Copart launches new vehicle grading system

Leading online vehicle remarketing business – Copart UK has launched its own stringent grading system to give buyers a clear and definable indication of a vehicle’s condition.

The move is designed to boost transparency of vehicle condition and to help ILC Motor and ARC360 Corporate Partner Copart provide even more comprehensive vehicle information for its buyers.

The new process involves a rigorous 50-point inspection by Copart’s AQP qualified engineers. They then apply a grade that reflects the condition of the external bodywork of the vehicle, ranging from Grade 1 for minor ‘wear and tear’ repairs, to Grade 5 where more substantial structural repairs are required.

Copart’s UK’s automotive sales director, Michael Stewart, said they had introduced the new grading to add value to the wide range of vehicles sold via their online auctions.

“This simple and transparent grading gives our buyers a clear, definable indication of the condition of the vehicle, so that they can buy with trust and confidence and we can achieve higher sales returns for our sellers,”

he said.

“It also enables us to show the condition of these vehicles in-line with the wider used vehicle industry.”

The new grading will only be applied to vehicles that are classified as “run and drive” – i.e. those where Copart has verified that the vehicle started, could be put into gear and was capable of moving forward under its own power – as well as having no previous damage category.

Copart’s grading system is based on the same principals and rating structure as the other leading industry standards for physical motor auctions but is tailored to fit their 100% online auctions.

The new system is designed to strengthen and complement Copart’s existing range of end-to-end engineering services, which includes physical on-site vehicle assessment, reports by ATA/VDA-qualified engineer using industry-recognised accident damaged estimating systems, valuation guides and the latest manufacture repair technology.

Copart’s strategy and automotive division director, Mark Godfrey, said:

“The introduction of Vehicle Grading is part of our overall strategy to continually improve the information we provide on vehicles. This is just one of a comprehensive suite of changes that we are implementing to give our buyers complete transparency and provenance on the purchases they make in our online auctions.”

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Thatcham Research, on behalf of its members, has released a set of Insurance Industry Requirements (IIR) for the safe repair of ADAS-equipped vehicles. 

The requirements come as the number of ADAS-enabled vehicles on UK roads reaches 4.5 million, a figure that is set to grow exponentially as carmakers increasingly fit the latest driver assistance technology to new models. 

Richard Billyeald, chief technical officer, Thatcham Research stated: “The correct procedures for the safe repair of vehicles with ADAS, and in what scenarios calibration of the systems themselves is required, has been a long-standing challenge to the automotive repair industry. Today the IIR brings clarity to repairers and enables the long-term sustainability of ADAS-equipped vehicles. 

“Sensor calibration requirements vary greatly from one vehicle to another. But no matter what model is being fixed, it’s essential that manufacturers’ technical specifications are met to reinstate ADAS features safely, without compromising performance.” 

The IIR: the detail 

The IIR confirms that inspection, realignment and calibration requirements must be considered in all situations where ANY of the following is included within the repair, service or maintenance procedure: 

  • ADAS sensors, 
  • parts likely to affect the operation and functionality of ADAS sensors, or 
  • vehicle geometry 

Dean Lander, head of repair sector services, Thatcham Research comments,

“The IIR 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.” 

Dean Lander

The requirements establish the key steps repairers must follow to ensure that ADAS continue to function as they did pre-accident, including: 

  • Identifying the presence, or not, of ADAS on the vehicle and ensuring this is recorded 
  • Completing all relevant inspection, realignment and calibration activities as detailed within the repair procedures 
  • Ensuring that calibration results confirm that the sensors are functioning within the vehicle manufacturer’s technical specification 

In addition, repair procedures should clearly identify if inspection, realignment and calibration are required and why; repairs must be carried out by a ‘currently competent person’; and fully verifiable and auditable records should be produced, with a copy provided to the Asset Owner or Work Provider. 

Lander added:

“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 IIR, the accompanying guidance and more information can be found at: https://www.thatcham.org/insurance-industry-requirements/ 

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ARC360 webinars take a summer break

ARC360 will be taking a break for summer over the month of August, following 20 successful weekly webinars to date.

Over the next month we will be sharing material weekly with our audience to enjoy, so make sure you’re registered for ARC360 news: https://www.iloveclaims.com/join-ilc/

If you’re already looking forward to the next webinar, you can register here

We can’t wait to see you again on 2nd September.

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