If you’ve ever spent your morning commute dreaming of starting your career afresh, this feature is for you. Every Monday we speak to someone from a different profession to find out what it’s really like. This week, we talked to Madison Godfrey, an automotive technician at Steer Group.

Handyman, where I started my automotive career, earns approx… £15,000 for the first year plus tuition. Once qualified, salaries exceed £40,000.

I work 45 hours a week… And get 23 days’ leave excluding bank holidays. After five years’ service, we can earn an additional day of annual leave, and after 10 years, another day.

There aren’t many free offers unless you count branded air fresheners… But we get discounted rates on parts, which can be useful if you have a project on the drive home.

Bargaining is generally not advisable… Since we have fixed costs for labour, parts and supplies. This is rare, and the insurer pays most of the cost, so customers pay more.

You should always get quotes from different providers, especially if you do not have insurance to cover the repair. You shouldn’t go to a place just because a friend of a friend recommended it. Collect quotes from independent garages and local franchises of manufacturers and check what is included and what is not included, what the fixed cost is, and what is subject to change. Take your time to make informed decisions and it can save you a lot of money.

I will introduce a mandatory driving test refresher for people over a certain age… We are seeing a higher percentage of older drivers driving cars damaged in accidents. As we age, reaction times decrease, as does eyesight, and laws change all the time, so drivers really need to be retested before they become a danger to themselves and others on the road.

The cost of living crisis has had a significant impact

on how drivers maintain and care for their vehicles… We have seen a decrease in people bringing their cars in for services and small, cosmetic jobs because they want to save some cash.

Many people have cut down on insurance premiums by increasing their excess… But this means that they cannot afford to make a claim in the event of a minor accident. People don’t always realise that a minor bump, even a small dent or scratch, can cause major problems. Behind the visible panels, there may be damage to the vehicle’s structure or electrical elements, and unless we look underneath, we won’t know how awful it is and how dangerous it is to drive.

To make sure you don’t get scammed… Ask for itemised details so you can see where your money is going. You don’t need to be an expert to compare quotes and identify the differences in what is included, what is not included, and the associated costs.

Check your work before leaving… If they have parked it, the alarm should go off so you can’t walk around it. Check for correct lighting and dry weather, as rain is reflective. A good garage will let you do a full inspection and explain what was done.

There are definitely some dishonest garages out there; I’ve been there… You must trust your judgement. Are they overselling things? Are they talking down to you? Are they avoiding you and not providing clear information when asked? It’s also always worth checking customer reviews; they speak for themselves. But be objective; read a range of reviews. Don’t be put off by one negative one out of 1,000 glowing reviews.

Read more in the series:
The dentist told how you can earn big money
A makeup artist tells you what you shouldn’t splurge on
Life as a celebrity photographer

If you are buying a second-hand car, then check these things…

• Check if the engine is cold – if it’s hot, you can’t check things like oil, and a warm engine may suggest they need to start the car before your arrival;
• Service history for intervals in the logbook;
• Take a close look at the bodywork and check for any warning lights on the dashboard;
• Tire condition – if these are ignored, it may indicate that the vehicle has not been properly maintained and may have hidden problems;
• Look under the car to check for visible leaks on the ground.
• Pay attention to unusual sounds when the engine is running.

It’s not unusual to find underwear and adult toys in a car… When the driver lifts the vehicle, something is found filled between the seats, which makes it difficult for the driver to look into the eyes.

People don’t always realise how much it costs to fix that little scratch… By turning too tightly into a multi-storey car park. While some may cost only a few hundred pounds, the average repair bill is around £2,000. We don’t touch scratches with paint lying around. Once any dents or discoloured areas are gone, we spend a lot of time preparing the entire area to make sure the paint goes on smoothly, and of course the paint colour must match the rest of the vehicle exactly so you can’t tell there was any damage. Specialist coatings are more expensive, such as the tinted, pearl, and matte clear coats seen on Mazda, Toyota, Honda, Ford, and BMW models.

With advances in technology, repairs are becoming more expensive… And training for these systems and how to repair them safely can be expensive. Smaller garages may have difficulty affording the training as well as the necessary equipment needed. Compounding this challenge, insurers may lean more toward garage franchises that are EV-ready and away from smaller independent companies to keep costs down.

A must-have in the boot of every car… A hazard triangle, safety kit and first aid kit, and a large water bottle for the car, as well as drinking water for the occupants, and you should know where to find your lock and wheel nut.

Many of the chemicals I use in my work are very dangerous… Therefore, wearing PPE is important. I always wear gloves and paint overalls and a mask and hood when I’m spraying. I also make sure I have a good stock of heavy-duty hand cleaner available to clean my hands at the end of the day.

I had no prior experience… In fact, I graduated with a degree in dance and performing arts and then worked as a barista at Costa when the opportunity arose, so despite my love of cars, I had a lot to learn. I was keen to fast-track my education and was trained by apprenticeship provider Auto Access and Steer. I completed the three-year course eight months ago. I’m proof that if you’re willing to put in the hours and dedication, opportunities are there for you.

I don’t consider this industry male dominated at all… And I have never experienced sexism since joining automotive. I work with a lot of women and see even more women at every event I attend. If a woman wants to enter this field, she should not let the old fear of sexism dominate her. If she wants it, she should just go for it, get involved and see where it takes her.