Apprenticeship – Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician (Light Vehicle) – Level 3

A Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician services and repairs light vehicles such as cars and vans and works either in dealerships which focus on a particular manufacturer, or in an independent garage which deals with many different makes of vehicles.

The Automotive Retail Industry provides employment for over half a million employees who work for approximately 70,000 employers. It is a major contributor to the UK economy. In a large dealership, the technician will typically report to the Workshop Controller, who in turn reports to the Aftersales Manager and liaises with the Service Reception. In smaller garages the technician will report directly to the owner or garage manager.

The technician must be able to work independently but also operate as an effective team member and have good customer handling skills. They will understand how their workshop and the dealership/garage functions from a commercial perspective and identify ways in which they can work more efficiently. Technicians working in large dealerships work with other departments, for example carrying out work for the Sales Department and ordering parts from the Parts Department, whereas apprentices in smaller independent garages may be called upon to carry out some of the function of the other departments themselves, for example managing their own delivery of parts.

The technician will work on all the systems found within the vehicle. The day-to-day work ranges from replacing simple parts through to solving complex faults with the use of diagnostic methods and equipment. The tasks faced are constantly changing, driven by the introduction of ever more complex technologies and diagnostic techniques.

Apprentices without Level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Level 1. British Sign Language qualifications are an alternative to English qualifications where this is the apprentice’s primary language.

Motor vehicle service and maintenance technicians have the following knowledge and understanding:

• How vehicle service and repair is impacted by legislative, regulatory and ethical requirements, including health and safety law and environmental procedures
• The structure of the industry and how the business works from an operational perspective, business targets, and the systems and processes that make up the efficient running of a business
• How to develop positive working relationships and communicate effectively and how to carry out self-evaluation and improve their own performance
• The procedures for the maintenance of tools and the workshop
• Routine servicing and inspection procedures
• Steering and suspension geometries and electrical circuit requirements and calculations
• Construction and operation of vehicle components and systems
• Common fault types, causes and effects of different types of faults
• The implications and legal requirements of fitting accessories and carrying out vehicle modifications
• How to diagnose faults using suitable fault finding strategies
• Construction and operation of advanced electrical, braking and suspension systems, engine and transmission systems and engine and gear calculations
• Vehicle emissions and legal requirements
• Alternative fuels and hybrid and electric systems

Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technicians require the following skills so they are able to:

• Contribute to the maintenance of a safe and efficient workshop
• Demonstrate due regard for their own safety and that of others in the workshop and minimise risk of injury and vehicle damage
• Carry out fundamental tasks associated with removal and replacement procedures on a vehicle
• Obtain diagnostic and repair information
• Interpret diagnostic information and use electrical wiring diagrams to determine system serviceability
• Use a range of diagnostic equipment
• Follow recognised diagnostic procedures and logical diagnostic sequence, applying advanced diagnostic principles and problem-solving techniques to establish faults
• Report faults using company procedures and recommend suitable further actions
• Follow recognised repair procedures to complete a wide range of repairs, including those which involve complex procedures or in-depth knowledge
• Test the function of repaired and fitted components
• Adhere to business processes and complete documentation following workplace procedures
• Use ICT to create emails, word-process documents and carry out web-based searches
• Complete a range of services and inspect and prepare a vehicle to the required quality standard for handover to the customer

This course will be delivered in the workplace and on-site.

Apprentices will be expected to comply with their company’s standard Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) dress code. Any shortfalls in safety equipment will be addressed during the first week of the course.

Prior to taking their end-point assessment (EPA), full-time apprentices will typically: 

• Spend 36 months on the programme
• Complete a minimum of 20% off-the-job training
• Complete an F-Gas qualification
• Complete a Logbook, used to inform the Professional Discussion
• Achieve Level 2 in English and Maths, if they have not previously done so

The EPA should only start once the employer is satisfied that the requirements for EPA have been met and it must be completed within six months of the EPA gateway.

The EPA must be conducted by an organisation approved to offer services against this standard, as selected by the employer, from the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s Register of End-Point Assessment Organisations. 

The EPA consists of three distinct methods: 

• Online Knowledge Test
• Skills Test
• Professional Discussion

Performance in the EPA will determine the apprenticeship grade of fail, pass or distinction. 

Completion of this apprenticeship standard will be recognised by the relevant professional institutions as the evidence required for Engineering Technician (EngTech) registration through a professional review.

For those deemed capable and ready, there is the chance to progress to higher levels of education and training.

For more information contact Derby College on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk