Vehicles that students work on as they complete their studies are often bought at auction, with the cars having to be replaced in line with changing technology.

But the two latest models were donated by insurer IAG, having been written-off in a large January hailstorm in Canberra.

Automotive teacher Daniel Bocquet said a Subaru Impreza and a Nissan 4WD, among 20,000 cars damaged, were donated.

"We use the cars for diagnosing issues and doing repairs; we pull parts off them and put them back together," he said.

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"Having the boxer engine [in the Subaru] to work on is good, it's a different system, and having a 4WD diesel is also good.

"We're very grateful."

Students have been glad to get back into the workshop after a COVID-19 shut-down, which allowed the workshop to be refreshed.

"It's better for us being face-to-face," Mr Bocquet said.

"We got through, and everyone's glad to be back."