I’m a female mechanic with more than 7 years experience – people question my ability but I’ll keep making waves

A FEMALE mechanic has hit back at critics for questioning her ability, insisting that she will keep "making waves".

Zoe Cog, 25, uses her workshop AutoCog to provide an "approachable" space for women to come for car repairs.

Zoe, originally from Manchester, set up the business in Ashton-under-Lyne, Teesside, to "offer something different" for female petrolheads.

She said: "I like to think I offer something different in the automotive sector, which gives peace of mind to women who get anxious walking into a male-dominated environment.

"I've been the girl on the other end, worried to walk into places like garages and feel anxious, and although it's never easy, I like to think I'm an approachable, friendly female who has created a place where you can walk in and feel at ease, regardless of your gender.

"I get pleasure out of taking the pressure off the girls and can give as good of a service as any male-owned garage, but also build trust with the people I'm working with."

Despite a childhood interest in motors, Zoe studied travel and tourism as a teen, working at various Haven Holiday sites across the country.

However, her mum fell ill when she was 18 causing her to move home, where she landed a gig as a receptionist in a local garage.

From there, she learned her craft and worked her way up before moving to a head technician role at a workshop specialising in Lamborghinis and Ferraris.

While her tenure there were "some of the best years of [her] life", she knew she had to spread her wings.

Her dream was to create a garage that reflected her position as a "woman making waves in a male-dominated industry".

She added: "Honestly, the response to my garage has been phenomenal and beyond anything I'd ever expected.

"It's been an incredible rollercoaster. I've had so much support and positive feedback from not just women but also some incredible words from men.

"Although some of the comments have proved why such place was needed for us women - that's for sure.

"I've had people question my ability to do the job as a woman, but I don't let it get to me."

And business is booming, with Zoe now trying her hand at everything from restorations of 1970's kit cars to servicing the supercars of football superstars.

It comes after another female mechanic said that drivers are always shocked by her look and revealed what it is really like to work for her.

Meanwhile, a third has set out on a quest to empower women by helping them learn the skills needed to fix their cars.