Job market information
Finding out about vehicle maintenance and repair
The vehicle maintenance and repair industry is part of the automotive retail sector, represented by the IMI Automotive Sector Skills Council, which also includes: vehicle sales; vehicle rental; and vehicle parts, distribution and supply. The UK automotive retail sector employs an estimated 514,572 people, accounting for 1.9% of the UK workforce. Future growth for the whole sector is forecast to be an increase of 2% by 2017.
The vehicle maintenance and repair industry covers all forms of maintenance on all types of vehicles. Different types of maintenance and repair include:
- Routine maintenance and repair – such as regular servicing of cars, lorries, motorcycles, vans, motorsport vehicles, fork lift trucks and the diagnosis and fixing of any faults
- Accident repair ‐ reinstating of vehicles to original condition following the event of an accident (activities such as panel beating, re‐spraying, mechanical electrical trim replacement and auto glazing)
- Roadside assistance – diagnosis and repair of faults of vehicles at the roadside
- Body building – the design, build and fitting of bespoke body work for commercial vehicle chasses, such as fire engines, horse boxes and vans
- Fast fit operations (tyres, exhausts, batteries etc.) – such as fitting of tyres, exhausts, brakes and suspension systems normally done whilst the customer waits
Key facts:
- There is an estimated 193,789 working in the industry, in an estimated 37,985 business units.
- The number of vehicle maintenance and repair businesses has increased by 48% over the last decade.
- The number of jobs in the industry has grown since 1998.
Jobs in the industry include: service technician, diagnostic technician, master technician, workshop supervisor, management, motorsport technician, paint technician, MOT examiner.
Entry and progression
There are no formal entry requirements. However, depending on the level of occupation, employers may look for previous experience and relevant qualifications. For trainee positions, employers will look for a reasonable level of employability skills, including communication, literacy, numeracy and team working skills, as well as enthusiasm for the job. For higher skilled jobs, such as master technician, individuals would be required to be qualified to the minimum standard for the role and have a track record carrying out a similar job function.
There are a range of industry endorsed courses, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships and training schemes available to those wishing to enter the industry. Maintenance and repair roles often require individuals to study a vocationally related qualification. Different roles will require different specialist areas, for example either heavy vehicle, motorcycle, fast‐fit or light vehicle.
For career changers, non‐technical roles, such as human resources, finance and payroll or general administration, provide individuals with the opportunity to transfer their skills from other sectors. Some technical skills may also allow individuals to transfer from other sectors, though this will depend on the requirements of the job transferring to and the previous experience of that individual.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
193,789 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
estimated 37,985 |
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| Note: The following data are for the automotive retail sector as a whole. |
| Gender: |
82% male |
18% female |
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| Less than 1% of all staff working in skilled trades is female. |
| Ethnicity: |
6% of the workforce is from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background |
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| Age: |
17% of workforce is 16‐24 years |
|---|
| 48% 25‐44 years |
| 35% over 45 years |
| 86% of the workforce work full‐time. |
| 7% of the workers are migrant workers. |
| 16% of workers are self-employed, running their own businesses or specialising and contracting out to larger, established organisations. |
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Business Inquiry, 2008 and Labour Force Survey, 2008.]
Employment trends and future prospects
The vehicle maintenance and repair industry has seen considerable jobs growth (11%) between 2007 and 2008. In 2008, the industry accounted for 193,789 jobs. In 1998, the industry contributed 29% of all sector jobs, rising to 38% of all jobs in 2008. Employment in the industry is forecast to decrease to 177,397 by 2017.
Skill requirements and shortages
Because of the advanced technology, different types of repair and huge variety of vehicles on the road, the different skill sets and qualifications needed are vast. There is also a need for people who work in maintenance and repair to make sure their knowledge is up‐to‐date.
Skill shortages are most likely to occur where employers are recruiting people into skilled trades and professional occupations. The key skilled trades sought by employers are: vehicle technicians, vehicle body builders and repairers, auto electricians and vehicle spray painters.
Occupational trends
There are no data on occupational trends by industry. The following data are for the automotive retail sector as a whole.
Automotive retail sector occupational distribution
| Managers and Senior Officials |
20.2% |
|---|
| Professional Occupations |
1.1% |
|---|
| Associate Professional and Technical |
4.8% |
|---|
| Administrative and Secretarial |
11.7% |
|---|
| Skilled Trades Occupations |
34.2% |
|---|
| Sales and Customer Service Occupations |
0.1% |
|---|
| Personal Service Occupations |
12.7% |
|---|
| Process, Plant and Machine Operatives |
9.1% |
|---|
| Elementary Occupations |
6% |
|---|
There is a significant gender bias within most occupations in the automotive retail sector with men outnumbering women in almost all occupations. 86% of all managerial positions are held by men. Women make up the majority of workers in administrative and secretarial roles, where they account for 70% of workers.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There is an estimated 15,297 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 39% since 1998. The East Midlands accounts for 9% of all employment within the vehicle maintenance and repair industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is set to decline by 4% in the region by 2017.
East of England – There is an estimated 20,709 jobs in the industry, which is a rise of 32% since 1998. The East accounts for 12% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is set to increase by 4% in the region by 2017.
London – There is an estimated 15,641 jobs in the industry, which is a fall of 9% since 1998. London accounts for 9% of all employment within the vehicle maintenance and repair industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 14% in the region by 2017.
North East – There is an estimated 7,868 jobs in the industry, which is a rise of 53% since 1998. The North East accounts for 5% of all employment within the vehicle maintenance and repair industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 11% in the region by 2017.
North West – There is an estimated 20,036 jobs in the industry. The region accounts for 12% of all employment within the vehicle maintenance and repair industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 4% in the region by 2017.
South East – There is an estimated 31,349 jobs in the industry. The South East accounts for 19% of all employment within the vehicle maintenance and repair industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is set to increase by 17% in the region by 2017.
South West – There is an estimated 18,911 jobs in the industry, which is a significant increase of 30% since 1998. The region accounts for 11% of all employment within the vehicle maintenance and repair industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 16% in the region by 2017.
West Midlands – There is an estimated 18,745 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 26% since 1998. The region accounts for 11% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to increase by only 1% in the region by 2017.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There is an estimated 19,110 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 52% since 1998. The region accounts for 11% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to increase by 15% in the region by 2017.
Scotland – There is an estimated 13,646 jobs in the industry, which is a fall of 31% since 1998. Scotland accounts for 9% of all employment within the vehicle maintenance and repair industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to increase by 1% by 2017.
Wales – There is an estimated 8,980 jobs in the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole has seen a growth in employment over the past decade jobs, but it is forecast to decline by 2% by 2017. The sector as a whole accounts for 4% of all national employment within the automotive retail sector.
The following data are for the automotive retail sector as a whole:
Northern Ireland – The automotive retail sector has seen a growth in employment over the past decade, to an estimated 13,893 jobs. Employment is forecast to continue to increase by 17% by 2017. It accounts for 3% of all national employment within the automotive retail sector.
Salary levels
For technical roles in maintenance and repair, typical salaries range from:
- a trainee starting salary £5,500 – £7,000
- fully qualified master technician £26,000 ‐ £30,000
For more information on pay scales in the industry see Autocity 
.
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using IMI Automotive AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
