Are you ADAS ready? 36 www.aftermarketonline.net APRIL 2025 The ongoing shortage of ADASqualified techs in the UK means garages that are able to offer ADAS alignment will be in a position to take on the most profitable work according to Thinkcar UK. Now the company is urging garages to invest in ADAS kit, such as the firm’s ADAS Mobile foldable calibration frame (pictured). ADAS systems have been a legal requirement on new cars since 2022. However, according to research from the Institute for the Motor Industry (IMI), only 2% of techs in the UK are IMI TechSafe registered — meaning there are only 4,425 ADAS-qualified mechanics working in the UK. According to the IMI, there are around 21,000 vacancies in the sector for candidates with key skills, including ADAS capabilities. Alex Gillbanks, managing director of Thinkcar UK, said: “This means work will flow towards businesses with the staff, skills and equipment to pick up the slack.” Flexibility is vital for many independents, Gillbanks said. “ADAS calibration equipment can take up a lot of space, but it does not have to. Our ADAS Mobile prioritises portability and convenience. Qualified technicians can set up the Thinkcar ADAS Mobile within half-an-hour and conduct calibration tasks from virtually any location.” ADAS Mobile comes with all relevant accessories and is designed to work with Thinkcar’s diagnostic scanner series. This includes the company’s range of AI-enabled diagnostic tools launched last year, led by the Thinktool Euro 399. Visit https://www.thinkcar.uk/ for more information. As the number of vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems continues to rise, Hella Gutmann is supporting garages looking to capitalise on the growing opportunity. The company recommends its CSCTool, with the CSC-Tool SE offering even wider capabilities, and all backed by the CSC-Tool Mobile — the firm’s portable calibration solution. Since 2022, all vehicles have been required to include a minimum level of ADAS coverage. Figures from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) show that 13% of the car parc already Get tooled up for UHOLDELOLW\ DQG Ꭿ H[LELOLW\ Garages urged to seize ADAS opportunity offers level 2 autonomy via ADAS, and this proportion can only rise. Steve Fox, Hella UK technical and training manager for garage equipment said: “The number of vehicles offering modern safety-relevant systems such as distance control, lane departure warning and blind spot assist is on the increase. “This means independent workshops need a reliable and flexible system that covers cars from many manufacturers so they can profitably maintain and repair these vehicles.” Fox said many garages see this opportunity and have chosen the CSCTool, with others going one step further with the new CSC-Tool SE and the portable calibration solution, the CSCTool Mobile. “Thanks to these tools, technicians can calibrate common camera and radar systems in the front, rear and surrounding areas of vehicles, along with complex components such as the innovative laser scanner offered aboard new Audi models.” ADAS represents a major profit opportunity, Fox said. As the proportion of ADAS-equipped cars rises, the profit opportunity will grow. Garages that can’t offer ADAS servicing could find themselves locked out of the most lucrative work. This means businesses need to look at their market and invest as they see necessary.” Meanwhile, Fox said ensuring technicians get the right training is vital. This is why since Hella Academy officially opened its doors in 2024, the IMIapproved facility has been offering ADAS training as a priority. The ADAS IMI AOM 230 course grants technicians the required insurance approval to work on ADAS-equipped vehicles, while the ADAS L2 Award encompasses calibration, vehicle alignment, workshop requirements and more. Visit https://www.hella.com/ techworld/uk/ for details.
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