Vehicle Body Repairer

Also known as:

Automobile Body Repairer
Body Repairer, Vehicle
Car Body Repairer
Motor Vehicle Body Repairer

Introduction

Vehicle body repairers mend damage to the bodywork of motor vehicles. Their work may involve hammering out dents, fitting new doors, bonnets and windscreens, and replacing body panels.

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Work Activities

Vehicle body repairers mend damage to the bodywork of cars, trucks and coaches, ranging from scratches, dents and rust to major accident damage. This may involve hammering out dents or filling them with plastic compounds. Vehicle body repairers also fit complete new doors, bonnets, windscreens, bumpers or panels supplied by the vehicle manufacturer. Sometimes they cut and shape sheet metal on a workbench themselves, and weld or rivet it into place.

In workshops where spray painting is not a separate job, they also clean the new or repaired area with solvents, sand it down and mask windows and chrome. They then brush on a primer and rub that down, mix paint to match the rest of the vehicle, spray on the necessary number of coats and polish the final coat.

The work is normally under cover in garages and workshops and in bright artificial light. Spray painting is normally done in special booths with extractor fans. Overalls or other protective clothing is worn to protect against dirt, oil and grease, and masks are worn to protect from dust and fumes.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

To be a vehicle body repairer you should be good with your hands. You must be patient and careful to achieve a perfectly smooth finish. You should be physically fit for lifting and bending.

You may be the only body repairer in a garage, so you must be able to work well without supervision.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Fully qualified vehicle body repairers earn in the range of £280 - £330 a week, rising to £380 - £430 a week. Higher earners can make around £510 a week.

Vehicle body repairers usually work a 39-hour week. You may have to do shift work, overtime and work on Saturdays.

Employers include large garages handling private cars and vans, and firms and organisations with large fleets of vehicles.

These include road haulage companies, bus and coach operators, public utility companies, supermarket chains, local councils, and taxi and delivery companies. Railway operators may also have openings.

Qualified and experienced vehicle body repairers may become self-employed.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now 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.

Skills and abilities gained in sheet metal work or spray-painting for a manufacturing firm will help you to enter this career.

Modern Apprenticeships may be available in some areas.

• 13% of vehicle body repairers are self-employed.
• 1% work part-time.
• 1% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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