Engineering and manufacturing
Vehicle damage assessor
Inspecting and assessing all elements of a motor vehicle that has sustained damage and requires repair.
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
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Vehicles construction and materials
K2:
Steering, suspension and braking, systems and operations
K3:
Transmission and drivelines
K4:
The principles of electrical systems
K5:
Electrical/electronic components
K6:
Vehicle safety systems
K7:
Tools and equipment used in the process
K8:
Understand current Health & Safety legislation in the workplace
K9:
The structure of their organisation or workplace
K10:
The importance of teamwork in the workplace
K11:
How to communicate effectively
K12:
Up to date vehicle repair technologies including Paint, Panel and MET
K13:
Good understanding of commercial aspects of a body shop
K14:
How to produce a job card
K15:
Non-accidental related damage
K16:
Electronic costings systems
K17:
Industry vehicle Repair methods
Technical Educational Products
- ST0406: Vehicle damage assessor (Level 4) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0406
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £34,309 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 3541 Estimators, valuers and assessors
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 3541/05 Vehicle damage assessors
- 1252/00 Garage managers and proprietors
S1:
Recognise properties of different types of vehicle damage
S2:
Maintain records
S3:
Use manual and digital image technology
S4:
Locate vehicle unique identification details
S5:
Diagnose safety faults on vehicles
S6:
Read, adhere to and apply relevant legislation
S7:
Use repair methods
S8:
Make judgements on vehicle damage, taking into account safety and cost
S9:
Commercial decision making
S10:
Prepare costings based on parts and labour ratios
S11:
Oral communication, listening and negotiation skills
S12:
Use industry guidelines appropriately
S13:
Recognises importance of gaining approval before work commences
S14:
Use of estimating software, spreadsheets, on-line databases
Technical Educational Products
- ST0406: Vehicle damage assessor (Level 4) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0406
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £34,309 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 3541 Estimators, valuers and assessors
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 3541/05 Vehicle damage assessors
- 1252/00 Garage managers and proprietors
B1:
Customer focussed – demonstrate behaviour that puts the customer first
B2:
A right first time approach committed to delivering and maintaining high quality workplace standards
B3:
A calm and reasoned approach
B4:
A professional approach, demonstrates integrity and confidence in daily activities
B5:
Adherence to company values, shows passion and enthusiasm for the industry
B6:
Take responsibility for health and safety
B7:
Attention to detail
Technical Educational Products
- ST0406: Vehicle damage assessor (Level 4) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0406
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £34,309 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 3541 Estimators, valuers and assessors
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 3541/05 Vehicle damage assessors
- 1252/00 Garage managers and proprietors