Motor vehicle parts person

Service adviser

Motor vehicle parts persons supply individuals, dealerships and garages with spare parts.

Salary range: £16,000 to £25,000

How to become a motor vehicle parts person

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

College

You could take a college course to get some of the skills and knowledge needed for this job. Courses include:

• Level 1 Certificate in Vehicle Systems Maintenance
• Level 2 Diploma in Vehicle Fitting Principles
• Level 2 Extended Certificate in Vehicle Technology

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in vehicle parts.

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
• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Direct application

You may be able to apply for jobs directly if you’ve got experience in vehicle servicing, retail or stock control. You’ll also need good technical knowledge of how vehicles work, car spares and motoring accessories.

More information

Further information

You can get more advice about working in the motor industry from Autocity.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You’ll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to use your initiative
• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• active listening skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and requirements

You’ll need a full UK driving licence if you have to make deliveries to customers.

What you’ll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

• advising customers what parts they might need for their vehicle
• taking orders in person, over the phone or by email
• checking availability of parts on computerised stock records
• getting parts from the storeroom or warehouse or ordering them from suppliers
• putting orders together
• sending orders by courier or making deliveries yourself
• dealing with payments
• raising invoices and issuing receipts maintaining shop window and shelf displays
• ordering supplies, putting stock away and updating records

Working environment

You could work in a warehouse, in a stock room or at a car manufacturing plant.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress to a supervisor or service adviser job, or move into the service and repair. 

You may be able to move into self-employment as a parts supplier.