The Best Auto Repair Shop Software Features That Help Increase Profitability
The article titled "The Best Auto Repair Shop Software Features That Help Increase Profitability," published on July 20, 2023, discusses key software functionalities that auto repair shops can utilize to enhance their profitability, highlighting success stories like Metro Motor's growth in average repair orders using Tekmetric software.
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The Best Auto Repair Shop Software Features Increasing Shop Profitability
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July 20, 2023
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https://www.tekmetric.com/post/best-auto-repair-shop-software-features-for-selling
One of the most challenging parts of being a service advisor is building trust with drivers. Many drivers already feel apprehensive about spending money on repairs, but you’re still tasked with letting them know exactly what’s wrong with their car. And sometimes, that means identifying more issues than they were expecting.
At Tekmetric, we’ve heard a lot of great tricks of the trade from service advisors like you. And we’ve designed Tekmetric with many of these insights in mind. By leveraging Tekmetric’s capabilities, you can more effectively upsell, cross-sell, and reach more customers—and see your shop’s ARO and gross profits rise.
Here are the best auto repair shop software features within Tekmetric to help you flourish in your role.
Customer Notes
Let’s start by rehashing one of the most fundamental facts about sales: part of selling more work involves making customers happy each visit so they’ll want to return. So, how can you build relationships with customers and make them feel like you’re their go-to shop?
Think back to your own experiences. Have you ever walked into a local business and the employees greeted you by name? Perhaps you paid your doctor a visit for your annual checkup, and the nurse remembered that you don’t like sitting in the waiting room; you like to step out and get a text when it’s your time to see the doctor. Or, maybe you went to a family-owned restaurant, and the owner remembered your go-to order. The fact that these businesses remembered your name and preferences likely left an impression on you, and your shop’s guests are no different.
With Tekmetric, you can enhance each guest’s experience by adding tailored customer notes. Guests will be impressed with your attention to detail and care, and
you’ll always be able to provide that personalized experience that will make your shop stand out.
Maybe Marylynn prefers waiting at the shop until her vehicle’s repairs are done, while Julio prefers dropping off his car and coming back later. By noting that in Tekmetric, you won’t have to ask Marylynn and Julio to remind you what they prefer each time they come in for a repair. You’ll be able to act on the information you have on hand.
Tek-Tip: Customer notes aren’t limited to whether or not guests want to stay with their vehicles.
Consider personalizing your service by including unique notes about your customers:
- Guests’ favorite drinks, so they can sip on their favorite refreshments in the waiting area.
- Guests’ preferred nicknames.
- The correct pronunciation of guests’ names.
- Their favorite sports teams.
- Any notes related to their needs. For example, maybe you know that a particular guest always brings his young child who loves SpongeBob, so you can put SpongeBob on the TV so the child doesn’t get bored.
- The guest’s profession. For example, if they’re an active member of the armed forces (or a veteran), a healthcare professional, a teacher, a firefighter, or a police officer, your shop can give them a discount.
- Important dates such as birthdays and anniversaries, so your shop can help guests celebrate these special days.
Above all, keep customer notes positive! Instead of writing that a customer “typically asks too many questions,” you can instead write that the customer “is detail-oriented and really likes to understand the nuances of their repair.” At the end of the day, you don’t want to spread negativity about guests with the rest of your team.
Make Scheduling Easy
We all love an easy to book service experience. Add your scheduling link to your website and Google Business profile for easy after-hours scheduling. Tekmetric makes this easy with built-in scheduling features.
This also enables you to attract new appointments when you are not in the shop or during holidays. Demand more from your website and start finding new customers 24/7.
Job Histories and Integrated CARFAX Reports
When a customer has been coming to your shop for years, it can be tough to remember all the work that’s been done on their vehicle. It’s even tougher to get an overview of all the previous work from new customers. However, that knowledge is vital, because it can provide additional context that will help you make repair recommendations.
