How to become an Automotive Parts Interpreter
Automotive parts interpreters sell automotive parts and accessories in retail or wholesale outlets. Parts can include batteries, headlights, tyres, seat covers, car cleaning equipment, and engine, brake and transmission components.
Personal requirements for an Automotive Parts Interpreter
- Enjoy clerical and administrative work
- Neat personal appearance
- Good communication and sales skills
- Organised approach to work
- Problem-solving skills
- Able to work quickly under pressure
- Interested in motor vehicle parts and their functions
- Aptitude for working with computers.
Education & Training for an Automotive Parts Interpreter
To become an automotive parts, interpreter you usually have to complete an apprenticeship or traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.
Additional information
A driver's licence would be an advantage.
Duties & Tasks of an Automotive Parts Interpreter
Automotive parts interpreters:
- Talk to customers to find out their exact needs and recommend appropriate parts
- Identify the make, model and variations of motor vehicles and automotive equipment
- Check catalogues or computer databases to identify and locate the source of required parts
- Order parts from warehouse and external suppliers
- Calculate tax, discounts and prices
- Prepare invoices and other finance arrangements for the sale of stock
- Process cash and credit transactions
- Collect, pack and dispatch or deliver ordered parts
- Participate in stocktaking (regular checking and valuing of goods) and update computer data
- Assist customers in repairing or replacing parts
- Set up merchandise displays.
Tasks
- Receives orders for parts.
- Sells vehicle products such as parts, tyres, lubricating oils, batteries, car stereos and alarms.
- Searches lists of parts to identify part numbers, price and availability.
- Takes sales orders and prepares contracts of sale.
- Determines part sizes and details such as vehicle make, model, manufacturer and year.
- Determines customer requirements and advises on product range, price, delivery, warranties and product use and care.
Working conditions for an Automotive Parts Interpreter
Automotive parts interpreters may specialise in one particular make of vehicle. Most of their time is spent assisting customers, either in person or by telephone.
Employment Opportunities for an Automotive Parts Interpreter
Automotive parts interpreters usually work in motor accessory dealerships, spare parts divisions of large car dealerships and motor wreckers. They may provide parts for cars, trucks, vans or trailers, as well as agricultural, industrial and marine equipment. Increasingly, spare parts interpretation involves the use of computers. Job opportunities depend on trends in automobile use and ownership, the degree of consumer reliance upon parts replacement as opposed to vehicle upgrade and the rate of technological change.
Average age
40
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
19% female
Average full-time
42 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Medium skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
82%
Employment Size
17,600
Employment by state
ACT: 1.1%
NSW: 28.7%
NT: 1.1%
QLD: 24.9%
SA: 8.0%
TAS: 2.1%
VIC: 22.4%
WA: 11.7%
Age brackets
15-19: 4%
20-24: 12.5%
25-34: 24%
35-44: 20.2%
45-54: 20.7%
55-59: 9.1%
60-64: 6.1%
65 and Over: 3.4%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 5.7%
Bachelor degree: 3.4%
Certificate III/IV: 35.4%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 0.9%
Year 10 and below: 19.7%
Year 11: 8.8%
Year 12: 26.1%
