CSTC — Automotive Mechanics — Trade Test Level 1
About This Course
Course purpose
This CSTC course provides a structured pathway in Automotive Mechanics — Trade Test Level 1, combining instructor-led teaching, workshop demonstrations, supervised inspection/maintenance, diagnostic case studies, knowledge checks and portfolio evidence. Foundation level: build safe workshop habits, recognise vehicle systems and follow basic inspection/service sequences under close supervision.
Intended learners
CSTC learners following the automotive trade-test pathway. Complete workshop induction, secure vehicles before work, follow the manufacturer’s procedure, use authorised equipment and stop work if a vehicle or task may be unsafe.
Learning outcomes
- Apply workshop and vehicle safety procedures
- Identify vehicle systems and use service information
- Inspect, measure and diagnose within authorised scope
- Perform supervised maintenance/repair tasks
- Record findings, defects, verification and handover
- Communicate findings, defects, limitations and improvements in a job record.
Curriculum structure
- Workshop safety, tools and vehicle orientation: Vehicle movement, hot surfaces, fluids, batteries, lifting hazards, PPE, hand tools, vehicle identification and environmental care.
- Engine fundamentals and routine service: Four-stroke concept, engine components, lubrication, cooling, intake/exhaust, fluids, filters and service schedules.
- Brakes, wheels and chassis basics: Tyres, wheel condition, braking components, steering/suspension, tread, wear and safety-critical defect reporting.
- Vehicle electrical basics and elementary diagnosis: Battery care, polarity, fuses, lamps, connectors, circuit protection, visual checks and job cards.
- Integrated service task and portfolio: Approved service checklist, safe inspection sequence, documentation, findings, environmental care and practical assessment.
Delivery and assessment
Observed workshop safety, system-identification task, inspection/diagnostic case, practical work record, knowledge checks and integrated service/diagnosis portfolio.
- Diagnostic questions and safe-work induction.
- Formative checks, inspection tasks and diagnostic cases across the units.
- Integrated service/diagnosis activity with plan, execution, verification and handover.
- Formal trade-test/certification decisions must use authorised criteria; course completion alone is not a formal TEVETA award.
Equipment and resources
Approved training vehicle/component models, workshop tools, manufacturer service data, PPE, authorised diagnostic equipment, job cards, inspection sheets and approved fluid/waste containers.
Workshop safety and responsibilities
Secure vehicles using approved procedures; use rated lifting equipment and stands at approved points. Respect hot, pressurised, fuel, battery and moving-part hazards. Safety-critical defects must be escalated and the vehicle held out of service as instructed. Do not return vehicles to service if required checks have not been completed or a safety-critical issue remains unresolved.
Results and progression
Course participation, practical competence and formal examination results are separate records. Results remain Pending / not supplied until an authorised result is received.
Curriculum alignment notice
Content provenance: CSTC-developed material, not a verbatim copy or claim of TEVETA endorsement. Before formal assessment, instructors must map outcomes, diagnostic tasks, practical standards and assessment methods to the current TEVETA-approved curriculum/chart, manufacturer references and centre procedures.
Curriculum
01 — Workshop safety, tools and vehicle orientation
Unit overview
This unit develops competence in Workshop safety, tools and vehicle orientation: Vehicle movement, hot surfaces, fluids, batteries, lifting hazards, PPE, hand tools, vehicle identification and environmental care.
Expected competence
- Explain system function and the relevant inspection/repair procedure.
- Follow vehicle securing and workshop safety controls.
- Compare evidence with service specifications and identify defects.
- Record findings, corrective actions and limits.
Level expectation: Foundation level: build safe workshop habits, recognise vehicle systems and follow basic inspection/service sequences under close supervision.
Learning sequence
- Workshop safety and safe vehicle access
- Hand tools and vehicle-system overview
Practical activity
The instructor briefs the task, demonstrates safe vehicle/component access, provides approved service data and observes the procedure. Learners must stop if a defect suggests unsafe operation or the required specification is unavailable.
Evidence
- Job card and inspection checklist.
- Relevant measurements or diagnostic observations.
- Defect/correction record and verification.
- Safe handover recommendation and reflection.
Resources: Approved training vehicle/component models, workshop tools, manufacturer service data, PPE, authorised diagnostic equipment, job cards, inspection sheets and approved fluid/waste containers.
Workshop safety and safe vehicle access
Hand tools and vehicle-system overview
02 — Engine fundamentals and routine service
Unit overview
This unit develops competence in Engine fundamentals and routine service: Four-stroke concept, engine components, lubrication, cooling, intake/exhaust, fluids, filters and service schedules.
