While many modern mechanic shops focus on the quick turnaround of customers, tucked away in the back streets of Mareeba in Far North Queensland is one garage that focuses on providing a detailed service to customers from start to finish, no matter how long it takes. Rico Moro of Moro Auto Repairs took time out to answer some questions for Motor Trader this month.

Words and pictures: Lara Wilde

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How did Moro Auto Repairs come to be?

RM: Mareeba is a close-knit community. My friends and I did our trade and started our families here. We grew up building muscle cars and testing their limits at local motorsport venues and to this day we are all good friends and compete in motorsport together. In 1990, we opened the Moro Auto Repairs workshop to follow our passion for building cars and to solve problems for cars old and new.

What services do you offer at Moro Auto Repairs?

RM: Moro Auto Repairs provides mechanical repairs, mechanical inspections, road worthy certificates and modification authorisations. We work on almost anything and everything – from vintage Massey Ferguson tractors to daily-driver Commodores, from Morris Minors in for a complete restoration and on through to 7-second race cars. We do it all in full consultation with the owner taking into consideration their intended use of the vehicle, their budget and their timeframe.

Do you specialise in any particular service?

RM: A few years ago, we began specialising in repairing and installing exhaust systems on a range of vehicles. From Mum’s shopping trolley through to performance cars we provide a custom service for
our customers. We are known as @theexhaustspecialists on Facebook.

Why did you decide to specialise in exhaust systems?

RM: As I started to get older, I looked for a speciality that was easy to do with a hoist and didn’t require too much technology or physical strength. Exhausts were a simple choice. The parts required do not deteriorate in storage and almost every vehicle on the road has one.

What is your background in the automotive industry?

RM: I was born with a natural intuition for all things mechanical. Growing up on a farm I faced many mechanical challenges with farm vehicles and machinery. I enjoyed problem-solving on motors and so in 1985 I began my mechanic apprenticeship with Jim Plozza. In 1989, I finished my apprenticeship under the guidance of John Spena who had bought the business from Jim.

Since completing your apprenticeship have you undertaken any additional professional development?

RM: While I was still studying as an apprentice mechanic, I undertook extra training to become qualified to provide Roadworthy inspections for vehicles. Once I was trade qualified as a mechanic, I went on to complete a Heavy Commercial vehicle course. With that course successfully completed I undertook an A Grade Mechanic certificate. I have always sought out and taken every opportunity to learn new skills particularly training that related to technology in new vehicles and diagnostic tools.

What are your plans for Moro Auto Repairs in the next few years?

RM: We will continue to deliver quality work and provide an excellent service to our customers. And with the business ticking along consistently we will be able to spend more time at the track drag racing.

How much advice do you place on social media for your business?

RM: We believe in promoting our business and social media is another tool to get our story out there. Moro Auto Repairs has an active Facebook page, and we utilise the social media tool to promote our business and our love of motorsport.

What do you see as the greatest advancement in technology for your business?

RM: While there are many great diagnostic tools and instruments, the simplest and greatest advancement in technology for us has been the internet. The ability to more efficiently market and administer the business while also researching, exchanging information and sourcing parts has been invaluable to Moro Auto Repairs.

Do you consider that the advancements in electric vehicles will have an impact on Moro Auto Repairs and if so, how?

RM: Of course electric cars will have an impact on our business. For example, we specialise in exhaust systems and electric cars do not have an exhaust. We will have to learn more about how electric vehicles operate. While we do have a lot to learn we are also confident that we can adapt and continue to provide a quality service for our customers. Even electric cars will suffer wear and tear, and will breakdown and require a mechanic to fix them.

Has Covid-19 impacted your business?

RM: Overall, Covid had a positive impact on the Moro Auto Repairs business. We put in place the Government-recommended strategies with a WHS plan to maintain social distancing and increase personal hygiene. The increase in government payments meant that many of our customers had cash to spend on their cars. This meant that the workshop remained busy throughout 2020. Now we are starting to see an impact from those payments being reduced.

Who is in the current Moro Auto Repairs team?

RM: I am the head mechanic and business owner. Joe Moro is my business partner and Sherri Soncin is the account manager. Edward Escriva is our other trade mechanic and Anthony Cifuentes Henderson is our apprentice mechanic.

How does motorsport play a role in Moro Auto Repairs?

RM: Moro Auto Repairs competes regularly with our Ford Probe drag race car. This provides an opportunity for us to build our relationship as a work team and deliver professional development to fine tune our mechanic skills. It is also an excellent opportunity for us to promote our business in the motorsport community and support our local drag racing track, Springmount Raceway. We consider it to be very important to give back to our community and we do that through supporting local motorsport and sponsoring local community sport such as our two local football teams.

What has been the greatest benefit of your MTA Queensland membership?

RM: We have been members of MTA Queensland off and on since we opened Moro Auto Repairs in 1990. The greatest benefit has been accessing training for our apprentices and knowing that the training they are receiving is some of the best in the automotive industry.

What advice would you give a young Rico starting out in the automotive industry?

RM: Stay longer in your trade and never sell yourself short.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (June 2021) 

9 June 2021