Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (VRQs) qualifications and training courses

Last Updated: 25 Jun 2020

These qualifications are for anyone interested in starting or developing a career in the motor industry, whether you want to maintain and repair different types of vehicles (cars, vans, trucks, or even motorcycles), fit and replace parts and tyres, run your own car valeting business or work on hybrid vehicles safely.

Level 3 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles UCAS tariff

Grade	New Tariff points
P	48

The VRQs in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair are aimed at anyone interested in starting or developing a career in the motor industry. You do not need any previous experience or need to be in a current work placement. Most of the time these qualifications are taught in a college or training provider and learning is by doing rather than writing lots of notes.

Available to deliver in the following:

England
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
International

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'll cover things like:

routine vehicle maintenance (cars, vans, lorries, motorcycles, hybrid vehicles, etc)
removal and replacement of vehicle units
diagnosis and rectification of vehicle faults.
working safely on hybrid vehicles
valeting cars or running your own car valeting business
fitting and replacing vehicle tyres
maintenance and installation of alarms, digital instruments, satellite navigation systems, etc

To gain a Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) you learn with your training provider or FE college, learning by doing. Assessment is via combination of essential underpinning knowledge with practical learning. This includes practical tasks, oral/written questioning and online tests.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

After completing these courses, you'll have a qualification that shows employers and customers you have the skills to work in a range of jobs - perhaps in a specialist repair workshop or with vehicle fitting specialists.

The level 1 automotive qualification could help you get your first job as a tyre fitter. By achieving the higher levels, you could get the skills to start your own tyre fitting service or car valeting business.

At level 2 you have already developed a good foundation of skills and knowledge required to become a vehicle service technician and are ready to move to the next level. You could become a Car Valeter, a Light Vehicle/Heavy Vehicle/Motorcycle Service Technician or a FastFit/Tyre Technician.

At level 3, you have a great deal of technical skills and knowledge and looking to gain more responsibility by supervising others, running your own business or moving to a diagnostic technician level. You work with minimum supervision and have a good record of safety, fault correction and ensuring work meets the required standard. You could become a Light Vehicle/Heavy Vehicle/Motorcycle Diagnostic Technician or a FastFit Supervisor or running your own business.

What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

To deliver these qualifications you will need suitably qualified staff to carry out training and assessment.

You will also need suitable facilities to carry out the required training to enable learners to achieve industry standards.

For some options you'll need to simulate a workplace where learners can demonstrate skills to diagnose faults and repair vehicles.

For centres already approved to offer the VRQs in Automotive Maintenance and Repair (4101), no further steps are needed.
Automatic approval will be given to offer the VRQs in Vehicle Maintenance and 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.

To find all the resource requirements for assessment and delivery, download the handbooks from the centre documents section.

Level 1

Level 1 will suit you if you are new to the industry and have no prior experience or knowledge of it.

At this level you can choose between the following qualifications:

Certificate/Diploma in Vehicle Maintenance
Certificate in Tyre Fitting Principles
Certificate in Vehicle Valeting Principles

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

What Careers Can This Lead To?

The Level 1 automotive qualification could help you get your first job as a Tyre Fitter. By achieving higher levels, you could get the skills to start your own tyre fitting service or a car valeting business.

Level 1 in Vehicle Maintenance (4290-11)

Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 1 Diploma Vehicle Maintenance

Accreditation No: 501/1010/X 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: 41 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 323 - 434 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 410 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/12/2024 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued

Level 1 Certificate in Vehicle Maintenance

Accreditation No: 501/1230/2 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: 25 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 187 - 207 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 250 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/12/2024 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued

Level 2

Level 2 will suit you if you have already developed a good foundation of skills and knowledge required to become a vehicle service technician and are ready to move to the next level. At this level you can choose from the following qualifications:

Diploma/Certificate in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles
Diploma in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles
Diploma in Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Principles
Vehicle Fitting Principles Qualifications.
Diploma in Auto Electrical and Mobile Electrical Principles
Award in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Operation and Maintenance
Diploma in Vehicle Valeting Principles

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

What Careers Can This Lead To?

