Vehicle Technician / Mechanic

About the employer

The company is among the UK’s three largest automotive retail groups, representing 32 manufacturer brands and offering a wide selection of new and used vehicles through more than 150 dealerships across the UK and Ireland. The business places strong emphasis on its people and supports them with a rewards and benefits package intended to back career growth, wellbeing, and life outside work.

Role overview

Darlington Volkswagen is hiring a Grade 1 to 4 level Vehicle Technician / Mechanic on a permanent full-time basis. The workshop team is looking for someone who can work with experienced technicians to complete vehicle health checks using current diagnostic technology, carry out servicing, and complete additional repairs where required.

You will report to the Aftersales Manager and receive ongoing support to help you succeed. The role also comes with development opportunities such as manufacturer-accredited training and Hybrid & Electric training to help build your career further.

The role is based on a 40-hour week from Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm, plus one in every three Saturdays from 8:30am to 12:30pm.

Key duties

• Use modern diagnostic tools to complete vehicle health checks.
• Carry out servicing in line with manufacturer standards and customer instructions.
• Perform further repairs once they have been approved by the customer.
• Complete warranty work according to manufacturer requirements and prepare accurate write-ups.
• Road test vehicles to confirm faults have been fully resolved.
• Finish all related documentation carefully and to a high standard.
• Hold a valid MOT Certificate.

Candidate profile

The ideal applicant will already have hands-on mechanical experience and be motivated, ambitious, and willing to keep learning. A commitment to high-quality work is essential, along with a full UK driving licence and an NVQ Level 3 qualification, or an equivalent certification.

Experience with the brand would be helpful, but it is not mandatory because full brand accreditation training can be provided.

Pay and package

The position offers an on-target earning potential of up to £48,200 with no cap. Basic pay is between £28,000 and £38,000 depending on qualifications, plus a £3,000 productivity bonus and a time saved bonus scheme.

Benefits

The company provides a broad set of benefits designed to support finances, health, lifestyle, and family life. This includes structured pay progression, increasing annual leave with service, enhanced family leave, tech purchase savings, health and wellbeing support, financial tools, and retail and leisure discounts.

Core benefits

• Structured pay scales with progression opportunities as you develop in the business.
• Annual leave that grows with length of service.
• Enhanced family leave, including 6 months of full pay for maternity and adoption leave and 2 weeks of full pay for paternity leave.
• Access to Techscheme for discounted technology purchases with flexible payment options.

Health and wellbeing

• Eyecare vouchers for vision-related expenses.
• Smart Health access with 24/7 GP support for mental and physical wellbeing.
• Dental insurance for routine and unexpected dental care.
• Optional critical illness cover for added protection.

Financial wellbeing

• MyView PayNow, allowing access to part of earned pay with tools to stream, save, and track money.
• Free will-writing services.
• Flexible life assurance and partner life assurance options.

Leisure and lifestyle

• Discounted gym memberships.
• Travel insurance.
• Access to home and technology vouchers.
• bYond card plus a range of retail and lifestyle discounts.

Additional information

The employer invests in manufacturer brand training and management development to support long-term career progression. The workplace culture is described as supportive, success-focused, and collaborative.

The company is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to a workplace that is inclusive, free from discrimination, and supportive of everyone bringing their full selves to work.

Pre-employment checks and probation

If selected, you will be subject to employment checks before starting. These may include verification of recent employment, address, credit history, and a standard criminal record check. If the role requires driving, a driving licence check will also be completed. All offers are subject to a 6-month probation period starting from your first day.

Privacy notice

The employer states that it takes data protection seriously and respects applicant privacy rights. Information about how personal data is collected, used, shared, and retained, along with details of privacy rights, is available in the privacy notice.