I have learnt and achieved more than I ever thought I would have working in the industry.
I have always had an interest in cars so when I saw that there was a customer service position opening up for the Solus Bolton site back when it was being built, I jumped at the opportunity. I have since worked my way up from Customer Service Assistant to Part Assistant to Total Loss Advisor to VDA Apprentice and now a fully qualified VDA.
I work at a big and bright state of the art facility, which was unexpected but nice to see and everyone is really friendly and everyone helps one another.
The part of my job I enjoy the most is getting outside and doing hands-on inspections of vehicles. Every inspection is different and challenges me in a different way.
My role as a Vehicle Damage Assessor (VDA) is to build repair estimates for vehicles that have been damaged in accidents by either looking at photos or from completing hands-on inspections. In short, I confirm what can or cannot be repaired on the vehicle, or whether the vehicle should be deemed a total loss.
The VDA role is about more than just looking at a dented bumper and being able to see that it is damaged. I am the detective trying to find what is and isn’t damaged and being able to balance technical knowledge with financial feasibility.
I need to have a wide array of knowledge and not just about vehicles. I need good structural, mechanical, and electrical knowledge about vehicles, but I also need to have expert level attention to detail and great customer service skills for both face to face and over the phone interactions with customers.
Cars are being equipped with more and more equipment every year and the technology in them is advancing faster than ever before. There is always something new to learn and it’s exciting to see where cars will go next. I have also managed to spend some time working on hydrogen cars, so it will be interesting to see if they go mainstream.
If you have an interest in cars, it should absolutely be something you should consider. I have learnt so much from working in the industry and my interest in cars has only grown.
I have learnt and achieved more than I ever thought I would have working in the industry. If I had to do it all over again I would.
