Essential Auto Mechanic Tools: Complete Tool List

Whether you’re a new automotive technician just starting out or an experienced professional in the field, it’s important to have the right tools. The difference between a good technician and a great one is often their ability to know what tools to use and when to use them.

At Universal Technical Institute, we know that tools are an essential part of preparing for a career in the automotive industry.¹ This is why we’ve teamed with Snap-on®, a leading manufacturer of high-end tools and equipment for professionals in the transportation industry, to provide you with a complete automotive technician tool list.

The Relationship Between Snap-on & UTI

UTI and Snap-on have worked together for over 20 years now. Snap-on plays an important role in the student experience at UTI—while students complete their program, Snap-on supplies the tools and equipment used by the campuses to conduct the training.

Additionally, thanks to UTI’s relationship with Snap-on, graduates can affordably acquire professional tools as they take the first steps toward their new careers. Students receive discounts on Snap-on tools while they complete their program, allowing them to start building a set of professional-level tools they are expected to have when applying for jobs.¹⁹

UTI stands behind the quality of Snap-on tools and equipment. In fact, as a group, UTI students purchase the most Snap-on tools in the U.S. behind the military! 

READ MORE: UTI’S AFTERMARKET RELATIONSHIPS

The 5 Basic Tool Categories

With so many different tools out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. When it comes to automotive tools, it’s helpful to look at them in terms of five categories: 

• Core hand tools: These include basic ratchets, wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers and pliers.
• Torque measurement tools: As a technician, you’ll constantly be taking things apart and putting them back together. These instruments tighten the fasteners, so parts are able to perform properly once reassembled.
• Power tools: These tools allow technicians to quickly move through the repair process, often in difficult-to-reach areas.
• Tool storage & organization: Some technicians have thousands of components in their tool sets. A storage cart or roll cabinet can keep your tools secure and allow you to open a drawer and quickly find a tool when you need it.
• Diagnostic tools & testing equipment: Technicians are responsible for diagnosing components and understanding why they’ve failed. Diagnostic tools and testing equipment can help you pinpoint the problem, allowing you to identify the solution in less time.

Automotive Technician Tool List

In business, it’s often said that time is money. This is also true for the automotive industry! 

According to Barrett Crane, national sales manager for Snap-on, “When you think about what a technician does, it’s very important to be able to manage your time.”

Many students get into the automotive industry as a hobby, which requires no time restraints. However, at the professional level, technicians are expected to complete their work in a certain time with a high level of accuracy. Having the right tools is essential to being able to do this. 

“Tools are a very important part of being able to operate professionally and profitably,” says Barrett. If a technician isn’t able to do their job well, they won’t be able to work in a professional environment and make an income. This is where building a high-quality tool set that includes the essentials comes into play.

The following tool lists were put together under the guidance of industry professionals, such as dealership service managers, auto service center store managers and automotive business owners who employ UTI grads.¹ Depending on the type of career you’re hoping to pursue, you can refer to these lists as a guide when building your tool set.

Tools for a Technician Starting in a New Car Dealership

This list is designed to be a starting point for an automotive technician going to work in a new car dealership. Each OEM auto manufacturer has their unique tools, and those items can be added under the guidance of a Snap-on education representative.

The following tools are categorized by item name and item description and can be purchased from sep.snapon.com.

