ASE Professional Ethics & Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A shop owner asks a technician to clear fault codes without repairing the underlying issue before a vehicle inspection. The technician should:
- Comply because the owner has authority
- Refuse and explain that this is deceptive and potentially illegal (Correct answer)
- Clear the codes but tell the customer privately
- Clear the codes and increase the labor charge
Correct answer: Refuse and explain that this is deceptive and potentially illegal
Clearing codes without repair to pass inspection is deceptive, potentially illegal, and violates ASE ethical standards.
Question 2: A technician receives a referral fee from a parts supplier without the customer's knowledge. This practice is:
- Acceptable if the parts are quality products
- A conflict of interest that should be disclosed (Correct answer)
- Standard industry practice requiring no disclosure
- Only a problem if the customer complains
Correct answer: A conflict of interest that should be disclosed
Undisclosed referral fees represent a conflict of interest that compromises the technician's obligation to act in the customer's best interest.
Question 3: What is the ethical obligation of a technician when they discover a safety defect covered by an active recall?
- Only mention it if the customer specifically asks about recalls
- Inform the customer and advise them to contact the dealer for recall service (Correct answer)
- Fix the recall issue and bill the customer for the labor
- Ignore it since recall work is the dealer's responsibility
Correct answer: Inform the customer and advise them to contact the dealer for recall service
Ethical practice requires informing customers of known safety defects so they can take appropriate action at no cost through recall service.
Question 4: A technician with an expired ASE certification continues to advertise as ASE-certified. This is:
- Acceptable if they plan to recertify soon
- Misleading advertising that violates professional ethics (Correct answer)
- Fine as long as their skills are still current
- Only an issue if a customer files a complaint
Correct answer: Misleading advertising that violates professional ethics
Advertising an expired certification misrepresents credentials and violates both ASE guidelines and consumer protection principles.
Question 5: When a vehicle cannot be safely repaired due to extensive structural damage, the technician's ethical duty is to:
- Repair it anyway to generate revenue
- Clearly inform the customer that the vehicle is unsafe to return to service (Correct answer)
- Do only the requested work and say nothing about additional concerns
- Suggest cosmetic repairs to make the car look better
Correct answer: Clearly inform the customer that the vehicle is unsafe to return to service
Technicians must prioritize safety and honestly communicate when a vehicle poses an unreasonable risk to the driver and public.
Question 6: A technician suspects a coworker is under the influence of drugs while working on customer vehicles. The BEST course of action is:
- Say nothing to avoid creating tension
- Immediately report the concern to a supervisor for safety reasons (Correct answer)
- Handle it informally by asking the coworker to take a break
- Complete the coworker's jobs for them without reporting
Correct answer: Immediately report the concern to a supervisor for safety reasons
Substance impairment on the job is a serious safety hazard that must be escalated to management promptly.
Question 7: Which behavior BEST reflects the ASE principle of treating customers fairly and honestly?
- Presenting repair estimates that are always lower than the actual cost
- Providing accurate written estimates before starting any work (Correct answer)
- Recommending the most expensive repair option by default
- Completing extra repairs to improve the vehicle without telling the customer
Correct answer: Providing accurate written estimates before starting any work
Accurate pre-repair estimates ensure customers can make informed financial decisions and build trust in the shop.
ASE Professional Ethics & Standards 3
A shop owner asks a technician to clear fault codes without repairing the underlying issue before a vehicle inspection.
The technician should: