Becoming a Contractor

ENJOY THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS; DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF GOING FREELANCE

A Guide to Becoming a Contract Vehicle Technician or MOT Tester

SECURITY AND GREAT PAY, PLUS MORE APPRECIATION AND FLEXIBILITY. WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE?

There are so many perks of leaving your permanent job for a career as a freelancer. We’re here to explain the benefits, remove any doubts and support you all the way. Making the whole process simple, enjoyable and stress-free.

Freelancing, contracting, temping. Whatever you call it, it’s widely predicted almost half of the UK’s working population will soon be self-employed. And as the freelance revolution gathers pace, vehicle technicians and MOT testers like you are also choosing to leave permanent jobs to work for themselves. Everyone has a different reason for making the switch, but here are some of the most popular reasons we find people come to us at Autotech Recruit.

 

  • Better pay Our top contractors are earning up to £45,000 a year
  • More flexibility To spend time with your family or doing things you love
  • Greater appreciation Your skills are in demand and you’ll feel wanted in the workshop
  • No more same old same old You’ve had the same routine for too long and you’re ready for a change
  • Add experience By working in different environments on different brands
  • Upskill You want to improve yourself and benefit from training opportunities that contracting brings.

WE TAKE YOUR CAREER SERIOUSLY

Like anything in life, freelancing isn’t for everyone. So we’ll always look at your personal circumstances and be upfront about the pros and cons before talking you through your options and finding the right path for you. Taking that first step into contracting, especially if you are leaving a permanent position, might be daunting. But once you’ve made that move, we think you’ll wish you did it years ago…

EXPLORE THE ADVANTAGES

INCREASED EARNINGS

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Contracting typically offers a higher hourly rate than an equivalent permanent employee. Your tax status as a contractor can also enable you to take home more net pay. You can be paid in one of three ways: through your own limited company, as a self-employed freelancer or via an umbrella company.

TAX RELIEF ON EXPENSES

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If you work as a contractor through your limited company, you may be able to offset allowable business expenses against your tax liability when you're paid. It's recommended that you consult with a qualified accountant to ensure you're making the most of these opportunities and staying compliant.

FLEXIBILITY

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Work when you want to, time out between assignments when you don’t. Some of our contractors work 6 days a week, 51 weeks a year. Others choose to just work a couple of days a week. Flexible working means you have more time for your family and doing the things you love.

BETTER WORK / LIFE BALANCE

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As a contractor, you’re in charge of where, when and what type of assignments you take on. That means you never have to miss your child's sports day again or work Saturdays if you don't want to.

WE FIND WORK FOR YOU

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There’s no need to worry about finding clients to work for: we source it for you. We already have a huge client base that’s constantly looking for skilled technicians and testers like you.

VARIETY OF WORK

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You may want us to place you on a six month contract or you may prefer to be placed in different garages each day or week. Our clients include dealerships, independents, fast-fits, roadside assistance companies and government organisations. The choice is huge!

NO OFFICE POLITICS

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You’re there to do a job and then you’re out again. So there’s no need to get involved in management change issues or take sides in anything.

UPSKILL & TRAIN

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At Autotech Recruit, we’re committed to supporting your professional development. Through our sister brand, Autotech Training, we offer IMI-approved training courses, including EV, ADAS, Air-Con, and MOT Annual Training and Assessment. As an Autotech Recruit contractor, you can access these training opportunities free of charge after completing three months of consistent work and meeting course-specific requirements.

REMOVE THE DOUBTS

JOB SECURITY

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Contracting typically offers a higher hourly rate compared to an equivalent permanent role. Depending on your tax status, you could also take home more net pay. There are three main ways to get paid as a contractor: working as a self-employed freelancer, through your own limited company, or via an umbrella company. Each option has its own benefits and considerations, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits your personal and financial circumstances.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

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As a contractor, you're responsible for keeping your skills and certifications up to date to stay competitive in the industry. To support you, we offer a range of IMI-accredited training courses completely free of charge. This includes EV (Electric Vehicles), ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), Air Conditioning, and MOT Annual Training and Assessment, ensuring you remain fully qualified and marketable.

GAPS BETWEEN JOBS

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Downtime is rare, but if it does happen, you should find that because you earn more when you work, you can comfortably balance any days you don’t.

HOLIDAYS AND SICK PAY

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As a contractor, whether you're working through a limited company or as a self-employed freelancer, you won’t receive paid time off for holidays or illness. However, if you’re working through an umbrella company, they can help by accruing a percentage of your weekly wage as holiday pay, which you can access when you take time off. For those working through a limited company or as a self-employed freelancer, while there’s no automatic holiday pay, the higher rates you typically earn can give you the flexibility to manage any days off you need. This allows you to balance time away comfortably, knowing that you’re paid more when you’re working.

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