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Vehicle Body Repair and Paint (Adult) - Level 2

Summary

This Vehicle Body Repair and Paint course is designed to provide you with insight into life as a Vehicle Body Repair or Vehicle Paint Technician and help you to develop the knowledge and skills required for a successful and lucrative career. This Level 2 Vehicle Body Repair and Paint course is mainly practical, with training taking place in our £10.5 million Advanced Technology Centre.

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
01 Sep 2025
Bispham Campus
1 Year

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

Successful completion of this course will qualify you for further study at level 3, leading to degree level and our BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering and Technology.

Alternatively, you will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence to seek relevant employment.

Throughout your course you will receive ongoing career and progression advice from our highly qualified tutors, who have many years’ industry experience working as skilled technicians. Roles that this course can lead to are:

  • Vehicle Body Repair Technician
  • Vehicle Paint Technician
  • Mechanical and Electrical Trim Technician
  • Vehicle Valeter and Detailer
  • Vehicle Damage Assessor
  • Vehicle Research and Design Engineer

Key information

Entry Requirements

If you are at least 19 years old, looking for a career in the automotive industry, or have a keen interest in learning the skills of this rewarding trade, this one-year course is ideal for you. 


Please note: Where wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is a mandatory requirement of the course, it is the responsibility of the learner to ensure that they are able to wear such equipment. Further information can be obtained at the IAG session which all applicants are invited to or by calling Course Enquiries on 01253 504343.

Qualification obtained

Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Paint Principles (VRQ)

Fees and funding

Read our tuition fees guide.

Extra costs and equipment

You will need to provide your own safety boots and overalls/boiler suit for practical activities. A typical pair of safety boots should cost no more than £12 and a pair of overalls, £15. All other protective equipment will be provided by us.

All tools and equipment are provided for practical sessions and access to computers and all software required for the course is available within the College facilities.

You will be expected to provide your own pen, pencil, basic drawing equipment and a notepad.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: IMI

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

While an industry placement is not mandatory, we have a comprehensive list of local employers who have provided opportunities for our adult students to gain valuable industry experience.

There are no planned mandatory field trips.

How will I learn?

This qualification delivers the knowledge and skills needed to carry out a range of common vehicle body repair and paint techniques.

You will be taught by tutors who have a wealth of industry experience and a passion for developing the next generation of technicians. Your tutors will get to know how you learn best and tailor their teaching methods to your individual needs.

There are weekly opportunities for you to discuss your progress with your progress tutor and you will be allocated a team manager to support you through every aspect of your learning and career development.

This course is mainly practical and is delivered in the following way (with hours shown being weekly):

  • Vehicle Body Repair and Paint Practical (Workshop – 6 hours)
  • Vehicle Body Repair and Paint Theory (Classroom – 3 hours)
  • Independent Study (2 hours)

The environment is very supportive and includes regular target setting and reviews.

Expert tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of adult education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

Modules you will cover include:

  • Health and Safety in a Vehicle Body and Paint Workshop
  • Locating, Interpreting and Using Technical Information
  • Corrosion Protection
  • Accident Repair Core Skills
  • Vehicle Materials and Joining Methods
  • Mobile Automotive Repair Trades
  • Tools, Equipment and Materials for Vehicle Accident Repair and Paint
  • Vehicle Paint Preparation
  • Application of Topcoat and Minor Defect Rectification
  • Spray Guns and Their Components
  • Spraying Techniques
  • Applying Primers and Sealers
  • Surface Preparation
  • Vehicle Masking
  • Applying Body Fillers
  • Body Panel Removal and Refitting
  • Welding
  • Paintless Dent Removal
  • Assessment


You will be assessed in two different ways:

  • Practical skills assessments in the workshop (50%)
  • Online multiple-choice tests (50%)