Career Suggestion

Vehicle body repairer

Vehicle body repairers mend damaged vehicle parts and bodywork using metalworking and finishing techniques.

Average salary (a year)

£22000.0 to £40000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

42.0 to 44.0 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends on shifts

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course that would give you some of the skills and knowledge you'll need.

Courses include:

  • vehicle body and paint operations
  • vehicle accident repair body principles
  • T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

You can also take broader courses in vehicle maintenance and repair.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, such as:

  • Vehicle Damage Panel Technician
  • Vehicle Damage Paint Technician
  • Accident Repair Technician

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Direct Application

You can apply for jobs in body repair if you've got experience and a qualification in motor mechanics or vehicle paint spraying.

More Information

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join the Institute of the Motor Industry for training and to make industry contacts.

Further Information

You can find advice about careers in the motor industry from Autocity.

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • persistence and determination
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to repair machines or systems
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day-to-day tasks

As a vehicle body repairer, you could:

  • assess damage and decide how to repair it
  • remove damaged panels or parts for repair
  • smooth out minor dents in panels
  • fill small holes or rusted areas with filler
  • make body panels and sections, and weld them into place
  • refinish the repair to match the surrounding colour and bodywork
  • keep a record of all work completed to show customers

Working environment

You could work in a workshop or at a garage.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

With experience, you could:

  • become a lead fitter or technician
  • move into supervisory and bodyshop management positions
  • work as a damage assessor for a repair workshop or an insurance firm
  • set up your own business and move into mobile repairs

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