Vehicle body repairer
Vehicle body repairers mend damaged vehicle parts and bodywork using metalworking and finishing techniques.
Also known as: Panel beater, motor vehicle body repairer
- Starter salary£22,000 a year
- Experienced£40,000 a year
- Typical hours42 to 44 a week
What you'll do
As a vehicle body repairer, you could:
- assess damage and decide how to repair it
- remove damaged panels or parts for repair
- smooth out minor dents in panels
- fill small holes or rusted areas with filler
- make body panels and sections, and weld them into place
- refinish the repair to match the surrounding colour and bodywork
- keep a record of all work completed to show customers
Working environment
You could work in a workshop or at a garage.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- persistence and determination
- ambition and a desire to succeed
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to repair machines or systems
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a vehicle body repairer
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
You could do a college course that would give you some of the skills and knowledge you'll need.
Courses include:
- vehicle body and paint operations
- vehicle accident repair body principles
- T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing
You can also take broader courses in vehicle maintenance and repair.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, such as:
- Vehicle Damage Panel Technician
- Vehicle Damage Paint Technician
- Accident Repair Technician
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Direct application
You can apply for jobs in body repair if you've got experience and a qualification in motor mechanics or vehicle paint spraying.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could:
- become a lead fitter or technician
- move into supervisory and bodyshop management positions
- work as a damage assessor for a repair workshop or an insurance firm
- set up your own business and move into mobile repairs
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Institute of the Motor Industry for training and to make industry contacts.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job roleMotor mechanic
- Job roleFast fit technician
- Job rolePaint sprayer
- Job roleRoadside assistance technician
- Job roleAutomotive parts advisor
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0