The_Assessor_Summer 2026 Web - Flipbook - Page 8
JOURNAL
IAEA: OPINION
THE ENDURING VALUE OF
ACCURATE
VEHICLE DAMAGE
ASSESSMENT
Accurate vehicle assessment and motor engineering go far beyond identifying
“bent metal”, writes Mark Wells, MInstAEA MFIEA MIRTE MSOE, President-Elect
& Education Of昀椀cer at the IAEA.
proper inspection must
capture the full extent
of damage, including
the smaller details that
can in昀氀uence repair
decisions, claim value, and the 昀椀nal
report presented to the principal. In
an industry where precision matters,
the quality of the assessment can have
a direct impact on both operational
outcomes and customer con昀椀dence.
A
The IAEA introduced a practical
examination in 1993 that established
a benchmark for day-to-day vehicle
damage assessment. This later formed
the foundation of the original Vehicle
Damage Assessor (VDA) quali昀椀cation
created by the IMI. However, the IMI
quali昀椀cation does not fully cover key
areas of motor vehicle assessment,
including vehicle valuation and salvage
categorisation. For this reason, the
IAEA VDA is widely regarded as a
gold standard in vehicle damage
assessment.
Continuing Professional Development
(CPD). The quali昀椀cation supports
a 昀椀ve-year competency cycle, two
years longer than the IMI VDA,
offering strong value while reinforcing
ongoing professional standards. It
also complements the wider IAEA
framework, helping assessors build
both technical knowledge and practical
con昀椀dence.
Assessment methods are designed
to re昀氀ect real-world motor engineer
practice. Modern estimating tools
are used as a reference point, while
manufacturer repair methods sourced
from Thatcham Research ensure
alignment with industry standards.
This balanced approach helps deliver
assessments that are accurate,
consistent, and relevant to today’s
repair environment.
step with these developments, while
remaining grounded in the principles
established by the IAEA in 1933.
With training available through
providers such as Bridge Automotive
Academy and Thatcham Research,
now is an excellent time to pursue the
IAEA VDA quali昀椀cation and strengthen
professional expertise.
JOURNAL
Head to page 11 to read
about the IAEA Practical
Assessment in the UK.
Delivered at the Thatcham
Research Automotive
Academy in Berkshire, the
assessment is designed to
test the core competencies
expected of today’s vehicle
damage assessor. Candidates
are evaluated across a range
of practical and technical
disciplines, including damage
appraisal, vehicle valuation
and repair speci昀椀cation
auditing.
A further strength of the IAEA
approach is its commitment to
Over more than 30 years, vehicle
technology has changed dramatically,
with the introduction of ADAS,
autonomous driving, and electric and
hydrogen drivetrains. The IAEA VDA
quali昀椀cation continues to evolve in
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THE ASSESSORS JOURNAL | SUMMER 2026 | www.iaea-online.org/news/the-assessor
