CARRYING OUT VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OPERATIONS

Unit X:

Carrying Out Vehicle

Maintenance and Repair
Operations

Unit code:

A/502/1769

QCF level:

Credit value:

Unit aim
This unit aims to introduce learners to the technical skills and knowledge required to carry out a
range of motor vehicle maintenance and repair tasks.

Unit introduction
This unit introduces learners to the technical skills and knowledge required to perform a range of
vehicle maintenance and repair tasks including fault analysis, researching components and
selecting appropriate equipment, tools and materials. On completion of this unit, learners will
have the theoretical and practical knowledge required to participate in a service of a motor vehicle
or motorcycle that incorporates inspection, reference to data sources and the renewal of service
parts, such as filters and lubricants, under supervision in a workshop.
Wherever possible, practical tasks and experience in an actual motor vehicle workshop should be
used within this unit to supplement and inform theoretical knowledge. Although learners will
sometimes work independently, there are opportunities to work as effective team members in
collaborative situations.
This unit is intended for learners considering a career in the motor vehicle maintenance and repair
sector a rapidly advancing technological sector and growth employer. The unit is suitable for
learners with little or no prior experience of the motor vehicle industry and for those learners who
have already achieved proficiency at Entry 3.

CARRYING OUT VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OPERATIONS

Learning outcomes and assessment criteria

In order to pass this unit, the evidence that the learner presents for assessment needs to
demonstrate that they can meet all the learning outcomes for the unit. The assessment criteria
determine the standard required to achieve the unit.
On completion of this unit a learner should:

Learning outcomes

Assessment criteria

1.1 Name a range of common components,

equipment, tools and materials

Know how to identify faulty components

1.2 Recognise and assess the

faults/serviceability of components, tools
and equipment
1.3 Access information sources for
components
2

Understand how to interpret technical

information

2.1 Select the correct specification for carrying

out a range of tasks
2.2 Follow oral, written and pictorial
information in order to carry out a task

Know how to remove and replace vehicle

components

3.1 Choose the tools, equipment, materials and

components for a given task
3.2 Remove materials or components
3.3 Replace materials or components

Know how to carry out a full service of a

motor vehicle/motor cycle

4.1 Identify and sequence the processes to be

applied for the servicing of a vehicle
4.2 Carry out simple tasks for the servicing of
a vehicle

CARRYING OUT VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OPERATIONS

Unit content

Know how to identify faulty components

Faulty components: fault diagnosis techniques and equipment eg sensory testing,
interpreting measurements and readings, use of gauges and electrical testing equipment;
exhaust analysis; checking components for impact and/or internal damage eg broken parts,
leaks, contamination eg metallic parts in lubricants

Understand how to interpret technical information

How a specification relates to a task: identifying and utilising sources of information eg
vehicle manuals, service records, manufacturers data; understanding electronic data eg
telemetry; applying correct specification to faults/repairs
Technical information: understanding operating principles of vehicle fuel and exhaust
systems; engine lubrication systems; vehicle electrical systems; vehicle braking systems;
vehicle transmission systems; vehicle steering and suspension systems; vehicle wheel and
tyre systems; fuel technologies eg petrol, diesel, hybrid and biofuels; interpret and produce
technical drawings and diagrams

Know how to remove and replace vehicle components

Vehicle components: vehicle parts eg brakes, clutches, exhausts, fuel pumps, gearboxes,
radiators, tyres; engine parts eg alternator, camshaft, cylinders, gaskets, pistons, tappets,
valves
Tools and equipment: hand tools eg hammers, hacksaws, spanners, pliers, wrenches,
clamps; lifting equipment eg jacks, hydraulic lifts; electrical equipment eg ammeters;
measuring equipment eg callipers, feeler gauges; pressure testing equipment eg vacuum
gauges; PPE and safety equipment; safe disposal of waste materials and components

Know how to carry out a full service of a motor vehicle/motorcycle

Principles of a full service: understand and participate in a full motor vehicle or motorcycle
service eg changing the oil, checking and replacing spark plugs, filters, timing belt, tyres,
fluids, lubricants, batteries; choose and use appropriate equipment safely eg tools, lifting
equipment; adopt safe working practices eg use of PPE, ensuring adequate ventilation; plan,
sequence and manage tasks and workloads; use accurate reporting and record keeping
procedures; safe disposal of waste materials and components

CARRYING OUT VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OPERATIONS

Essential guidance for tutors

Delivery
It is strongly advised this highly practical unit is delivered with access to a well-equipped and
relevant workshop environment so learners can use appropriate equipment, components and live
vehicles. This will enable an essential balance between theoretical knowledge and hands-on
practical experience.
Access to appropriate equipment, tools, components and materials will enable learners to develop
the required practical skills and relate their studies within this unit to an industrial context.
Wherever possible, the full range of tasks and principles relevant to a full service of a motor
vehicle or motorcycle should be reinforced through practical participation by learners and tutorled demonstration and instruction.
The extent of the prior knowledge and experience of individual learners should be considered
carefully when delivering this unit or placing it in a scheme of work. This will ensure that tasks
are appropriately differentiated for learners and that learners adopt safe working practices at all
times. In this way, learners will be able to complete the unit successfully and gain the knowledge
required to perform tasks safely within an industrial setting.
The four learning outcomes in this unit focus on ensuring that learners are able to select
appropriate maintenance tools and equipment for a range of given servicing and repair tasks,
diagnose and assess faults and faulty components, and participate in a full service of a motor
vehicle or motorcycle under supervision.
Outline learning plan
The outline learning plan has been included in this unit as guidance.

