You tip the person who cuts your hair, your server at the restaurant and the valet who parks your car. Should you tip your mechanic for repairing your car?
Tipping culture is confusing. But as with most questions of when you should tip, it’s your choice. If the mechanic did an extraordinary job or went above and beyond to complete a repair on a requested timeline, tips are always welcome but are not necessary.
“This is not something we encourage or discourage,” said John Nardolillo, senior vice president of member services for AAA Northeast, who oversees the Approved Auto Repair program. “It’s up to the customer or the member whether they choose to reward a superior service. But it’s not something you should feel obligated to do.”
AAA’s Car Doctor John Paul agreed, although adding that, as a former mechanic, small gestures of gratitude were always welcome.
“When I worked as a mechanic, a coffee on a cold day, iced coffee or lemonade on a hot day or homemade cookies were always appreciated,” Paul said.
For auto repair and maintenance you can trust, find a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility near you. With savings up to $75 per visit on labor, it’s a service that essentially pays for your membership.
For answers to more of your auto repair questions, check out our Ask a Mechanic series.
Do you tip your mechanic? Tell us in the comments.
Ellen is a content producer for AAA Northeast, covering automotive, finance, public affairs and electric vehicle news. She is a former newspaper reporter with experience writing for print and online publications about everything from higher education to sustainability. She recently returned to her native Long Island after living in Connecticut for 20-plus years, and has never met a beach she didn’t like.
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18 Thoughts on “Ask a Mechanic: Should You Tip Your Mechanic?”
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I was a mechanic for 50 years worked in and owned many shops, operating costs for a repair shop are very high, mechanics have a very hard and thankless job most do it for the love of it and any sign of thanks makes us feel appreciated.
I just started doing this. I have had the same Mechanic for years. They know me and my vehicle(s). They really treat their regular customers well and have always gone up and beyond to make sure my car is safe and road worthy. This has been the case before I started tipping. So I am happy to make someone’s day with a little cash that was unexpected in the first place.
I always tip my mechanic, they always take good care of me and even if I just show up with a quick fix. They remember who takes care of them
Absolutely not. If they do something above and beyond I bring pastries for the crew. Tipping culture in the US has become insane.
Tipping is not an easy access. Most service center have a front desk, as do dealerships, so the mechanic is way behind the scene. I am appreciated thru repeat visits.
Sometimes egg sandwich and coffee breakfast. Always cash at Christmas. Yes, car repairs expensive and hourly rates high. But same mechanic keeps my car running and I appreciate it.
My mechanic is top shelf and the shop is owned by second generation of the family.
They do great work and stand behind it always.
But we are not talking about minimum wage jobs. Average repairs are in the $500-$1000 range. I trust them and never quibble over price. But tipping does not seem appropriate here.
I send customers to them whenever someone is looking for a good honest mechanic. That’s worth more than $5 or $10.
I always tip people for service. Anyone that comes to do a service in my house automatically gets tipped. As for mechanic, 10.00 isn’t going to kill me, so I give it with the keys. It could be a small incentive to do something extra, like topping off fluids, etc. That’s for an oil change. If more work is found to be done, ill give a little more, depending on the amount of time spent. I also like to bring something special to the office staff periodically. (Sometimes, munchkins, coffee, pizza at lunch) A small gesture, im my opinion, can go a long way.
I didn’t used to but my son became a mechanic and told us that some people do and it is greatly appreciated. He works very hard at a very physical and dirty job. It takes him 15 minutes to clean his hands each day after work. Most mechanics – at least starting out – don’t make much and $5 or $10 makes a difference. Yeah, it’s their job and they choose it, yada yada, but I think it’s a nice thing to do. So many others demand tips for doing very little, that I think people who work as hard as my son deserve a few bucks. It’s called saying thanks and building relationships.
$130.00 an hour for my mechanic. I don’t think so.
Your mechanic gets a small fraction of that. The majority goes for overhead of the shop.
I fully agree!
Getting out of control thanks to Starbucks. The auto mechanic is not doing anything special for me. He is repairing the car through a business. Any place that there is a tip jar I refused to tip because a society is getting out of control with this tipping and you guys have the balls to bring this up that I should tip my own mechanic that’s bullshit
Do you really consider the experience and importance of what your mechanic does with a coffee server at Starbucks to be equal. If your coffee is not right, so what. If your brakes fail… That said, I agree with tip jars for takeout places. Ridiculous.
Hi. I don’t tip in Cash. There are 2 Owners and 4-5 Mechanics on Duty at all times. 2 weeks ago I dropped off a Case of Waer and a Case of Gatorade.Also a Costco Sized Box of Individual Cookie Packs. I do that about 3 times a year. This goes over very well with the Guys
As a rule I do not cash tip at Garages or Auto centers. I always arrive with coffee, etc and donuts.
Tipping and or the expectation of tips is out of control in our country.
Tip if they are Fair & Honest……which is “far few”.
Shops have ridiculous labor prices, then 3x part price “especially dealers”.
Mech./Techs don’t go beyond what needs to be done “bare minimum”. So tipping is up to individuals feeling they got good repairs…….or if you go to same mech/shop that does the right thing for You.
This is absurd. They charge hundreds of dollars an hour and now you’re suggesting the idea that we should tip them as well? I should cancel my AAA membership just for this article.