What is the work like?
Car valets clean the inside and outside of motor vehicles.
As a car valet, your tasks would include:
- using high-pressure hoses to clean vehicles
- cleaning windows, wheels, door handles and mirrors
- vacuuming and shampooing upholstery and carpets
- waxing and polishing surfaces
- applying gels and other finishes to bumpers and trims
- steam cleaning the engine, frame and wheel arches
- collecting and delivering vehicles.
You could be based in one place or work from a mobile unit, containing water, generator, power washer and wet/dry vacuum cleaner.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You will not need any qualifications to work as a car valet, but it may be an advantage if you have some experience in one of the following:
- the motor trade
- industrial or office cleaning
- dry cleaning.
You will need a full driving licence for most jobs.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you start work, you will learn cleaning techniques and health and safety procedures on the job. Your employer might also send you on day courses run by the manufacturers of cleaning chemicals.
If you are working as a mobile valet, you will go out with trained valets until you are ready to work on your own – usually after three to six months.
You could join the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICS) Car Valeting Certificate Scheme. Visit the BICS website for details.
If you work in a garage you might be able to work towards the following qualifications:
- NVQ Level 2 in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (which has a vehicle valeting option)
- NVQ Level 2 in Cleaning and Support Services (which has an optional Passenger Transport unit).
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Income for car valets ranges from around £11,000 to over £15,000 a year.
Overtime and shift payments can increase earnings.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your working hours will usually include weekends. Part-time work and overtime may be available.
You could work indoors or outdoors at garages, workshops or on customers’ premises. With a mobile valeting service, you would travel from job to job.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- a methodical approach
- attention to detail
- an understanding of safety procedures and manufacturers’ instructions
- the ability to work on your own without supervision, or as a member of a small team
- excellent customer service skills.
What opportunities are there?
You will find most jobs with car dealerships or garages, where valets prepare new and used cars for sale.
You might also find work with:
- independent valeting companies
- car rental firms
- mobile valeting firms (often franchises).
Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers and at Jobcentre Plus.
Alternatively you could become self-employed, working for private or commercial users or for car dealerships.
With experience, you may be able to progress to supervisor, or to area manager in bigger firms.