Vehicle Breakdown Engineer

Vehicle breakdown engineers attend to motorists who have broken down. They diagnose the fault and, if possible, get the vehicle back on the road again.

The job involves:

• responding to jobs issued by a control centre
• driving to the scene of a breakdown
• examining the vehicle to identify the problem
• carrying out repairs at the roadside, if possible
• explaining to the driver what needs to be done, and reassuring them if necessary.

If the engineer is unable to make a roadside repair, he or she may load the vehicle on to a breakdown vehicle or tow it to the nearest garage. Engineers may also need to arrange transport for the driver and any passengers.

Engineers usually work alone and may respond to several breakdowns in a day. They usually drive a van, or truck, and carry electronic diagnostic equipment, as well as a range of tools and parts.

Vehicle breakdown engineers usually work around 40 hours a week, on a shift system that may include some nights and weekend work. They work outdoors, in all weather conditions and attend roadside situations, which may be potentially hazardous. A driving licence is essential, and a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or light goods vehicle (LGV) licence may be needed for some roles.

Salaries may range from around £25,000 a year for newly qualified breakdown engineers to £40,000 for senior engineers.

A vehicle breakdown engineer must:

• have a thorough, practical knowledge of a wide range of vehicles
• be quick thinking and good at solving problems
• be good at manual work and using tools
• be interested in how vehicles work.

Vehicle breakdown engineers work for national recovery services, such as the Automobile Association (AA) and Royal Automobile Club (RAC), and for local garages. They must be qualified vehicle mechanics and usually have three years' experience before going on the road. In addition to holding a driving licence, candidates may also need to pass an employer's driving assessment and aptitude test, and possibly undergo a medical check.

Trainee engineers can work towards NVQs or vocationally related technical certificates in roadside recovery and assistance.

Engineers may advance to supervisory roles. In the larger recovery organisations, they may progress to management or administrative posts.

Further details