Expected competence
- Explain system function and the relevant inspection/repair procedure.
- Follow vehicle securing and workshop safety controls.
- Compare evidence with service specifications and identify defects.
- Record findings, corrective actions and limits.
Level expectation: Foundation level: build safe workshop habits, recognise vehicle systems and follow basic inspection/service sequences under close supervision.
Learning sequence
- Engine operation and main components
- Routine service checks and fluids
Practical activity
The instructor briefs the task, demonstrates safe vehicle/component access, provides approved service data and observes the procedure. Learners must stop if a defect suggests unsafe operation or the required specification is unavailable.
Evidence
- Job card and inspection checklist.
- Relevant measurements or diagnostic observations.
- Defect/correction record and verification.
- Safe handover recommendation and reflection.
Resources: Approved training vehicle/component models, workshop tools, manufacturer service data, PPE, authorised diagnostic equipment, job cards, inspection sheets and approved fluid/waste containers.
03 — Brakes, wheels and chassis basics
Unit overview
This unit develops competence in Brakes, wheels and chassis basics: Tyres, wheel condition, braking components, steering/suspension, tread, wear and safety-critical defect reporting.
Expected competence
- Explain system function and the relevant inspection/repair procedure.
- Follow vehicle securing and workshop safety controls.
- Compare evidence with service specifications and identify defects.
- Record findings, corrective actions and limits.
Level expectation: Foundation level: build safe workshop habits, recognise vehicle systems and follow basic inspection/service sequences under close supervision.
Learning sequence
- Tyre and wheel inspection
- Braking and suspension functions
Practical activity
The instructor briefs the task, demonstrates safe vehicle/component access, provides approved service data and observes the procedure. Learners must stop if a defect suggests unsafe operation or the required specification is unavailable.
Evidence
- Job card and inspection checklist.
- Relevant measurements or diagnostic observations.
- Defect/correction record and verification.
- Safe handover recommendation and reflection.
Resources: Approved training vehicle/component models, workshop tools, manufacturer service data, PPE, authorised diagnostic equipment, job cards, inspection sheets and approved fluid/waste containers.
04 — Vehicle electrical basics and elementary diagnosis
Unit overview
This unit develops competence in Vehicle electrical basics and elementary diagnosis: Battery care, polarity, fuses, lamps, connectors, circuit protection, visual checks and job cards.
Expected competence
- Explain system function and the relevant inspection/repair procedure.
- Follow vehicle securing and workshop safety controls.
- Compare evidence with service specifications and identify defects.
- Record findings, corrective actions and limits.
Level expectation: Foundation level: build safe workshop habits, recognise vehicle systems and follow basic inspection/service sequences under close supervision.
Learning sequence
- Battery, fuses and lighting circuits
- Basic fault observation and job cards
Practical activity
The instructor briefs the task, demonstrates safe vehicle/component access, provides approved service data and observes the procedure. Learners must stop if a defect suggests unsafe operation or the required specification is unavailable.
Evidence
- Job card and inspection checklist.
- Relevant measurements or diagnostic observations.
- Defect/correction record and verification.
- Safe handover recommendation and reflection.
Resources: Approved training vehicle/component models, workshop tools, manufacturer service data, PPE, authorised diagnostic equipment, job cards, inspection sheets and approved fluid/waste containers.
05 — Integrated service task and portfolio
Unit overview
This unit develops competence in Integrated service task and portfolio: Approved service checklist, safe inspection sequence, documentation, findings, environmental care and practical assessment.
Expected competence
- Explain system function and the relevant inspection/repair procedure.
- Follow vehicle securing and workshop safety controls.
- Compare evidence with service specifications and identify defects.
- Record findings, corrective actions and limits.
Level expectation: Foundation level: build safe workshop habits, recognise vehicle systems and follow basic inspection/service sequences under close supervision.
Learning sequence
- Plan and perform a basic service inspection
- Practical assessment and maintenance records
Practical activity
The instructor briefs the task, demonstrates safe vehicle/component access, provides approved service data and observes the procedure. Learners must stop if a defect suggests unsafe operation or the required specification is unavailable.
Evidence
- Job card and inspection checklist.
- Relevant measurements or diagnostic observations.
- Defect/correction record and verification.
- Safe handover recommendation and reflection.
Resources: Approved training vehicle/component models, workshop tools, manufacturer service data, PPE, authorised diagnostic equipment, job cards, inspection sheets and approved fluid/waste containers.
Workshop Safety, Tools and Vehicle Systems
Engine and Vehicle-System Fundamentals
Routine Service and Basic Maintenance
Job Cards and Practical Assessment
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