Diploma in Roadside Repairs and Breakdown Management
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in roadside repairs and breakdown management for classic vehicles, structured in 8 modules covering roadside diagnosis, fuel and ignition faults, cooling and lubrication, electrics and charging, transmission and brakes, support logistics and breakdown analysis, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Roadside Repairs and Breakdown Management — studying from the United States
Restoration and classic vehicle engineering is a niche but active field in the United States, supported by a large enthusiast community and well-established events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Hershey's AACA Fall Meet. Specialist restoration shops, museums and collector car firms require engineers who understand historic materials, mechanical systems and period-correct design. Work often combines traditional craftsmanship with modern diagnostics and documentation. Professional connections are typically built through clubs and heritage organizations.
Fees for the United States: US$1,670 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Is there formal professional recognition for classic vehicle restoration in the US?
Restoration is mostly a craft and hobby sector without a licensed engineering title. Relevant organizations include the Antique Automobile Club of America and the Society of Automotive Historians. Some work touches on SAE standards and state vehicle inspection rules. SEIUM's qualifications are private, and their value depends on the client or employer.
What career options exist in classic and restoration work in the US?
Options include independent restoration shops, dealerships specializing in classic cars, auction houses, museums, and collector-focused consultancies. Roles range from restoration technician to project manager. Because this sector values reputation and craftsmanship, portfolios and references often matter more than formal credentials.
Can I study this part-time while working in the US?
Yes, the programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home and no student visa is needed. Workloads run from 300 hours for specialist courses to 1,900 hours for master's programmes. Fees are payable in instalments, and you can plan study around your existing work commitments.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Apply a systematic method for diagnosing faults at the roadside.
Repair fuel and ignition faults on classic vehicles.
Resolve cooling, lubrication and belt failures.
Locate and correct electrical and charging faults.
Work safely on transmission, brakes and running gear.
Organise technical support logistics for an event.
Analyse breakdowns to improve fleet reliability.
Who it's for
- Roadside support mechanics for classic vehicle events.
- Rally technical support managers.
- Classic vehicle restoration technicians.
- Event fleet coordinators.
- Classic vehicle mechanics instructors.
- Roadside assistance mechanics who want to master older vehicles.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter classic rallies and events.
What you'll work with
- FIVA Technical Code (historic vehicle criteria)
- Regulation (EU) 2018/858 (vehicle type approval)
- Directive 2014/45/EU (periodic roadworthiness testing)
- Historic vehicle regulations (registration and use of historic vehicles)
- Road traffic regulations (working safely on public roads)
- Occupational health and safety legislation (risk prevention at work)
- Autodata
- Haynes Pro
- Fluke Connect
- Tripy
- Google Maps
8 modules
1.1Systematic fault diagnosis method1.2Symptoms: noises, smoke, smells and vibrations1.3Portable diagnostic tools1.4Multimeter and test lamp on the road1.5Reading pressure and temperature gauges1.6Basic compression and leak-down tests1.7Telling mechanical, electrical and fuel faults apart1.8Safety when working on the hard shoulder1.9Deciding whether to continue, repair or tow1.10Practical: guided diagnosis of a starting fault
2.1Mechanical and electric fuel pumps2.2Vapour lock and percolation in classic vehicles2.3Blocked carburettors and sticking floats2.4Filters, fuel lines and fuel leaks2.5Contact breaker points, condenser and coil2.6Distributor, rotor arm and HT leads2.7Spark plugs: reading and replacement2.8Quick ignition timing2.9Electronic ignition systems and their faults2.10Workshop: replacing points and setting the dwell at the roadside
3.1Overheating and its causes3.2Hoses, clamps and temporary repairs3.3Water pumps and thermostats3.4Mechanical and electric fans3.5Oil loss and low oil pressure3.6V-belts and tensioning3.7Head gaskets: symptoms and risks3.8Emergency additives and sealants3.9Managing the engine in extreme heat3.10Practical: replacing a hose and bleeding the circuit
4.1Dynamos, regulators and alternators4.2Batteries: testing and jump-starting4.3Fuses, connections and faulty earths4.4Starter motors and solenoids4.5Night-time lighting failures4.6Reading wiring diagrams on the road4.7Emergency splices and soldering4.8Short circuits and fire risk4.9Electrical support kit4.10Workshop: locating a faulty earth
5.1Clutches: cable, hydraulic and slipping5.2Brake fluid leaks and bleeding5.3Seized callipers and wheel cylinders5.4Wheel bearings and noises5.5CV joints and universal joints5.6Punctures and inner tube repair5.7Broken leaf springs and bushes5.8Steering with excessive play5.9Detached exhaust mountings5.10Practical: bleeding brakes without an assistant
6.1Tool and spare parts kit by model6.2Spare parts planning by route6.3The support vehicle and its equipment6.4Coordination with rescue teams6.5Communication with the organiser6.6Partner workshops along the route6.7Managing insurance and roadside assistance6.8Inventory and restocking of consumables6.9Support costs6.10Case study: support kit for a long rally
7.1Breakdown report and minimum data7.2Root cause analysis7.3Reliability statistics by model7.4Preventive maintenance before a trip7.5Pre-departure checklist7.6Daily checks during stages7.7Feedback to the owner7.8Reliability improvements that respect originality7.9Communicating technical recommendations7.10Workshop: breakdown analysis of a rally season
8.1Selecting the event and fleet8.2Analysis of likely breakdowns8.3Designing the tool and spare parts kit8.4Diagnosis and repair protocols8.5Support and communications plan8.6Pre-event maintenance plan8.7Support budget8.8Success indicators8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is Autodata, Haynes Pro, Fluke Connect, Tripy and Google Maps, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: mechanical support at regularity rallies, fault diagnosis on liaison sections, and pre-departure checks for long routes. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: FIVA Technical Code, Regulation (EU) 2018/858, Directive 2014/45/EU, historic vehicle and road traffic regulations, occupational health and safety legislation.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Autodata, Haynes Pro, Fluke Connect, Tripy and Google Maps, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector; no university degree is required.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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