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Motor vehicle breakdown engineer

Alternative titles for this job include Roadside recovery technician, roadside assistance technician

Motor vehicle breakdown engineers help people whose vehicles have broken down.

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

42 to 44 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Motor vehicle breakdown engineer

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could take a college course before applying for work as a trainee with a garage or breakdown company.

Relevant courses include:

  • Level 2 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Competence
  • Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Technology
  • T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can get into this career by completing a motor vehicle service and maintenance technician advanced apprenticeship.

This typically takes around 36 months to complete as a mix of learning on the job and study.

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

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply directly to become a breakdown engineer. You'll need experience and qualifications in motor vehicle maintenance and repair to do this.

More Information

Further information

You'll find more advice about how to become a breakdown engineer from Autocity.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • analytical thinking skills
  • the ability to repair machines or systems
  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to work well with others
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • have a driving licence that includes HGV for lorries or PCV for buses

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

  • respond to breakdown calls from the control centre
  • make sure the vehicle, driver and passengers are safe
  • examine the vehicle to find and diagnose the fault
  • carry out roadside repairs
  • tow or transport the vehicle to a garage if major repair work is needed
  • arrange transport for the driver of the broken down vehicle
  • complete record sheets for each job

Working environment

You could work at a garage, from a vehicle or on call-out to wherever the car owner is.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a supervisor or manager, or move into training.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Vehicle Technician

  • Wage: £13,312 a year Annually
  • Location: Harlow

Service Technician Mechanic Apprentice

  • Wage: £14,976 a year Annually
  • Location: 1 Ongar Road, Hook End, Ongar
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Vehicle Maintenance

  • Provider: BRADFORD COLLEGE
  • Start date: 02 September 2025
  • Location: Bradford

Diploma in Vehicle Maintenance

  • Provider: UNITED COLLEGES GROUP
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: London
Find courses near you

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