Looking for consumer confidence in the automotive repair industry
Badly repaired cars are a leading cause of traffic accidents and pose a serious risk to the safety of individuals and families on the road. However, a recent poll shows over 80 percent of the population do not know how to tell a good vehicle technician from a bad one.
On the 22nd March the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) scheme announced its 20,000th accredited technician, offering a highly visible and successful solution to the lack of consumer confidence in the automotive repair industry.
ATA is a voluntary scheme by which technicians prove their technical competence, and are also bound by an ethical Code of Conduct.
BSI is an independent body that owns and operates the Kitemark scheme, which aims to raise the standard of quality repairs. BSI uses ATA for the vehicle body repair qualification for technicians to ensure that they are trained to the highest standard when repairing cars.
Claire Lynam Head of Communications & Alliances at BSI commented "The BSI Kitemark vehicle body repair scheme is voluntary and so we are especially pleased to say we are nearing the 700th bodyshop to gain the BSI Kitemark for body repair. The ATA and those that achieve its certification play an important part in ensuring the ongoing safety of vehicle repairs in the UK.."
Sarah Sillars OBE FIMI, Executive Chair of The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), which administers the ATA scheme added: "Both the Kitemark and ATA have been accepted by the industry as recognisable and effective quality assurance marks. Today’s vehicles are increasingly complex, so it is vital there are benchmarks of competence for automotive professionals which the public can recognise."
For more information on BSI Kitemark contact www.kitemark.com.
Or to find your nearest accredited technician, a consumer can visit www.okwithata.com.
Technicians considering accreditation can find out more information including where to locate their nearest assessment centre, by visiting the ATA web-site www.automotivetechnician.org.uk.
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