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How To Become A Vehicle Technician: Automotive Careers

A vehicle technician uses their hands, brain, and sometimes the latest technology to maintain and repair vehicles. It's a great early career in the automotive industry!

What does being a Vehicle Technician involve?

This includes mechanical technicians often known as Mechanical & Electrical Trim (MET).

In this role the responsibility varies depending on the type of place you work. It includes removing damaged parts so that repairs can take place safely and refitting them later.

MET Technicians will get involved with wheel alignment, air conditioning, diagnostics, electrical faults and calibration.

This role is highly technical particularly with modern and electric & hybrid vehicles.

You may use hand tools in this role, but you will also use technical equipment which helps diagnose problems and reinstate the vehicle to pre accident state.

Other roles include Light vehicle and HGV technicians and also working in auto glazing.

What could you be doing?

As a Vehicle Technician, you can often expect to:

Maintain vehicles that may have to travel long distances
Service, inspect, run regular checks and diagnose any issues found
repair or replace the parts once you've discovered any issues or broken equipment
Carry out maintenance and repairs either physically or using technology (vehicles are getting increasingly high-tech these days)
Get trained to understand and work with all kinds of vehicle equipment

What life and work skills are useful for getting started?

You will shine as a Vehicle Technician if you...

Have problem solving skills
Can follow instructions, and have a good eye for detail
Have great teamwork skills to work well with others
Are able to use your initiative once you are trained
Have great communication skills and a willingness
Are ready to build up any basic IT skills you already have

Useful qualifications

A minimum of grade 4 (formerly C Grade) in English & Maths (GCSE or equivalent) is often but not always required.

How Much Money Can You Earn As a Vehicle Technician?

These LMI Job Trends give you a sneak peek of how much you could earn starting out for this career, and how much your salary could grow with experience.

Average Salary For Vehicle Technician Jobs

Recent labour market information says you can earn on average between £12,000 and £35,000 a year as a vehicle technician or mechanic in the UK.

Your starting salary can vary because of factors like level of experience, training, or location. Your salary as a vehicle technician will increase over time as you build skills, knowledge and experience.