Accident repair technician / Skills England

Key information

Reference: OCC0352
Date updated: 09/10/2025
Level: 3
Route: Engineering and manufacturing
Regulated occupation: No

Details of the occupational standard

Occupation summary

This occupation is found in the automotive sector.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to repair a motor vehicle after it has sustained some type of collision damage. This can range from small damage to moderate impacted damage requiring complex and detailed repair or replacement of damaged elements of the vehicle. The types of vehicles can include a broad range of vehicles from cars and car derived vans to light commercial vehicles. Technicians will work on and obtain a level of competence in all craft aspects of vehicle accident repair, including Mechanical, Electrical and Trim (MET), non-structural panel repair, structural panel repair and replacement, and preparation and paint. They will also have an awareness of electric and hybrid vehicles to maintain levels of safety throughout the repair, including an understanding of environmental impacts and considerations. They will have a good understanding of vehicle Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and also have the ability to check if these systems have been compromised by an accident circumstance. The accident repair technician will be able to obtain, interpret and work accurately to complex technical repair specifications and instructions. An accident repair technician has the ability to work in a focused, analytical and methodical fashion, completing repairs on time, with a right-first-time, customer focused culture under-pinning all their activities.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with colleagues within the workshop as well as other internal and external stakeholders, such as suppliers. The accident repair technician embraces the need to put complete customer satisfaction and commercial awareness, at the centre of everything they do. The ability to excel whilst working within a team is a key output for any accident repair technician. Typically, the accident repair technician works in a modern, highly technologically advanced, workshop environment.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for returning vehicles in a safe manner to pre-accident condition using work instructions and according to manufacturer standards. They will check parts against work instructions, ordering and receiving parts to enable repair. They will prepare vehicles for accident repair including ensuring they are safe and will communicate any additional repair requirements. Technicians should be able to communicate with line supervisors any challenges or issues that could prevent work of a lower calibre than the customers' expectations from being completed or result in a change to the scheduled completion time.

Typical job titles include:

Accident repair technician Bodyshop technician Cosmetic repairer Crash repair technician Met technician Multi-skilled technician Paint technician Panel beater Panel technician (panel beater) Vehicle body repairer

