Do you enjoy working with your hands, and finding out how things work? Have you got a strong interest in motor vehicles, from cars and motorcycles to buses and trucks? If so, this career area might be the one for you.  

The digitisation of automotive manufacturing has meant increased productivity and shorter time to market. Vehicles of all types are becoming more complex, with more onboard computers and internet access. So, diagnosing faults in vehicle computer networks and repairing electronic faults has become more important.

The automotive industry is a vital part of the UK economy. In 2023 it employed 813,000 people, with 198,000 directly employed in the manufacturing sub sector.¹

What areas can I work in?

This career area includes jobs in:

• vehicle inspection, service and repair
• diagnostics - diagnosing faults in engine management systems and vehicle computer networks
• paint and body repair
• tyre or exhaust fitting
• roadside assistance and breakdown services
• vehicle parts and distribution
• vehicle sales - see the Buying, Selling and Related Work career area for more information
• automotive glazing
• related services, such as valeting.

To see the routes to getting into each of these sectors, take a look at our Career Pathway.

What kind of companies can I work for?

Possible employers include:

• independent garages
• commercial vehicle garages – buses and trucks
• car and van rental companies
• paint and body shops
• car dealerships
• roadside assistance companies
• tyre or exhaust centres
• insurance companies
• MOT centres.

You might be able to become a vehicle technician specialising in the repair and maintenance of vehicles used by emergency and rescue services, with organisations such as Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, airport fire and rescue services and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

There are also relevant opportunities in the Armed Services, particularly in the Army, for repairing and maintaining military vehicles, from light armoured vehicles to tanks.

What’s the job market like?

In April 2025, the Motor Trades sector had a 2.8% vacancy rate, the sixth highest across all sectors, amounting to approximately 17,000 vacancies. ²

Automotive retail job postings have risen in Scotland in April 2025. Glasgow and Edinburgh show high posting volumes and elevated rates. Glasgow records the most job postings overall, though its impact is smaller when adjusted for local automotive employment. Automotive technical job postings have also increased in Scotland over April 2025, with a large cluster in Southern Scotland. ²

There is growing demand for vehicle maintenance, customer service, sales and management skills ² and there is the potential for the connected and automated vehicles (CAVS) sector to create 12,250 jobs in the automotive industry by 2040. ¹

This sector shows a significant gender gap, with females comprising only 17.5% of the workforce (in contrast to their 53% representation in the general working-age population). However, in sub-sectors such as car and light motor vehicle sales, there is a positive trend of female representation. ³

Most young people join the industry by doing a Modern Apprenticeship, which involves on the job training and going to a college or training centre on a part time basis. There is also the opportunity to start training at school with the Foundation Apprenticeship in Automotive.

Facts and figures

• In 2024, there were around 79,000 people employed in the UK automotive supply chain sector, with over 2,500 automotive suppliers in the UK. 17 of the world’s biggest automotive suppliers have a base in the UK. ¹
• 1 in 14 people employed in UK manufacturing works in Automotive, with annual salaries typically 14% higher than the UK average.¹
• Vehicle technicians have the highest advertised salaries in the sector, with a rise of 18% over the past two years. 2 
• In 2024 there was a total of 41,964,268 vehicles on the road in the UK. Of those 58.2% were petrol, 32.1% diesel, 4.0% hybrid electric, 3.7% plug-in hybrid, and 2.0% battery electric. ¹

Want to find out more?

The Institute of the Motor Industry (The IMI) is the sector skills council for the motor trade. You will find useful information on their careers website Autocity.

Sources

¹ SMMT Motor Industry Facts, May 2025, The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)

² Automotive Labour Market Briefing, April 2025, The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)

³ Driving towards inclusion: Sector report, March 2024, The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)

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Career Pathway