Looking for your next job in the motor trade?
Car Dealer Recruitment specialises in helping experienced automotive professionals find new opportunities with franchised dealerships, independent dealers, garages, bodyshops and automotive groups across the UK.
Whether you are looking for a Vehicle Technician role, Sales Executive position, Service Advisor job or senior management opportunity, we aim to make the recruitment process straightforward, confidential and personal.
Below are some of the questions we are most frequently asked by candidates.
Is there a charge for candidates to use Car Dealer Recruitment?
No. Our recruitment service is completely free for candidates.
Employers pay our recruitment fees, so there is never any charge to you for registering, applying for a vacancy or accepting a position through Car Dealer Recruitment.
What types of automotive jobs do you recruit for?
We recruit across most areas of the motor trade, including:
- Vehicle Technicians
- Diagnostic Technicians
- Master Technicians
- MOT Testers
- Workshop Controllers
- Service Advisors
- Service Managers
- Warranty Controllers
- Parts Advisors and Parts Managers
- MET Technicians
- Panel Beaters
- Paint Technicians
- Vehicle Damage Assessors and Estimators
- Sales Executives
- Business Managers and Transaction Managers
- Sales Managers
- General Sales Managers
- Used Car Managers
- Head of Business and Dealer Principal positions
- Reception and customer service roles
We work with both franchised dealerships and independent automotive businesses.
Do you only recruit for main dealerships?
No.
We recruit for franchised dealerships, independent dealerships, independent garages, bodyshops, used car businesses, preparation centres and automotive groups.
If you have motor trade experience, there is a good chance we will recruit for employers relevant to your background.
Which areas of the UK do you cover?
We recruit for automotive vacancies across the UK, with a particularly strong network of employers throughout London, Greater London and the South East.
Our vacancies regularly include opportunities across West London, North London, South London, Surrey, Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and surrounding areas.
Do I need motor trade experience?
It depends on the vacancy.
Many of our roles require previous automotive or franchised dealership experience, particularly technician, management and specialist aftersales positions.
However, some employers will consider candidates from other industries where they have relevant transferable skills.
The experience required will always be explained within the individual job advert.
Can I register even if I am not actively looking for a new job?
Yes.
Many of the candidates we work with are not actively applying for jobs but would consider the right opportunity.
You can register confidentially and tell us what type of position, salary, location or employer would make you consider moving.
We can then contact you when something suitable becomes available.
Will my current employer know I am looking?
No.
Your job search is treated confidentially.
We will not send your CV or personal details to an employer without discussing the opportunity with you first.
If there are particular companies or dealer groups you do not want us to approach, simply tell us.
Will you send my CV to employers without asking me?
No.
We believe candidates should know where their information is being sent.
We will normally discuss the role, employer, location and salary with you before submitting your details.
Can you help improve my CV?
Yes.
We can advise you on how to present your motor trade experience more effectively, particularly if your CV does not clearly explain your responsibilities, achievements, manufacturer training or technical qualifications.
For technician roles, it can be particularly useful to include qualifications, diagnostic experience, MOT status, manufacturer training and the types of vehicles or systems you have worked on.
Can you help me prepare for an interview?
Yes.
Where appropriate, we can help you prepare for your interview by explaining more about the employer, the role and what they are likely to be looking for.
We can also help you think about common interview questions, salary discussions and how best to present your experience.
What information should I provide when registering?
The more information we have, the better we can match you with suitable opportunities.
Useful information includes:
- Your current or most recent position
- Current salary and earnings
- Salary expectations
- Preferred job type
- Preferred locations
- Maximum commuting distance
- Notice period
- Driving licence status
- Relevant qualifications
- Manufacturer or franchise experience
- MOT licence where applicable
- Right to work in the UK
What qualifications do technicians normally need?
Requirements vary between employers.
Many Vehicle Technician vacancies require an NVQ, City & Guilds or equivalent Level 2 or Level 3 automotive qualification.
Diagnostic Technician and Master Technician positions will often require stronger diagnostic experience, manufacturer training or additional technical qualifications.
