Motor Vehicle Body Repair and Paint Refinishing Level 3


  • Start Date: 01/09/2025
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
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This course will give you the skills you need to work in today’s motor vehicle repair industry, including the diagnosis of chassis misalignment, structural body damage and an insight into specialist painting techniques.

This qualifications is industry recognised and forms part of the Repair Apprenticeship significantly reducing any subsequent apprenticeship making you more appealing to employers. 

You will be working in our fantastic training workshops well equipped with industry standard resources. This is a hands-on course with a focus on practical activities and we maximise the amount of time you will spend in our state-of-the-art workshops.

Core modules will include:

  • Knowledge of Health, Safety and Good Housekeeping in the Automotive Environment.
  • Knowledge of Support for Job Roles in the Automotive Environment
  • Knowledge of Materials, Fabrication, Tools and Measuring Devices used in the Automotive Environment

Specialist modules will include:

  • Removing and Replacing Structural Motor Vehicle Body Panels
  • Motor Vehicle Body Panel Major Repairs
  • Identifying and Rectify Motor Vehicle Body Misalignment
  • Motor Vehicle Body MIG/MAG Welding Techniques
  • Motor Vehicle Body Resistance Spot Welding Operations
  • Motor Vehicle Construction and Materials
  • Tools and Equipment used in Vehicle Refinishing
  • Working with Plastic Materials and components
  • Preparing Metal and Pre-Painted Surfaces
  • Establishing Paint Defects
  • Applying Topcoats and Completing Refinishing Operations
  • Vehicle Colour Matching

The units covered directly link to the current apprenticeship to providing students with the knowledge and skills required to progress, and be a successful contributor to an employer’s business.

You will also attend maths and English sessions and have the opportunity to improve your GCSE grades and gain a broad knowledge and understanding of health and safety in the workplace and other skills associated with working in a garage giving you every opportunity to progress you career within automotive.

Other Entry Requirements

An interview with a member of the teaching team is required, you will also be asked to complete an initial assessment in maths and English, and various industry specific tests.

This will allow us to assess your suitability to the course advice and guidance will be available throughout the application process.

You must have an appropriate Level 2 vehicle accident repair qualification or have the required knowledge and relevant experience within the automotive sector.

A passion for motor vehicle would be advantageous and a good level of maths and English would be beneficial.

You will be assessed via observation of practical activity, supported by verbal questioning and the completion of a practical assessment workbook which will contain a variety of practical tasks and knowledge based questions to cover all learning modules.

You will also undertake written assignments and online multiple choice tests which will be graded as pass, merit, or distinction.

Courses are delivered by teachers who are all industry experts with many years of experience working in the automotive sector.

They design their sessions to give you the best practical experience in your chosen area and will include additionalities such as electric and hybrid vehicle awareness to increase your skills and employment opportunities.

As part of your course you will be given the opportunity to take up a work placement with one of our employer partners to get a taste of the world of work and to further enhance your skills and knowledge.

Our partners are some of the best known businesses in the region including:

  • Halfords
  • Arriva
  • Go North East
  • Bristol Street Motors
  • Bells Trucks
  • Nationwide Accident Repair
  • CF Recovery as well a number of small independent repairers and specialist dealers like Aston Workshop.

During this course we ensure you develop employability skills and gain relevant experience, this level 3 qualification is designed to prepare students for future employment in the automotive sector giving you the knowledge and skills to progress onto an apprenticeship standard with an employer.

Motor vehicle technicians repair all types of vehicles including cars, vans, motorbikes and heavy vehicles like coaches and lorries. They repair all areas of vehicle from accident damage and restoration to custom body and paint refinishing.

As a technician, your duties could include:

  • Identifying faults
  • Advising customers if repairs are needed and how critical they are
  • Providing time and cost estimates for jobs
  • Carrying out repairs and replacing damaged parts
  • Road testing the vehicle to check the repair work
  • Carrying out routine servicing and checks

You’ll study in our state-of-the-art Skills Academy for Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics on Team Valley in Gateshead.

This academy is fully equipped with dedicated vehicle maintenance workshops, body shop, two spray painting booths, welding facilities and a rolling road as well as social spaces, a Café and access to a free gym and library.

There will be a cost of around £26 for safety boots and overalls.

School Leaver Course Guide 2025/2026

View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

Gateshead College School Leavers guide for 2025 - 2026