Car valet
Make sure people's cars are clean and shiny inside and out.
Also known as: valeter, car washer, car cleaner
About the job
What it's like
You would make sure that people’s cars are clean inside and out so they look as good as new.
You’d use high-pressured hoses to wash the outside of the car and polish the metalwork with special waxes to make it shiny.
You would:
Wash down the outside of the car to remove dirt and mud
Polish the windows, wheels, door handles and mirrors
Vacuum and shampoo the seats and carpets
Wax and polish the surfaces
Apply gels and other finishes to bumpers and trims
Steam-clean the engine, frame and wheel arches
You might need to collect vehicles and deliver them back to the owners when they have been cleaned.
You could be based in one place or work from a mobile unit which contains water, a generator, a power washer and wet/dry vacuum cleaner.
Hours
Your working hours will usually include weekends. Part-time work and overtime may be available.
Environment
You could work indoors or outdoors at garages, workshops or on customers' premises.
Travel
You will often need a full driving licence. With a mobile valeting service, you would travel from job to job.
Explore more information about this job
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- pressure washer
- safety procedures
- machinery
- polishing
- fleet maintenance
- housekeeping
- photography
- automotive detailing
- oil and gas
- vehicle inspection
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- time management
- managing resources
- concentrating
- attention to detail
- respecting
- cooperating
- persevering
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
You don't need to study any specific subjects to do this job. It's more important that you have relevant skills and experience.
No formal qualifications are required though most employers value a good general education.
Qualifications that demonstrate your employability, skills with cars, customer and/or cleaning such as
SQA Employability Award (SCQF level 3/4)
Enterprise & Employability (SCQF level 4/5).
Once in work you can also join the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICS) Car Valeting Certificate Scheme.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Car valet'
