Aftermarket Magazine October 2025

Business 12 www.aftermarketonline.net OCTOBER 2025 Compliance not optional — it’s a workshop must! Repairify Innovations director Martin Brown highlights areas that workshops need to be aware of, especially with ADAS calibrations and diagnostics The automotive sector is constantly evolving and compliance is no longer just a tick box exercise; it’s the foundation of safe, legal, and highquality repairs. This is especially true when working on calibrations and diagnostics for ADAS systems. The first is qualifications and certifications. As vehicle technology grows more sophisticated, the adherence to recognised standards and certifications is essential. This is not only for safety reasons, but also for customer trust and business competitiveness. These qualifications demonstrate that technicians have the expertise and knowledge to complete work to the highest standard. In the UK, the most recognised ADAS qualification is the IMI’s AOM230 accreditation. This dedicated certification has become a benchmark for bodyshops handling ADAS work because it covers both static and dynamic calibrations. It also ensures technicians can follow OEM specifications, use approved tools, and perform repairs and calibrations to an industry-recognised benchmark. This ensures customers have the confidence that the job being conducted on the workshop floor is being done right and at the first time of asking. In addition, what the industry is seeing is businesses researching relevant qualifications for their technicians, such as AOM230, and once the necessary training has been completed it adds a string to the technician’s bow of skills, while also adding value to the business as it enables them to add new services to their customer offering. The second is industry guidelines, which are driven by the expertise of Thatcham Research. While Thatcham does not currently offer an ADASspecific certification, it provides valuable research and procedural guidance. This guidance is integrated into workshop processes and is widely recognised as industry best practice. The third focuses on vehicle manufacturer requirements for ADAS calibration and diagnostic work. Many manufacturers mandate specialist training tailored to the exact work technicians perform on their ADAS-equipped models. These programmes often require the use of specialist equipment and OEM tools, along with access to technical information portals and training that aligns directly with factory repair standards. This is especially important to complete if businesses want to be approved to work on specific brands. The fourth is continuous professional development for technicians. As ADAS technology continues to evolve at pace, it’s essential for workshops to stay ahead of the curve. This involves not only undertaking relevant and up-to-date training, but also engaging with peers at industry events, following developments in key trade publications, and keeping informed about any new qualifications or renewals that might be required. If all these are embraced, it ensures technicians remain equipped to deliver safe, compliant, and cutting-edge repair work. Overall, ADAS and diagnostic work is a central commitment to vehicle safety, so compliance is not optional, it’s imperative. By embracing industry standards, investing in training, and maintaining the right equipment, workshops can ensure they not only meet legal obligations but also safeguard drivers and build trust with insurers and customers alike by providing right-first-time calibration work.

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