Diesel Mechanic: What is the cost of hiring?

Why recruit a diesel mechanic?

Diesel mechanics identify and repair faults in diesel engines, from overheating to fuel contamination, helping keep vehicles safe, reliable and roadworthy. They also provide ongoing maintenance advice to help extend vehicle lifespan and reduce future breakdowns.

Contributions of a great diesel mechanic:

• Diagnosing and testing diesel engine faults
• Carrying out repairs and preventative maintenance
• Maintaining detailed records of repairs and tests
• Scheduling and tracking regular servicing
• Promoting safety and reducing risks in the workshop

What are the types of diesel mechanic?

Diesel mechanics can specialise in several different fields, depending on the type of vehicle or environment in which they have chosen to work. Some examples of environments in which diesel mechanics work include oilfields, ships or shipyards. Some common diesel mechanic job titles include:

• Diesel service technician: typically works with lorries, buses and other diesel-powered vehicles, handling tasks like diagnosing fault codes and resolving electrical issues
• Heavy equipment diesel mechanic: specialises in maintaining and repairing large machinery such as agricultural vehicles or hydraulic systems
• Light vehicle diesel technician: focuses on diesel-powered cars and small vans, often within standard workshops
• Oilfield diesel mechanic: services and repairs diesel-powered machinery used on oilfields or in energy infrastructure

When writing your diesel mechanic job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting. These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on diesel mechanic jobs, according to Indeed data:

• Mechanic
• Sponsorship visa
• Visa sponsorship
• Diesel mechanic
• HGV mechanic
• Maintenance
• Engineer
• Marine engineer
• Generator engineer

Want more recruitment insights for your diesel mechanic? Sign in or create your free Indeed account.

Where to find diesel mechanics

To find the right diesel mechanic for your business, consider trying out a few different recruitment strategies:

• Reach out to your professional network: ask other workshop or fleet managers if they can recommend experienced diesel mechanics
• Advertise in trade directories: industry-specific sites and online directories may help you find reputable, certified professionals
• Attend career fairs at technical colleges: connect with qualified candidates graduating from mechanic training courses or apprenticeships
• Network at industry events: conferences, vehicle expos and trade shows can be good places to meet diesel mechanics open to new opportunities

Post your job online: Try posting your diesel mechanic job on Indeed to find and attract quality diesel mechanic candidates.

Skills to look for in a diesel mechanic

A successful diesel mechanic candidate will typically have the following skills and competencies, which may be gained through a variety of experiences, training or education:

• Diagnosing common diesel engine issues such as fuel contamination, exhaust faults and injector problems
• Explaining mechanical diagnoses clearly to customers and outlining appropriate repair procedures
• Managing appointments, service records and ongoing maintenance schedules
• Working safely and efficiently in a range of environments – from workshops to on-site field repairs
• Using standard diagnostic equipment and hand tools such as socket sets, torque wrenches and pressure gauges

Writing a diesel mechanic job description

Now that you know the key skills, salary expectations, popular jobseeker search terms and recruitment insights for a diesel mechanic, you’re ready to write a job description.

A diesel mechanic job description typically includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities and the required and preferred skills for the position. You may also want to include information about your company culture, benefits and perks to attract candidates to your open role.

Ready to get started? See our full guide for writing diesel mechanic job descriptions.

Interviewing diesel mechanic candidates

Strong candidates for diesel mechanic positions will be confident answering questions regarding:

• Negotiating the costs of diesel engine repairs or parts with customers
• Using diagnostic tools and equipment specifically used by diesel mechanics
• Prioritising and managing multiple workshop tasks during busy periods
• Maintaining safety standards in workshops, garages or field-based environments

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of diesel mechanic interview questions.