic (Auto Mechanic)Automotive Service Technician (Auto Service Tech)Automotive Technician (Auto Tech)Diagnostic Technician (Diagnostic Tech)Heavy Line Technician (Heavy Line Tech)Lube Tech (Lubrication Technician)MechanicQuick Service Technician (Quick Service Tech)Service Technician (Service Tech)
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
30
tasks rated for this occupation
0%
hold a degree, from a survey of 39
630k
people do this job in the US
28 of 50
least protected in installation and repair

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

1
  • Review work orders and discuss work with supervisors

Only with software built on top

2
  • Estimate costs of vehicle repair
  • Troubleshoot fuel, ignition, and emissions control systems, using electronic testing equipment

Cannot be sped up

27
  • Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made
  • Test drive vehicles and test components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices
  • Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications
  • Repair, reline, replace, and adjust brakes
  • Confer with customers to obtain descriptions of vehicle problems and to discuss work to be performed and future repair requirements
  • Align vehicles' front ends
  • Align wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines
  • Tear down, repair, and rebuild faulty assemblies, such as power systems, steering systems, and linkages
  • Perform routine and scheduled maintenance services, such as oil changes, lubrications, and tune-ups
  • Plan work procedures, using charts, technical manuals, and experience
  • Follow checklists to ensure all important parts are examined, including belts, hoses, steering systems, spark plugs, brake and fuel systems, wheel bearings, and other potentially troublesome areas
  • Maintain cleanliness of work area
  • Change spark plugs, fuel filters, air filters, and batteries in hybrid electric vehicles
  • Repair and service air conditioning, heating, engine cooling, and electrical systems
  • Disassemble units and inspect parts for wear, using micrometers, calipers, and gauges
  • Test electronic computer components in automobiles to ensure proper operation
  • Overhaul or replace carburetors, blowers, generators, distributors, starters, and pumps
  • Repair or replace parts such as pistons, rods, gears, valves, and bearings
  • Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels
  • Tune automobile engines to ensure proper and efficient functioning
  • Repair, replace, or adjust defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and gasoline filters
  • Install, adjust, or repair hydraulic or electromagnetic automatic lift mechanisms used to raise and lower automobile windows, seats, and tops
  • Conduct visual inspections of compressed natural gas fuel systems to identify cracks, gouges, abrasions, discoloration, broken fibers, loose brackets, damaged gaskets, or other problems
  • Rebuild parts, such as crankshafts and cylinder blocks
  • Diagnose and replace or repair engine management systems or related sensors for flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) with ignition timing, fuel rate, alcohol concentration, or air-to-fuel ratio malfunctions
  • Repair or rebuild transmissions
  • Retrofit vehicle fuel systems with aftermarket products, such as vapor transfer devices, evaporation control devices, swirlers, lean burn devices, and friction reduction devices, to enhance combustion and fuel efficiency
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.