u/Inevitable-Point-480

Hi everyone,

I’m a 20-year-old university student from Japan, and I recently started working at an auto repair shop.

I’m curious about car culture in other countries, especially modifications, custom shops, and repair shops.

In Japan, vehicle inspections are quite strict, so major modifications can be difficult to do legally. My dream is to eventually work as a mechanic overseas and open my own repair/custom shop.

For people in other countries:

- How accepted are car modifications where you live?
- Are custom shops common?
- What is it like working as a mechanic?
- Is it realistic for a foreigner to work in this industry?
- What skills or certifications should I focus on?

I’d love to hear about your country’s car culture and mechanic industry.

Thanks!

Hey everyone,

I’m a 20-year-old university student from Japan. I recently started working at an auto repair shop because I want to become a mechanic overseas someday.

One reason I’m interested in working abroad is that Japan has very strict vehicle inspections, so major car modifications can be difficult to do legally. Also, many mechanics in Japan seem to work under pretty tough conditions, like long hours, high pressure, and not-so-great pay.

My dream is to eventually open my own shop for both regular maintenance/repairs and custom car builds.

I’m curious about what it’s like to work as a mechanic or run a custom shop in your country.

How’s the pay, work environment, demand, work-life balance, and career growth? Are car modifications easier to do legally compared to Japan? Is it hard for foreigners to get hired? Also, what certifications or skills should I focus on?

I’m especially interested in the US, Canada, Australia, and Europe, but I’d be happy to hear from anyone around the world.

Thanks in advance!