Yes, during your Polytechnic in Automobile Engineering diploma, you will get plenty of opportunities to work on real cars, engines, and automotive components. Most good Automobile Engineering colleges in India have fully equipped workshops, model garages, engine testing labs, and vehicle diagnostic labs where students practice regularly.
You will handle actual engines, gearboxes, clutches, suspension systems, brakes, steering units, and electrical systems. Colleges also provide cut-section models that help you clearly understand how different automobile systems operate from the inside. In advanced labs, you may even get exposure to fuel-injection systems, emission testing units, CAD tools, and automotive electronics.
Many institutes also conduct garage practice sessions, where you learn to dismantle, inspect, repair, and reassemble vehicle parts. You will also get training on fault detection, vehicle servicing, and the use of diagnostic tools used in modern automobiles.