Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair - Level 2

Summary

Are you interested in working with vehicles and starting a hands-on career in the automotive industry? The IMI Level 2 Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair course is designed specifically for school leavers who want to develop essential skills in vehicle maintenance, repair and diagnostics. This course provides a solid foundation in understanding vehicle systems, tools and safety procedures, giving you the confidence and practical experience needed to begin your journey as a skilled technician.

Completing the Level 2 qualification not only prepares you for entry-level roles in garages or workshops but also serves as an important stepping stone towards further career development. For those eager to advance their skills and knowledge, we offer a natural progression onto the IMI Level 3 Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair course. This next level qualification enhances your expertise and broadens your career opportunities including access to higher-level roles and specialisations within the automotive sector.

If you’re ready to start building your future in vehicle maintenance and repair, our Level 2 course is the perfect place to begin — with clear pathways to progress and succeed in this exciting industry.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration
02 Sep 2026	Bispham Campus	1 Year	Apply now

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

Job openings for qualified Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technicians are plentiful in this exciting and lucrative industry so this is an excellent choice for anyone with an aptitude for hands-on technical work who is looking for a stable career with good progression opportunities.

The industry itself is rapidly evolving at the current time with the emergence of new technologies and a greater focus on sustainability so there is lots of opportunity for professional development for career-minded individuals who want to take on more responsibility and climb the corporate ladder.

As well as direct employment opportunities, students can also further their studies at Level 3 and beyond, possibly pursuing a degree-level qualification or look to securing an apprenticeshipl

Next steps at B&FC

The Level 3 Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair diploma is the next step with opportunities to progress onto one of our automotive or engineering degree-level programmes once you have successfully completed this qualification.

Employment Opportunities

This course does give you the opportunity to look for entry-level roles within the automotive sector where you'll work as a junior technician carrying out basic tasks under the supervision of a more experienced colleague. There's also the possibility of using this qualification as a springboard into an Intermediate Apprenticeship should you be able to find and secure a suitable vacancy with an automotive employer.

Career Options and Progression

As part of this study programme you will be required to carry out a minimum of 26 hours industry experience with one of our partner employers. This is the ideal opportunity for you to showcase your practical competence, along with your technical knowledge and industry-specific behaviours development.

You could enter full-time employment at this stage, but continuing your studies and progressing to a Level 3 qualification will present you with additional opportunities as you progress in your career.

Ideal Level 3 courses include:
Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Fitting Supervisory Principles - Develop knowledge and skills if you are considering a future in leadership and management
Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair - Develop knowledge and skills in complex vehicle diagnostics, or progress to higher education

The automotive industry offers a vast range of opportunities for personal development throughout an employee’s career. Gaining qualifications, undertaking additional training and demonstrating the right industry behaviours will help to make sure you are considered when opportunities arise.

Key information

Entry Requirements

If you are aged 16-18 and looking to start a rewarding career in the vehicle repair industry, this course is the perfect place to start.

GCSE Grade 3 - 1 in English and Maths along with the following:

•   A successful interview with a tutor
•   The ability to study independently
•   A genuine interest in the subject
•   Good communication skills
•   Hardworking approach towards the industry

All 16-18 year-old applicants will be invited to attend an interview to meet a tutor and ask any questions they may have about the course.

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

Subsidiary Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology (VRQ)

Fees and funding

Courses for learners who are 16-18 years old at the start of their course and resident in the UK are fully funded. You may also be entitled to further financial help to support your studies depending on your personal circumstances. For more details of these, please visit our page on Finance Support for School Leavers.

If you are not a UK resident, we will confirm whether funding is available when we process your application. If not, you may be liable for course fees.

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 note pad.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: IMI

Regulatory Body: Ofsted

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

The modules covered in this course include:

Health and Safety Practices in Vehicle Maintenance
Tools, Equipment and Materials for Vehicle Maintenance
Routine Light Vehicle Maintenance
Light Vehicle Engine Mechanical, Lubrication and Cooling Systems
Light Vehicle Fuel, Ignition, Air and Exhaust Systems
Light Vehicle Engine Systems
Light Vehicle Electrical Systems
Light Vehicle Chassis Systems

Essential skills: English and Maths

All school leavers at B&FC are encouraged to continue developing their English and maths skills as higher ability in both these subjects is linked to long-term career success and increased earning potential - irrespective of how well you performed at GCSE. If, however, you achieve a GCSE Grade 3 or less in either subject, you will also have the opportunity to work towards re-sitting these to enhance your paper-based qualifications. This won’t delay your career journey because you will be undertaking this programme of study at the same time as your chosen subject.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

A 26-hour industry placement is a mandatory aspect of this course and normally takes place once you have gained sufficient knowledge of safe working practices.

We will arrange your placement with a local employer who can offer you the kind of work experience that fits best with your future career plans.

There are no planned mandatory field trips.

How will I learn?

This course is mainly practical-based and you will do most of your learning in our multi-million-pounf Advanced Technology Centre.

Your tutor will introduce you to the practical elements of each module and help you to develop the specific skills needed.

Once you agree with your tutor that you are ready, you will be given the opportunity to demonstrate your skills for a number of pre-arranged practical tasks.

Your tutor will assess your competence against the levels expected and you will receive individualised feedback.

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 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-based and is delivered in the following way (hours shown are weekly):

•   Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Practical (Workshop – 6 hours)
•   Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Theory (Classroom – 2.25 hours)
•   Industry Placement (Company – 26 hours total)
•   Progress Meeting (Classroom – 1.5 hours)
•   English and mathematics (Depending on GCSE results – 3 to 7.5 hours)

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

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.

How will I be assessed?

Along with skills development, you will need to demonstrate that you have developed your knowledge of different vehicle systems and the procedures needed to carry out repairs.

Your knowledge is assessed using online, multiple choice testing and through assignment work.

This assessment weighting is as follows:

2 Combination Assessment (Practical and Written Assignment)
10 Practical Task Assessments
7 Online Tests
1 Written Assignment