Tekmetric’s job histories and integrated CARFAX reports make it easier for you and the technicians at the shop to get an accurate picture of previous work that’s been done. With that information, you can make additional recommendations that you might have missed otherwise, and you can upsell that work to the customer—giving them the most holistic repair service possible.
Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVIs)
One of the most impactful ways to sell more work is by leveraging digital vehicle inspections (DVIs). Instead of handing guests a paper inspection, you can send a digital one straight to their device, where they’ll be able to read all the necessary details about the proposed repair work.
You already know how difficult it can be to get some drivers to approve additional work that goes beyond what they thought they needed when they first stepped in. Tekmetric’s digital vehicle inspection feature helps you navigate that issue by bringing another layer of transparency to the game—technicians can attach photos and videos to each DVI, so guests can see for themselves exactly what’s wrong with their cars. As a result, they’ll have peace of mind and trust your recommendations.
Additionally, Tekmetric’s digital vehicle inspections use a “green, yellow, red” color system to show guests the urgency of each proposed repair. Any line item marked “red” needs immediate attention; any line item marked “yellow” can get taken care of on the next visit; any line item marked “green” is all good. With this system, customers get a clear picture of exactly what needs to get done, and when.
Tracking Declined Jobs
After the guest reviews their digital vehicle inspection, they can approve and decline individual jobs. Of course, it’s a win for your shop for every approved job. But as for the declined jobs? Not all is lost.
The guest might want to hold off on a certain repair, especially if they see that it’s in the “yellow” category on their digital vehicle inspection. When they decline that job, you’ll have a record of it in Tekmetric. You can remind the guest about that declined job the next time they visit your shop, or you can reach out to them when the time for that job gets closer.
Tracking declined jobs is one of the most effective ways to sell more work, especially when times are slow. It’s easier to sell to an existing guest who already knows that a certain repair will be necessary in the future rather than marketing to a new customer altogether. Guests will also appreciate the attentiveness of your team; they’ll feel like your shop has their back—they won’t have to risk driving around with a repair that was marked “yellow” a month ago but is now in the “red” category.
Additionally, tracking declined jobs gives you a natural reason to give them a call to check in on them, and sell work without sounding pushy: “Hi there! How’re your brakes treating you? When you came in a few months ago, I saw they were starting to wear. Just wanted to make sure they were still working. Oh, they’re making some noise? Come on in, and we’ll get them replaced.”
Workflow Features: Tech Board & Job Board
Here’s an interesting find from J.D. Power: satisfaction scores drastically decline when customers wait three minutes or more to speak to someone at a service facility.
Tekmetric makes it easier for you to manage tasks from the front desk, so you can remain aware of every repair and be available to greet customers as they walk in.
Specifically, with Tekmetric, you can use the Tech Board to appropriately designate tasks to technicians so that they won’t get overloaded. You can use the Job Board to keep guests updated about the status of their repairs. They’ll be happy that you’re able to get to them quickly and that you’re keeping them informed.
Tekmessage True Two-Way Texting
One of the best ways to get customers to return and recommend your shop to their friends and family is to show them how communicative you are, and how considerate you are of their day-to-day lives.
Think about it. Your guests might be bouncing from meeting to meeting or rushing to make it to lunch with a friend. They want to minimize interruptions and maximize convenience. To help them get through their daily lives with as few hiccups as possible, you can text them updates about their repair status, rather than calling them. Texts are easier for customers to manage if they’re busy, and they are less likely to be misinterpreted from background noise or a fuzzy signal.
True Two-Way Texting enables you to quickly text guests updates about their repairs straight from your workstation. Once you access the Job Board and see that a repair has hit a timeline milestone, you can send a text message to a guest without ever having to leave Tekmetric. On your shop’s side, guest communications will be in one place rather than in disparate locations. There will be a record of who updated which customer and when.
