Lessons Learned as a Trainee Mechanic

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by how vehicles are designed and built. Studying Mechanical Engineering at Newcastle University has given me the theoretical background, but I knew I needed to experience the practical side of engineering first-hand. That’s why I spent my summers working at iAutoUK and J&A Autos, where I learned what textbooks can’t teach you: how design decisions impact the real-world performance, maintenance, and reliability of vehicles.

Those months in the garage weren’t just about fixing cars — they gave me a deeper appreciation of the link between engineering design and everyday mechanical challenges. This is the story of what I learned.

Diagnosing and Repairing Vehicle Systems

At iAutoUK, I began with the basics: learning to diagnose and repair systems ranging from internal combustion engines to HVAC components. Over the course of my placement, I worked on over 30 vehicles, giving me exposure to a wide variety of makes and models.

One of my early tasks was assisting in a full suspension inspection. As I observed the wear on bushings and shock absorbers, it became clear how small material or design compromises could lead to premature failure. I began connecting this to my studies in Material Science, recognizing that selecting the right polymer or alloy in the design stage could prevent costly issues later.

I also learned the importance of efficiency. By shadowing senior mechanics, I adopted methods that improved service turnaround times, and my input contributed to a 15% increase in workshop efficiency.

The Customer Perspective

What surprised me most wasn’t the technical side — it was the customer interaction. I often spoke to clients while their cars were being serviced, listening to their concerns. Some valued longevity above all else, while others cared about performance. This taught me that an engineer’s job is not only to design something that works but also to design something that meets the user’s priorities.

I carried this forward into my engineering mindset: whether designing a part in CAD or prototyping a concept, the “customer” could just as easily be a driver, a race engineer, or even a pit crew technician.

Stepping into Advanced Engineering at J&A Autos

My earlier placement at J&A Autos had already prepared me with foundational experience, but here I was given more advanced responsibilities. One highlight was assisting in a project to retrofit autonomous sensors into legacy vehicle chassis. My role was to help design the sensor brackets and reduce vibration using SolidWorks and basic FEA validation.

This was my first real taste of applying CAD in an industry setting. It was eye-opening to see how design software and workshop practice intersect. I realised that even the best-designed bracket on-screen means nothing if it can’t be fabricated efficiently or if it fails under vibration in real conditions.

Another critical lesson came during structural inspections. We used ultrasonic thickness gauges and torque testing to evaluate control arms and shock mounts. This reinforced my classroom learning about structural mechanics and gave me an appreciation of how theory and practice must always align.

Skills Gained and Lessons Learned

Looking back, I can trace a clear progression in my learning:

• Mechanical Skills: Gained proficiency in diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining key vehicle systems.

• Design Thinking: Learned how design choices in CAD directly affect maintenance, durability, and user experience.

• Analytical Mindset: Applied SolidWorks and FEA validation on real projects, strengthening my technical design toolkit.

• Communication: Developed the ability to explain complex technical issues to customers, engineers, and technicians.

• Efficiency & Quality: Contributed to improved service efficiency and reduced vehicle return rates.

  
  

Perhaps most importantly, I learned that the best engineers are those who can connect the dots — between design and manufacturing, between theory and practice, between engineers and end users.

Why This Matters for Automotive Design

For companies like McLaren, Ferrari, or Formula 1 teams, design engineers must not only create parts that look great on CAD but also consider manufacturability, durability, and serviceability. My time in the workshop gave me the empathy to understand the people who will one day work with the parts I design — whether it’s a mechanic fitting a new component or a driver relying on its performance.

That insight is what I carry forward into my design work at university and beyond. Every sketch, every CAD model, every prototype is now filtered through the question: “How will this actually work in the real world?”

Conclusion

My workshop experiences at iAutoUK and J&A Autos taught me that engineering design doesn’t end when the drawing is finished — it lives on in every repair, every customer conversation, and every moment a vehicle is on the road. As I continue my journey toward becoming a design engineer in the automotive industry, I know that the lessons learned on the workshop floor will make me a better designer in the studio.

A close up look with a C-Class W205.