Vehicle body builders and repairers SOC 5232
Vehicle body builders and repairers (SOC 5232, also written as job code 5232) qualifies for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer must pay at least the going rate of £33,400 per year. This role is on the Temporary Shortage Occupation List, so you may qualify with a lower salary and get extra points. Scroll down for salary benchmarks, the visa rules, and live jobs from licensed sponsors.
Not sure if SOC 5232 applies to your situation?
The answer above is the general rule. Your case can be different if you already hold a visa and are extending or switching, if you were sponsored before a rule change, or depending on your salary. Our AI assistant can explain the full rules from gov.uk guidance.
Ask AI about SOC 5232What does a vehicle body builders and repairer do?
Vehicle body builders and repairers construct and repair the bodies of road vehicles, and fit interior and exterior fittings to vehicle bodies.
Typical tasks
- diagnoses job requirements or ascertains work specifications from drawings or instructions
- selects, cuts, shapes and assembles materials to form parts of vehicle underframe, framework and body
- repairs damage to chassis and engine mountings using hydraulic rams, jacks and jigs
- hammers out dents in bodywork, fills in small depressions or corroded areas in solder, plastic or other filler compound and replaces body panels using hand and power tools
- installs and repairs interior fittings including seats, seatbelts and fascia in cars, sinks and special features in caravans and mobile shops
- positions, secures and repairs external fittings including windows, doors, door handles, catches and roof attachments
Typical entry routes and qualifications
There are no formal academic entry requirements although some employers may require GCSEs/S grades or an equivalent qualification. Apprenticeships at NVQ/SVQ levels 2 and 3 are also available and take between three to four years to complete. Off and on-the-job training is provided.
Visa sponsorship requirements
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
What vehicle body builders and repairers earn in the UK
UK market basic pay at a glance
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most vehicle body builders and repairers in the UK earn between £30,160 and £38,064 in basic pay. For Skilled Worker visa holders, the minimum salary (going rate) for this role is £33,400 (SOC 5232), sitting at the 52nd percentile of what UK employers pay and £328 above the median. Since this falls below the general salary threshold, sponsors must pay at least £41,700.
All figures are before tax. Calculate your take-home pay.
Comparing with an offer back home? Try the UK vs home country calculator.
How to get sponsored as a vehicle body builders and repairer
- 1
Find a licensed sponsor on Hunt UK Visa Sponsors
Browse our register of UK companies with an active sponsor licence. Filter by industry, size, sponsor rating, and whether they're currently hiring vehicle body builders and repairers, so you only apply where a visa is actually on the table.
Browse licensed sponsors - 2
Confirm the salary meets the £33,400 going rate
Your employer must pay whichever is higher: the going rate for SOC 5232 (£33,400) or the general Skilled Worker threshold of £41,700 per year.
New entrants and ISL roles may qualify for a lower rate. See the New entrant & discount rates section below.
- 3
Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship
Your sponsor issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a reference number the Home Office uses to check the job offer, salary, and duties line up with an eligible SOC code.
- 4
Apply for a Skilled Worker visa at gov.uk
Submit the Skilled Worker visa application online within 3 months of your CoS assignment date. You'll also book a biometric appointment and pay the immigration health surcharge.
Apply on gov.uk - 5
Move to the UK and start work
Travel to the UK before your CoS start date and begin working for the sponsor named on the certificate.
New entrant & discount rates
If you're under 26, switching from a Student visa, or a recent UK graduate, your employer can pay the new entrant rate of £33,400 per year for up to 4 years.
Continuously sponsored as a Skilled Worker since before 4 April 2024? Lower thresholds apply: £31,300 standard, or £25,000 as a new entrant.
Roles under SOC 5232
Recent jobs under SOC 5232
Related occupations
Other Skilled Worker-eligible roles in the same SOC minor group (523xx):
Frequently asked questions
Can vehicle body builders and repairers get a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Vehicle body builders and repairers roles fall under SOC 5232 (Medium Skilled), so they qualify for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer will need a sponsor licence and must pay at least the going rate for this occupation. This role is also on the Temporary Shortage Occupation List, which can mean a lower salary bar.
What is job code 5232?
Job code 5232, SOC code 5232 and occupation code 5232 all refer to the same thing: the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 2020) unit group covering vehicle body builders and repairers. The Home Office uses this 4-digit code on a Certificate of Sponsorship to check Skilled Worker visa eligibility and to set the going rate salary threshold for the role.
What salary do vehicle body builders and repairers need for visa sponsorship?
The going rate for Vehicle body builders and repairers (SOC 5232) is £41,700 (£21.38 per hour). Standard minimum applies. Your employer must pay whichever is higher: this going rate or the general Skilled Worker threshold of £41,700 per year.
What job titles are covered by SOC 5232?
SOC 5232 covers a range of vehicle body builders and repairers roles, including: Vehicle body builders and repairers. Keep in mind that the Home Office matches jobs by duties rather than title alone. Two roles with the same title can fall under different SOC codes depending on the actual work involved.
What does the Shortage Occupation List mean for vehicle body builders and repairers?
Vehicle body builders and repairers (SOC 5232) is on the Temporary Shortage Occupation List, which recognises a UK labour shortage in this field. In practice that means a lower salary threshold, plus extra "tradeable" points on your visa application. The Home Office lets shortage status stand in for a higher salary.
Is there a lower salary for new graduates entering vehicle body builders and repairers roles?
Yes. If you're under 26, a recent graduate, a PhD student, or switching from a Student or Graduate visa, you count as a "new entrant". For Vehicle body builders and repairers (SOC 5232) the new entrant minimum is £33,400 per year, based on the Home Office's published lower going rate and the £33,400 new entrant threshold. The discount lasts up to 4 years in total.
Where can I find vehicle body builders and repairers jobs with UK visa sponsorship?
We list Vehicle body builders and repairers roles from companies with a Home Office sponsor licence. Scroll down to see what's currently open, or search our full jobs database for more visa-sponsored positions across the UK.
This information is provided as guidance only and should not be treated as legal advice. Eligibility criteria and salary thresholds are based on the latest published government data. Always verify with the official UK government guidance or seek professional immigration advice.