Qualification objective and structure

The route to full membership of the IAEA will provide knowledge and understanding of the application of the key issues involved in vehicle damage assessment, including:

Section 1 Basic principles of maths and physics application to accident reconstruction

Section 2 Motor vehicle legislation as related to insurance principles

Section 3 Principles and practice of vehicle damage assessment

Section 4 Motor insurance

Section 5 Motor Vehicle Technology

To achieve the full membership status of the IAEA you need to complete at least four of the Institute's written examinations (two of which may have been passed at Associate level) as well as having a current (less than four years old) Institute Practical Examination or equivalent.

Who is full membership of the IAEA suitable for?

  • Anyone employed in an engineer assessing role within the motor vehicle repair industry wishing to gain an understanding of insurance and legal principles relevant to the industry, the process of vehicle damage assessment, motor vehicle technology and the principles of physics and maths applied to accident reconstruction.
  • Anyone employed in an engineer assessing role within the motor vehicle repair industry wishing to build on their job knowledge with sound understanding of insurance and legal principles relevant to the industry, the process of vehicle damage assessment, motor vehicle technology and the principles of physics and maths applied to accident reconstruction
  • Anyone employed in an engineer assessing role within the motor vehicle repair industry wishing to begin or restart their studies towards a professional qualification.

Are there any specific skills or prior knowledge required to start studying towards full membership of the IAEA?

  • Working in an engineer assessing role within the motor vehicle repair industry.
  • Relevant training as appropriate for the automotive sector such as an apprenticeship.

How are the exams assessed?

Written exams

The written exams for sections 2,3 & 4 are 2.5 hours and candidates are required to answer 5 out of 6 questions. Each question will assess knowledge of one or more area of the syllabus and will consist of a number of short answer style questions.

The written exams for sections 1&5 are 3 hours. Section 1 requires candidates to answer 5 out of 6 questions. Each question will assess knowledge of one or more area of the syllabus and will consist of a number of short answer style questions. Section 5 comprises of five questions, each main question is made up of five short answer questions. Candidates are required to answer all five questions.

Tutor marked assignments (TMA) are provided for all sections of the written exams to assist candidates to prepare for the examination. The TMAs are reviewed and assessed by tutors, the tutor will provide feedback on the submission. The TMA result will not contribute towards the exam result. Candidates are strongly recommended to submit the TMA to their allocated tutor as part of their preparation for the exam.

Each TMA contains questions across the various learning outcomes of the syllabus. It is recommended that candidates complete each question as they progress through the study material.

The format of the TMA is a sample exam paper, the questions and structure are similar to the exam. This will provide experience of how to answer an exam question in terms of structure and content as well as assist with understanding of the subject matter and will be invaluable as a revision tool.

Candidates should avoid submitting the TMA close to the exam date as delays in marking are likely and this can impact the benefit received from tutor's feedback.

Syllabus

Practical exam

Candidates are required to complete two physical vehicle assessments using escribe. There will also be one image supported vehicle assessment. For the image based assessment: candidates will be provided with a pre-prepared and fully costed vehicle repair specification including supporting vehicle images and will be required to review the content of the assessment for accuracy.

The assessment will take place over a full day and the assessor will be present at all times. The learning outcomes assessed are:

  • Vehicle appraisal and valuation
  • Repair methods costings
  • Salvage knowledge application

Candidates are required to achieve 70% in all learning outcomes across the three vehicle assessments to pass the practical exam. Candidates including an unsafe repair specification in the repair methods costings will be unable to achieve a pass. An unsafe repair specification is one where a key structural panel/part has been omitted or repaired, or an SRS component has been omitted from the repair specification. In addition incorrect identification of factory fitted safety options fitted to the vehicle e.g. airbags TCS etc. constitutes an unsafe repair specification.

The practical exam can be taken at Thatcham Automotive Academy or DIT Dublin, dates are routinely offered throughout the year. Details can be obtained and bookings made direct via the relevant site.

Bridging exam

The IAEA Vehicle Valuation and Salvage Categorisation Bridging Exam was introduced to align the three year ATA VDA qualification with the content of the IAEA practical and the original five year ATA VDA (pre April 2012) qualification.

Candidates who have a current ATA VDA are required to take the IAEA vehicle valuation and salvage categorisation bridging exam unless a five year ADA VDA (pre 2012) has previously been held. Candidates will be required to provide certification/documentation of the previous ATA VDA

The bridging exam can be taken at the oral exam centres, these are held in UK locations twice a year, additional sessions can be arranged subject to demand. The exam is taken online and has two parts.

Part 1 involves correctly categorising accident damaged vehicles and part 2 requires correct valuation of three vehicles.

The learning outcomes assessed are:

  • Vehicle appraisal and valuation using GlassNet
  • Salvage knowledge application using the ABI Code of Practice.