Nestorbot
Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7534

Motor vehicle upholsterer

A motor vehicle upholsterer is a person who creates production patterns, makes and fits the interior components of cars, buses, lorries and similar vehicles.

Take the free testCheck yourself in a minute ↓AI risk: 33/100 (low risk)

Check yourself in a minute: motor vehicle upholsterer

Rate 5 of the 13 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

apply preliminary treatment to workpieces

troubleshoot

measure parts of manufactured products

align components

use power tools

About motor vehicle upholsterer

The upholsterer reads engineering sketches and technical documentation, measures the parts of the products being made, and creates the patterns the covers will be cut from, such as the covers for seats, door panels and headlinings.

The upholsterer then pre-treats workpieces, checks materials on arrival and prepares the vehicle interior for the upholstery components, which means stripping, cleaning and repairing what the new covering will sit on.

Fitting is done with power tools, hand tools and workshop equipment. Upholstery tools such as stretchers, hog ring pliers, steamers and trim removal tools are used, and the upholsterer fastens the components securely in place. Problems that arise during fitting are solved on the vehicle. The upholsterer follows health and safety standards around adhesives, foam dust and the sharp edges of trim. Formal requirements are set by the employer and by national vocational training rules.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (13)

upholstery toolsupholstery toolsSet of tools used for upholstering furniture, walls and floors such as staple gun, foam cutter, staple remover.quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.apply preliminary treatment to workpiecesapply preliminary treatment to workpiecesApply preparatory treatment, through mechanical or chemical processes, to the workpiece preceding the main operation.troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.measure parts of manufactured productsmeasure parts of manufactured productsOperate measurement instruments to measure parts of manufactured objects. Take into consideration specifications of manufacturers to perform the measuring.align componentsalign componentsAlign and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.use power toolsuse power toolsOperate power driven pumps. Use hand tools or power tools. Use vehicle repair tools or safety equipment.wear appropriate protective gearwear appropriate protective gearWear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.read standard blueprintsread standard blueprintsRead and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.read engineering drawingsread engineering drawingsRead the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.fasten componentsfasten componentsFasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.use technical documentationuse technical documentationUnderstand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.apply health and safety standardsapply health and safety standardsAdhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.
Optional (19) — show
mechanics of motor vehiclesmechanics of motor vehiclesThe way energy forces interact and affect components in motor vehicles such as cars, buses, invalid carriages and other motorised vehicles.sew textile-based articlessew textile-based articlesSew different products based on textiles and wearing apparel articles. Combine good hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, and physical and mental stamina.inspect quality of productsinspect quality of productsUse various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.provide customized upholsteryprovide customized upholsteryInstall custom upholstery, according to the customer's individual requests and preferences.use manual sewing techniquesuse manual sewing techniquesUse manuel sewing and stitching techniques to manufacture or repair fabrics or textile-based articles.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.manufacture fabric furnishingsmanufacture fabric furnishingsFabricate and design curtains, seat coverings, carpets and other fabric furnishings by cutting and sewing fabric and other materials.install transport vehicle interior componentsinstall transport vehicle interior componentsBuild in accessories for a vehicles, such as door handles, hinges and locks, both inside and outside. Customise the accessories following customers' wishes.install floor coveringsinstall floor coveringsInstall carpets and other floor coverings by taking the correct measurements, cutting the fabric or material at the appropriate length and using hand and power tools to fix them to the floors.install automotive electrical equipmentinstall automotive electrical equipmentPlace electrical circuits and wiring in vehicles such as lighting and voltage gauges. These distribute and regulate electrical power and supply it to meters and other devices in the car.upholster transport equipment's interior piecesupholster transport equipment's interior piecesUpholster seats and other transport equipment interior pieces by using hand and power tools.analyse the need for technical resourcesanalyse the need for technical resourcesDefine and make a list of the required resources and equipment based on the technical needs of the production.install car electronicsinstall car electronicsPlace electrically operated accessories in vehicles such as batteries which power heating systems, radios and anti-theft systems.cut fabricscut fabricsCut fabrics and other wearing apparel materials considering measures, placement of the fabrics in the cutting table in multiple layers, and making the most efficient usage of the fabric avoiding waste...sew pieces of fabricsew pieces of fabricOperate basic or specialised sewing machines whether domestic or industrial ones, sewing pieces of fabric, vinyl or leather in order to manufacture or repair wearing apparels, making sure the threads ...install wall coveringsinstall wall coveringsInstall curtains, wall panels, window shields and other wall coverings by taking the correct measurements, cutting the fabric or material at the appropriate length and using hand and power tools to fi...perform upholstery repairperform upholstery repairRepair/restore damaged upholstery for a wide range of vehicles; use materials such as fabric, leather, plastic or vinyl.keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.install transport equipment lightinginstall transport equipment lightingInstall lighting elements in transport equipment according to blueprints and other technical plans.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

aircraft interior technician13 shared essential skillsrailway car upholsterer13 shared essential skillsmarine upholsterer12 shared essential skillsaircraft engine assembler11 shared essential skillsmotor vehicle engine assembler11 shared essential skillsvessel engine assembler11 shared essential skillsaircraft de-icer installer10 shared essential skillsaircraft gas turbine engine overhaul technician10 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a motor vehicle upholsterer do?

Motor vehicle upholsterers create manufacturing templates, manufacture and assemble interior components for cars, buses, trucks etc. They use power tools, hand tools and shop equipment to prepare and fasten materials. They also inspect incoming materials and prepare the vehicle interior for trim items.

What skills does a motor vehicle upholsterer need?

A motor vehicle upholsterer needs 13 essential skills, including upholstery tools, quality standards, apply preliminary treatment to workpieces, troubleshoot, measure parts of manufactured products.

Will AI replace motor vehicle upholsterer jobs?

The AI disruption score for motor vehicle upholsterer is 33/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: quality standards, keep records of work progress, read standard blueprints. Most resilient: upholstery tools, install transport vehicle interior components, install wall coverings.

Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft workers
Essential Skills13

Is motor vehicle upholsterer right for you?

Take the free 10-minute Career Portrait to see which career direction fits your motivations and strengths.

Take the free test