Vehicle Accident Repair (VCQs) (4271)

Last Updated: 27 Feb 2024
For people working on maintaining and repairing the paint and bodywork of vehicles or as vehicle damage assessors who would like to demonstrate their competence on their own workplace.
The VCQs are for anyone developing a career in the motor industry. You will need a current job or work placement where you can maintain and repair the paint and bodywork of a vehicle. If you don't have a suitable job or work placement, you could do one of our VRQs in Vehicle Accident Repair (4291).
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

You can choose the qualification that demonstrates the knowledge and skills you have developed in areas such as specialist repair or specialist finishing in a car bodywork workshop.

You will usually work with your training provider to review your current skills and find the best way to gain new ones to a high standard, perhaps by trying new things at work, or by studying.

You will be assessed at work or in a simulated workplace. For each unit your assessor watches and asks questions as you perform a task. You will also put together a portfolio of evidence of your learning. For some units you will complete an online knowledge test.

Which level is right for me?

Level 2
You are working in the automotive industry and have some relevant knowledge and skills, usually from a role where you've been supervised.

Level 3
You are an experienced worker in the automotive industry and have a great deal of technical skills and knowledge. You work with minimum supervision and have a good record of safety and ensuring work meets the required standard.

What Careers Can This Lead To?
On completion of these qualifications you would be able to progress in employment onto the following job roles:

Panel or Paint or Mechanical and Electrical Trim Technician (level 2)

Senior Panel or Paint or Mechanical and Electrical Trim Technician (level 3)

Vehicle Damage Assessor (level 3)

Run your own business.

What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?
To deliver a VCQ, you will require qualified assessors. You can train internal members of staff or recruit specially.

Assessment will be via observation and a portfolio of evidence. For some units learners may also have to complete an online knowledge test.

Delivery of the qualification will be in the work place. You will need suitable facilities to carry out the required training to enable learner to achieve industry standards.

To find all the resource requirements, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section to your right. If  you can't see the handbook here, please navigate to the centre documents section under the 'General information' tab at the top of this page. This is where we store the handbooks for qualifications that cover multiple levels.

For centres already approved to offer the NVQs in Automotive Maintenance and Repair (4101), no further steps are needed.
Automatic approval will be given to offer the VCQs in Vehicle Accident Repair at the same level and area of their current 4101 provision and you will be able to register immediately.

Anyone can take this qualification but you must make sure all your learners can access the resources they need to complete it.

Level 2

Level 2 is ideal if you have been working in the automotive industry and have some relevant knowledge and skills, usually from a role where you've been supervised. The qualifications available at this level:

  • Level 2 Diploma in Accident Repair Body Competence
  • Level 2 Diploma in Accident Repair Paint Competence
  • Level 2 Diploma in Accident Repair MET Competence

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?
  • Panel technician
  • Paint technician
  • Mechanical and electrical trim technician
Level 2 Diploma in Accident Repair Body Competence (4271-12)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 2 Diploma in Accident Repair Body Competence

  • Accreditation No: 501/0022/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 101 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 910 - 995 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 1010 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £161.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 Diploma in Accident Repair Paint Competence (4271-22)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 2 Diploma in Accident Repair Paint Competence

  • Accreditation No: 500/9987/5 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 81 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 695 - 780 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 810 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £161.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 2 Diploma in Accident Repair MET Competence (4271-32)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 2 Diploma in Accident Repair MET Competence

  • Accreditation No: 501/0123/7 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 63 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 540 - 540 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 630 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £161.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3

Level 3 is ideal if you are an experienced worker in the automotive industry and have a great deal of technical skills and knowledge. You work with minimum supervision and have a good record of safety ensuring that work meets the required standard. The qualifications available at this level are:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair Body Competence
  • Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair Paint Competence
  • Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair MET Competence

For a full list of units required, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

 

  • Senior panel technician
  • Paint technician
  • Mechanical and electrical trim technician.
Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair Body Competence (4271-13)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair Body Competence

  • Accreditation No: 500/9991/7 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 104 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 905 - 980 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 1040 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £128.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair Paint Competence (4271-23)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair Paint Competence

  • Accreditation No: 500/9988/7 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 108 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 915 - 915 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 1080 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £128.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair MET Competence (4271-33)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 3 Diploma Accident Repair MET Competence

  • Accreditation No: 501/0128/6 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 51 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 445 - 445 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 510 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £128.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Damage Assessment Competence (4271-43)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2099
Coming Soon (Nov 2012)

Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Damage Assessment Competence

  • Accreditation No: Data unavailable This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: VCQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: Data unavailable This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Damage Assessors (4271-43)
Last Registration Date: 29 Mar 2024

Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Damage Assessor Competence

  • Accreditation No: 600/6443/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: VCQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 98 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 693 - 693 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 980 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2030 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £128.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

4271 Level 2

Assessment materials

Accident repair body

Accident repair MET

Accident repair paint

Centre documents

4271 Level 3

Assessment materials

Accident repair body

Accident repair MET

Accident repair paint

VDA-Vehicle Damage Assessor

Assessment materials

Body sample questions

Paint sample questions

Centre documents

Purpose and Recognition

19 Plus

Purpose

Explore our wider maths & English offer

Our maths & English qualifications underpin our apprenticeships and technical qualifications. They build learners’ confidence with the core skills required for employment, including the capacity to problem solve and use technology effectively. They are also key to triggering conditions of funding.

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For Learners

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> (4101) Automotive Maintenance and Repair

> (3902) Introductory Qualifications in Vehicle Systems, Body and Paint Maintenance and Cycle Mechanics

> (3302) Level 2 Professional Bus Driving for London

> (3428) MOT Qualifications and CPD

> (3905) Motor Vehicle Engineering

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Related apprenticeships

This qualification can be found as a part of these related apprenticeships:

> (9420) Automotive Apprenticeship...