The MVRA wants to refocus on supporting its bodyshop and workshop membership.

The company was founded 20 years ago as a trade body but has since become heavily involved with work provision for its members and accident management for insurers.

Now these are transferring to parent group Capita, leaving MVRA to get back to tackling issues and advising members.

It comes as the RMIF’s Bodyshop Services Division also prepares for action on behalf of body repairers.

Some industry onlookers even suggest MVRA may be a takeover target for the RMIF, which wants more independent bodyshop members.

Chief executive Mike Monaghan discounted this but said MVRA would work with other trade bodies on major issues.

It also wants industry stakeholders such as the IMI involved in its members’ advisory group.

Monaghan said: “MVRA has developed into a recognised and respected part of the industry but we also became a very intricate organisation perhaps better known for our accident management capabilities than our voice of the repairer role.”

From October 1, the MVRA is handing over all accident management responsibility to parent group Capita’s facilities at Bristol.