Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair - Level 3
Summary
Are you passionate about cars and eager to turn that passion into a rewarding career? The IMI Level 3 Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair course is the perfect next step for school leavers looking to build practical skills and industry knowledge in vehicle technology. Offering hands-on training and a thorough understanding of vehicle systems, this course prepares you to work confidently in garages, dealerships, or fleet maintenance.
By completing this course, you’ll gain an industry-recognised qualification that open doors to a variety of career pathways. Whether you want to become a fully qualified automotive technician, specialise in diagnostics or even progress into supervisory or management roles, this course provides a solid foundation. You’ll also be well-placed to pursue further studies, such as a Level 4 qualification or secure an apprenticeship, boosting your skills and employability in the rapidly evolving automotive sector.
If you’re ready to jump-start your career in vehicle maintenance and repair with excellent progression opportunities, this course is designed to help you succeed and grow within the automotive industry.
Next course dates
| Start date | Location | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
02 Sep 2026
|
Bispham Campus
|
1 Year
|
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
When you successfully complete this Level 3 Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair course you will have developed the technical and broader skills needed to enjoy a rewarding career in the industry, or develop your knowledge and skills further and progress onto our Foundation Degree.
Typical pathways from this Level 3 course are:
- Employment in the industry on a fast-track apprenticeship
- Progression to the foundation year of our Foundation Degree
Throughout your time on the course, frequent career and progression advice from our team of highly qualified and experienced tutors will continue.
Employment Opportunities
If you decide to go directly into employment after completing this qualification, options open to you include:
Motor Vehicle MechanicMotor | Vehicle Diagnostic Technician | Roadside Recovery Technician | Motor Vehicle Fast-Fit Technician | Motor Vehicle Workshop Manager
If you decide to further your studies following this course, you could pursue a variety of career pathways including:
- Design, research and development careers within the Automotive, Motorsport and other transport industries
- Manufacturing careers within the Automotive, Motorsport and other transport industries
- Automotive systems and competence testing careers within the Automotive, Motorsport and other transport industries
Career Options and Progression
When you successfully complete this Level 3 Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair course you will have developed the technical and broader skills needed to enjoy a rewarding career in the industry, or develop your knowledge and skills further and progress onto our Foundation Degree.
Typical pathways from this Level 3 course are…
- Employment in the industry on a fast-track apprenticeship
- Progression to the foundation year of our Foundation Degree
Throughout your time on the course, frequent career and progression advice from our team of highly qualified and experienced tutors will continue.
Level 3 job roles…
- Motor Vehicle Mechanic
- Motor Vehicle Diagnostic Technician
- Roadside Recovery Technician
- Motor Vehicle Fast-Fit Technician
- Motor Vehicle Workshop Manager
Graduate job roles…
- Design, research and development careers within the Automotive, Motorsport and other transport industries including.
- Manufacturing careers within the Automotive, Motorsport and other transport industries.
- Automotive systems and competence testing careers within the Automotive, Motorsport and other transport industries.
Key information
Entry Requirements
Successful completion of Level 2 qualification in related subject (Students can re-sit English and maths GCSE alongside the course)
Plus
- 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
Qualification obtained
Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles (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:
- Diagnose and rectify vehicle auxiliary electrical faults
- Diagnose and rectify vehicle engine faults
- Diagnose and rectify vehicle braking, suspension and steering system faults
- Diagnose and rectify vehicle driveline faults
- Diagnose and rectify vehicle transmission system faults
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
An industry placement is a mandatory aspect of this course and we will try to match you to a local employer who can offer you the kind of work experience that aligns with your career aspirations.
There are no planned mandatory field trips.
How will I learn?
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 best suit you
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)
- Independent Study (1.5 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?
At Level 2 you will have developed your knowledge of the different vehicle systems and developed skills in identifying, removing and replacing the different components that make up these systems.
At Level 3 you will learn how to diagnose and repair faults when they occur with these components.
During the course tutors will provide regular feedback on your written and practical work allowing you to improve as you develop your skills set.
In order to achieve the qualification, you will be assessed via:
• Practical skills assessments in the workshop (50%)
• Online multiple-choice tests (50%)
Assessment Methods
At Level 2 you will have developed your knowledge of the different vehicle systems and developed skills in identifying, removing and replacing the different components that make up these systems. At Level 3 you will learn how to diagnose and repair faults when they occur with these components.
Modules you will cover include…
- Diagnose and rectify vehicle auxiliary electrical faults
- Diagnose and rectify vehicle engine faults
- Diagnose and rectify vehicle braking, suspension and steering system faults
- Diagnose and rectify vehicle driveline faults
- Diagnose and rectify vehicle transmission system faults
Assessment
You will be assessed in two different ways…
- Practical skills assessments in the workshop (50%)
- Online multiple-choice tests (50%)