Occupation duties

Duty	KSBs
Duty 1 Remove and fit existing trims and panel components using relevant technical data, specifications, and methods.	K1 K2 K3 K6 K20 K21 K23 K33 K36 K37 K46 S2 S5 S12 S18 S23 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 2 Remove and refit mechanical components using relevant technical data, specifications, and methods.	K1 K2 K3 K6 K10 K11 K12 K14 K15 K20 K21 K33 K42 K43 K46 S2 S5 S12 S16 S17 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 3 Use relevant technical data, specifications, and methods to remove and fit electrical components.	K1 K2 K3 K11 K13 K16 K19 K20 K27 K29 K30 K32 K39 K40 S3 S5 S6 S19 S20 S21 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 4 Identify and operate the correct repair tools, equipment and devices used. Establish if parts are replaced or re-calibrated.	K1 K2 K6 K7 K8 K17 K30 K33 K40 K41 K44 S2 S3 S4 S5 S7 S11 S12 S14 S21 S32 S35 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 5 Rebuild vehicles post repair and repair or reinstate safety critical systems.	K1 K2 K3 K6 K20 K46 S2 S5 S12 S21 S35 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 6 Remove and replace non-structural body panels using the relevant process, utilising technical data and methods.	K1 K2 K3 K6 K10 K15 K20 K21 K23 K33 K35 K46 S2 S5 S12 S22 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 7 Diagnose and repair faults within the vehicle electrical system.	K1 K2 K3 K8 K9 K13 K16 K19 K32 K39 K40 K41 K45 K46 S2 S5 S7 S10 S12 S15 S19 S20 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 8 Identify and rectify non-structural motor vehicle body misalignment.	K1 K2 K3 K6 K10 K20 K21 K33 K35 K38 K46 S2 S5 S25 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 9 Identify and use approved researched repair methods and manufacturer’s technical instructions.	K1 K2 K3 K6 K20 K22 K29 K33 K39 K40 K41 S2 S3 S5 S6 S12 S32 S35 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 10 Repair various vehicle body panel damage, correctly identifying and using relevant techniques.	K1 K2 K3 K6 K20 K21 K23 K33 K35 K46 S2 S5 S12 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 11 Maintain own safety and that of the others at work, ensuring a safe working environment and prevent damage to property and the wider environment.	K1 K2 K5 K6 K20 K22 K41 S1 S2 S16 S35 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 12 Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, customers, suppliers, technical support staff, and other relevant personnel, to ensure that customer and business requirements are met.	K4 K5 K8 K19 K26 K27 K28 K31 S3 S9 S13 S31 S34 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
Duty 13 Restore work area including the correct disposal of waste materials in line with environmental requirements, return tools, unused materials and equipment in a safe and reliable condition.	K1 K2 K5 K6 K8 K29 K30 K33 S2 S5 S8 S10 S12 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 14 Prepare various types of vehicle body material such as plastic, steel, aluminium, zinc coated, electro-coated.	K1 K2 K6 K46 S2 S5 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 15 Prepare various substrates to accept foundation material in an efficient and economical process.	K1 K2 K6 K18 K46 S2 S5 S26 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 16 Prepare vehicle for painting processes using correct masking techniques.	K1 K2 K6 K25 K46 S2 S5 S26 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 17 Match and apply multistage colours for refinish.	K1 K2 K24 K25 K33 K34 K46 S5 S27 S28 S29 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 18 Identify paint defects, understand their cause, and prevent and rectify.	K1 K2 K6 K18 K24 K25 K33 K34 K46 S2 S5 S26 S27 S28 S29 S30 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 19 Remove and replace structural body panels using the relevant joining process utilising technical data and methods.	K1 K2 K3 K6 K10 K20 K21 K23 K33 K46 S2 S5 S12 S24 S32 B2 B3 B4 B5 B7
Duty 20 Carry out continuous improvement opportunities and identify possible opportunities for improvements and efficiencies. Identify and complete professional development activities.	K32 K46 S7 S33 B6

KSBs

Knowledge

K1: Awareness of health and safety regulations, relevance to the occupation and the technician's responsibilities: CDM regulations, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Display Screen Equipment (DSE), due diligence, electrical safety and compliance, emergency evacuation procedures, Health and Safety at Work Act – responsibilities, isolation and emergency stop procedures, Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), lone working, management systems of occupational health and safety, manual handling, near miss reporting, noise regulations, Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), risk assessments, safe systems of work, safety equipment: guards, signage, fire extinguishers, situational awareness, slips, trips and falls, types of hazards, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), working at height, working in confined spaces. Back to Duty

K2: Types of incidents: fire, accidents, types of near misses. Mitigation methods. Back to Duty

K3: Principles of vehicle crash mitigation. Back to Duty

K4: Limits of autonomy and reporting channels. Different teams and functions involved in operation and interdependencies. The types of automotive, motorsport, supply chain and logistics organisations within the accident repair sector. Back to Duty

K5: Business operation considerations: efficiency principles, customer satisfaction, competitiveness, minimising risks to operation, and ethical issues. Back to Duty

K6: Principles of sustainability and circular economy. Energy efficiency and reuse of materials. Recycling procedures. Principles of control and management of emissions and waste. Efficient use of resources and materials used in vehicle construction, and how this links to climate change, carbon emissions and exploitative labour practices. Back to Duty

K7: Tools and equipment: operating standards and equipment set points. Requirements for maintenance, carriage and storage, and calibrated equipment. Calibration certificates. Back to Duty

K8: Planning, prioritising, work scheduling, workflow and time management techniques. Back to Duty

K9: Problem solving techniques: diagnostics, root cause analysis, for example 6 thinking hats, DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control), PDCA (Plan Do Check Act). Back to Duty

K10: Types of internal combustion engine. Principles of how internal combustion engines and propulsion systems function. Back to Duty

K11: Principles of how electric, hydrogen and hybrid vehicles function. Back to Duty

