The Assessor Winter 2026 PDF - Flipbook - Page 22
JOURNAL
FIX AUTO BASINGSTOKE
FUTURE-READY
ACCIDENT REPAIR
The Editor of The Assessors Journal, Kelly Dalwood, joined a range of guests from across
the insurance, accident repair and bodyshop supply chain at the Fix Auto Basingstoke
open day. The team proudly opened the doors to a brand-new purpose-build 25,000 sq ft
facility to showcase the impressive sustainability credentials at the Hampshire business.
he new facility
represents a major
investment for the
Fix Auto Basingstoke
operation, delivering
enhanced repair capability, improved
work昀氀ow ef昀椀ciency, and a substantial
reduction in environmental impact.
T
During the visit, Kelly also spoke to
Stuart Jarvis, Group VDA Manager,
about the importance of a methodical
approach to vehicle damage appraisal
at this busy BS10125 bodyshop, which
also includes a nearby dedicated
15,000 sq ft site Van Repair Centre.
team – which includes Stuart, three
other VDAs and an Apprentice VDA,
together with the centralised 昀椀nance
and customer service teams at the new
site – are integral to the continued
business growth and success.
Stuart is currently mentoring Fix Auto
Basingstoke Apprentice VDA, Freddie,
who is truly getting “hands-on” with all
aspects of estimating.
Following the job through the entire
process is something Stuart sees as
key to understand the fundamentals of
vehicle damage appraisal, said Stuart.
and shadowing the MET technicians,
Freddie is seeing the whole repair
process – from start to 昀椀nish,” he
explained. This includes inspecting
the car when it 昀椀rst arrives on site
and speaking to the driver, when
appropriate, to understand how and
where the car sustained damage.
Time is taken to learn about and
experience critical repair functions,
such as the importance of correct
wheel alignment and ADAS
calibrations.
With a roster of insurance and
manufacturer approvals, the Fix Auto
Basingstoke team have a strong,
collaborative and cohesive relationship
with their work partners, and this
Fix Auto Van Repair Service, located
just 500 metres down the road, is a
busy specialist LCV centre. The VDA
VDA APPRENTICE
22
THE ASSESSORS JOURNAL | WINTER 2026 | www.iaea-online.org/news/the-assessor
“From researching repair methods, to
spending time in the parts department
