The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) are constantly reviewing the core competences of each ATA route. The review process involves looking at the National Occupational Standards and an Expert Working Group to determine the ‘critical competences’ which an individual needs to achieve to be accredited as an ATA accredited technician, with this ATA route a Vehicle Damage Assessor (VDA).
The core principal of the ATA VDA assessment process is to; ‘Establish an Assessors ability to identify the damage sustained by a vehicle, and establish a safe and appropriate repair method, using researched and published data, to reinstate the vehicle and ensure that the vehicle performs in any subsequent impact the way the manufacturer intended’.
It was agreed upon by the Expert Working Group that the requirement of an actual repair cost was of no significant benefit in the assessment process and could therefore be eliminated as a ‘Critical Competence’ of the VDA ATA assessments. The removal of the repair cost from the practical assessment process would then also remove the requirement for the use of any of the ‘software systems’ used to calculate the repair cost, other than using Thatcham eScribe which would be used purely for repair methods.
All other critical competences of the ATA VDA assessment remain unchanged.
The IMI would recommend that all potential ATA VDA candidates familiarise themselves with Thatcham eScribe (used to obtain the repair methods during an assessment). Vehicle valuation is assessed during the ATA VDA assessment which could include the use of Glass’s Evaluator, CAP or Parkers Guide during the practical assessment. Please contact the assessment centre prior to booking attending the assessment day for which valuation guide is used at the centre.
The IMI have agreed that as of January 1st 2009, candidates will no longer be required to calculated a repair cost, as part of their ATA VDA Part ‘B’ examination.
Summary
This review of ATA VDA effectively means that the candidate no longer has to calculate a final repair cost, which eliminates the need for the candidate to use cost calculation systems and parts pricing.
The revisions to the ATA VDA assessment aligns with industry practices whereby the VDA establishes a safe, methods based repair specification, which is then entered into a commercial system.
These changes will enable the ATA VDA candidates’ to focus on vehicle and damage appraisal, along with methods application and will help ease the time constrains of the assessment day.
For further information please contact Ian Gillgrass at the IMI on 01992 511521