Marketing Integrations
One of the main ways your shop can grow as a business is to reach more customers. Marketing software gives shops access to important features that will make it easier to raise brand awareness, widen your net, and bring in more new customers. Those features include:
- Call tracking
- Digital ad creation
- Customer data analysis
With the use of these features, everyone in your area can know about your shop and the excellent service you and your colleagues provide!
Tekmetric integrates with over 20 of the auto repair industry’s leading marketing tools, including Kukui, MyShopManager, and MechanicNet. By using one of these integrated marketing tools, you can log into Tekmetric and manage everything from one place—no need to deal with multiple tabs and information in disparate locations.
Auto Repair Shop Features Are Just One Part of Customer Service
Auto repair shop features are integral for helping you upsell, cross-sell, and reach more customers in a trustworthy way.
They help you provide stellar end-to-end customer service for every customer from the moment they enter your shop. And it’s not just the “big” things, like an easy-to-understand DVI process and giving customers status updates about their repairs, that matter.
By using the best auto repair shop software features to keep the big picture and the small details in mind, you’ll create lifelong customers who will do word-of-mouth marketing for the shop, which is pivotal to business growth!
Ultimately, you don’t have to be pushy to sell more work. You can do so by genuinely being there for your customers—listening to them and understanding their needs. The more authentic you are when you recommend work, the more it will show customers that you’re actually trying to help them out, not just selling more work for the sake of selling more work. And these are the positive feelings you want all guests to leave with.
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FAQ
More articles
Drivers can sometimes see repairs as frivolous or not important.
Reasons for their skepticism can stem from many things: the customer can’t see what the service advisor is seeing on their end; they might not have a way to gauge the importance of the issue at hand; maybe a service advisor doesn’t communicate the problem correctly or forgets to ask the customer if they’re following along.
Tekmetric’s features empower auto repair shops to improve customer transparency, streamline communication, provide flexible payment options, and simplify the payment process.
These promote customer trust, enhance satisfaction, and ultimately help your shop close more repair orders. And that's what matters most.
Because at the end of the day, if customers feel they can trust your shop, they'll be more likely to return the next time they need something repaired.
Shop Management
Thought Leadership
Your Auto Repair Shop Can Close More Repairs Orders With These Features
August 20, 2024
Read time: 1 min
In the ever-evolving automotive industry, staying ahead of the curve means constantly learning and growing. For automotive service technicians, certifications aren’t just credentials—they’re powerful tools that open doors to better job opportunities, increased pay, and credibility with customers and employers alike.
Whether you're just starting out or already working in auto repair, understanding the most common types of mechanic certification can help you create a successful, long-lasting career. This guide will break down the most recognized certifications, how to attain them, and why they matter for every auto mechanic who wants to stand out.
Types of mechanic certifications
Mechanic certifications come in many forms, each tailored to different specializations and career goals. The most common types include:
1. ASE Certifications
Issued by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence ( ASE), these certifications are the gold standard for automotive mechanics. They cover a wide range of specialties, from engine repair to electronic systems and air conditioning.
ASE certification is considered the most prestigious and widely accepted credential in the automotive world.
More about ASE
Founded in 1972, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence sets the benchmark for automotive service technicians. ASE offers over 50 different certification tests in categories like:
- Engine Repair
- Brake Systems
- Air Conditioning and Heating
- Suspension and Steering
- Electrical/Electronic Systems
- Engine Performance
- Manual and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle
- Light Truck and Diesel Engines
Master technicians
There’s also a separate path for master technician status, which is achieved by passing all certifications in the required testing areas for that series. For example, technicians certified in tests A1 through A8 are Master automobile technicians.
Master technician status is not for life. You must keep each one of those certifications current to maintain master technician status. If you lose master technician status due to the lapse of one or more required certifications, it can be reinstated by taking and passing the recertification tests.
How long does it take to become ASE certified?
