5231 Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians

In short

• ONS unit group 5231, in minor group 523 (Vehicle trades) and major group 5 (Skilled trades occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Transitional tables only: Table 1a, Table 2aa.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1a, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £35,500 (£18.21 per hour)
  • Table 2aa, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £27,900 (£14.31 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians diagnose, maintain, repair and test mechanical, electrical and electronic systems in light vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches, motorcycles and specialist vehicles.

Typical entry routes

There are no formal academic entry requirements, although some employers may require GCSEs/S grades or an equivalent qualification. Training is undertaken Off and on-the-job. Apprenticeships at NVQ/SVQ levels 2 and 3 are available and take three to four years to complete.

Tasks

• visually checks, test drives or uses test equipment to diagnose engine and mechanical faults
• removes, dismantles, repairs and replaces defective parts and prepares new parts using appropriate tools
• reassembles, tests, adjusts and tunes the appropriate parts, systems or entire engine
• carries out routine maintenance checks on oil and air filters, brakes and other vehicle parts/systems
• diagnoses faults in electrical/electronic circuitry, removes faulty components and fits replacements
• checks condition of electrical/electronic systems and carries out servicing tasks
• installs additional electrical amenities such as radio/CD players, aerials
• repairs and services air conditioning, heating and engine-cooling systems
• perform repairs, tests and maintenance to roadside vehicles

Related job titles

• Auto electrician
• Car mechanic
• HGV mechanic
• Mechanic (garage)
• MOT tester
• Motor mechanic
• Motor vehicle technician
• Technician (vehicles)
• Vehicle technician
• Roadside Technician (motor vehicles)

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

5231 Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Auto electricians
• Car/light vehicle technicians
• Heavy and large vehicle technicians
• Motorcycle technicians
• Motorsport technicians
• MOT testers
• Roadside assistance technicians
• Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£35,500 (£18.21 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 2aa: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

5231 Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

5231

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Auto electricians
• Car/light vehicle technicians
• Heavy and large vehicle technicians
• Motorcycle technicians
• Motorsport technicians
• MOT testers
• Roadside assistance technicians
• Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£27,900 (£14.31 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 523

• 5232 Vehicle body builders and repairers
• 5233 Vehicle paint technicians
• 5234 Aircraft maintenance and related trades
• 5235 Boat and ship builders and repairers
• 5236 Rail and rolling stock builders and repairers

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

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