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Where will this course lead?

Achieving an introductory automotive qualification gives you the background knowledge you need to advance onto a Level 2 or Level 3 or apprenticeship. Completing an automotive apprenticeship can lead to employment as an automotive technician or vehicle paint technician. 

What will I study?

You choose 10 units from a range, totalling 45 credits. Some examples of the units available include: 

  • Vehicle Engine Lubrication Systems  
  • Vehicle Engine Cooling Systems  
  • Vehicle Fuel and Exhaust Systems  
  • Vehicle Spark ignition Systems  
  • Vehicle Electrical Systems 
  • Vehicle Braking Systems  
  • Vehicle Transmission Systems  
  • Vehicle Steering and Suspension Systems  
  • Vehicle Wheel and Tyre Systems  
  • Vehicle Hand Skills and Manufacturing

How will this course be delivered?

The qualification will be based on the guided learning hours set by the awarding body. 

What qualifications will I get?

Level 1 Vehicle Systems Maintenance 

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed on the knowledge and skills taught in college over?10 units. 

How do I get a place on the course?

Apply online and you will be interviewed by a member of staff. These courses are very popular so apply today to secure your position. 

What are the entry requirements?

Minimum of 1 GCSE at Grade 3 in either Maths or English, a suitable reference and a successful interview.

What else do I need to know?

You will need a passion for motor vehicles and an interest in how vehicles need to be repaired to manufacture standards.

Good levels of English and Maths are important for your success in your course, your chosen vocation and life. Throughout your course you will continue to develop your English and Maths skills in your vocational classes.

If you have a Learning Difficulty or Disability please let us know when you apply. You will be offered support in your interview. If you need help completing your application we can help with this too.

What can I do after this course?

Achieving an introductory automotive qualification gives you the background knowledge you need to advance on to a Level 2 or Level 3 even an apprenticeship. 

Location

Woodlands Campus

Start Date

Sept-2025

Day

Various

Time

TBC

Course Fee

N/A For 16 to 18 Year Olds

Course Code

TRAQA043CCF0

Study Mode

Full Time

Motor Vehicle Body Repairer

Job holders in this unit group construct and repair the bodies of road vehicles, and fit interior and exterior fittings to vehicle bodies.

What’s Involved?

Motor Vehicle Body Repairers diagnose job requirements or ascertain work specifications from drawings or instructions. They select, cut, shape and assemble materials to form parts of vehicle underframe, framework and body. They repair damage to chassis and engine mountings using hydraulic rams, jacks and jigs. They also hammer out dents in bodywork, fill in small depressions or corroded areas in solder, plastic or other filler compound and replace body panels using hand and power tools. They install and repair interior fittings including seats, seatbelts and fascia in cars, sinks and special features in caravans and mobile shops. They position, secure and repair external fittings including windows, doors, door handles, catches and roof attachments.

Motor Vehicle Technician

Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians accept calls for help and repair and service the mechanical parts and electrical/electronic circuitry and components of cars, lorries, buses, motorcycles and other motor vehicles, and repair and service auto air-conditioning systems.

What’s Involved?

Motor Vehicle Technicians visually check, test drive or use test equipment to diagnose engine and mechanical faults. They remove, dismantle, repair and replace defective parts and prepare new parts using appropriate tools. They reassemble, test, adjust and tune the appropriate parts, systems or entire engine. They carry out routine maintenance checks on oil and air filters, brakes and other vehicle parts/systems. They diagnose faults in electrical/electronic circuitry, remove faulty components and fit replacements. They also check condition of electrical/electronic systems and carry out servicing tasks. They install additional electrical amenities such as radio/CD players, aerials. They repair and service air conditioning, heating and engine-cooling systems.

Vehicle Salesman and Advisor

Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers sell new and used vehicles to the general public, and vehicle accessories and parts to garages, vehicle dealerships and the general public.

What’s Involved?

A Vehicle and Parts Salesperson and Advisor discusses customer's requirements, advises on most appropriate vehicle, explains its features and arranges test drive; negotiates sale price including any 'trade-in' and extra accessories, works out finance arrangements and completes sales paperwork; carries out pre-delivery inspection and formal hand-over of vehicle to customer; updates stock record, orders new vehicles from manufacturer, buys in used cars; receives orders for parts by phone, email or in person and checks availability on stock record; obtains parts from store or orders from suppliers; organises delivery of parts and handles payment; orders new supplies, arranges storage and updates stock records.

Tyre, Exhaust & Windscreen Fitter

Tyre, exhaust and windscreen fitters fit, repair and adjust tyres, exhausts and windscreens on cars, buses, motorcycles and other motor vehicles.

What’s Involved?

A Tyre, Exhaust & Windscreen Fitter carries out inspection and assesses the nature and extent of repair necessary; removes wheel, exhaust or windscreen using semi-automatic machinery or hand and power tools; separates tyre from wheel and fits replacement tyre using automatic machine or by using a wheel stand and hand tools; inflates tyre to correct pressure, refits wheel to axle and balances wheel using balancing machine; replaces faulty parts of exhaust and refits exhaust or windscreen to vehicle.

MOT Tester

Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians accept calls for help and repair and service the mechanical parts and electrical/electronic circuitry and components of cars, lorries, buses, motorcycles and other motor vehicles, and repair and service auto air-conditioning systems.

What’s Involved?

Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians visually checks, test drives or uses test equipment to diagnose engine and mechanical faults; removes, dismantles, repairs and replaces defective parts and prepares new parts using appropriate tools; reassembles, tests, adjusts and tunes the appropriate parts, systems or entire engine; carries out routine maintenance checks on oil and air filters, brakes and other vehicle parts/systems; diagnoses faults in electrical/electronic circuitry, removes faulty components and fits replacements; checks condition of electrical/electronic systems and carries out servicing tasks; installs additional electrical amenities such as radio/CD players, aerials; repairs and services air conditioning, heating and engine-cooling systems.

Predicted Employment

How much can I earn?

£17,680
NATIONAL AVERAGE

Employment by Region

The career paths provided are to give you an idea of the careers that you could progress onto in the future. However, for some, you may need to complete higher level qualifications and gain experience before your dream job becomes a reality. The information provided is to support further research and to generate some initial career ideas when choosing a course. Please check entry requirements to degree courses, apprenticeships, and jobs as this may vary from year to year and across providers. For further advice and guidance, please contact: careers@solihull.ac.uk.