To become ASE certified, expect to spend anywhere from 1–3 years, depending on your work experience and whether you’re currently enrolled in training programs. Each certification test typically takes 1 to 2 hours to complete and can be scheduled at a local test center.
Being ASE certified shows you’ve mastered the skills needed for the job. It’s a badge of excellence recognized by employers, repair shops, and even customers looking for reliable service.
2. Student certifications
Geared toward high school and post-secondary students in automotive technology programs, these ASE certifications offer a head start in proving foundational knowledge.
What are student certifications?
Student certifications validate entry-level knowledge in core areas of vehicle repair and maintenance. These don’t require work experience and serve as a stepping stone to full ASE status.
Programs approved by the ASE Education Foundation often include student certification exams as part of their curriculum. These are excellent options for students at auto mechanic schools or in a community college training program.
Student certifications are valid for two years and help you build confidence before entering the workforce as an entry-level technician.
3. Manufacturer certifications
These certifications are specific to vehicle manufacturers and offered by companies like Ford, Toyota, GM, and others. Often, auto technicians working in dealerships will pursue these to show mastery of brand-specific systems.
For repair technicians who want to specialize in a particular brand, manufacturer certifications are essential.
Manufacturer training programs
- Toyota T-TEN
- Ford ASSET
- GM ASEP
- Honda PACT
- BMW STEP
These accredited programs often partner with dealerships to offer real-world, hands-on experience while you earn your credential. These programs can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months and typically require completion of automotive technology coursework alongside on-the-job work experience at a brand-affiliated repair center.
Why they matter
Manufacturer-certified auto technicians often have a faster path to high-paying roles within dealership networks and brand-specific repair shops. These certifications also prepare you to service increasingly complex vehicle systems, especially as brands continue to innovate with hybrid and electric vehicles.
4. Specialty certifications
You’ll also find credentials related to diesel engines, heavy truck systems, collision repair, and even hybrid/electric vehicles.
Each of these certification types plays a unique role in an automotive technician’s career path, and in many cases, earning more than one will make you significantly more marketable in repair shops and beyond.
Depending on your interests, you may also want to pursue:
- A/C Refrigerant Certification - Necessary if you want to be able to to buy refrigerant and work on air conditioning service.
- Diesel Mechanics Certification – Focused on diesel engines used in commercial fleets and heavy truck applications.
- Collision Repair Certification – Great for auto mechanics looking to work in body shops.
- Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Certification – A growing field with high demand.
Each of these certifications typically requires completion of a specialized training course and a passing score on certification exams. These programs may be part of a broader certificate program or offered as a standalone credential.
Tek-Tip: Another way to get ahead as a young technician is to be experienced with auto repair shop software so your employer doesn't have to teach you how to use their system.
Benefits of mechanic certifications
Getting certified is one of the most direct ways to turn your hands-on experience into a long-term career asset. Mechanic certifications do more than look good on a resume—they deliver real-world advantages. Here are some of the benefits of completing automotive certifications:
- Increased Pay: Certified mechanics typically earn higher wages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), certified automotive mechanics can earn higher hourly rates, especially in competitive markets.
- Job Security: The more certifications you have, the more valuable you are to auto repair businesses.
- Professional Credibility: Certification demonstrates a commitment to quality and standards, building trust with customers and employers.
- Career Advancement: Certified automotive service technicians are more likely to advance to roles such as shop foreman, master technician, or service manager.
- Mobility: Certifications make it easier to move between different types of employers—whether that’s independent repair shops, starting a mobile mechanic business, dealerships, or specialty service centers.
What does the certification process look like?
Most mechanic certifications follow a similar pathway but always refer to the specific instructions for your program.
Step 1: Enroll
Start by enrolling in an automotive technology program. These are offered by community colleges, trade schools, and accredited auto mechanic schools. Many programs are supported by the ASE Education Foundation, ensuring alignment with real-world industry standards.
