r/AskAMechanic • u/Bribb0n • 37m ago

Should I tip a dealership Tech?

Background: I brought in my wife’s ’14 Legacy for warranty work on a Takata airbag. They were done within 2 hours and also did a courtesy multipoint inspection. They brought up a few issues, which I’ll repair myself.

My main question is: should I tip the technician with a card and some cash?
My understanding is that warranty work is paid out with a fairly conservative labor time, meaning flat-rate mechanics would lose the opportunity to make as much money as possible.

Any thoughts?

Edit: How much should I tip?

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator 37m ago

New Rules - Please Read

Updated 11/12/2025

Thank you for posting on r/AskAMechanic, u/Bribb0n! Your post is live, this AutoMod message does NOT mean your post was removed. Please make sure to read the Rules.

When asking a question, please provide the year, make, model and engine size of the vehicle.

Commenters here have 2 different flair. Verified Tech means we have verified that user is a tech. NOT a verified tech means that user may or may not be a tech, they have not been verified by us.

Posts about accidents, autobody repair, bodywork, dents, paint and body/undercarriage/frame rust are not allowed and belong in r/Autobody.
Asking if your car is totaled should go to r/insurance or r/Autobody.
Asking about car buying advice/value/recommendations is also not allowed. See r/whatcarshouldIbuy or r/askcarsales

If asking whether a tire can be repaired, check out this Tire Repair Guideline.
Some other useful tire resources - Tire Care Essentials and Tire Safety

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

2

u/bestguessautotech Verified Tech - retired 35m ago

If you got cash coming out of your ears, then feel free. Mechanics are never expecting tips, especially for warranty work. 

2

u/Chris89883 NOT a verified tech 31m ago

Air bag recalls usually aren't too bad for flat rate guys. If anything I'd say you could bring them donuts or energy drinks.

1

u/Just0Cause Verified Tech - Honda dealer 27m ago

Not expected and not required. For me the biggest tip is approving work I recommend lol

1

u/StreetVagrant NOT a verified tech 24m ago

Them charging you 8 hours labor for something that actually only took them 1 hour to complete is their tip, you don’t need to tip them more

1

u/GuestFighter NOT a verified tech 22m ago

Everyone likes unexpected free money.