Mechanic Advisor

6 Ways A Mechanic Is Just Like A Doctor

Posted April 22, 2014 by Ken Kupchik



Mechanics are always being compared to doctors. There's an old joke, "Unlike a mechanic, a doctor only has to work on two models." But what are the real similarities between the two? We've come up with the 6 things a mechanic has in common with a doctor. 

1) Continuing Education - Both doctors and mechanics have to stay up to date on the latest advances. With doctors; new research, new methods and new drugs are constantly introduced, and they must learn everything and apply it to their patients. Similarly, a mechanic must keep up to date with the latest automotive technology. New models are released every single year and engineering progress leads to some very complicated technology. A mechanic can't survive in the industry if he or she is unable or unwilling to keep up to date with changes, so they must adapt and learn. New tools, new computer systems, new performance technology are just some of the things a mechanic, like a doctor, needs to keep up with in order to do their job properly. 

2) Passion - No doctor would be able to deal with the level of stress, education and commitment it takes to become and remain a doctor if they don't have passion for it. Anyone who wasn't committed wholeheartedly would never last in the profession. Mechanics aren't any different, except they were probably gawking at the Camaro when they were kids, while the doctor was gawking at the X-Ray machine, or something. There is no way that someone could remain a mechanic if there wasn't some inner force guiding them to stay in the business. That's why there are people who embark on the mechanic path and leave it behind to pursue something else. Like being a doctor, being a mechanic is not something easy to do, and those without their heart in it will be weeded out sooner than later. 

3) Diagnosing Symptoms - These days, a doctor has to deal with neurotic patients who went on WebMD and diagnosed themselves with a terminal illness after researching their symptoms: a simple headache. Putting that aside, a doctor has to listen to a patient's explanation of their symptoms, and then make a diagnosis as to what the problem is. A mechanic has to do the exact same thing, except their patient isn't as shy about undressing. Mechanics are told by the customer what their symptoms are and then, examine the car and make a diagnosis. Oh yeah, both mechanics and doctors then treat the problem, and sometimes doctors even replace parts. 

4) Confidence -  If there's one thing that's true about doctors and mechanics it's that both have a lot of confidence about what they know and their skills, and most aren't afraid to let you know. There's an old expression about surgeons: "What's the difference between a surgeon and god? God knows that he's not a surgeon." Good mechanics know what they're doing and they don't suffer fools. If you try talking car technology with a professional mechanic, you better have your act together, because if you're a poseur, they'll know within minutes and chew you up and spit you out. Even though some people don't like this aspect of doctors and mechanics, I'd rather have someone working on my car (and me) that is so knowledgeable that they don't doubt what they know. 

5) Dealing With People At Their Worst - When someone goes to see a doctor, it's for something bad. They are scared, upset and in a generally bad state of mind. This can bring out the worst in people, and not without good reason. The same goes for mechanics. People's cars are broken, they know they will have to pay money, and it's something they usually don't understand, which can make for a very unpleasant experience for everyone. Mechanics have to deal with this day in and day out, and on top of that, they don't get compensated nearly as well as doctors and face a level of distrust that distinguished medical professionals usually don't have to deal with. A doctor and a mechanic certainly have something in common: they're probably the last 2 people anyone wants to have to go see. 

6) Saving Lives - It's fairly obvious that doctors save lives. When someone gets brought into the Emergency Room after a serious car accident, the doctor working on them is responsible for keeping them alive. But what's typically overlooked is the mechanic who noticed, or fixed a safety problem that prevented the car accident from happening in the first place. Cars can be dangerous weapons in the wrong hands, and if they're not maintained and fixed correctly, they can kill drivers, passengers and bystanders. Mechanics fix brakes, tires, steering issues, electrical systems, and a myriad of other potentially lethal aspects of a car. So consider it preventative medicine, administered by your car doctor: the mechanic. 


For another great article about how mechanics are like doctors, check out Gregg Rainville's story of how he went from selling Pharmaceutical products to doctors to helping mechanics market their business, and don't forget to like us on Facebook.