Cosmetic Quality Control Inspector
Job Title: Cosmetic Quality Control Inspector
Reports to: Cosmetic Bodyshop Manager / Supervisor
Hours: 40 hours per week
Pattern: Mon - Fri
Salary: Up to £34,000 DOE
Location: Carbase Preparation Centre
About Carbase
Carbase is the South West's largest independent pre-owned dealership group, offering a wide range of quality vehicles alongside flexible finance options and aftersales support.
As a family-run business, certified as a Great Place to Work, we're built on a commitment to trust, transparency and delivering a great customer experience.
With multiple stores, dedicated autocentres and a preparation centre, our team works together to make buying, selling and maintaining vehicles simple, straightforward and enjoyable for our customers.
Job Description
The Cosmetic Quality Control Inspector is responsible for completing end-of-line quality checks across vehicles leaving the Cosmetic Bodyshop, ensuring all repair and finishing work meets Carbase preparation standards before the vehicle progresses.
This is a hands-on productive quality role, not solely an inspection position. Alongside final quality control, you will be expected to complete minor rectification, polishing, buffing and finishing work where this can be resolved quickly at the end of the line.
Key responsibilities include:
- Carrying out detailed end-of-line inspections on completed cosmetic and Bodyshop repairs.
- Ensuring paint, panel, SMART, PDR and alloy work meets Carbase quality standards.
- Identifying paint defects, poor finishes, panel issues, missed damage or incomplete repair work.
- Checking repaired areas for colour match, gloss, finish, alignment and overall presentation.
- Completing minor polishing, buffing, flatting and finishing work where appropriate.
- Rectifying minor defects directly rather than automatically returning vehicles into the repair process.
- Deciding when defects require specialist rectification and routing vehicles back to the appropriate Technician.
- Ensuring vehicles are right-first time before progressing from the Cosmetic Department.
- Recording quality defects and helping identify repeat issues or trends.
- Working directly with Paint, SMART, PDR, Alloy and Bodyshop Technicians to improve repair quality.
- Supporting vehicle flow and preventing avoidable rework loops and Prep delays.
- Maintaining an understanding of Carbase preparation and cosmetic standards.
- Supporting the wider Cosmetic team with productive activity when workload allows.
- Maintaining a clean, safe and organised work area.
- Following all Health & Safety and Prep Centre procedures.
Candidate Requirements
We are looking for someone with:
- Strong previous experience within an automotive Bodyshop, SMART Repair or Cosmetic vehicle preparation environment.
- A strong understanding of paint, panel and cosmetic repair processes.
- Excellent attention to detail and the ability to confidently identify repair and finish defects.
- Previous productive Bodyshop experience, ideally in polishing, paint finishing, SMART repair or a similar discipline.
- The ability to carry out polishing, buffing and minor finishing rectification to a high standard.
- Good understanding of paint defects, colour match, panel condition and vehicle presentation.
- The confidence to make clear pass / rectification decisions against agreed preparation standards.
- A practical, hands-on approach and willingness
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Cosmetic Quality Control Inspector employer: Carbase
Join a well-established automotive company in Bristol, where your expertise as an MOT Tester is truly valued. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will benefit from competitive salaries, generous bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes health and wellbeing support, flexible financial options, and excellent training opportunities. This is not just a job; it's a chance to grow your career in a supportive environment that prioritises both customer safety and employee satisfaction.
