Key information

  1. Reference: ST0033
  2. Date updated: 26/06/2023
  3. Level: 3
  4. Route: Engineering and manufacturing
  5. Regulated occupation: No

This is not the latest approved version of this apprenticeship. View the latest version

Print occupational standard

Details of the occupational standard

Information Symbol

T-Levels logoT Levels focus on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships. Each T Level includes an in-depth industry placement that lasts at least 45 days. Students get valuable experience in the workplace; employers get early sight of the new talent in their industry.

Occupation summary

A motor vehicle service and maintenance technician services and repairs light vehicles such as cars and vans and works either in dealerships which focus on a particular manufacturer, or in an independent garage which deals with many different makes of vehicles. The Automotive Retail Industry provides employment for over half a million employees who work for approximately 70,000 employers. It is a major contributor to the UK economy. In a large dealership the Technician will typically report to the Workshop Controller, who in turn reports to the Aftersales Manager and liaises with the Service Reception. In smaller garages the Technician will report directly to the owner or Garage Manager. The technician must be able to work independently but also operate as an effective team member and have good customer handling skills. They will understand how their workshop and the dealership/garage functions from a commercial perspective and identify ways in which they can work more efficiently. Technicians working in large dealerships work with other departments, for example carrying out work for the Sales Department and ordering parts from the Parts Department, whereas apprentices in smaller independent garages may be called upon to carry out some of the function of the other departments themselves, for example managing their own delivery of parts. The technician will work on all the systems found within the vehicle. The day-to-day work ranges from replacing simple parts through to solving complex faults with the use of diagnostic methods and equipment. The tasks faced are constantly changing, driven by the introduction of ever more complex technologies and diagnostic techniques. The growing complexity of today’s vehicles, and the pressure to deliver a high-quality customer experience, requires the retail automotive sector to attract and train high calibre individuals and this is reflected in the elements of the Standard described below.

Typical job titles include:

car mechanic automotive engineer motor vehicle service technician motor vehicle maintenance technician car maintenance technician automotive retail

KSBs

Knowledge

K1: How vehicle service and repair is impacted by legislative, regulatory and ethical requirements, including health and safety law and environmental procedures; Back to Duty

K2: The structure of the industry and how the business works from an operational perspective, business targets, the systems and processes that make up the efficient running of a business; Back to Duty

K3: How to develop positive working relationships and communicate effectively and how to carry out self-evaluation and improve own performance; Back to Duty

K4: The procedures for the maintenance of tools and the workshop; Back to Duty

K5: Routine servicing and inspection procedures; Back to Duty

K6: Steering and suspension geometries; electrical circuit requirements and calculations; Back to Duty

K7: Construction and operation of vehicle components and systems; Back to Duty

K8: Common fault types, causes and effects of different types of faults; Back to Duty

K9: The implications and legal requirements of fitting accessories and carrying out vehicle modifications; Back to Duty

K10: How to diagnose faults using suitable fault finding strategies; Back to Duty

K11: Construction and operation of advanced electrical, braking and suspension systems, engine and transmission systems and engine and gear calculations; Back to Duty

K12: Vehicle emissions and legal requirements; Back to Duty

K13: Alternative fuels and hybrid and electric systems. Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Contribute to the maintenance of a safe and efficient workshop. Back to Duty

S2: Demonstrate due regard for own safety and that of others in the workshop and minimise risk of injury and vehicle damage. Back to Duty

S3: Carry out fundamental tasks associated with removal and replacement procedures on a vehicle; Back to Duty

S4: Obtain diagnostic and repair information Back to Duty

S5: Interpret diagnostic information and use electrical wiring diagrams to determine system serviceability. Back to Duty

S6: Use a range of diagnostic equipment. Back to Duty

S7: Follow recognised diagnostic procedures, logical diagnostic sequence and apply advanced diagnostic principles and problem-solving techniques to establish faults. Back to Duty

S8: Report faults using company procedures and recommend suitable further actions. Back to Duty

S9: Follow recognised repair procedures to complete a wide range of repairs including those which involve complex procedures, or in depth knowledge. Back to Duty

S10: Test the function of repaired and fitted components. Back to Duty

S11: Adhere to business processes and complete documentation following workplace procedures. Back to Duty

S12: Use ICT to create emails, word-process documents and carry out web based searches. Back to Duty

S13: Complete a range of services and inspect and prepare a vehicle to the required quality standard for handover to the customer. Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Take responsibility when required and be honest and accountable when things don’t go as planned Back to Duty

B2: Operate as an effective team member Back to Duty

B3: Behave in accordance with the values of the company and treat colleagues and customers with respect and courtesy. Back to Duty

B4: Build effective relationships with colleagues and customers Back to Duty

B5: Gain trust and pay attention to colleagues and customers concerns and needs Back to Duty

B6: Communicate effectively on a range of topics and with all sorts of different people Back to Duty

B7: Deliver excellent results and achieve challenging goals. Back to Duty

B8: Contribute to problem solving discussions and enjoy finding solutions to own and other people’s problems. Back to Duty

B9: Suggest ways to make the business more efficient and contribute to its commercial growth. Back to Duty

B10: Constantly learn in order to improve own performance and that of the business Back to Duty

B11: Share knowledge and skills. Back to Duty

B12: Demonstrate a passion for engineering. Back to Duty

T Level in maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing

Qualification type: T Level

Qualification level: 3

Awarding organisation: City & Guilds

Approval date: 04/11/2021

Available from: 01/09/2022

Occupational specialism: Light and Electric Vehicles

Product page

Aligned occupational standards

ST0033 Motor vehicle service and maintenance technician - light vehicle


Crown copyright © 2024. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence

Is this webpage useful?

Thank you for your feedback

Tell us about your experience