Motor vehicle body repairers fix or replace accident-damaged parts on light vehicles – cars, small vans and motorcycles; and heavy vehicles – lorries, construction plant, buses and coaches. They may also repair or replace cracked windscreens and glass. At the end of a job, they refinish the bodywork to make the vehicle appear as good as new.

When a vehicle comes in, a body repairer's first task is to assess the extent of the damage and the best way to do the repairs. Once they have done this, they set about the repair job, which can include some or all of the following duties:

• removing damaged panels or parts to repair at a workbench
• smoothing out minor dents in panels with a ‘dolly’ hammer and other tools 
• filling small holes or rusted areas with resin, body solder and other compound fillers
• fitting new panels where the damage is too great for repair
• custom building body panels from sheet metal before welding them in place.

After the body repairers have fixed the damaged parts, they refinish the surfaces. This includes:

• removing old paintwork, sealant and rust, using a wire wheel attached to a drill or grinder
• cleaning the repair area and masking off other parts to be left alone 
• priming and paint spraying the area, using the manufacturer instructions on colour matches
• sealing and waxing the finished job.

Vehicle body repairers also keep a log of the work done to give to the customer when they come to collect their vehicle.

Hours and Environment

Vehicle body repairers work from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Some firms operate shift patterns, which include evenings and Saturday mornings.

You do most of your in workshops or ventilated paint-spraying booths.

Health and safety is a very important part of this work, so you wear protective masks, overalls, goggles and gloves on most jobs.

Skills and Interests

As a vehicle body repairer, you will need:

• good practical skills and the ability to use a range of tools
• the ability to work methodically and pay close attention to detail
• the ability to work without close supervision
• good communication skills
• the ability to follow written instructions
• a reasonable level of fitness and normal colour vision
• an awareness of health and safety regulations.

Entry

You may be able to start training as an apprentice in vehicle servicing or body repair. Funding for apprenticeships is available for 16-24 year olds and some over-25s. 

You may need some GCSEs/S grades for apprenticeship schemes, including maths, English, science, engineering, IT, design and technology or equivalent qualifications. For more details about apprenticeships, see Carter and Carter, manufacturers' websites and Automotive Skills in Further Information.

You can also take automotive qualifications, which are open to all age groups, for example:

• City & Guilds Vehicle Body and Paint Operations (4101)
• City & Guilds Body and Paint Maintenance (3901)
• City & Guilds Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (4101)
• BTEC National Certificate and Diploma in Vehicle Repair and Technology.

Further education colleges and training centres throughout the country offer these. Check with them for more details.

You can also get into this kind of work after training in vehicle mechanics. See the job profile for Motor Vehicle Technician.

For more information about careers and training in this field, contact Automotive Skills and the Institute of the Motor Industry in Further Information.

Training

Once you are working as a vehicle body repairer, you train on the job, with day or block release at a local college or training provider. This leads to the NVQ/SVQ in Vehicle Body and Paint Operations levels 2 and 3.

 NVQ/SVQ units include:

• removal and repair of panels
• refit of mechanical and electrical trim
• repair of paint defects and refinishing.

You can also work towards the NVQ/SVQ in Automotive Glazing at levels 2 and 3, if your job includes windscreen fitting.

If you work on passenger carrying vehicles, you can take the NVQ/SVQ in Transport Engineering Maintenance at levels 1 to 3. This covers mechanical and electrical work, coachbuilding and body repairs.

The Institute of the Motor Industry offers details about Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA). This is a voluntary programme backed by the automotive industry and designed to enhance a body repairer's career prospects. It has three levels: Service Maintenance Technician; Diagnostic Technician; and Master Technician. Each level has a series of practical exams and online knowledge tests.

Opportunities

There is a steady demand for trained vehicle body repairers. Opportunities exist throughout the country, ranging from large main car dealerships, specialising in one particular make of vehicle to small workshops. You can also work for specialist customisation bodyshop, vehicle restorers, road haulage, and bus and coach companies.

If you work in a small garage, you combine vehicle body repair with paint spraying duties. In larger garages, you can specialise in one or the other. Your options for promotion include supervisory and bodyshop management positions in larger organisations.

With experience, you can move into self-employment.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Qualified vehicle body repairers earn between £13,500 and £18,000 a year.
Body repairers with a lot of experience or supervisory jobs can earn up to £26,000 a year.

Further information

Tel: 01992 511521 Tel: 0800 093 1777