A set of rules for repairing vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) has been published by Thatcham Research.
The Insurance Industry Requirements (IIR) come as the number of ADAS-equipped vehicles on UK roads reaches 4.5 million, which Thatcham says will only increase as manufacturers continue to fit more technology to new models.
The IIRs say that inspection, calibration and realignment requirements for the ADAS must be considered when any servicing, maintenance or repair work is carried out involving not just the ADAS sensors themselves, but also parts likely to affect their operation, and vehicle geometry.
The IIRs also set out the key steps repairers need to take to ensure that the systems continue to function as they did pre-accident.
Thatcham’s head of repair sector services, Dean Lander, said: “The IIRs will deliver clarity to bodyshops who need a standardised approach to repairing ADAS.
“The goal is for ADAS reinstatement to become business as usual, presenting no greater challenge than fitting a new wheel.
“As features like autonomous emergency braking and lane keeping systems become more and more common, continuing with a disparate approach to ADAS repair is at best inefficient and at worst a threat to road safety.”
The introduction of the new rules has been supported by BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney.
He said: “The BVRLA welcomes the publication of this important guidance, which will help ensure that vehicles with ADAS equipment can be repaired, serviced and maintained without compromising their vital safety functionality.
“Automotive technology is changing rapidly, and it is great that the insurance and automotive sectors have been able to collaborate on this document.”