K12: Principles of how sub-systems of lubrication, cooling, fuel, ignition, intake, and exhaust systems operate. Back to Duty

K13: Principles of electrical and wiring diagrams. How to interpret these diagrams. Back to Duty

K14: Principles of how transmission, driveline and final drive systems operate. Back to Duty

K15: Operation and function of vehicle suspension, steering, brakes, wheels, and tyre size and purpose. Back to Duty

K16: Principles of vehicle electrical systems, electrical layouts and electrical system uses. In Car Entertainment (ICE), remote use and radar. Back to Duty

K17: The principles and techniques of how to join materials effectively using mechanical joining techniques and non-mechanical joining techniques (bonding and adhesives procedures). Back to Duty

K18: Types of body filler and foundation materials used on differing substrates within the accident repair sector, and their various uses and applications. Back to Duty

K19: How to determine manufacturers' technical repair specifications. Back to Duty

K20: Repair types: selection, processes, techniques and products. Standard operating procedures and manufacturers guidelines. Back to Duty

K21: Vehicle parts: installation, commissioning and decommissioning practices and techniques. Back to Duty

K22: Safe working practices and techniques when repairing vehicles. Back to Duty

K23: Preparation techniques required for different materials and surfaces relating to body work and trim, smart repair technologies, including Paintless Dent Removal (PDR). Back to Duty

K24: Principles and techniques of applying topcoats and clear coats including composition of the paint. Back to Duty

K25: Paint refinishing. Application processes and procedures. Back to Duty

K26: Verbal communication techniques. Giving and receiving information. Matching style to audience. Barriers in communication and how to overcome them. Back to Duty

K27: Written communication techniques. Plain English principles. Report writing. Back to Duty

K28: Non-verbal communication techniques: gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, eye contact, body language. Back to Duty

K29: Information technology and digital: digital interfaces, Management Information Systems (MIS), communication methods, work collaboration platforms. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Cyber security. Back to Duty

K30: Documentation methods and requirements including electronic and paper based. Back to Duty

K31: Equality Act. Equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. Unconscious bias. Back to Duty

K32: Principles of continuous improvement. Back to Duty

K33: Stock requirements. Control systems. Stock considerations: availability, stock lead times, stock value, faulty stock, salvageability of parts removed. Back to Duty

K34: Principles and techniques of applying paint, primer and base coats. Back to Duty

K35: Principles and techniques of removing, repairing and replacing non-structural body panels. Back to Duty

K36: Principles and techniques of removing and refitting trim components. Back to Duty

K37: Principles and techniques of repairing and refurbishing trim components. Back to Duty

K38: Principles and techniques of identifying and rectifying vehicle body misalignment. Back to Duty

K39: Principles and techniques of testing the function of repaired, fitted and associate components. Back to Duty

K40: Principles and techniques of rectifying wheel misalignment including two-wheel and four-wheel. Back to Duty

K41: Principles and techniques of diagnosing, removing, replacing and recalibrating Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and components. Back to Duty

K42: Principles and techniques of removing damaged and associated mechanical components from a vehicle. Back to Duty

K43: Principles and techniques of re-assembling and replacing existing mechanical components to a vehicle. Back to Duty

K44: Principles and techniques of operating electrical and electronic control systems. Back to Duty

K45: Principles and techniques of diagnosing and rectifying vehicle electrical faults. Back to Duty

K46: Principles of current and emerging vehicle technology including digital colour-matching systems and automated spray booths enhance precision. Virtual reality (VR) and 3D scanning for damage assessment. Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Identify and apply techniques to document hazards and risks in the workplace. Apply control measures. Back to Duty

S2: Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards. Back to Duty

S3: Apply techniques to plan work activities. Back to Duty

S4: Identify and apply techniques to organise and use resources with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact. Back to Duty

S5: Apply sustainability principles. Back to Duty

S6: Read and interpret information. For example, text, data, engineering drawings, job card, work instructions, risk assessments, method statements, operation manuals, permits to work, instructions. Back to Duty

S7: Apply continuous improvement techniques. Back to Duty

S8: Apply techniques to record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements. Back to Duty