• 112STMMY - 1/4DR 12PC 6PT DP SKTSET
• 117TMM - 1/4DR 17PC 6PT MM STARTER GSS
• 206EAU - 6PC 3/8DR ADP/EXT SET
• 207EFAMY - 3/8DR 7PC HX STD DR SET
• 212EFTXY - 3/8DR 12PC STD TORX SKTSET
• 212FSMY - 3/8DR 12PC 6PT SHL SKTSET
• 212SFSMY - 3/8DR 12PC 6PT DP SKTSET
• 317AMMPC - 1/2DR 17PC 6PT MET GEN SER SET
• 97ACF - 8IN LONG NOSE PLIERS
• ATECH3FR250B - TORQ WR 1/2IN ELEC 26.6IN LONG
• CSA8C - BLK 7-5/8IN RIG CAR SCRA
• F80 - 3/8DR 80T STD RAT
• FADH12B - 12IN ADJUSTABLE WR. FADH12B
• FX80A - 3/8DR 80T STD LCK RAT
• FXK11 - 3/8DR 11IN KNR FRIC BLL EXT
• HBBD24 - DEAD/BLW 24OZ BPEEN SFT/GR HM
• LP10WR - 10IN PLIER CURVED JAW W/CUTTER
• PK23A - SGL BVL MPL HDL PTY KNF
• PL400B - PLIER SET
• PPC710BK - 11PC PNCH/CHSL SET
• PRH57A - 8IN CONVERT SNP RING PLIERS
• PWC6 - WIRE CRIMP
• S9704KA - SOCKET
• S9706KRA - 6PT 5/8" STD RET SPRKPLG SKT
• SGA173BR - PCK RADIATR HOSE SG RED 10.3IN
• SGASA204CO - MINI PICK SET 4PC ORANGE
• SGDMRC44BO - RAT S/GR STD ORG SD
• SGDX60BO - 6PC COMBO INS S/GR ORG SD SET
• SGT4BR - SOFTGRIP 1/4IN DRIVER
• SPBS704AO - 4PC STRIKING PRYBAR SET ORANGE
• TMXK60 - 1/4DR 6IN KNR EXT
• UIM225 - 2-1/4"DI.MIRROR
• UPT35 - 3LB MAG-5LB POWERCAP MAG
• SOEXM710 - 10PC F/DR+ STD MET COMWRSET 
• CT8850 - Cordless 1/2 Drive Impact
• CTR761 - Cordless 3/8 Drive Ratchet
• 315SIMMYA - 1/2 Drive Deep Impact Sockets
• 315IMMYA - 1/2 Drive Shallow Impact Sockets
• 214SIMFMYA - 3/8 Drive Deep Impact Sockets
• 214IMFMYA - 3/8 Drive Shallow Impact Sockets
• EEDM504 - DVOM - Digital Volt/Ohm Meter
• KRA2422 - 55" Roll Cabinet Tool Storage

Tools for a General Automotive Technician

This list is designed to support a new technician starting as a general automotive technician working at an automotive service franchise, dealership or independent repair shop. These techs need to be prepared to service late-model vehicles but might also need SAE sizes to service older vehicles and equipment.  

The following tools are categorized by item name and item description and can be purchased from sep.snapon.com.