Car Valeter

FastFit/Tyre Technician

Light Vehicle Service Technician

Heavy Vehicle Service Technician

Motorcycle Service Technician

Level 2 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles (4290-12)

Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023 Supportive services: SmartScreen Learning Assistant

Level 2 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles

Accreditation No: 500/9707/6 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Technical This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 78 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 640 - 685 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 780 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Performance table: Data unavailable This is the year in which this qualification will count towards English performance tables

Level 2 Certificate in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles (4290-17)

Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 2 Certificate in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles

Accreditation No: 600/1177/4 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: 34 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 310 - 320 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 340 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued

Level 2 Diploma in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles (4290-22)

Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023

Level 2 Diploma in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles

Accreditation No: 500/9982/6 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Technical This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 78 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 645 - 660 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 780 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Performance table: Data unavailable This is the year in which this qualification will count towards English performance tables

Level 2 Diploma in Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Principles (4290-32)

Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023

Level 2 Diploma in Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Principles

Accreditation No: 501/0288/6 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Technical This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 70 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 595 - 595 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 700 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Performance table: Data unavailable This is the year in which this qualification will count towards English performance tables

Level 2 in Vehicle Fitting Principles Qualifications (4290-52)

Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 2 Diploma in Vehicle Fitting Principles

Accreditation No: 501/0748/3 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Technical 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: 426 - 503 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: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Performance table: Data unavailable This is the year in which this qualification will count towards English performance tables

Level 2 Certificate in Vehicle Fitting Principles

Accreditation No: 600/1448/9 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: 36 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 306 - 350 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 360 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued

Level 2 Diploma in Vehicle Specialist Tyre Fitting Principles

Accreditation No: 600/1449/0 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Technical This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 46 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 390 - 402 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 460 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Performance table: Data unavailable This is the year in which this qualification will count towards English performance tables

Level 2 Award in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Operation and Maintenance (4290-70)

Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023

Level 2 Award in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Operation and Maintenance

Accreditation No: 600/5221/1 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: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 375 - 375 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: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued

Level 3

One or more pathways within this qualification has been approved by the DfE to appear in the 2016 Performance Tables. To review the qualifications approved please click here.

This level will suit you if you have a great deal of technical skills and knowledge and looking to gain more responsibility by supervising others, running your own business or moving to a diagnostic technician level. You work with minimum supervision and have a good record of safety, fault correction and ensuring work meets the required standard. At this level you can choose from the following qualifications:

Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles
Diploma in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles
Diploma in Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Principles.
Diploma in Vehicle Fitting Supervisory Principles
Diploma in Auto Electrical and Mobile Electrical Principles
Award in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Repair and Replacement

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

What Careers Can This Lead To?

FastFit Supervisor
Light Vehicle Diagnostic Technician
Heavy Vehicle Diagnostic Technician
Motorcycle Diagnostic Technician
Running your own business

Level 3 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles (4290-13)

Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 3 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles

Accreditation No: 501/0019/1 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: 73 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 605 - 650 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 730 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/12/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued

Level 3 Diploma in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles (4290-23)

Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023

Level 3 Diploma in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles

Accreditation No: 500/9983/8 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: 79 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 670 - 717 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 790 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/12/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued

Level 3 Diploma in Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Principles (4290-33)

Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023

Level 3 Diploma in Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Principles

Accreditation No: 501/0021/X 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: 79 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 665 - 665 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 790 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/12/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued

Level 3 Award in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Repair and Replacement (4290-71)

Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023

Level 3 Award in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Repair and Replacement

Accreditation No: 600/5220/X 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: 5 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 50 - 50 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 50 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/12/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued

Additional information for centres

SMARTSCREEN IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS QUALIFICATION

SmartScreen is our online portal for tutor, assessors and learners that provides unit-specific support materials and tutor forums to complement the delivery and learning experience

Visit Smartscreen.co.uk >

LEARNING ASSISTANT IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS QUALIFICATION

Learning Assistant is an innovative and cost effective e-portfolio solution that allows colleges and training providers to dramatically improve the delivery of their vocational qualifications.

Learn more about Learning Assistant >

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.com 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.

4290 Level 1

Assessment materials