Overview of the role

Inspecting and assessing all elements of a motor vehicle that has sustained damage and requires repair.

Details of standard

Occupation summary

A Vehicle Damage Assessor (VDA) works within the Automotive Bodyshop Industry. This industry employs around 200,000 people in a range of large, medium sized and small businesses.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to methodically and accurately inspect and assess all elements of a motor vehicle that has sustained damage and requires repair. They will be able to identify and record damage on a vehicle and determine (using prescribed information from Manufacturers) which parts of the vehicle should be repaired or replaced. A VDA will have an understanding of the manual process of assessing and costing repair of a vehicle, whilst also being able to use the relevant electronic estimating software. They will have knowledge of all types of vehicles including petrol, diesel, electric and hybrid. A VDA will stay abreast of ever changing autonomous technological vehicle safety developments known as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The VDA will produce accurate & detailed repair specifications to be used to carry out the required repair process. They will have commercial knowledge of their respective workplace and know how to apply this in order to determine a monetary cost and timescale for each repair job.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with the customer of the damaged vehicle, the Bodyshop manager, vehicle repair technicians and office/administrative staff at their company and insurance companies.  The assessor will work alone (once qualified) to assess the vehicle but will also liaise with the customer, insurance company and vehicle technicians to discuss the assessment, damage to the vehicle and how it will be repaired.  The assessor may report to the Bodyshop manager, or sometimes the commercial director or other members of staff, depending on the staffing structure within their own organisation.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for producing an accurate estimate to carry out a repair job which is subsequently agreed by key stakeholders.

A VDA will have excellent communication skills, be able to negotiate and have a methodical approach to work.  Being able to carry out work accurately is essential.

Typical job titles include:

Vehicle damage assesor

Occupation duties

Duty Criteria for measuring performance KSBs

Duty 1 Appraise a damaged vehicle and identify and record damage, including impact zone and severity

Able to follow a process
Work to deadlines
Demonstrate accuracy when working

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17

S1 S2

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7

Duty 2 Identify non-accidental damage to vehicles

Able to follow a process
Demonstrate accuracy when working

K15

S1

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7

Duty 3 Make use of manual and digital image technology to record areas of damage identified

Demonstrate accuracy when working

K7

S2 S3

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7

Duty 4 Accurately record data from the vehicle including the correct vehicle identification and model details, mileage and modifications

Demonstrate accuracy when working

K7

S2 S4

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7

Duty 5 Identify and evaluate condition of safety related systems and any action required, applying H&S car related current legislation to do so (e.g. air bags, tyres etc)

In line with car related industry health and safety specifications

K6 K8

S5 S6

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7

Duty 6 Access industry vehicle repair methods and apply them appropriately

Able to follow a process
Work to deadlines
Demonstrate accuracy when working

K12 K13 K14 K17

S7

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7

Duty 7 Differentiate between items that need repairing and items that need replacement

Demonstrate accuracy when working

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17

S8

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7

Duty 8 Apply accurate and appropriate opinion times for method and duration for repair

Able to follow a process
Demonstrate accuracy when working

K12 K13 K14 K16 K17

S9

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7

Duty 9 Assess the cost and duration of a repair

Able to follow a process
Work to deadlines
Demonstrate accuracy when working

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17

S9 S10

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7

Duty 10 Discuss damage and repairs with a range of stakeholders (vehicle owners, insurance companies, colleagues and managers), listening to their view, responding to concerns and negotiating using evidence based reasoning

Listens effectively
Good verbal and written communication

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17

S11

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7

Duty 11 Assess the current market value of vehicle using industry proprietary guides

Demonstrate accuracy when working

K1 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 K8 K9 K10 K11 K12 K13 K14 K15 K16 K17

S12

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7

Duty 12 Obtain authorisation from the Client/Customer to proceed with repair to a vehicle and confirm the cost of the repair (if appropriate for the workplace)

Listens effectively
Good verbal and written communication

K11 K13

S9 S10 S11

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7

Duty 13 Interpret and accurately apply estimating software system

Demonstrate accuracy when working

K13 K16

S14

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7


KSBs

Knowledge

K1: Vehicles construction and materials Back to Duty

K2: Steering, suspension and braking, systems and operations Back to Duty

K3: Transmission and drivelines Back to Duty

K4: The principles of electrical systems Back to Duty

K5: Electrical/electronic components Back to Duty

K6: Vehicle safety systems Back to Duty

K7: Tools and equipment used in the process Back to Duty

K8: Understand current Health & Safety legislation in the workplace Back to Duty

K9: The structure of their organisation or workplace Back to Duty

K10: The importance of teamwork in the workplace Back to Duty

K11: How to communicate effectively Back to Duty

K12: Up to date vehicle repair technologies including Paint, Panel and MET Back to Duty

K13: Good understanding of commercial aspects of a body shop Back to Duty

K14: How to produce a job card Back to Duty

K15: Non-accidental related damage Back to Duty

K16: Electronic costings systems Back to Duty

K17: Industry vehicle Repair methods Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Recognise properties of different types of vehicle damage Back to Duty

S2: Maintain records Back to Duty

S3: Use manual and digital image technology Back to Duty

S4: Locate vehicle unique identification details Back to Duty

S5: Diagnose safety faults on vehicles Back to Duty

S6: Read, adhere to and apply relevant legislation Back to Duty

S7: Use repair methods Back to Duty

S8: Make judgements on vehicle damage, taking into account safety and cost Back to Duty

S9: Commercial decision making Back to Duty

S10: Prepare costings based on parts and labour ratios Back to Duty

S11: Oral communication, listening and negotiation skills Back to Duty

S12: Use industry guidelines appropriately Back to Duty

S13: Recognises importance of gaining approval before work commences Back to Duty

S14: Use of estimating software, spreadsheets, on-line databases Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Customer focussed – demonstrate behaviour that puts the customer first Back to Duty

B2: A right first time approach committed to delivering and maintaining high quality workplace standards Back to Duty

B3: A calm and reasoned approach Back to Duty

B4: A professional approach, demonstrates integrity and confidence in daily activities Back to Duty

B5: Adherence to company values, shows passion and enthusiasm for the industry Back to Duty

B6: Take responsibility for health and safety Back to Duty

B7: Attention to detail Back to Duty


Qualifications

English and Maths


Additional details

Occupational Level:

4

Duration (months):

36

Review

Status: Approved for delivery (available for starts)
Level: 4
Reference: ST0406
Version: 1.0
Date updated: 18/04/2019
Approved for delivery: 18 April 2019
Route: Engineering and manufacturing
Typical duration to gateway: 36 months (this does not include EPA period)
Maximum funding: £9000
LARS Code: 450
EQA Provider: Ofqual
Employers involved in creating the standard: Rainbow Bodyshops, EZI Methods, Rye Street Group, Fix Auto Dagenham, Gemini ARC, Lookers, Aylesbury Panel Craft, Fix Auto Stevenage, AW Repair Group, Automotive Glazing Academy, The Vella Group, DWS Bodyshops, Alton Cars, Baldwins Repair Group, Apollo Group, Fix Auto Loughborough, Morelli Group, Fix Auto Slough, Motofix

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date
1.0 Approved for delivery 18/04/2019 Not set

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