Automotive Technician Accreditation

MET Technicians: ATA Assessment Process

There are two competency levels; Technician and Senior Technician.

To be eligible to take the assessment, MET technicians should ideally have a minimum level of industry experience in an appropriate role as follows:

• for technicians 2 years
• for senior technicians 3 years

or

• hold a relevant NQF qualification at the same level and have a minimum of one year post qualification experience in an appropriate role.

Assessments

To attain each level of accreditation, technicians will have to pass practical assessments and an on-line knowledge test.

To ensure currency of assessments, no more than twelve months may elapse between the first successful assessment and the last successful assessment.

Candidates who initially pass any of the practical tasks may ‘bank’ these assessments achieved for a maximum of twelve months. Candidates who are referred on any of the practical assessment tasks, may re-take these assessments within the twelve-month period. 

Self Assessment

To take a self assessment and gain an idea of which level may be most appropriate for you, please click on the link below. You will then need to enter your name, which is also your password and then pick your route.

Click here to start your Self Assessment

MET Technician

The five practical assessments at Technician level will measure competence in the following:

• Mechanical, Electrical Trim Components
• Cosmetic Panel Removal, Refit & Alignment
• Radiator and Cooling System Tests
• Supplementary Restraint Systems (SRS)
• Vehicle Electrical – Diagnosis

Please refer to Guidelines for more details

MET Senior Technician

The eight practical assessments at Senior Technician level will measure competence in the following:

• Mechanical, Electrical Trim Components
• Cosmetic Panel Removal, Refit & Alignment
• Radiator and Cooling System Tests
• Supplementary Restraint Systems (SRS)
• Vehicle Electrical – Diagnosis
• Mechanical components (structural components)
• Wheel alignment and steering
• Air Conditioning (ATA Refrigerant Handler)
o Refrigerant handling
o Refrigerant cylinder handling

The Air Conditioning assessment meets the minimum requirements set out in EC Regulation (EC) No. 307/2008.

Please refer to Guidelines for more details

On Line Assessments

To allow flexibility the online knowledge test can be taken before, during or after the assessment day. The test remains valid for 12 months from completion. If all other assessments have not been completed within 6 months, centres will need to contact the IMI to reset the test and the applicant will need to complete the test again.

The test will be multiple choice ‘online’ and consist of 30 randomised questions. The time limit for the test will be 60 minutes.

The technician level on-line test will be aligned to national occupational standards and measure knowledge in the following areas:

• legislation, health and safety relating to MET operations
• basic vehicle body construction
• basic operation of vehicle systems and components
• non-structural panel removal and refitting procedures
• MET removal and refitting procedures
• anti corrosion procedures
• vehicle system checks
• basic diagnostic procedures

The senior technician level on-line test will be aligned to national occupational standards and measure knowledge in the following areas:

• legislation, health and safety relating to MET operations
• basic vehicle body construction
• operation of vehicle systems and components
• fault diagnosis of systems
• plastic repair technology
• quality check procedures

The senior technician level will also include a separate online test in the following area:

• air conditioning (refrigerant handling)

To gain a pass, the applicant will be required to achieve a mark of 60% or above.