Motor vehicle fitter
Engineering and Maintenance

Related videos on a motor vehicle fitter

How to become a motor vehicle fitter

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

College

You could take a college course to get some of the skills needed for this job. Courses include:

• Level 2 Diploma in Vehicle Fitting Principles
• Level 2 Diploma in Specialist Tyre Fitting Competence
• Level 2 Extended Certificate in Vehicle Technology

College (Entry requirements)

You may need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in vehicle fitting.

Apprenticeship (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
• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Direct application

You can apply for jobs as a vehicle fitter if you've got qualifications and experience in motor mechanics.

More info

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

What it takes

Skills & Knowledge

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to work on your own
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be flexible and open to change
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you'll do

Day to day

Your day-to-day duties could include:

• testing batteries and other parts of an engine
• checking tyres and exhausts
• replacing or repairing faulty parts
• balancing and re-aligning wheels
• checking a vehicle's tracking
• repairing punctures 
• giving customers advice

You might also have call-out duties for:

• attending breakdowns
• carrying out MOT tests
• repairing suspension systems, steering and brakes

Working environment

You could work at a garage or in a workshop. Your working environment may be physically demanding. You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Career path & progression

With experience, you could move into workshop supervision and management jobs, or related areas, like breakdown and recovery, service centre advice or general vehicle mechanics.