A trio of UK technicians have shared their experience in the aftermarket sector to help highlight career opportunities that are available.
The Revive mobile SMART repair technicians have given some case study examples in order to expand on their unique journeys into the industry and what has driven their success.
“If you’re a woman and want to work in vehicle repairs, go for it,” Emily Accleton.
Emily Accleton (21) didn’t start out as a SMART repair technician – she started out cleaning cars. Now she’s a rising talent at Revive! Manchester, covering areas like Altrincham, Macclesfield and Hale, as well as Sale and the surrounding areas.
Her move into SMART repairs came when Celia Baxendale, the business owner of Revive! Manchester got wind of her work ethic. “I was told there was this young woman at a local dealership – a hard-working valeter who loved cars and had a great way with customers. That’s exactly the kind of person we look for,” Baxendale recalls.
In July 2024, Baxendale offered Accleton a job – a decision that’s proved a choice well-made, as she hasn’t looked back since.
Accleton didn’t have experience with bodywork or wheel repairs, but for Baxendale, that wasn’t an issue. “If someone has the right attitude, we can teach technical skills. Emily had the enthusiasm, the understanding of the automotive world, and the drive to succeed – that’s what matters.”
Accleton loves the practical, hands-on nature of her role and the variety it brings.
“No two jobs are the same, and that’s what makes it interesting,” she says. “Plus, I really enjoy meeting customers and working with our trade clients. It’s not just about the cars – this business is really about people too.”
Her ambitions don’t stop at wheel repairs. Accleton is already looking ahead to expanding her skillset to include bodywork repairs. “There’s so much to learn in this industry, and I’m excited to keep pushing myself,” she adds.
As a young woman in a male-dominated sector, Accleton has faced her share of challenges.
She acknowledges that there’s often surprise when she arrives on the job – some of it positive, some less so. “You do get the odd unwelcome comment, but it’s rare. Mostly, it’s just people being surprised. I’d say the industry has come a long way.
“If you’re a woman and you want to work in vehicle repairs, go for it – there’s nothing stopping you in today’s age.”
“Getting my first house felt like such an achievement and it showed me what hard work at Revive! could make possible,” Danny Griffiths.
Danny Griffiths always knew he wanted to work with cars.
At 15, he spent his Saturdays helping out at a local bodyshop, doing everything from making tea to masking up vehicles.
It was a hands-on introduction to the trade that cemented his passion for automotive work.
After school, Griffiths secured a formal apprenticeship at a larger bodyshop, where he worked on vans and lorries four days a week while studying at college one day a week, earning his Vehicle Body Repair Level 3.
However, he grew impatient of the limited pay of an apprenticeship, and so, needing more financial stability, he made the tough decision to leave the apprenticeship and took up a job delivering meat to butchers.
It didn’t take long for Griffiths to realise he missed the automotive trade.
He missed the problem-solving, the hands-on work, and the satisfaction of seeing a job done well. It was then at 18, Griffiths joined Revive! as a technician and quickly found his stride.
Griffiths says he loves the mobile nature of the job. “Working in a bodyshop is fine, but being out and about every day, meeting new people, and having the freedom to manage my own hours – that’s what made it for me.”
His hard work paid off. Thanks to Revive!’s bonus pay structure, Griffiths was able to buy his first house – a milestone that drove him to think even more seriously about his future.
“Getting my first house felt like such an achievement and it showed me what hard work at Revive! could make possible,” he says.
Indeed, under the mentorship of his team leader, George Mullen, Griffiths started to see the bigger picture.
“George was tough on me when I needed it, but he always had my back. He taught me what it takes to step up and do my best.”
After five years as a technician, Griffiths became an advanced technician by hitting key sales targets and completing the necessary training.
He didn’t stop there.
Today, now 27-years-old and nearly a decade on from first joining, Griffiths is a team leader at Revive! UK, managing a group of seven technicians who collectively brought in £294,008 in 2024.
He leads by example, taking inspiration from Mullen and passing on the same guidance he once received.
Despite the challenges along the way, Griffiths’ drive and determination have taken him far.
His former mentor, Mullen, reflects on his journey: “Danny has come a long way since he first started.
“It hasn’t all been plain sailing – nothing ever is – but he’s stuck at it and proven himself time and time again.
“I’m proud to see where he is today, leading his team and doing so well for himself and the company.”
“The best part of this job is meeting new people every day,” Ray Carrett.
Ray Carrett, 36, has spent 20 years in the vehicle repair industry, and it’s safe to say the veteran technician has seen it all.
Starting out in a bodyshop at 16, he spent five years getting his hands dirty before switching to mobile SMART repairs at 22.
Carrett joined Revive! in 2021, and that’s when things really kicked up a gear for him.
Despite not going down the formal college route, Carrett’s natural talent for his trade shone through.
Over the years, he learned everything he knows on the job, from mastering the technical skills to adapting to all kinds of weather and customer needs.
His dedication paid off in 2023 when he achieved his IMI accreditation – something he hadn’t felt the need for until then, having always learned by doing.
Known for his upbeat personality, Carrett thrives in the mobile repair world.
“I couldn’t imagine being stuck in an office or bodyshop,” he laughs. “The best part of this job is meeting new people every day. It keeps it fresh, and there’s always something different to do.”
Carrett’s success speaks for itself. He’s Revive!’s sixth most successful technician in terms of revenue, thanks to his speed, skill, and consistent performance.
Looking back on his career, Carrett’s got some words of wisdom for anyone just starting out in the trade: “This is a great career if you’re willing to put the work in.
“Stay focused on improving your skills and treat your customers right – there’s no limit to what you can achieve.”