What Does an Auto Body Collision & Damage Repairer Do?

Auto Body Collision & Damage Repairers repair and restore damaged motor vehicle body parts and interior finishing. This also includes metal repairers who repair defective automobile body parts and damage to the bodies of newly assembled cars. People who work in this trade are also sometimes known as Auto Body Repairers, Automotive Body Technicians or Metal Repairers- Motor Vehicle Manufacturing.

Job -Related Skills, Interests and Values

  • Reviewing written damage reports and estimates of repair costs
  • Planning the work to be performed
  • Repairing and replacing front end components, body components, doors and frame and underbody components
  • Operating soldering equipment or using plastic filler to fill holes, dents and seams
  • Hammering out dents, buckles and other defects using blocks and hammers
  • Straightening bent frames using frame and underbody pulling and anchoring equipment
  • Applying primers and repainting surfaces using brush or spray guns
  • Inspecting repaired vehicles and test driving them for proper handling
  • Communicating with customers, co-workers and supervisors

What Preparation and Training Do You Need?

You should complete Grade 12 with your secondary school diploma, with credits in English, Math and technical courses in auto body prep or automotive repair. You must complete a 7200 hour apprenticeship that combines on-the-job and in-school training before sitting a written examination to obtain your Certificate of Qualification (compulsory in Ontario).

What’s Your Future as an Auto Body Collision & Damage Repairer?

As an Auto Body Collision & Damage Repairer, you will work indoors with exposure to noise, vibration, liquids, fumes and odours – all these elements are however controlled by safety regulations. You usually work full-time, 40 hours per week, with some weekend (Saturday) or overtime work required. A small percentage (10%) of people in this trade are self-employed. Although today’s automobiles can be repaired with less labour than ever before, the increased complexity of repair jobs resulting from new ways of working with improved materials and unit frame bodies means that body repairers must have higher skill levels. Examples of employers who hire Auto Body Collision & Damage Repairers include:

  • Motor Vehicle Repair shops
  • Automobile Dealers
  • Motor Vehicle Manufacturers
  • Motor Vehicle parts manufacturers

Wage Rate

  • Apprentices generally earn less than fully qualified journey people
  • As your skills and expertise increase, so does your wage
  • Fully qualified Auto Body Collision & Damage Repairers can earn between $12.00-22.00/hour

Self-Rating

Ask Yourself: Is Working as an Auto Body Collision & Damage Repairer For You?

Can you bend, stoop, kneel, lift or stand for long periods?

Yes      No

Do you persist until the job is done just right?

Yes      No

Do you have good vision and the ability to spot differences in the way something looks?

Yes      No

Do you enjoy working with your hands using a variety of tools including power equipment?

Yes      No

Do you enjoy tinkering on automobiles and other machines?

Yes      No

Do you enjoy keeping up with and learning about new techniques and new technology?

Yes      No

Are you good at planning how to accomplish a task from start to finish?

Yes      No

If you answered Yes to most of these questions, a career as an Auto Body Collision & Damage Repairer may be for You!

You may also want to explore other careers that require similar interests and skills, such as:

  • Auto Body Repairer (Branch 2)
  • Automotive Service Technician
  • Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic
  • Lather