Car tuner jobs are a specialism amongst many other jobs the automotive industry – read on if you want to know more about this highly skilled career…
Being a car tuner involves the modification of a vehicle to improve its performance, often for races or exhibitions. Unlike regular mechanics, a car tuner focuses solely on adapting and developing vehicles through re-engineering, engine tuning and building or modifying parts. The most fundamental part of a car tuner’s job is engine enhancement and adaptation to increase the vehicle’s speed, but modifications made by a car tuner can also be purely cosmetic, such as the installation of spoilers or specially-made, non-engine parts.
For this specialist job, you’ll need GCSEs in maths, science, technology and English. Car tuner apprenticeships are available at specialist tuning companies and many people also begin an apprenticeship as a mechanic at garage workshops, moving on to becoming a car tuner after gaining experience within the industry. A car tuners will qualify after being awarded either a BTEC in Vehicle Repair & Technology or a City & Guilds in Vehicle Mechanics, these qualifications are acceptable for professional work as a general mechanic, although the majority of car tuning workshops will require applicants to have specialised knowledge, either in a particular car manufacturer, like Mini or Subaru for example or in an area like classic British cars. There can be a wide variation between the tuning and modifications of particular car types –American vehicles often require traditional car tuning techniques due to their mechanical simplicity, whereas Japanese cars respond to technical tuning techniques because of their advanced, modern software.
Apprenticeships at mechanic workshops usually offer a basic living allowance of £7,500 to £8,500 and after 4 years of experience, most mechanics can expect around £25,000. Experienced mechanics who specialise as a car tuner can set up their own vehicle tuning business to increase their salary beyond this sum if they’re successful. UK companies which specialise in performance car tuning and modification include Demon Tweeks, ProDrive and AutoDelta.
It is essential to gain experience at garage before starting to train as a car tuner. Car tuning requires great mechanical skill as well as the ability to learn and retain new skills, due to the fast-paced, technology-led nature of the car industry. Although being a car tuner will always be hands-on, technological advancements mean there are now more computerised tools for a car tuner to master, so an aptitude for technology is important too.
As well as knowledge of the practical side of the job, there’s also customer service and paperwork to consider – a car tuner is expected to agree tuning plans and budgets with customers, to offer advice on the choice of components, to discuss ongoing plans to improve a cars performance and to work to a budget. An eye for detail is very important to existing and potential customers alike as they’re all people who take great pride in their vehicles and expect the very best from their car tuner. Go to our dedicated automotive page for more info.
By student contributor Conor Elliott
