What Exactly Is A Master Certified VW Mechanic
Hi folks! I hope you all had an awesome weekend. Summer is here in full swing. Glad that I work in a shop that has A/C. 🙂
Today I want to talk a little more about what it takes to be a VW Master Certified Auto Mechanic. I was having a conversation with a good buddy of mine. He was asking me about being a certified mechanic, and what that really meant. I went on and on about how mechanics get to that level. He said “dang man, that is a lot of training, you should talk more about it.” So that is what we are going to do!
It takes over 520 hours of advanced classroom training to become a Volkswagen Master Technician
That is over 65 training days. I can tell you that it takes so much more. I started with VW by attending a training program. It 11 weeks of highly specialized VW training. I spent all day learning the “unique” way that VW cars are build, maintained, and repaired. It was a pretty tough program, 8 hours a day in class and 2-3 each night of homework. I think we only had about 14 guys finish the training. That gave me the basic level of certification, in addition to “Electrical Specialist”. That was all before a stepped foot into my current dealer job.
Each one of these courses is instructor lead. So for each class, I would have to make a 360mile road trip. Like I said, coming out of VW academy I had all the core classes, all electrical classes, and a few of the other ones. Well, all but Routan, there was no Routan back then.
As you can see, getting all of those classes done is no small task. After the classes come the Master Technician Assessments. They consist of 50(i think) multiple guess questions. Closed book no cheating, either you know it, or you don’t. They are probably the hardest test I have ever done. I still don’t know how the heck I passed them. The first time, I failed all 5. After some hardcore studying, I passed all 5!
That just covers the “scholastic” part. The real world part is where a Master Tech is made. Years and years of getting my butt kicked by cars. Having to “just know” so many things that are not in any book, or manual.
For the folks that think that being a mechanic is an easy job. Take a look at the chart, you tell me if that looks easy 😉
One more thing, I posted this to Facebook, but here it is all official. Saturday marked the 1 year anniversary of Humble Mechanic. I am so excited to see what the future holds for this site. It is not always easy, but it IS always worth it! So thank you to everyone that has visited the site, posted a comment, like a post, retweeted something, emailed me, and so on. I really appreciate each and every one of you.
And I really appreciated the your blogs and assistance.
As for the training, it was worth it wasn’t it? I really want to work at VW when I’m out of school. I’m going to start working on my internship there soon
Have you come across GTIs issues with the check engine light and EPC warning light illuminated, along with stalling occurrences in stop-and-go traffic. I’ve gone to 5 VW dealerships service departments in the my state and region and they cannot solve it. They’ve had me replace MAGNET and Oxygen Sensor but that does not resolve it, any ideas? anyone else with a VW or GTI model with this issue ?
@Jeremy, It was 1000% worth it! The way that VW’s training program works now is a little different. Now a mechanic works 3 weeks at the dealer, then 1 week at school.
I will have a tech going through the program in a few weeks. He has been a tech for a number of years, but he is new to VW.
Wow, so you go through just as much, if not more training then the general doctor, the difference being that the doctor has the extra stess of the fact that they cannot mess even once, because it’s humans their dealing with not 3,000 pounds of assorted metal. Although there is just as much importance, because if you don’t do your job right, someones car could fall apart while they’re driving and get seriously injured.
Bang on lol. At school they teach you to use a torque wrench to tighten the wheels on a car to the factory specs for that vehicle.
Hey Charles,
I am currently in a tech school. If i were to get a job at a vw dealership, would I be able to take the vw training or is that something that only the techs with seniority get? Do you have to be employed for a certain amount of time before your eligible?How exactly would I go about getting the vw training? Also, would having a degree in a computer related field help with any of this? Thanks!
Hey Joe!
Thanks for coming by!
1st, awesome that you are going to tech school!!
The way VW training works now is pretty cool. You will get a job at a dealer. Then you will work 3 weeks turning wrenches, and 1 week at instructor lead training. All the while having an experienced tech to help you out. That will continue until you reach a certain level of training.(I don’t know exactly which level)
It will really depend on the dealer you work with. Some dealers put the time and money into keeping their techs fully certified. You will find that they are the better dealers.
Oh, and a computer degree can only help!!! There will always be guys in the shop that want nothing to do with that stuff. You will have a big advantage!
Keep me posted on how tech school is going.
nice post. the majority of people dont realise how dedicated one needs to be to achieve the vw master goal. i obtained vw master a couple of years ago and would do it all over again.
Hey Jerry!
Congrats on getting your master tech! It is really cool to be part of that club. I totally agree that most people don’t understand how tough it is.
Would you be interested in doing a Behind the Wrench interview?
