Motor vehicle parts person

motor vehicle service adviser
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Garage services
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Career outlook for motor vehicle parts person

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£19,000

Experienced

£28,000


Currently employed in Scotland

2,100

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would make sure customers get the parts they need to fix their car, van or other vehicles.

You’d work with individuals, garages and car dealerships. You’d give advice on spares, collect all the items together for an order and then deliver the parts to the customer.

You could concentrate on spares and accessories for cars, small vans and motorcycles. Or you might specialise in heavy vehicles, such as lorries, buses and coaches, or plant machinery like diggers and trucks.

You may be required to understand parts specific to electric and hybrid vehicles.

You would:

  • Tell customers what parts they might need for their vehicle
  • Take orders face to face, over the phone and via email
  • Check availability of parts on computerised stock records
  • Get parts from the storeroom or warehouse or order them from suppliers
  • Put orders together
  • Arrange for orders to be sent by courier or make deliveries yourself
  • Deal with payments
  • Raise invoices and issue receipts
  • Create shop window and shelf displays
  • Order supplies, put stock away and update records

You’d need a good knowledge of how motor vehicles work and be able to explain technical details to customers.

Working conditions

Hours

You would usually work between 37 and 40 hours a week. Many companies operate a rota system, which includes evenings and weekends.

Travel

Your job may involve some travel, for example when making deliveries.

UK employment status

Full-time

66%

Part-time

25%

Self employed

10%

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  • Building relationships
  • Cooperating
  • Verbal communication
  • Written communication
  • Problem solving
  • Working with numbers
  • Researching
  • Attention to detail
  • Developing a plan

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

You do not need formal qualifications to enter this job but many employers look for a good general education (SCQF level 4/5).

Useful subjects

  • Maths
  • English
  • Science subjects
  • Technologies subjects

Helpful to have

Qualifications that demonstrate physical fitness, customer service and practical skills such as Skills for Work Automotive Skills (SCQF level 4).

Once in the job you can complete a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Vehicle Parts Operations (SVQ level 2).

An IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry) award in electric and hybrid vehicle system repair and replacement and routine maintenance to gain the knowledge and skills required to work safely around these vehicles.