IMI warns of dangerous shortfall in ADAS-qualified technicians

New data from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) reveals a critical shortage of UK automotive technicians qualified to work on vehicles equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Despite 13% of vehicles now featuring ADAS technology, only 2% of technicians - just 4,425 individuals - are trained and IMI TechSafe registered to service and repair these systems.

“The proportion of ADAS-equipped vehicles has grown from 11% in January 2024 to 13% in July, yet there has not been a similar increase in the proportion of ADAS-trained technicians,” said Kevin Finn, executive chair of the IMI.

“As the adoption of ADAS accelerates, especially with the move towards fully automated vehicles, it is critical that more technicians are trained to work on this complex and potentially life-saving technology.”

ADAS, a precursor to fully autonomous vehicles, includes features such as lane departure warnings and emergency braking systems.

These systems significantly enhance vehicle safety, but their failure can have catastrophic consequences, particularly at high speeds.

Many drivers mistakenly believe their ADAS systems are automatically checked during routine servicing, potentially leaving dangerous malfunctions undetected.

The IMI, which launched Level 2 and Level 3 ADAS qualifications in 2022, continues to advocate for future legislation to address the skills gap in ADAS maintenance.

This follows the introduction of the Automated Vehicles Bill in 2024, which could increase the demand for qualified technicians.

The IMI's TechSafe recognition programme independently assesses and certifies the competence of technicians, particularly in critical safety areas like ADAS and electric vehicles.

For more detailed insights, the IMI ADAS TechSafe report can be downloaded.