Service advisor

How to find a service advisor for a garage or car centre

Updated 31 October 2026

The service advisor is the face of the garage

This is the person the client talks to: they receive the car, listen to complaints, explain what might be wrong, prepare the job card and estimate, order parts, phone for approvals and report when the car is ready. A mistake in the paperwork or an unclear explanation leads to a conflict and a lost client.

So you need two things from the candidate at once: an understanding of cars and the ability to talk to people. A technician with no communication skills and a smooth talker with no knowledge both fall short.

How to search on BlaBlaPrice

You write one vacancy request, and candidates reply in the chat: about their experience, knowledge of makes, the software they use and pay. Before it is shown, the request is checked: no ads or contacts in the text, with hints on what else is missing.

Your number stays hidden, and only the candidate you choose gets it. The vacancy is active for 30 days and can be extended. It is free for employers. Read more in how it works.

What to put in the vacancy

• Type of garage — independent garage, dealership, tyre shop, body shop;
• Duties — receiving cars, job cards, estimates, ordering parts, calling clients;
• Knowledge of cars — general or particular makes;
• Software — garage management software, dealer systems, parts catalogues;
• Pay — salary and a share of the workshop's output;
• Location and shifts — area, 5 days a week, 9 am to 7 pm;
• Experience — how many years in a garage.

Example: “We need a service advisor for an independent garage in Johannesburg. Receiving cars, job cards in our garage software, finding parts, calling clients. Knowledge of Volkswagen group cars. Five days a week, 9 am to 7 pm, salary R 5,800 plus 5% of the workshop's output, at least 1 year of garage experience.”

What to look at when selecting

Give the candidate an imaginary situation: a client says “something is knocking”. A good advisor asks when and where, suggests diagnostics and explains the order of work without too much jargon. Watch how they talk about price and about extra work found along the way.

Agree the limits: whether the person may give discounts, approve warranty cases and change deadlines. A percentage of output motivates, but make sure it does not push them to sell what is not needed.

A dealership also expects knowledge of the manufacturer's procedures, while in a small garage flexibility is worth more: the advisor may help with diagnostics and the parts store. So say plainly what you expect every day.

For those looking for a job

If you are a service advisor, register on BlaBlaPrice as a service provider, choose this category and your area, and respond to vacancies. Nearby are a car mechanic and a vehicle fitter.