Topic and suggested assignments/activities

Know how to identify faulty components
Whole-class teaching
Tutor to explain and demonstrate the use of a range of information sources that can aid vehicle fault
diagnosis. Explain and demonstrate the use of a variety of diagnostic equipment and techniques.
Explain relevant documentation and reporting techniques and processes.
Individual learner activities
Investigation into fault diagnosis techniques and information sources. Practise using fault diagnosis
equipment and techniques under supervision in a motor vehicle workshop.

CARRYING OUT VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OPERATIONS

Understand how to interpret technical information

Whole-class teaching
Tutor-led introduction to a range of vehicle and engine systems. Tutor-led introduction to fuel
technologies. Whole-class discussion and tutor-led oral questioning of learners. Demonstration of
correct methods for interpreting and recording data accurately.
Individual learner activities
Practise interpreting and accurately recording data from centre-devised practical investigations
under supervision within a motor vehicle workshop.
Know how to remove and replace vehicle components
Whole-class teaching
Tutor-led practical demonstration of the safe use of a variety of engineering tools and equipment
including hand tools and lifting equipment. Explain and demonstrate correct methods of preparing a
vehicle for maintenance, including isolating electrical systems and safe handling of vehicle
components and materials. Tutor-led demonstration of the removal and replacement of a range of
components.
Individual learner activities
Practise using tools and equipment safely under supervision within a motor vehicle workshop.
Practise safe handling of components and materials under supervision within a motor vehicle
workshop. Practise removing and replacing components under supervision within a motor vehicle
workshop.
Know how to carry out a full service of a motor vehicle/motorcycle
Whole-class teaching
Introduce and explain all aspects of motor vehicle servicing principles and techniques. Demonstrate
routine servicing tasks, for example changing oil, changing tyres, checking and replacing fluids.
Describe manufacturers recommended inspection and maintenance techniques. Reinforce safe
working practices and relevant safety legislation. Explain methods of handling materials and
disposing of waste materials safely. Explain methods for sourcing information on components.
Explain reporting processes, documentation and record keeping in relation to motor vehicle
servicing.
Individual learner activities
Practise a complete range of motor vehicle servicing tasks under supervision in a motor vehicle
workshop.
Knowledge check and unit assessment
Centre-devised written tests, essays and reports on the unit content. Tutor assessment of centredevised practical tests in a motor vehicle workshop. Evidence of attainment for each learner to be
included in the learners portfolio evidence to include observation records, witness statements,
photographic evidence (where applicable) and marked and signed written work. Feedback to
learners and unit close.

CARRYING OUT VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OPERATIONS

Assessment
Several of the assessment criteria within this highly practical unit will need to be assessed directly
by the tutor when learners are carrying out practical activities in a suitable motor vehicle
maintenance and repair workshop. The centre can devise tests and set practical assignments
appropriate for level 1 learners and suitable for achieving the assessment criteria.
All necessary safety and risk assessments must be carried out before learners enter the workshop.
It is recommended that the accompanying level 1 unit within this qualification, R/501/7260:
Principles of Health and Safety, is delivered before assessment of this unit so that learners fully
understand the importance of safe working practices and can apply them before undertaking any
practical assessments within this unit.
A portfolio of evidence from guided activities and practical assessments should be created for
each learner as evidence of achievement. Suitable evidence from guided practical activities and
assessments would include observation records and/or witness statements. Authenticated
photographic evidence, marked and signed by the tutor/assessor, may also be included in the
portfolio of evidence for this unit.
To achieve assessment criteria 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1 and 4.2 learners should have access
to appropriate tools, equipment (including PPE), components and materials within a safe and
controlled workshop environment. In the case of 1.3, learners should also have access to the
internet/online databases/manufacturer websites. Achievement of 2.1 and 2.2 may be incorporated
into the practical assessments devised to assess the achievement of the other assessment criteria
within this unit.
For 1.1, learners must name at least 12 common components, equipment, tools and materials.
For 4.2, learners must carry out at least 12 simple tasks for the servicing of a vehicle, to include
securing the vehicle, isolating electrical systems, oil change, tyre change, changing filters,
replacing spark plugs, checking and replacing battery, checking fluid levels, inspecting and
replacing timing belt, checking clutch/gearbox, balancing wheels, tuning engine/adjusting tappets.
In addition, centres may wish to devise and set a written test (for example multiple-choice test) as
a knowledge check of the theory underpinning this highly practical unit. Evidence of each learner
passing such a test (for example records of tutors oral questioning and/or marked test papers)
should be included within each learners portfolio.
Further guidance on the use of observation records and witness statements is available on the
Edexcel website.
Essential resources
To deliver this highly practical unit, centres will need access to a motor vehicle workshop
equipped with appropriate vehicles, tools and equipment (including PPE). Centres should ensure
that workshops have sufficient tools and equipment to support the size of cohort undertaking the
unit. In addition, centres will need to have the appropriate documentation systems (for example
risk assessments, COSHH assessments) and control measures (for example COSHH storage
facilities) in place to ensure good practice.
Indicative resource materials
Textbooks
Hillier, V and Coombes, P Hilliers Fundamentals of Motor Vehicle Technology 6th edition
(Nelson Thornes, 2011) ISBN 9781408515181

CARRYING OUT VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OPERATIONS

Stoakes G Level 1 Principles of Light Vehicle Operations Candidate Handbook (Motor

Vehicle Technologies) (Heinemann, 2011) ISBN 9780435048150
Journal
Motor Industry magazine available to members of the IMI (see www.motor.org.uk)
Websites
www.imeche.org

Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

www.motor.org.uk

Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)

www.soe.org.uk

The Society of Operations Engineers (SOE)

Other
Stoakes G Level 1 Principles of Light Vehicle Operations Training Resource Disk (Motor
Vehicle Technologies) CD Rom (Heinemann, 2011) ISBN 9780435048303