Motor vehicle fitters, also known as fast-fit technicians, repair and replace worn or damaged tyres, exhausts, batteries and parts. They normally work in dedicated fast-fit centres or workshops alongside motor vehicle technicians, fixing vehicles while the customer waits.

The main duties of a motor vehicle fitter include:

• testing batteries and other components to find faults
• checking tyres and exhausts for defects
• replacing or repairing faulty parts
• balancing and re-aligning wheels
• offering customers advice about simple maintenance.

Vehicle fitters use a variety of tools and computerised fault-finding equipment to complete jobs.

Vehicle fitters work on all kinds of vehicles, from cars and small vans to wagons and coaches. They may also have call-out duties, for instance attending a breakdown to replace flat tyres (see the separate Vehicle Breakdown Engineer profile for more details).

Vehicle fitters working for larger companies may receive training to deal with other tasks, for example repairing suspension systems, steering or brakes or carrying out MOT tests.

Hours and Environment

Motor vehicle fitters work five or six days a week, often on a rota system. The majority of fitting centres are open long hours, including weekends and evenings.

As a vehicle fitter, you will normally work in a dedicated tyre and exhaust centre alongside a garage or fitting workshop.

Skills and Interests

To be a motor vehicle fitter, you need:

• the ability to work as part of a team
• good customer service and communication skills
• numerical ability for handling cash and credit card transactions
• a reasonable level of fitness
• an awareness of health and safety regulations.

Entry

You may be able to start training as an apprentice in vehicle fitting. 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, fast-fit companies' websites and Automotive Skills in Further Information.

Another option open to all age groups is to take courses in vehicle engineering, for example:

• City & Guilds Certificate or Diploma in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (4101)
• BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in Vehicle Repair and Technology.

Further education colleges offer these courses throughout the country. Please check with them for more details.

You can also get into this kind of work after training in vehicle mechanics. See the separate 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 for a company, you train on the job, working alongside an experienced motor vehicle fitter.  

You can work towards the NVQ/SVQ in Vehicle Fitting Operations at levels 1, 2 and 3. This qualification has two options:

• General Vehicle Fitting (includes gearboxes, exhausts, brakes and batteries)
• Specialist Tyre Fitting (includes cars, lorries, buses and plant machinery tyres).

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

For information about training for other duties, such as MOT testing, see the job profile for Motor Vehicle Technician.

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 vehicle fitter'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

Opportunities exist with specialist tyre and exhaust centres, and main dealers specialising in a certain make of vehicle. Qualified motor vehicle fitters may become general fast-fit technicians or mobile electronics and security technicians.

You can also work for transport firms, carrying out regular inspections, repairs and maintenance on commercial vehicles, like coaches and lorries.

With experience, you can move into workshop supervision and management positions. You might also be able to move into related areas, such as breakdown and recovery, service centre advice and general vehicle mechanics.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Starting salaries for motor vehicle fitters are between £12,000 and £15,000 a year.
With experience and qualifications this may rise to between £16,000 and £18,000.

Further information

Tel: 01992 511521 Tel: 0800 093 1777