Working as a service advisor: what you do and what you need
Everything about the service advisor role in automotive: tasks, salary, training and how to move over from the workshop.
The service advisor is the face of the workshop. You’re the one who speaks to the customer, translates their story into a work order and calls the customer back when the car’s ready. It’s one of the most sought-after roles at brand dealers, and a logical step for mechanics who want to work more with people.
What does a service advisor do?
An average day starts with welcoming customers who bring their car in. You walk around the car, note down any damage, listen to complaints and create a work order. During the day you call customers about extra work, prepare quotes and keep an eye on the planning. At the end of the day you hand the cars back and explain the invoice.
Tasks at a glance
- Welcoming customers and creating work orders
- Agreeing quotes and extra work
- Keeping an eye on workshop planning
- Handling warranty and goodwill cases
- Resolving complaints
What do you earn?
Service advisors at brand dealers typically earn between €2,800 and €3,800 gross per month, depending on experience, brand and region. At premium brands and larger branches you sit at the top end. There’s often a bonus on top for customer satisfaction or turnover.
What training do you need?
There’s no mandatory qualification. Most service advisors come from the workshop and hold an MBO qualification in Automotive Technology. Others come from a commercial background and pick up the technical side on the shop floor. Brands offer their own training, from customer contact to warranty procedures.
Moving over from the workshop
Are you a mechanic and want to become a service advisor? Your technical knowledge is your biggest advantage. What you need to learn is the commercial side: staying calm with an angry customer and being able to explain a quote without slipping into jargon. Many dealers let you shadow the front desk for a few days first.
Is it for you?
You’re suited to it if you like people, have technical insight and stay calm when five things are happening at once. You’re less suited to it if you’d rather just work on a car without being interrupted.
Vacancies for service advisors
We have ongoing vacancies for service advisors at brand dealers across the Netherlands. Do the job check and we’ll show you what’s open in your region.
