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Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians accept calls for help and repair and service the mechanical parts and electrical/electronic circuitry and components of cars, lorries, buses, motorcycles and other motor vehicles, and repair and service auto air-conditioning systems.

Main tasks

  • Repairs and services air conditioning, heating and engine-cooling systems.
  • Installs additional electrical amenities such as radio/CD players, aerials.
  • Checks condition of electrical/electronic systems and carries out servicing tasks.
  • Diagnoses faults in electrical/electronic circuitry, removes faulty components and fits replacements.
  • Carries out routine maintenance checks on oil and air filters, brakes and other vehicle parts/systems.
  • Reassembles, tests, adjusts and tunes the appropriate parts, systems or entire engine.
  • Removes, dismantles, repairs and replaces defective parts and prepares new parts using appropriate tools.
  • Visually checks, test drives or uses test equipment to diagnose engine and mechanical faults.

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Salary and earnings

Potential earnings

£48,270.57

Average earnings

£32,184.99

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Skills & knowledge

The top 5 most important skills and knowledge requirements relevant to this career.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Physics

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

What course level do I need to study?

The level of study required will vary with each job, sector and company. The table below shows the level of study achieved by those currently working in this career choice.

Educational requirements: Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Level of study Percentage achieved
Level 0 3%
Level 1 9%
Level 2 19%
Level 3 57%
Level 4-5 (Higher Education) 7%
Level 6 (Bachelors) 6%
Level 7 (Masters or equivalent) 0%
Level 8 (Doctorate) 1%

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS) data.

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.