Look for certificate programs or associate degrees that offer hands-on training. Financial aid is often available for eligible students.
Step 2: Gain work experience
Work experience is critical for most certifications. For ASE certification, for example, you need at least two years of on-the-job experience—or one year plus a diploma from an accredited program. You’ll need to show that you’ve worked on everything from brake systems and axles to manual drive train repairs and electrical systems.
Step 3: Pass certification tests
Most mechanic certifications require passing written or computer-based certification exams. These are typically held at a certified test center. The exams cover a variety of topics depending on the specialty, including engine performance, electronic systems, and automatic transmission repair.
Tek-Tip: Some auto shops/employers will pay your test fees for you.
Step 4: Maintain certification
Many certifications require recertification every five years. Staying current ensures you’re up to date with the latest automotive repair techniques, tools, and systems.
Final thoughts
Becoming a certified mechanic takes dedication, but the payoff is worth it. From better job prospects to increased credibility, mechanic certifications help you build a successful, respected career in automotive repair.
Invest in your future. Get trained, get certified, and become a leader in the ever-growing world of automotive repair.
Thought Leadership
Automotive Mechanic Certifications: The Complete Guide
April 8, 2025
Read time: 7 min
Many mechanics and auto repair shops are finding success by utilizing new apps that can help speed up inspections, car repairs, diagnostic readings and more. These apps can help everyone from dealerships and repair shops to mobile mechanics and DIYers. Here is our selection of the best mobile apps and online resources by use type.
Diagnostic and code reader apps
Torque Pro: Torque is a vehicle diagnostics tool and scanner that uses an OBD II Bluetooth adapter to connect to your OBD2 engine management. It can use the GPS to provide tracker logs with OBD engine logging so you can see what you were doing at any point in time.
It works on any vehicle that uses the OBD 2 standard (most vehicles built after 2000, but can work for vehicles as far back as 1996). The app needs a Bluetooth OBD2 adapter to work. Torque is currently $4.95 and available in the Google Play Store.
Car Scanner ELM OBD2: Car Scanner offers OBD code scanning, sensor data and more. You can also reset DC fault codes with this app. It uses an OBD 2 Wi-Fi or Bluetooth adapter to connect to your OBD2 engine management.
Car Scanner is currently free and available in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
RepairSolutions2: TheRepair Solutions app guides you from diagnosis to fix. It pairs with the newest generation of compatible OBD2 decoders and scanners to deliver the most comprehensive automotive repair database with verified fixes from ASE Master Technicians.
The mobile app requires an OBD2 scanner for most functions. It is currently free in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Digital vehicle inspection apps
Tekmetric Mobile: Tekmetric Mobile is specifically designed for the automotive industry and helps car mechanics be more efficient with tasks like digital vehicle inspections. Technicians can take pictures and videos straight from their mobile phone to show customers where a repair is needed. It also provides auto mechanics with an easy way to manage their time clock.
Tekmetric Mobile is free but an active Tekmetric subscription is required to use this app. Tekmetric Mobile is available for iOS and Android users.
Tek-Tip: Mobile apps can be paired with cloud-based automotive repair software to further boost productivity and effieicncy.
SafetyCulture: SafetyCulture has designed a workflow app that helps teams collaborate and manage tasks. While not specifically designed for the automotive industry, this app can be used for digital vehicle inspections.
This app is free currently for teams with 10 people or less. It is available for iOS and Android users.
Service guide apps
BG Technician App: With access to fluid application guides, tech tips, and service guides, auto repair professionals can harness the power of the BG Tech App in the palm of their hands. The BG Tech App instills the confidence needed for technicians to discuss common car maintenance problems and solutions that prevent those problems. The BG Technician App is free and is available for iOS and Android users.
1A Auto Diagnostic & Repair: The 1A repair app helps guide you through various automotive repairs with over 19,000 videos from professional technicians. You can also shop for auto parts used in the videos directly from the app. This app can also benefit mobile mechanics by allowing them to shop for car parts straight from the app.
