Unlike in-shop mechanics, mobile field techs work alone, often at night, often in stressful breakdown situations. They’re the face of your company when a customer is stuck on the side of the highway. That means you’re not just hiring wrench skills — you’re hiring values.
The 5 values most successful shops align to:
Accountability – Owning mistakes, following through, documenting work
Hustle – Showing urgency, working hard without being asked
Pride – Taking craftsmanship seriously, doing the job right
Teamwork – Staying connected with dispatch and peers
Respect – Treating customers, coworkers, and safety protocols with care
These 10 interview questions are designed to filter for exactly that. Each section includes why it matters, the core value it ties to, and what to look for.
Core Value: Hustle & Customer Focus
Mobile techs meet customers on their worst day. You want someone who views that as a chance to deliver, not a burden.
Clear, specific story that shows pride in going above and beyond
Positive energy in how they describe it
Mobile example: urgent roadside call handled at 2 AM with follow-up the next day
Shop example: staying late to help a teammate hit a deadline
Complains about inconvenience
Gives vague or generic “I always work hard” answers
Focuses only on themselves, not the customer or team
Core Value: Accountability & Respect
Roadside repairs are high-risk. A safety-first mindset is non-negotiable.
Mentions PPE, cones/triangles, hi-vis vest
Describes how they set up a safe roadside scene
Talks about refusing unsafe work when needed
Shop example: lockout/tagout, chocking wheels, tidy bay
Says “I just use common sense” with no detail
Downplays risk or brags about cutting corners
No mention of roadside-specific safety protocols
Core Value: Teamwork
Even mobile techs are part of a larger operation. Lone wolves cause chaos.
Provides a story of teaching or learning from another tech
Shows comfort asking for help without ego
Mentions keeping dispatch/customers updated
Mobile example: troubleshooting remotely with another tech
Brags about never needing help
Dismisses teamwork as unnecessary
No mention of communication with dispatch or the shop
Core Value: Pride & Autonomy
Mobile techs face curveballs daily. You need calm problem-solvers.
Explains a step-by-step diagnostic process
Uses resources like manuals, apps, or calling a peer
Balances improvisation with safe judgment
Mobile example: safe temporary fix with a follow-up visit
No process, just “I figured it out”
Brags about risky shortcuts
Avoids admitting when they’d need backup
Core Value: Hustle & Reliability
Time ownership is everything for dispatch and customer trust.
Talks about route planning and staying punctual
Proactive about updating dispatch/customers when delayed
Keeps service truck stocked to prevent wasted trips
Shows flexibility for urgent calls
Casual about lateness
No mention of planning or communication
Focuses only on speed, not organization
Core Value: Accountability
If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen. Invoicing, safety, and trust all depend on it.
Documents as they go, not at week’s end
Familiar with digital tools, signatures, or photos
Explains why documentation matters (billing, liability, customer clarity)
Thinks paperwork is “admin’s job”
Vague about their process
Waits until days later to fill in work orders
Core Value: Pride & Growth
Diesel tech is always evolving. Adaptability keeps your shop competitive.
Mentions training, certifications, or self-teaching
Positive about change (“I liked the challenge”)
Helps others adapt to new processes
Mobile example: researching a new system on-site with a manual/app
Resistant to new tools or methods
No recent learning examples
Complains about change or training
Core Value: Integrity & Accountability
Mobile techs operate unsupervised. You need honesty when no one’s watching.
Admits a real mistake and explains how they fixed it
Talks about customer honesty (billing fairly, admitting damage)
Shows pride in doing right even at a cost
Claims “I’ve never made a mistake”
Shifts blame
Shrugs off accountability or dishonesty
Core Value: Respect & Fit
Filters for cultural fit — do they actually want mobile work?
Mobile candidates: independence, variety, comfort with roadside work
Shop candidates: structure, camaraderie, routine
Expresses enthusiasm for your shop’s type of environment
Describes the opposite of the role you’re hiring for
Wants constant supervision for a mobile job
Shows no enthusiasm either way
Core Value: Pride & Long-Term Commitment
Separates paycheck-chasers from technicians who bring passion and loyalty.
Connects motivation to your shop’s values (quality, honesty, service)
Mentions pride in the trade and long-term goals
Shows excitement about representing your brand
Only mentions money or convenience
Generic “just looking for a job” answers
No pride in diesel work
Hiring a mobile diesel technician is about more than skills. It’s about finding someone who aligns with your shop’s core values and can carry your reputation on the road.
Use these 10 questions — and the green flag/red flag cues — to spot the techs who will keep customers happy, stay safe, and stick with you long-term.
👉 Ready to put this into practice? Download our Mobile Diesel Tech Hiring Checklist — complete with these 10 questions, space for notes, and a 1–5 scoring rubric — and make your next hire with confidence.