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Diesel engine mechanic

Also called diesel mechanic, mechanical body fitter, mechanic diesel engine

Diesel engine mechanics repair and maintain all types of diesel engines. They use hand tools, precision measuring instruments, and machine tools to diagnose trouble, disassemble engines, and to examine and exchange parts of defect and excessive wear.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 15 countries now. 17 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Metal, machinery and related trades workersWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,200 (Bulgaria) to €5,100 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Metal, machinery and related trades workersWhat do I need to study?Upper secondary or vocational7 in 10 finished upper secondary or vocational training. 6 in 10 train through vocational routes.Metal, machinery and related trades workersWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Motor vehicle mechanics and repairers · ILO

What you'd do

Motor vehicle mechanics and repairers · ILO
  • Detecting and diagnosing faults in engines and parts
  • Fitting, examining, testing and servicing motor vehicle and motorcycle engines
  • Replacing engine components or complete engines
  • Fitting, examining, adjusting, dismantling, rebuilding and replacing defective parts of motor vehicles
  • Installing or adjusting motors and brakes, and adjusting steering or other parts of motor vehicles
  • Installing, adjusting, servicing and replacing mechatronics components of motor vehicles
  • Performing scheduled maintenance services, such as oil changes, lubrications and engine tune-ups, to achieve smoother running of vehicles and ensure compliance with pollution regulations
  • Reassembling engines and parts after being repaired
Repair enginesAdjust tightness of engine partsDisassemble enginesPerform manual work autonomouslyEvaluate engine performance+ 8 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Mostly outdoors
  • On your feet most of the day
  • Lots of contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

15 EU countries are short of motor vehicle mechanics and repairers now, but fewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.

People working as metal, machinery and related trades workers in the EU
7.34m7.68m7.01m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
1,868,000 replacing leavers 594,000 jobs disappear
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Metal, machinery and related trades workers17
All jobs29
Right now
15 of 27 countries report a shortage of motor vehicle mechanics and repairers, 4 a surplus.
Motor vehicle mechanics and repairers · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,200 a month (Bulgaria) to €5,100 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among craft and related trades workers in the EU, women earn 26% less per hour than men. Craft and related trades workers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Upper secondary or vocational

Upper secondary or vocational training in mechanics and metal trades is the usual route.

Highest qualification of metal, machinery and related trades workers (EU, 2025)
Degree 11%Vocational 62%General secondary 6%Basic schooling 21%
Fields that teach it
Mechanics and metal trades · Motor vehicles, ships and aircraft
Vocational route, EU
6 in 10 trainees in this field

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.18 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 8 tasks
Detecting and diagnosing faults in engines and parts0.25
Fitting, examining, testing and servicing motor vehicle and motorcycle engines0.20
Installing or adjusting motors and brakes, and adjusting steering or other parts of motor vehicles0.18
Installing, adjusting, servicing and replacing mechatronics components of motor vehicles0.18
Fitting, examining, adjusting, dismantling, rebuilding and replacing defective parts of motor vehicles0.17
Performing scheduled maintenance services, such as oil changes, lubrications and engine tune-ups, to achieve smoother running of vehicles and ensure compliance with pollution regulations0.16
Replacing engine components or complete engines0.15
Reassembling engines and parts after being repaired0.13

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for motor vehicle mechanics and repairers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).