• 110STMY - 1/4DR 10PC 6PT DP SKTSET
• 112TMMY - 1/4DR 12PC 6PT SHL SKTSET
• 114ATMP - 1/4DR 14PC 6PT SAE GSS
• 206EAU - 6PC 3/8DR ADP/EXT SET
• 207EFAMY - 3/8DR 7PC HX STD DR SET
• 211FSY - 3/8DR 11PC 6PT SHL SKTSET
• 211SFSY - 3/8DR 11PC 6PT DP SKTSET
• 212EFTXY - 3/8DR 12PC STD TORX SKTSET
• 212FSMY - 3/8DR 12PC 6PT SHL SKTSET
• 212SFSMY - 3/8DR 12PC 6PT DP SKTSET
• 313SWMYA - 1/2DR 13PC 12PT SHL SKTSET
• 317MSPC - 1/2DR 17PC 6PT GEN SER SET
• 97ACF - 8IN LONG NOSE PLIERS
• CSA8C - BLK 7-5/8IN RIG CAR SCRA
• F80 - 3/8DR 80T STD RAT
• FADH12B - 12IN ADJUSTABLE WR. FADH12B
• FX80A - 3/8DR 80T STD LCK RAT
• FXK11 - 3/8DR 11IN KNR FRIC BLL EXT
• GSAF1F - ADAPTER 1/2" INT - 3/8" EXT DR
• HBBD24 - DEAD/BLW 24OZ BPEEN SFT/GR HM
• LP10WR - 10IN PLIER CURVED JAW W/CUTTER
• PK23A - SGL BVL MPL HDL PTY KNF
• PL400B - PLIER SET
• PPC710BK - 11PC PNCH/CHSL SET
• PRH57A - 8IN CONVERT SNP RING PLIERS
• PWC6 - WIRE CRIMP
• QD3R250A - TORQ WR 1/2IN DR 80T 50-250FT
• S9704KA - SOCKET
• S9706KRA - 6PT 5/8" STD RET SPRKPLG SKT
• SGA173BR - PCK RADIATR HOSE SG RED 10.3IN
• SGASA204CR - MINI PICK SET 4PC RED
• SGDMRC44B - RAT S/GR STD RED SD
• SGDX60BR - 6PC COMBO INS S/GR RED SD SET
• SGT4BR - SOFTGRIP 1/4IN DRIVER
• SOEX707 - 7PC 12PT F/DR+ COMWRSET
• SOEXM710 - 10PC F/DR+ STD MET COMWRSET
• SPBS704AR - 4PC STRIKING PRYBAR SET RED
• TMXK60 - 1/4DR 6IN KNR EXT
• UIM225 - 2-1/4"DI.MIRROR
• UPT35 - 3LB MAG-5LB POWERCAP MAG
• CT8850 - Cordless 1/2 Drive Impact
• CTR761 - Cordless 3/8 Drive Ratchet
• 315SIMMYA - 1/2 Drive Deep Impact Sockets
• 315IMMYA - 1/2 Drive Shallow Impact Sockets
• 214SIMFMYA - 3/8 Drive Deep Impact Sockets
• 214IMFMYA - 3/8 Drive Shallow Impact Sockets
• EEDM504 - DVOM - Digital Volt/Ohm Meter
• KRA2422 - 55" Roll Cabinet Tool Storage

Start Building Your Automotive Tool Set

Now that we’ve covered the essential tools, it’s time to start building your tool set. This is a long list, but keep in mind that you most likely won’t need to have every tool you’ll use on the job. Employers typically provide the larger, high-investment pieces of diagnostic equipment and specialty tools that won’t be used as frequently. However, technicians are expected to have the common tools they’ll use day-in and day-out.

So, when should you start building your tool set? It’s recommended to start acquiring tools while you complete your automotive training program. Having a core set of tools before you leave school is essential when applying for your first job in the industry.

Snap-on offers a very wide range of starter tool set options. They offer over 40 tool set configurations designed to support almost anyone starting their career in the transportation service industry. As a UTI student, it’s important to take advantage of your student discount to purchase these tools at a lower cost.¹⁹

Professional-level automotive tools are designed to last. Snap-on engineers their tools to last technicians the entirety of their career and perform with the highest level of accuracy and durability. The only reason you would have to replace a tool is if it were lost or the technology changed. By investing in the right tools, you’re investing in your career!

Train to Become an Automotive Technician

Ready to start training for a career in the automotive industry? UTI’s Automotive Technology program is designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and hands-on training needed to prepare for a career.^1,18 To learn more, visit our program page and request information today.

Automotive Technician Tools FAQs

What are the must-have mechanic tools for beginners?

Opinions may vary on what tools are the best for entry-level automotive technicians. It can be helpful to consult with your employer to determine what tools you will be provided with and what they recommend you own yourself. It’s likely they’ll suggest a combination of tools from the five basic tool categories, from core hand tools to torque measurement and power tools.

Are there any mechanic tools that are considered industry standards?

There are some tools considered to be industry standards because of their widespread use, versatility and reliability. These can include socket and wrench sets, screwdriver sets, multimeters, car jacks and stands and diagnostic scan tools.