Carry out vehicle damage assessments

URN: IMIVDA03
Business Sectors (Suites): Vehicle Damage Assessment Operations
Developed by: IMI
Approved: 2026

Overview

This standard is about carrying out the appraisal of damage to vehicles, establishing safe and appropriate repair methods and estimating the costs of repairs. It is also about determining when replacement of a component or panel is more economical than repair.

Note: This may be carried out in the presence of the vehicle or via imaging.


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

P1.    record the direction of impact, point of impact and severity of impact on accident damaged vehicles
P2.    verify that recorded damage matches incident circumstances
P3.    evaluate, establish and record safe and appropriate repair methods 
P4.    identify and record those components to be renewed and those to be removed and refitted including which body panels must be replaced and which can be repaired and blended
P5.    establish and record the components requiring repair and those requiring refinishing processes
P6.    specify necessary jig operations required for the repair process 
P7.    identify and record any geometry checks, air conditioning operations, and any specialist operations required
P8.    identify and record quality checks
P9.    use published materials to calculate total repair costs 
P10.    estimate and specify realistic panel repair times for the repair process 
P11.    review the system generated assessment and check accuracy
P12.    categorise vehicle salvage to ABI guidelines
P13.    protect vehicles throughout the assessment process to prevent secondary damage


Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

Legislative and organisational requirements and procedures
K1    the legal obligation placed on a repairer who repairs damaged vehicles
K2    the legal requirements relating to the vehicle (including road safety requirements) 
K3    the health and safety legislation and workplace procedures relevant to workshop practices, personal and vehicle protection
K4    the health and safety risks associated with safety restraint systems
K5    the health and safety risks associated with safety restraint systems and other systems inside and outside the vehicle being assessed which may have become damaged and consequently pose a risk
K6    how to complete records conforming to workplace requirements specifically associated with the vehicle appraising function and the importance of doing so K7    the health and safety risks associated with the use of ICT equipment
K7    contractual, policy and procedural obligations and processes between the employer, work provider and customer
K8    the Association of British Insurers code of practice in relation to salvage categorisations
K9    How work activities contribute to the achievement of organisational performance and profit targets

Equipment
K10    how to use and maintain equipment used for the purpose of appraising and estimating

Appraising damage
K11    how to collate information to record the extent of the damage and inquire how the damage was caused
K12    how to collect preliminary information and data on the vehicle being assessed relating to specifications
K13    vehicle construction, specification, options and additions
K14    the repair methods and procedures required to repair damaged vehicles
K15    when to repair and when to replace damaged vehicle components taking into account the economical, environmental and safety issues
K16    how to look for further hidden or secondary damage K18    the vehicle damage appraisal process
K17    how to source technical information and data relative to the vehicle being appraised e.g. from the manufacturer, Thatcham, etc
K18    ensure all necessary information relating to repair is recorded

Repair Methodology
K19    how to interpret repair and methods data from the vehicle Manufacturers, Thatcham or other suitable organisations to ascertain the safe and appropriate repair process
K20    how to prepare a repair specification based on the safe and appropriate repair process
K21    how to list all the parts which are damaged and require replacing K24    how to list all the remove and refit operations to gain access
K22    how to replace or repair damaged panels
K23    how to repaint repaired or replaced panel and other trim items
K24    any other functions that must be performed to reinstate the vehicle to the manufacturer’s specifications and its pre-damage condition

Establishing the costs for undertaking the repair process
K25    how to refer to the chosen system to arrive at the time and cost required to carry out the repair specification
K26    where there are overlap times
K27    how to determine opinion times for those items which are not listed
K28    how to set up electronic estimating system to reflect agreement with work providers on rates, paint and materials calculation etc

Imaging
K29    how to use the appropriate photographic equipment and take the necessary photographs to substantiate the extent of the damage and the repairs required K33    how to use imaging to confirm the vehicle identity
K30    how to send these images through an electronic system so that they communicate the extent of the damage and the repair required
K31    the importance of saving those images for future reference

.

Negotiating
K32    how to agree repair methodology and negotiate opinion times within the level of responsibility


Scope/range

1.    Equipment is:
1.1.    Recording documentation
1.2.    Notification details

2.    Appraisal methods are:
2.1.    sensory
2.2.    measuring


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary

This section contains examples and explanations of some of the terms used but does not form part of the standard.

Alternative Fuel
This is defined as any type of fuel that may be used to power an internal combustion engine; examples would include LPG, bio ethanol etc.

Jig operations
To include jig mount, jig measure (if required and if universal jig is used) and pulling operations

Total repair costs
To include labour costs (hours), parts and paint costs.

Vehicles
These can be light vehicles or commercial vehicles. In addition, they may be SI, CI, Hybrid, Electric or Alternative fuel vehicles.


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

2

Indicative Review Date

2030

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

IMI

Original URN

IMIVDA03

Relevant Occupations

Vehicle Damage Assessor (Automotive), Motor Engineer Assessor

SOC Code

3541

Keywords

appraise; motor; vehicle; damage; establish; correct; repair; method; estimate; cost;