S9: Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders. Back to Duty

S10: Apply techniques to test the function of repaired, fitted and associate components. Back to Duty

S11: Applies stock control techniques to check, replenish and complete returns. Back to Duty

S12: Identify and apply techniques to resolve problems encountered during the accident repair process. Back to Duty

S13: Apply techniques to report issues and problems which cannot be resolved. Back to Duty

S14: Apply techniques to operate electrical and electronic control systems such as programmable logic control systems, electrical and electronic relay systems, and electronic drive systems. Back to Duty

S15: Use diagnostic tools for fault finding, such as multi-meters and electronic diagnostic tools. Back to Duty

S16: Apply techniques to remove damaged and associated mechanical components from a vehicle. Back to Duty

S17: Apply techniques to re-assemble and replace existing mechanical components to a vehicle. Back to Duty

S18: Apply techniques to remove and refit trim components. Back to Duty

S19: Apply techniques to fit electrical components and systems. Back to Duty

S20: Diagnose and apply techniques to rectify vehicle electrical faults. Back to Duty

S21: Apply techniques to diagnose, remove, replace and recalibrate Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) systems and components. Back to Duty

S22: Apply techniques to remove, repair and replace non-structural body panels. Back to Duty

S23: Apply techniques to repair and refurbish trim components. Back to Duty

S24: Apply techniques to remove, repair and replace structural body panels excluding chassis legs and related components. Back to Duty

S25: Apply techniques to identify and rectify vehicle body misalignment. Back to Duty

S26: Apply body filler and foundation materials. Back to Duty

S27: Apply techniques to prepare and refinish metal, plastic, and pre-painted surfaces. Back to Duty

S28: Apply paint, primer, and base coats. Back to Duty

S29: Apply topcoats and clear coats. Complete final refinishing operations. Back to Duty

S30: Identify and apply techniques to rectify paint and preparation defects including smart repair technologies, and Paintless Dent Removal (PDR). Back to Duty

S31: Apply equity, diversity and inclusion principles. Back to Duty

S32: Apply mechanical and non-mechanical joining techniques. Back to Duty

S33: Apply techniques to record planned and unplanned learning and development activities. Back to Duty

S34: Communicate in writing. Back to Duty

S35: Identify and apply techniques to rectify wheel misalignment (two-wheel and four-wheel). Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Support social inclusion in the workplace with colleagues, stakeholders, and customers. Back to Duty

B2: Respond and adapt to changing work demands and situations. Back to Duty

B3: Take responsibility for completing work. Back to Duty

B4: Take personal responsibility for and promote sustainable working practices. Back to Duty

B5: Prioritise health and safety. Back to Duty

B6: Committed to continued professional development (CPD) to maintain and enhance competence in their own area of practice. Back to Duty

B7: Act professionally. Back to Duty

End-point assessment (EPA plan)

Rigorous robust and independent assessment undertaken by an apprentice at the end of training to test that the apprentice can perform in the occupation they have been trained in and can demonstrate the duties, and knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) set out in the occupational standard

End-point assessment organisation (EPAO)

An organisation approved to deliver end-point assessment for a particular apprenticeship standard. EPAOs must be on the register of end-point assessment organisations

Holistic or synoptic

Assessment of an apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours in an integrated way i.e. assessing several KSBs at the same time

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSB)

What is needed to competently undertake the duties required for an occupational standard

Valid

Referred to in relation to assessment methods; fit for purpose

Change request policy

Most changes to an apprenticeship are made as a result of a holistic review of it. We prioritise the need for such reviews based on a range of factors. These include:

the time since the apprenticeship was developed or last reviewed (taking account of its typical duration)
the existence of any known problems with it (e.g. lower than expected starts, low achievement rate, high withdrawal rate, any issues with the availability of training or end-point assessment provision)
whether the apprenticeship is currently subject to a dispensation
the relative significance of the apprenticeship based on how many users it has

The availability of an employer group to support a review and its potential impact on any related technical education product also inform the timing of a review.

Details of apprenticeships that are currently being revised or adjusted are available in our revisions and adjustments status report.

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Accident repair technician