Apprentice Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician (Light Vehicle)

Summary

As an RAC Approved Dealer, we adhere to strict RAC Approved Preparation Standards, which means we only employ the best. You'll be working alongside highly skilled technicians — learning from the best in the business.

Wage

£17,274.40 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Annual pay review

Training course

Motor vehicle service and maintenance technician - light vehicle (level 3)

Hours

43.75 hours per week worked over 5 days plus the requirement to work 1 Saturday every 4 weeks Monday to Friday: 8am – 5.30pm (1 hour break – 30 minutes for lunch and 2 x 15 minute breaks) Saturday: 8am – 1pm

43 hours 45 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

3 years

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Routine Vehicle Maintenance and Servicing
You will gain hands-on experience performing essential maintenance tasks such as oil changes, fluid top-ups, brake inspections, tyre checks, and replacing worn parts. This foundation work is critical to keeping vehicles safe and running smoothly, and you’ll learn how to carry it out efficiently and accurately.
Carrying Out MOTs Under Supervision
Under the guidance of experienced technicians, you’ll assist with MOT inspections to ensure vehicles meet legal safety and emissions standards. This will help you develop a detailed understanding of vehicle regulations, and the skills needed to conduct thorough checks.
Learning How to Diagnose Faults and Repair Mechanical and Electrical Components
You’ll be introduced to the diagnostic process, learning how to identify issues reported by customers or detected during inspections.
This includes troubleshooting mechanical faults and electrical problems using both traditional methods and digital diagnostic tools, developing your problem-solving skills and technical knowledge.
Working with the Latest Diagnostic Tools and Workshop Equipment
Modern vehicles rely on advanced technology. You’ll receive training on how to use up-to-date diagnostic software, electronic testers, and workshop machinery safely and effectively, preparing you to work in a professional automotive environment.
Understanding and Applying Health and Safety Procedures in a Busy Workshop
Safety is a top priority. You will learn essential health and safety practices, including how to handle tools and equipment safely, manage hazardous materials, maintain a tidy workspace, and adhere to workshop policies to protect yourself, your colleagues, and customers.
Communicating with Customers and the Wider Team.
Good communication is vital in a busy garage. You’ll develop skills to liaise professionally with customers, understanding their concerns and explaining work clearly.
You’ll also collaborate with colleagues from the service, sales, and preparation teams to ensure smooth workflows and a great customer experience.

Where you'll work

Carbase Auto Centre
Blackswarth Road
Bristol
BS5 8AU

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

CITY OF BRISTOL COLLEGE

Your training course

Motor vehicle service and maintenance technician - light vehicle (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Contribute to the maintenance of a safe and efficient workshop. Segregate waste for disposal or recycling. Comply with industry environmental legislation.
Demonstrate due regard for 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, logical diagnostic sequence and apply 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.
Contribute to the maintenance of a safe and efficient workshop. Segregate waste for disposal or recycling. Comply with industry environmental legislation.
Demonstrate due regard for 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, logical diagnostic sequence and apply 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.

Your training plan

Motor Vehicle and Maintenance Technician (Light Vehicle) Level 3
Servicing and repairing light vehicles.
City of Bristol College (Parkway)
Block Release

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Initiative
Driving licence

Other requirements

31 day annual leave (inclusive of Bank Holidays) Access to company pension scheme In-store discounts on car purchases and servicing ‘Refer a friend’ scheme Health and Wellbeing support via ‘Ben’ Bike to work scheme Access to ‘Money@Work’ BHSF Health Cash plan Uniform will be provided Workshop environment

About this company

Carbase are a family-owned business and over the past two decades have become the largest independent pre-owned dealership in the Southwest. With four Carbase locations, including Vanbase Bristol, and a dedicated team of over 200 staff. Our commitment to excellence has earned us prestigious accolades, including the Great Place to Work award and the People and Culture Award from Autotrader in 2023 and 2024.

After this apprenticeship

Full time employment
Further training

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CITY OF BRISTOL COLLEGE

Apprenticeship Team

apprentice@cityofbristol.ac.uk

01173125250

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000325262.

Apply now

Closes in 18 days (Monday 30 June 2025 at 11:59pm)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

Cookies on Find an apprenticeship

Contents