For EV and hybrid roles, employers may also require appropriate electric or hybrid vehicle training.
Do I need my own tools for technician positions?
Some independent garages require technicians to provide their own tools, while many franchised dealerships provide specialist manufacturer equipment and diagnostic systems.
The individual vacancy will normally specify what is expected.
Do you recruit for candidates looking to move from independent garages into main dealers?
Yes.
Independent garage technicians can often be excellent candidates for franchised dealerships, particularly where they have strong diagnostic ability and experience working across multiple manufacturers.
The same applies to candidates looking to move from franchised dealerships into independent garages.
We can help identify employers where your experience is likely to transfer well.
Can you help me move into management?
Potentially.
If you have progressed within your current dealership and are ready for the next step, we can help identify suitable opportunities.
For example:
- Senior Sales Executive to Business Manager
- Business Manager to Sales Manager
- Sales Manager to General Sales Manager
- Senior Technician to Workshop Controller
- Workshop Controller to Service Manager
- Service Advisor to Service Manager
The right opportunity will depend on your experience and achievements.
Do you recruit for senior automotive management roles?
Yes.
We work on management and senior appointment opportunities including Sales Manager, General Sales Manager, Service Manager, Aftersales Manager, Used Car Manager, Head of Business, Dealer Principal and senior group-level roles.
Many senior appointments are handled confidentially and may not always be advertised publicly.
Can you approach employers on my behalf?
Yes.
For strong candidates, we may be able to approach suitable dealerships or automotive businesses even when they are not currently advertising a vacancy.
This can be particularly useful for experienced managers, technicians and specialist automotive professionals.
We will discuss any approach with you first.
How quickly will I hear back after applying?
We aim to review applications as quickly as possible.
If your experience closely matches the vacancy, we may contact you to discuss your background before submitting your details to the employer.
Response times from employers can vary, but we will keep you updated wherever possible.
What happens after my CV is submitted?
The usual process is:
- We discuss the opportunity with you.
- With your agreement, we submit your details to the employer.
- The employer reviews your application.
- If selected, an interview is arranged.
- We help coordinate feedback and any further interviews.
- If successful, the employer makes an offer.
- We help communicate any questions around salary, notice period and start date.
Can you help negotiate my salary?
Yes.
Because we speak with both candidates and employers, we can often help manage salary discussions and expectations.
It is always helpful to tell us your current earnings and the level you would realistically need to consider moving.
Can you help if I have several job offers?
Yes.
We can help you compare opportunities based on more than just salary, including:
- Basic salary
- Realistic earnings
- Bonus structure
- Working hours
- Company car
- Commute
- Training
- Manufacturer
- Career progression
- Management structure
- Company culture
The final decision will always be yours.
Do you recruit for temporary or contract positions?
Our main focus is permanent automotive recruitment, although contract or temporary opportunities may occasionally become available.
Do you recruit candidates requiring visa sponsorship?
This depends entirely on the employer and vacancy.
Some employers may consider candidates who require sponsorship, while others will only consider applicants who already have unrestricted permission to work in the UK.
If sponsorship is required, please make this clear when registering.
I cannot see a suitable vacancy. Should I still send my CV?
Yes.
Not every opportunity we work on is advertised publicly, and new vacancies become available regularly.
Registering your CV allows us to contact you when something relevant becomes available.
How do I register with Car Dealer Recruitment?
Simply send us your CV together with a brief description of the type of role and location you are looking for.
You can also apply directly through any vacancy advertised on the Car Dealer Recruitment website.
Why use Car Dealer Recruitment?
We specialise specifically in the automotive sector.
That means we understand the difference between dealership departments, job titles, manufacturer experience and the skills employers are looking for.
Our aim is not simply to send your CV to as many companies as possible.
We want to understand what you are looking for and introduce you to employers where there is a genuine potential fit.
Looking for your next motor trade opportunity?
Register your CV with Car Dealer Recruitment and tell us what your ideal next move looks like.
Even if you are not actively job hunting, we can keep your details confidential and contact you when a suitable automotive opportunity becomes available.