The 1A mobile app is available for free in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Tek-Tip: Don't forget about "old-school" repair manuals that are now available in digital formats.
VIN scanner apps
Tekmetric Mobile: Tekmetric Mobile can scan VIN codes and license plates to help you start your check-in process sooner and build ROs faster.
Tekmetric Mobile is free but an active Tekmetric subscription is required to use this app. Tekmetric Mobile is available for iOS and Android users.
VIN Check Report: This app will scan your VIN and show you market value, vehicle history, recalls, and more. Typically this type of app is used by those looking to purchase a car but this app also helps mechanics find title and recall information.
This app is available for free to Android users or you can utilize their website.
VIN Report: This app provides an easy way for you to scan a VIN and retrieve important title, recall, theft, and pricing information. It also can estimate depreciation and market value if you are looking to buy or sell a car. Mechanics will appreciate its ability to quickly find vehicle history information and open recalls.
The VIN Report mobile app is available for free in the Google Play Store or you can use their website.
Tire apps
TireScan Advisor: While many other options exist for measuring tire tread, TireScan has created an app to help automate this task by taking pictures from your mobile phone. This app utilizes AI to analyze your tire’s tread, TIN and sidewall.
TireScan is available for free in the Google App Store.
Anyline: If you are looking for a more robust app, Anyline might be the solution for you. They have created an app that reads sidewall, tread, TIN/DOT, sizing, make and model in real-time. However, they do not disclose their pricing and it is safe to assume that it is not a free app. This app seems to be designed for dealerships and large repair shops.
Tek-Tip: Tekmetric Tire Suite provides automated DOT registration, fitment data, ordering, and more.
Service advisor apps
BG Advisor App: The BG Advisor App is developed specifically for automotive service advisors and can help with sales, training and more. This app can help service advisors and shop owners explain repairs to customers and win more work for your shop. This app is available for iPhone and Android smartphones.
Online resources
YouTube
YouTube is a gold mine for car repair veterans and DIYers alike. Some of our favorite channels include:
- Enright Auto - for new tools and repair techniques
- Brilliant Auto Care - for maintenance tips and guides
- Tuner World - for DIY and performance videos
- Royalty Auto Service - for repair videos and industry updates
- Super Mario Diagnostics - for troubleshooting videos
- Rainman Ray’s Repairs - for repair and diagnostic videos
Free Tekmetric resources
Reddit can be another powerful resource for new techniques plus an online community to answer questions you may have. Some of the best subreddits include:
- r/mechanic - for repair advice
- r/Justrolledintotheshop - for a good laugh
- r/MechanicAdvice- for general repair advice and discussion
Podcasts
Podcasts can be entertaining and an easy way to learn while working or driving. Some of our favorites include:
-
Automotive Diagnostic - for a balanced diet of everything related to auto repair
-
Confessions of a Shop Owner - for brutally honest industry insights and a better way forward
-
The Jaded Mechanic - for industry reflections and insights
-
Changing The Industry - explore common problems in the automotive industry and how to address them
-
Remarkable Results - for automotive business strategies
-
Gain Traction - for tire news
Are mobile apps necessary for auto mechanics?
Mobile apps are more of a luxury than a necessity for mechanics, however, they can help speed up repairs and boost efficiency. They can also help reduce time spent on paperwork and simplify workflows. If your shop is looking to stay competitive in this technology-heavy era plus boost productivity, mobile apps might be the answer you are looking for.
Closing thoughts
While all of these mechanic apps and resources can be useful, it is important to find apps that pair well with your needs. Before downloading any apps, make sure to read the reviews and do your own research. Lastly, don’t be afraid to test new apps out in your shop and see what works best for you.
Shop Management
Thought Leadership
12 Apps Every Auto Repair Mechanic Needs
December 6, 2024
Read time: 7 min
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