Thank you for posting this article, I want to work on volkswagens, my first car was a 73 super beetle and I now drive a jetta 1.8t, I would like to know. Where do I go to start from the ground up, is there a college that offers from the begining? Or do I have to be a mechanic then atart on vw. I’d like to start from scratch on vws. Any suggestions you have would be fantastic. my dad is letting me use his gi bill for schooling, so money isn’t really an issue. I just want to start the rest of my life..
I smell gas in my car whenever I accelerate or drive for long periods of time. I have a 2002 VW Cabrio with 129K miles. What could be wrong?
I am not thrilled with my local VW dealer’s service. How can I find other shops who have a VW Master Certified mechanic, or even a not-so-Master, but still Certified mechanic?
I am sorry to hear that Nancy. You can try sites like http://www.mechanicadvisor.com/ or Yelp. You can also try a different mechanic and service advisor at the same dealer. You would be shocked at the difference in service you can get even at the same place.
Feel free to email me Charles(AT) Humblemechanic (DOT) com and I can see if I have someone local to you to recommend.
Hi Charles! Are you with VW still? I have a question regarding oil changes. I purchased a 2015 GTI Autobahn about 3 months ago. I have already driven it 5200 miles. Work, school, work plus all daily errands. Do you recommend an oil change now or wait until the recommended 10k? If you do recommend it, do I need to go a specific mechanic/auto shop? I remember the sales guy mentioning they have to be certified, but I cant remember the exact word he used. Can you offer me any help? Thank you.
Hey Eva
I AM still with VW. It’s really up to you. You can do it at 5k and that’s a good thing. You can also wait and do it by the book every 10k.
I like the 5k interval myself.
Hey Charles!
Been following your channel for several months now, you put up some really great stuff! Anyway, been going through a great automotive tech program through my local community college, and have been taking a look at what dealership I’d like to work for, and I have a few routes I could go. I now own a Volkswagen and am much more intrigued by the German brands than I was a year or so ago. Through one of the staff at the college I may have an in with my local VW dealer. Also good to hear the way they do their training with three weeks working, one week training up to a certain point. ?
1) once you’ve been working for a few years is it possible to make any decent money with VW? Or should I hold out and try and work for one of the high line places (Audi, BMW, MB, etc.) for the money’s sake? Since I heard they tend to pay better.
2) what’s the most economical way to buy good tools? I have a little bit at home in a hand-me-down Craftsman roll cart but I’d imagine I’d want to upgrade to some higher quality tools for doing this as a career
3) any overall advice or tips for a guy fresh out of school wanting to do this? I’ll take anything. ?
All the best,
Jonas
Hey Charles,
I have recently become a VW Technician about 4 months ago. I come from a Volvo dealer. I am trying to find some information on reaching VW Master Tech. I really only have 1 question and that is, Do you have to become ASE Master Certified to become a VW master tech and if you do, I know Volvo only requires some but not all ASEs for Master Volvo, which ones if any do VW want you to have? Thanks for your time
Cheers,
For next years i will work as a mechanic engineer on ships but in the future my dream is to repair cars,engine tunning and so on.
Please can you tell me how much did it cost the courses you take? It will be very use full if you can be more specific ! And please tell me where did you take the courses? Thank you in advance mate !
All the best,
Iani
Hi there, I have a 2010 Tiguan 2.0Tsi and am getting oil in the air tube after the turbo, any idea what could cause this, my mechanic and I are stumped. Some say valve cover, some say pcv, some say turbo… I really don’t want to spend more than I have to diagnosing this so any guidance would be very much appreciate, I enjoy your channel thanks so much for your time.It had a p0299 code which we replaced diverter valve and reset code drove it 2 days and it hasn’t came back. The car drives great turbo boosts great no hiccups. But just need some help to diagnose the oil leak problem, I ordered a new inlet line as that was leaking, but still stuck on what is causing oil to go into the air tube, we removed the tube and there was a bit of oil in there.
Hey! I’m currently at a community college in western NC that is unfortunately not accredited by NATEF but is an accredited school. I am 2 semesters away from getting Associates in Automotive Technology..still very green in my knowledge and experience. I’m also in my mid 30’s with this new endeavor! Anyways I would love to consider becoming VW certified and curious what steps you suggest taking after I graduate from current program.
Sound like hard work me I’m a master tech for Holden and in the middle of doing my training for Nissan and also working towards Hyundai hoping to be a master in all 3 but it’s long hard work min 10 plus hrs a week of my own time training
But Worth it I hope!
I really love the layout of VW and Audi training compared to the ASE certification. it sounds like it is very in-depth, but interested in getting some information about VW certification. I just graduated from a community college with an AAS in automotive technology. I also graduated with honors, but I am interested in European brands.
hey there, i was wondering do you have to work at a vw dealership to become a certified vw mechanic/ master specialist. I’m wanting to become one but i work at a private shop where my boss is a master vw mechanic but he did his training at a vw dealer ship.