A new survey by Autotech Training has exposed a stark readiness gap in the UK’s independent automotive aftermarket, with two-thirds of garages lacking any vehicle technicians qualified to carry out ADAS calibrations and repair work. More than half of respondents either outsource this work, at a cost of up to £300 per vehicle, or don’t offer it at all, while just 17.5% plan to invest in ADAS training over the next 12 months.
Significantly, every single garage that does not currently offer ADAS calibration selected “not applicable” when asked why they don’t provide this service. This strongly suggests that customers are unaware of ADAS calibration highlighting a serious gap in public understanding of these essential safety systems.
The findings indicate that many workshops are at risk of falling behind as demand for ADAS services inevitably rises, with profound implications for both road safety and business viability.
ADAS is now standard, but workshop capability lags behind
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have rapidly become a standard feature in today’s vehicles. In fact, over 90% of cars manufactured in 2018 came equipped with at least one ADAS function, such as lane-keeping or automatic emergency braking. These complex systems must be precisely calibrated after many routine repairs, including windscreen replacements, bumper work, and wheel alignments, to ensure they operate correctly and safely. Yet, Autotech Training’s survey found that more than 12% of respondents were unaware that calibration is even required following these common jobs, highlighting a worrying gap in knowledge at the repair level.
The findings also reveal that most independent garages are still underprepared to meet the growing demand for ADAS services. High equipment costs, staff shortages, and a lack of perceived customer demand remain significant barriers, leaving many businesses unable or unwilling to invest in the tools and training needed to provide this vital work.
Skills gap poses safety and trust risks
The survey mirrors warnings from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), which recently reported that just 7,572 technicians in the UK are currently qualified to work on ADAS. This represents only 3% of the nation’s automotive workforce, alarmingly low when compared to the projected requirement of nearly 97,000 trained technicians by 2032.
This highlights the widening gap between the rapid adoption of advanced vehicle technology and the industry’s readiness to support it.
Meanwhile, a growing “trust gap” between drivers and the automotive industry risks undermining public confidence in advanced vehicle technologies. Autotech Training’s findings highlight this concern, showing that fewer than half of garages (48%) feel very confident explaining ADAS calibration to customers. As a result, many drivers remain unaware that these systems must be recalibrated after certain repairs to ensure they function correctly and safely – and that their vehicle insurance may not cover them if their car has not been properly calibrated.
Lost business and slow investment
Nearly 15% of garages reported losing business or experiencing delays because they lacked the capability to perform ADAS calibrations in-house. Despite this clear evidence of missed opportunities, the vast majority of workshops have no immediate plans to invest in either equipment or training, underscoring a worrying lack of urgency.
Respondents pointed to several barriers holding them back. The high cost of specialist equipment was cited most frequently, with many garages struggling to justify the upfront investment. Staff shortages compound the problem, making it difficult to release technicians for training without disrupting day-to-day operations.
Added to this are time constraints and the perception of low customer demand, which collectively make it challenging for workshops to balance future investment with current operational pressures.
A roadmap to close the gap
To overcome these challenges, respondents highlighted the support they believe would make the greatest impact. Many called for clearer industry guidelines and standards, which would help define best practices and build trust in the services provided. Others stressed the need for greater consumer awareness, so vehicle owners understand why ADAS calibration is essential to their safety and actively request it following repairs.
Workshops also emphasised the importance of affordable access to training and equipment, suggesting that shared resources or subsidised programmes could help level the playing field for independent businesses. There was strong agreement that collaboration between manufacturers, training providers, and the aftermarket will be vital to ensure independent garages are not left behind as ADAS technology becomes increasingly central to vehicle safety.
“The results of this survey are a wake-up call for the entire automotive industry,” comments Alistair McCrindle, Operations Director, Autotech Training. “With so few vehicle technicians ADAS qualified and many customers unaware of the importance of calibration, there is a real risk that vehicles will return to the road with systems that are not functioning as they should, compromising safety for drivers and other road users. At Autotech Training, we are committed to helping close this gap.
By delivering IMI-accredited ADAS training directly to garages using mobile calibration equipment, we’re making it easier for workshops to upskill their teams without disrupting day-to-day operations. The independent aftermarket has a vital role to play, but it needs support, clear standards, and greater awareness to ensure every vehicle on the road is repaired and calibrated to the highest safety standards.”
For further information visit www.autotechtraining.co.uk
