Auto-electrician

Auto-electricians maintain, service and repair the electronic parts and electrical wiring of motor vehicles. They find and diagnose faults and then repair or replace wires or parts to fix it. They also carry out routine servicing, such as checking batteries and MOTs.

Also known as

• Car electrician
• Vehicle electrician

Work activities

Auto-electricians are specialists in the electrical and electronic systems that are used in motor vehicles. In modern cars, computers regulate things like brake systems, fuel injection, navigation equipment and engine systems. Cars also have electric windows and side mirrors, and digital dashboards. Auto electricians use a plug-in computer to find faults within a vehicle’s electronic systems. The computer reports back with information from a particular part of the vehicle. This may show up a problem such as a break in an electronic circuit. On older vehicles, auto-electricians use test equipment such as ammeters and voltmeters to identify breaks in electric circuits.

They check electronic circuits against circuit diagrams and use hand and power tools to make repairs. When they have completed a repair, they test the circuit or part to make sure it is working correctly. They also make adjustments, as well as check and top up batteries as part of routine servicing. They may take part in MOT tests, to make sure a vehicle is safe to travel on the road. Auto-electricians install some new accessories such as audio systems, alarms and car phones. They may go to breakdowns with mechanics and repair faults at the site.

Auto-electricians may specialise in cars, heavy goods vehicles, buses or coaches. Some auto-electricians specialise in one make of vehicle. Their work usually takes place in garages or workshops, which may be cold in the winter and hot in the summer.

Personal qualities and skills

As an auto-electrician, you need:

• A logical and methodical mind to trace faults.
• To be good with your hands, and physically fit to cope with lifting, bending and working in cramped conditions.
• To be able to work accurately on your own and as part of a team.
• To pay close attention to detail.
• Good practical skills.
• An awareness of health and safety issues.
• To be prepared to take responsibility for your work, which can affect the safety of customers and colleagues.
• To keep up to date with any changes in technology which relate to your work.
• Good communication skills to discuss faults with drivers and colleagues.
• To be able to understand written instructions and technical drawings.
• To be prepared to work in all types of weather.
• If you travel out to repair a vehicle, you’ll need a full, clean driving licence. Your colour vision may be tested.

The following skills shortages have been identified:

• Technical and practical.
• Customer handling.
• Management.
• Accounting/finance.

Pay and opportunities

Auto-electricians earn in the range of £17,000 - £37,000 a year.

Auto-electricians usually work a 40-44-hour week, Monday to Friday. Overtime, including Saturdays, may be available.

Employers include garages catering for private car/van owners and large companies and organisations with their own fleets of vehicles (for example, local authorities, gas and electricity companies, and the police). Other employers include taxi firms, road haulage companies, and bus or coach operators. Opportunities for auto-electricians occur with employers in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, trade industry publications, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. Vacancies can also be found through specialist engineering recruitment agencies, internet job boards and the websites of motoring organisations.

Entry routes and training

You usually enter this career by applying for a trainee post with an employer. A number of apprenticeships are relevant to this career path:

• Motor vehicle service and maintenance technician (level 3 / advanced)
• Vehicle damage mechanical, electrical and trim (MET) technician (level 3 / advanced)

Training takes place either in the workplace, with day- or block-release to a further education college, or a manufacturer’s centre of excellence. Qualifications relating to air conditioning systems are also available.

Some people study full-time at college before entering employment, for example, for an Edexcel (BTEC) National qualification in vehicle technology or an Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) qualification in vehicle maintenance and repair (auto-electrical).

After gaining relevant skills, you might then be able to take the level 4 Certificate in Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Techniques. You could also join the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) programme, which tests the skills and knowledge of technicians working across the motor industry.

Qualifications

If you wish to enter this career through an apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: it is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Practical or technical skills gained, for example, as a garage assistant or tyre/ exhaust fitter, are useful. Paid or unpaid experience of electrical work is an advantage.

You can study towards Edexcel (BTEC) and City & Guilds qualifications on a full- or part-time basis, and perhaps through day- or block-release to college while in employment. Most colleges will consider applications from older candidates who don’t have the usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.

Related careers

• Automobile engineer
• Automobile engineering technician
• Electrician
• Vehicle technician