Vehicle damage assessor

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

Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.

Additional details

Occupational Level:

Duration (months):

Review

this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.

End-point assessment (EPA plan)

Rigorous robust and independent assessment undertaken by an apprentice at the end of training to test that the apprentice can perform in the occupation they have been trained in and can demonstrate the duties, and knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) set out in the occupational standard

End-point assessment organisation (EPAO)

An organisation approved to deliver end-point assessment for a particular apprenticeship standard. EPAOs must be on the register of end-point assessment organisations

Holistic or synoptic

Assessment of an apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours in an integrated way i.e. assessing several KSBs at the same time

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSB)

What is needed to competently undertake the duties required for an occupational standard

Valid

Referred to in relation to assessment methods; fit for purpose

Change request policy

Most changes to an apprenticeship are made as a result of a holistic review of it. We prioritise the need for such reviews based on a range of factors. These include:

the time since the apprenticeship was developed or last reviewed (taking account of its typical duration)
the existence of any known problems with it (e.g. lower than expected starts, low achievement rate, high withdrawal rate, any issues with the availability of training or end-point assessment provision)
whether the apprenticeship is currently subject to a dispensation
the relative significance of the apprenticeship based on how many users it has

The availability of an employer group to support a review and its potential impact on any related technical education product also inform the timing of a review.

Details of apprenticeships that are currently being revised or adjusted are available in our revisions and adjustments status report.

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

Vehicle damage assessor assessment plan

File size: 333.5 KB

Find an apprenticeship

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

Print the occupational standard (including PDF)

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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