Vehicle Damage Assessor

Vehicle Damage Assessor (VDA)
Location: Plymouth
Salary: Up to £40,000 Basic Salary + Bonus (OTE £45,000)
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm (30-minute lunch break)

Vehicle Damage Assessor

Pybus Recruitment is currently recruiting for an experienced Vehicle Damage Assessor (VDA) to join a successful and growing automotive accident repair business in Plymouth.

This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled VDA who can accurately assess vehicle damage, prepare detailed repair estimates, and liaise effectively with insurers, customers, and workshop teams to ensure repairs are completed efficiently and to the highest standards.

The Role

As a Vehicle Damage Assessor, you will play a vital role within the bodyshop operation, producing accurate repair estimates, planning repairs, managing parts requirements, and ensuring repair work is completed in line with insurer guidelines, customer expectations, and business objectives.

You will work closely with technicians, parts departments, insurers, and customers to ensure a smooth repair journey while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Estimating & Repair Planning
• Produce accurate manual and computerised vehicle damage estimates.
• Ensure repair methods are technically correct, commercially viable, and compliant with insurer requirements.
• Prepare detailed repair plans to support workshop efficiency.
• Manage estimate authorisations and liaise with insurers where required.
• Maintain accurate documentation and estimation records.
• Parts Management
• Identify and order parts required for vehicle repairs.
• Verify part specifications, quantities, and suitability.
• Manage parts returns and handle discrepancies efficiently.
• Ensure traceability and accurate record keeping for all parts ordered.
• Workshop Liaison
• Communicate repair requirements clearly to bodyshop technicians.
• Work closely with workshop teams to minimise delays and maximise productivity.
• Coordinate total loss procedures where applicable.
• Support repair planning and help resolve technical queries throughout the repair process.
• Compliance & Quality
• Ensure all work is completed in accordance with health and safety requirements.
• Maintain compliance with insurer standards and internal audit procedures.
• Uphold quality standards and support continuous improvement within the bodyshop.

Apply Today

If you’re an experienced Vehicle Damage Assessor, Vehicle Estimator, or Automotive Estimator seeking your next opportunity in Plymouth, we’d love to hear from you.

Pybus Recruitment partners with leading automotive employers across the UK and will manage your application in the strictest confidence.

Requirements

About You

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience as a Vehicle Damage Assessor, Vehicle Estimator, or similar role within an accident repair centre.
• Strong understanding of vehicle repair methods and estimating procedures.
• Experience working with estimating systems such as Audatex and workshop management systems such as Autoflow.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to liaise professionally with customers, insurers, and colleagues.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of insurer processes and repair authorisation procedures.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Full right to work within the UK.
• Desirable Qualifications & Experience
• IMI Accreditation in Vehicle Damage Assessment.
• Experience handling total loss assessments.
• Familiarity with parts verification and traceability processes.
• Previous mentoring or support of trainee or apprentice VDAs.

Benefits

What’s On Offer

• Up to £40,000 basic salary depending on experience.
• OTE of £45,000 through bonus opportunities.
• Monday to Friday working pattern with no regular weekends.
• 30 days holiday including bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Company pension scheme.
• Health cash plan.
• Employee recognition programme.
• Long service awards.
• Recommend-a-friend bonus scheme.
• High street discounts and rewards platform.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Free on-site parking.
• Ongoing training and career development opportunities.