The automotive industry is facing a critical skills gap that could have serious implications for road safety. A recent survey by Autotech Training has uncovered a widespread lack of expertise in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) calibration and repair among independent garages in the UK.
The findings are alarming: two-thirds of independent garages lack any qualified technicians for ADAS work, with over half either outsourcing these services or not offering them at all. Only a small fraction, 17.5%, plan to invest in ADAS training within the next year.
But here's where it gets controversial: every garage that doesn't currently offer ADAS calibration responded with "not applicable" when asked why. Autotech Training suggests this points to a deeper issue - drivers are largely unaware that these systems require recalibration after routine repairs.
ADAS features, like lane-keeping aids and automatic emergency braking, are now standard on most new cars. Over 90% of vehicles built in 2018 came equipped with at least one such system. These technologies demand precise recalibration after common jobs like windscreen replacements, bumper repairs, or wheel alignments.
Yet, over 12% of garages surveyed were unaware of this calibration requirement, indicating a significant knowledge gap among repairers even as demand for these services grows.
Workshops cited high equipment costs, staff shortages, and perceived lack of customer demand as the main barriers to offering ADAS services.
The survey's results align with recent warnings from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), which found that only 7,572 UK technicians are currently qualified to work on ADAS - a mere 3% of the total automotive workforce. The IMI estimates the UK will need almost 97,000 ADAS-trained technicians by 2032.
Autotech Training highlights a growing "trust gap" between vehicle technology adoption and workshop readiness. Fewer than half of the surveyed garages feel confident explaining ADAS calibration to customers, despite the critical safety implications of incorrect or missed calibration, which can even affect insurance validity.
Nearly 15% of garages reported losing business or facing delays due to their inability to perform calibrations in-house. Yet, most have no immediate plans to invest in the necessary equipment or training.
Respondents cited high upfront costs, staffing issues, and time pressures as the main deterrents. Many also believe customers aren't yet asking for ADAS services, making it harder to prioritize future-proofing over immediate demands.
Independent workshops called for clearer industry standards, stronger consumer awareness campaigns, and easier access to training and equipment, including shared resources or subsidized programs.
Many believe closer collaboration between manufacturers, training providers, and the aftermarket is essential to ensure independents aren't left behind as ADAS becomes increasingly central to vehicle safety.
"The results of this survey are a stark reminder of the challenges facing the automotive industry," says Alistair McCrindle, operations director at Autotech Training. "With so few vehicle technicians ADAS-qualified and many customers unaware of calibration's importance, there's a real risk that vehicles will return to the road with compromised safety systems, endangering drivers and other road users."
What are your thoughts on this skills gap and its potential impact on road safety? Do you think the industry is doing enough to address this issue, or is more collaboration and awareness needed?
