The way vehicles are used is evolving at a rapid rate.

Cars today have sensors, cameras, and software that vehicles from even ten years ago didn’t. Not only are vehicles more connected than ever, but that also means vehicle repairs have changed drastically.

Vehicle body shops need specialist knowledge and skill sets that most mechanics don’t have yet.

Here’s the dilemma…

Vehicle technology is advancing faster than most workshops can keep up with. Shops without proper training will soon become extinct.

Luckily if you live near experienced car mechanics in Chatham or other locations that have seasoned vehicle mechanics with specialized knowledge, your car is in great hands because these shops are investing in their technicians with the training and equipment they need.

Hang tight…

Table of contents

• Why Modern Vehicles Have Created A Demand For Specialist Mechanics
• How ADAS Calibration Is Changing Vehicle Body Shop Repairs
• How These New Technology Features Are Causing A Skills Gap
• What Vehicle Owners With Modern Cars Should Be Looking For

Why Modern Vehicles Have Created A Demand For Specialist Mechanics

You no longer need to worry about your mechanic rolling up with a wrench and taking over your vehicle.

Today’s vehicles aren’t your father’s cars. They have cameras and sensors inside their body panels, bumpers and windshields that support Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure alerts and adaptive cruise control all rely on these ADAS tools to function properly.

But wait…there’s more…

If your car was in an accident that caused your sensors to fall out of alignment you would need to get those replaced or recalibrated. What used to be an easy bumper replacement or windshield repair now needs extensive recalibration to ensure your safety features will work properly.

Your safety is on the line.

That’s why when vehicle owners bring their car into a shop for body repairs these days, technicians have to make sure they’re preparing their vehicles for the road in the same condition or better than how they drove off the lot.

Modern vehicles have created a need for specialist mechanics at your local vehicle body shop who can properly recalibrate your safety sensors.

How ADAS Calibration Is Changing Vehicle Body Shop Repairs

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are changing how repairs are made at your local vehicle body shop.

According to Caliber Insights, approximately 65% of all collision repairs require some type of ADAS calibration. With new vehicles hitting the road every day that percentage is only going to continue to grow.

Think about that.

That means 2 out of every 3 vehicles coming into a vehicle shop will need specialist calibration done after repairs are made. Mechanics will need to recalibrate sensors so your safety technology can function properly again.

Some vehicle repairs require:

• Specialist calibration equipment
• Software provided by the vehicle manufacturer
• Technicians who understand where every sensor is located
• Certified workshop environments

If your vehicle technician can’t calibrate your sensors correctly your vehicles built-in safety features may not work.

If your car has forward collision warning, you can drift out of your lane in as little as 180 feet if your sensors are off by even one degree.

That’s scary stuff.

Without the right calibration tools or technician training some vehicle body shops will either need to outsource the calibration or turn you away as a customer.

How These New Technology Features Are Causing A Skills Gap

Now it’s time to do a little deep dive…

The automotive industry is expecting to have around 70,000 openings that need to be filled for mechanics each year through 2034. A lot of these positions are due to baby boomer generation vehicle mechanics retiring.

But here’s the crazy part…

The new generation of vehicle mechanics will need to have an altogether different set of skills. Sure they’ll need to know how to fix your car the way old-school mechanics did. They also need to understand how to fix vehicles that are loaded with sensitive sensors and ADAS technology.

New vehicle mechanics will be expected to know how to:

• Work with high-voltage technology for hybrid and electric vehicles
• Diagnose software problems and recalibrate sensitive sensors
• Understand how aluminium panels and carbon fibre parts are repaired
• Become knowledgeable on every manufacturers repair process

Vehicle technology is evolving quicker than workshop owners can hire new mechanics.

By the time workshops figure out what specific skill sets they need, their new hires will already need to be trained on newer technology.

Workshops that invest in their team’s education now will be leaps and bounds ahead of their competition. Those that don’t won’t be able to keep up with repairs that modern vehicles require.

What Vehicle Owners With Modern Cars Should Be Looking For

So what does all of this mean if you’re the owner of a modern vehicle?

It’s simple. You can’t trust just any vehicle body shop to make repairs on your car.

Many workshops aren’t equipped with the tools or training necessary to repair your vehicle. Vehicles today are too smart to just take your word that everything is working as it should after repairs. As a vehicle owner, there are some tell-tale signs you can look for before dropping your vehicle off at your local shop.

Ask your vehicle shop if they:

• Calibrate ADAS sensors as part of their standard repair process
• Use manufacturer approved procedures and equipment
• Have technicians with up-to-date training and certifications
• Have experience repairing modern vehicle body panels

While you’re at it, don’t be afraid to ask them questions. Do they use diagnostic scanning software? Do they pre-scan and post scan your vehicle? How familiar are they with your specific make and model?

These are all things your technician should be able to answer.

As vehicle technology progresses, these questions won’t just be nice-to-have, they’ll be required to know that your vehicle was repaired safely.

A quick pro-tip:

If your vehicle technician starts explaining your repairs to you using blanks and jargon, run for the hills. Reputable shops should be able to explain the process of your repair and answer any questions you have.

Bringing It All Together

Vehicle technology is changing quicker than vehicle shops can keep up.

While your mechanic may not need to roll up with a wrench anymore. They will need specialized knowledge on how to fix modern vehicles that are better than ever.

Things like ADAS calibration and software diagnostics are just some of the new skills technicians will need to have.

Vehicle owners with new, smart vehicles should take their time doing research before allowing someone to make repairs on their vehicle. You wouldn’t go to a doctor that’s still using outdated practices would you?

Your vehicle is your second home. Make sure you’re taking your car to the right specialist who can service your vehicle the way you expect it to.

If you’ve found yourself working on modern vehicles make sure you’re investing in specialist training for your team. They are the future of the vehicle repair industry.