Many enthusiasts dream of fixing their own car, saving hundreds, or indeed, thousands of pounds worth of workshop bills, but many lack the confidence or experience to do it. Thankfully, Bedfordshire-based Motor Skills Training has the perfect answer; a series of accessible and carefully thought out modular training courses that can elevate the average petrolhead from zero to hero, in spannering terms, over just a few days.

Under the watchful eye of respected TV Mechanic, and multiple-manufacturer acclaimed lead-engineer, Ralph Hosier, Motor Skills does exactly what it says on the tin, teaching kit, classic and retro car owners how to keep their cars on the road by themselves, learning valuable skills, having fun, and in some cases, even opening the door to a whole new career!

A multitude of courses are available and, each one can be accessed individually, for those looking to perhaps fill in a gap in their skill set, or indeed, as a full run of modules that would effectively equip the trainee concerned with the basics to start a full restoration. Covering the choice and use of tools, welding, fabrication and metalworking, electrics, diagnostics and even OBD protocols, each course equips its students with a serious number of transferable skills – and with extensive ‘hands-on’ application throughout the day.

Perfect as a club or group activity, and even better as a gift, the courses start from a very sensible £360 inc VAT, which these days, gets you around 4-5 hours, or less, at a decent workshop! Extrapolate the savings and knowledge gleaned over several cars and it’s easy to see that as well as a great fun day out with fellow enthusiasts, it’s truly a great investment in one’s own skills and knowledge. Even if you can afford a garage invoice, the ability to get yourself home from a cold, dark and wet roadside all by yourself is sometimes more than reward enough!

In an age where new drivers are increasingly less proficient at working on their cars, as they haven’t been taught the basic checks, what could be better than the gift of up-skilling so young people can equip themselves with the ability to get their vehicles through an MOT, saving the ‘bank of mum and dad’ a veritable fortune!

Commenting on the new syllabus for 2024, Ralph said: “These new course modules are the result of us discovering precisely what people want to learn about working on their own cars. We pack a lot into each day, but we also have a lot of fun and, it’s fantastic to see the genuine ‘Eureka’ moments that our guests have when the knowledge truly clicks into place during the course.

The most wonderful thing we can do as a country is bring back our fabulous ‘make do and mend’ culture and by equipping enthusiasts and owners with the talent to do that themselves doesn’t just save them money and the planet’s resources, but it’s also incredibly mentally rewarding. Taking something that’s broken and making it work again will never get old …”

Course bookings for February and beyond are now being taken. Find out more at motor-skills.co.uk

Workshop Skills Course Content and Pricing

SK1 – Wokshop tools

• How to use workshop tools, screwdrivers, ratchet, torque wrench, vice, fabrication tools etc. Includes where to buy good quality tools and how to set up a home workshop.
• 1 day – £360 inc VAT

SK2 – Welding for beginners

• MIG techniques, types of joints, preparation methods, sill repair, wheel arch repair and exhaust repair.
• 1 day – £420 inc VAT Additional PPE Available at cost.

SK3 – Fabrication and metalworking

• How to form metal parts, use of hand tools and power tools, and design of basic parts. Builds on existing fabrication skills to take you to a higher level of fabrication skills.
• 1 day – £540 inc VAT

Classic Car Electrics Courses

• CCE1 – Starter, Battery and charging. Basic electrical principles, faults and fixes for starter motors, alternators, dynamos, batteries and wiring.
• 1 day – £432 inc VAT

Basic Car Maintenance Courses

BCM1 – Pre-MOT Check

• How to use tools properly, safe jacking of the vehicle, changing a wheel and understanding everything in that area (brakes and brake lines, discs and pads, suspension, leaks etc), under the bonnet and associated fluids, safely jump-starting vehicle, warning lights on dash – all Pre MOT checks
• 1 day – £360 inc VAT

BCM1 – Classic (Pre 1980) Pre-MOT Check

• How to use tools properly, safe jacking of the vehicle, changing a wheel and understanding everything in that area, (brakes and brake lines, discs/pads, drum brakes and leaf springs etc) under the bonnet and associated fluids (spark plugs, distributor, choke, coil, carburettor etc) safely jump-starting a vehicle, warning lights on the dash – all Pre MOT checks
• 1 day – £360 inc VAT

BCM2 – Servicing Check

• How to use associated tools properly, safe jacking of the vehicle, removal of caliper, change discs and pads, replace caliper (checks that need to be made)
• Under the bonnet – oil and air filter change, associated fluids replacement. Belts and leaks.
• Safe Jumping of vehicle, battery change, Engine Management lights, use of a multimeter and OBD read. Lights and bulb changing.
• 1 day – £360 inc VAT

BCM3 – Diagnostics, emissions and OBD

• Modern engine management systems, onboard diagnostics, code readers, live data, interpreting codes diesel and petrol emissions, lambda.
• 1 day – £360 inc VAT