Skip to content

STEM

Swap to Maths or Science or go back to all job sectors

Motor mechanic

Motor mechanics repair and service cars and vans.

Annual Salary

£22,000 to £42,000

Average UK salary in 2024 was £37,430
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

38 to 45 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends; flexibly

2.3%
Future employment

There will be 2.3% fewer Motor mechanic jobs in 2029.

Day to day tasks

As a motor mechanic, you could:

  • find and diagnose faults using hand tools or a computer
  • advise customers on what repairs are needed, including costs
  • carry out regular maintenance, and repair or replace faulty parts
  • test vehicles on the road to check repairs
  • monitor stock levels and update vehicle service records
  • work with high voltage batteries, if you deal with hybrid or electric vehicles

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a motor mechanic to be a green job, you could:

  • specialise in maintenance and repair of electric vehicles
  • recycle used materials like batteries, oil and tyres
  • use renewable energy sources in the workshop

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

You could work at a garage.

Your working environment may be noisy, dirty and physically active.

You can get into this job through a college course or an apprenticeship.

College

You could take a college course before applying for a trainee motor mechanic role with a garage.

Relevant courses include:

  • light vehicle maintenance and repair
  • T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

You could specialise in hybrid and electrical vehicles by doing a course like:

  • auto-electrical and mobile electrical operations
  • electric/hybrid vehicle system repair and replacement

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
For 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 Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician - Light Vehicle Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This will usually take 2 to 3 years. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time at a college or training provider.

You could also train as a vehicle mechanic in the British Army.

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
For 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
  • Army apprenticeships|https://jobs.army.mod.uk/regular-army/what-you-get/apprenticeships-skills/

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

  • You may need a driving licence for some jobs.

More information

Career tips

It will help if you are interested in the motor industry and enjoy fixing cars. It can also be useful to have a knowledge of different makes and models.

Further information

You can find out more about working and training as a light vehicle technician from Autocity.

Showing jobs in:
View all vacancies in this region

With experience, you could:develop your skills to become a master technician or diagnostic technician; become a roadside assistance technician; move into motorsport engineering; specialise in electric vehicles after doing further training or qualifications; set up your own business, train apprentices or become a further education teacher

You can find more details about working and training as a mechanic from Autocity.

Video stories related to this job

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • problem-solving skills
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
My top 5 skills
Please sign in to compare your skills to this job. Sign in

To save or view your choices and results you must sign in or register (takes 1 minute).

Sign in Register