Lately, many people working at car dealerships, from salespeople to mechanics, are leaving their jobs. So what’s going on? Let’s take a closer look at why this is happening.

Sales Jobs Are Fast and Stressful

Selling cars isn’t easy. Salespeople have to explain extra fees like “market adjustments” or “add-on stickers” to customers. These can make a car much more expensive, even when there are plenty of cars available. Some trucks or special vehicles now cost close to $100,000. That’s a lot, and sometimes people end up owing more on the car than it’s worth. The sales world moves fast. It's often “first come, first served.” That means whoever helps the customer first gets the sale, which creates pressure to act quickly. Also, things have changed since 2020. Back then, there weren’t many cars available, so customers were willing to pay full price. Now, inventory is back and customers want deals again. Salespeople who started during the boom are struggling to adjust.

Service Work Isn’t Easy Either

Mechanics are also leaving. One big reason? The way they’re paid.Many mechanics get paid by the job, not by the hour — this is called “flat rate.” But newer cars are harder to fix, and warranty work doesn’t pay much. That means mechanics have to rush to make decent money. Plus, service advisors (the people who talk to customers) sometimes earn more than the mechanics doing the actual repairs. This can feel unfair and discouraging.

Customers Are Smarter and Expect More

Customers today know more than ever. They research cars online, check prices, and often get pre-approved for loans before they visit a dealership. They don’t like hidden fees or surprise charges, which some dealerships still use. Because cars are so expensive now, a lot of people are choosing to fix their current car instead of buying a new one.

So, Why Are People Quitting?

Between the pressure to sell pricey vehicles, the hard-to-earn pay in the service department, and customers who expect better deals and honesty — it’s no surprise many dealership workers are moving on. The job is just harder than it used to be.