Auto electrician
Trace and fix the wiring, sensors and electronic systems in modern vehicles, from lights and alarms to hybrid and EV systems.
- Salary£23,000 – £38,000
- Hours40 to 44 hours a week, usually between 8am and 6pm
- Working for yourselfSelf-employment is possible
What the job is like
Auto electricians specialise in the electrical side of vehicles. You'll plug a laptop into a vehicle's engine control unit, follow manufacturers' circuit diagrams, test wiring and fit new electrical parts - including on hybrid and electric vehicles.
It's ideal if you like both cars and electronics and enjoy detective work. Most people start through a Level 3 motor vehicle apprenticeship or college course, and experience with hybrid and electric vehicles is increasingly valued.
What you'll do
- Take readings from a vehicle's electronic control unit using a laptop or diagnostic device
- Inspect and test wiring and electrical systems
- Read manufacturers' circuit diagrams and manuals
- Find and fix electrical faults
- Fit new electrical components
- Work on hybrid and electric vehicle systems
- Complete repair sheets listing the work done
Where you'll work
- Workshop or studio
- Indoors
- In a team
- On your own
Skills and hobbies that help
Weighted by how much they matter in this job, from the official job profile's skills and tasks. Tap one to see other careers that use it.
Key skills
Used a lot
Handy to have
Hobbies that give you a head start
How to become an auto electrician
Apprenticeship
Motor vehicle service and maintenance technician - light vehicle (Level 3, typically around 36 months) or Vehicle damage mechanical, electrical and trim (MET) technician (Level 3, typically around 36 months) - both around 3 years, mixing on-the-job training and off-site learning.
College
Light vehicle maintenance and repair, auto electrical and mobile electrical operations, or the T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing.
Direct application
Possible with motor mechanics qualifications and experience; hybrid and electric vehicle experience helps.
Qualifications, licences and cards
- You may need a driving licence - sometimes including lorry (LGV) or bus (PCV) categories, depending on the vehicles you work on
Where it can lead
- Workshop controller or manager
- Automotive or motorsport engineer
- Skills trainer
- Running your own business
Good to know
- Garages and workshops can be noisy.
- Hybrid and EV systems are a growing part of the job.
Courses and training
-
Apprenticeship search
Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK
The official GOV.UK service for searching and applying for apprenticeship vacancies in England.
-
Course search
Find a course – National Careers Service
The National Careers Service search for college and training provider courses in England, including Skills Bootcamps.
Official information
Sources
We checked these pages in September 2026. Rules, pay and courses change, so always confirm with the official source.
- National Careers Service: Auto electrician job profile nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/auto-electrician
- Skills England apprenticeship standard: Motor vehicle service and maintenance technician - light vehicle skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0033-v1-5
- Skills England apprenticeship standard: Vehicle damage mechanical, electrical and trim (MET) technician skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0405-v1-3