Motor vehicle parts person Job Information | National Careers Service

Job profiles

Motor vehicle parts person

Hours

37-40 per week
Starting salary

£14,000 + per year

The work

As a motor vehicle parts person, you would sell motor parts and accessories to garages, car dealerships and the general public.

You might concentrate on spares and accessories for cars, small vans and motorcycles, or specialise in heavy vehicles, such as lorries, plant machinery, buses and coaches.

Your duties would typically include:

advising customers what parts they might need for their vehicle
taking orders in person, over the phone and via email
checking availability of parts on computerised stock records
getting parts from the storeroom or warehouse or, if out of stock, ordering them from suppliers
putting orders together, and arranging for them to be sent by courier, or making deliveries yourself
dealing with payments
raising invoices and issuing receipts
maintaining shop window and shelf displays
ordering supplies, putting stock away and updating records.

Hours

You would usually work between 37 and 40 hours a week. Many companies operate a rota system, which includes evenings and weekends.

You may work in various settings, ranging from retail outlets to warehouses attached to service centres and dealerships. Your job may involve some travel, for example when making deliveries.

Income

Salaries are around £14,000 to £18,000 a year.
Senior staff can earn over £25,000 a year.

Some companies offer bonus schemes linked to sales, which can increase earnings and overtime opportunities.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You do not need any formal qualifications to get into this job, although some employers may want to see relevant experience in vehicle parts, vehicle servicing or customer service. You are likely to need a driving licence.

You may be able to get into this career through an Apprenticeship scheme. To get on to a scheme, you will normally need four GCSEs (grades A-C), or equivalent qualifications but it is best to check with the college or training provider.

The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit the Apprenticeships or the Institute of the Motor Industry websites.

Training and development

Once you start work, you could complete NVQ in Vehicle Parts Operations at Levels 2 and 3.

IMI Awards NVQ in Vehicle Parts Operations (100/2677/0)
City and Guilds NVQ in Vehicle Parts Operations (4009)

Your employer may arrange for you to attend short courses offered by main dealers or manufacturers, to update your product knowledge.

Skills and knowledge

knowledge of vehicle parts and accessories
a good technical knowledge of how motor vehicles work
a willingness to keep technical knowledge updated
excellent communication and customer service skills
good administration and computer skills
good maths skills
the ability to work as part of a team
the ability to explain technical details clearly to customers.

More information

Institute of the Motor Industry (Opens new window)
Fanshaws
Brickendon
Hertford
SG13 8PQ
Tel: 01992 511521
www.motor.org.uk

Autocity (Opens new window)
Email: careers@motor.org.uk
http://autocity.org.uk

Opportunities

You could work in a range of settings, from large service centres, where the main clients are car dealerships, to independent garages working directly with the public. You could also find jobs with smaller retail outlets, dealing specifically with car spares and accessories.

With experience, you could progress to a supervisor or service adviser job, or move into the service and repair side. You may be able to move into self-employment as a parts supplier.

Vacancies are advertised through newspapers, Jobcentre Plus, specialist recruitment agencies and on the Directgov website (Jobseekers page).

Directgov (Jobseekers page)

You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in a new window):

IMI Magazine
IMI website (List of recruitment agencies that specialise in the motor industry)

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.

Related industry information

Industry summary

The vehicle parts, distribution and supply industry is part of the automotive retail sector, represented by the IMI Automotive Sector Skills Council, which also includes: vehicle maintenance and repair; vehicle sales; and vehicle rental and leasing. 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 parts, distribution and supply industry comprises both wholesale and retail sale of all motor vehicle parts and accessories. All types of vehicle are covered from parts for lorries, cars and vans to motorcycles and lift trucks. Both retail and wholesale businesses are included in this industry.

Key facts:

There are approximately 98,968 people working in the industry in around 11,800 business units.
Up to 2007, this industry has seen the greatest decline in employment numbers of all the industries in the automotive retail sector.

Jobs in the industry include: parts manager, workshop controller, customer service advisor, parts manager, parts advisor, telesales representative, warranty administrator.

National and regional data

East Midlands – There is an estimated 8,657 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 5% since 1998. The East Midlands accounts for 10% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is set to forecast by 4% in the region by 2017.

East of England – There is an estimated 9,587 jobs in the industry, which is a fall of 7% since 1998. The East of England accounts for 11% 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 8,634 jobs in the industry, which is a fall of 22% since 1998. London accounts for 10% of all employment within the 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 3,676 jobs in the industry, which is a rise of 38% since 1998. The North East accounts for 4% of all employment within the 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 10,077 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 2% since 1998. The region accounts for 12% of all employment within the 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 15,001 jobs in the industry, which is a fall of 2% since 1998. The South East accounts for 17% of all employment within the 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 9,201 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 28% since 1998. The region accounts for 11% of all employment within the 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 13,764 jobs in the industry, which is a fall of 9% since 1998. The region accounts for 16% 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 8,477 jobs in the industry, which is a rise of 9% since 1998. The region accounts for 10% 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 7,678 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 43% since 1998. Scotland accounts for 8% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to increase by 1% by 2017.

Wales – There is an estimated 4,216 jobs in the industry, which is a rise of 15% since 1998. Wales accounts for 4% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 2% by 2017.

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.