Bodyshop VDA

Cooks Motor Group; Chester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive group in Chester is looking for a Bodyshop VDA to conduct vehicle assessments and support the repair team. The ideal candidate will have experience in vehicle damage estimating and a comprehensive understanding of the automotive industry. You will liaise with insurers, inform customers about repairs, and ensure the quality of work delivered meets high standards. This role offers generous leave, career development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

33 days of annual leave

Exclusive retail discounts

Discounts on cars and servicing

Company pension scheme

Flexible working options

Healthcare access

Volunteering day

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Previous experience in vehicle damage estimating.
• Administrative skills for handling customer communications.
• Ability to manage a varied workload efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Carry out detailed vehicle assessments and estimates.
• Liaise with insurers and customers regarding repairs.
• Maintain quality control of repairs and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Vehicle damage estimating

Automotive industry experience

Knowledge of the motor trade

Team management skills

Methodical approach

Deadline prioritization

UK driving licence

Education

ATA qualification (desirable)

Job description

Bodyshop VDA (Vehicle Damage Assessor) – Volkswagen Chester

Time to switch up a gear? Be part of something better.

Working here at Group 1 Automotive as a Bodyshop VDA, you’ll carry out detailed vehicle assessments, liaise with insurers and customers, and support the bodyshop team in delivering excellent repair quality and service.

As part of a successful, global automotive group, you’ll broaden your experience across both sites and brands. And with the right support from us, you’ll be able to progress as high as you can aim.

What we can offer you

• Enjoy 33 days of annual leave(including bank holidays) to rest and recharge
• Save money every day withour exclusive retail discounts
• Drive a great dealwith discounts on new and used cars, plus servicing offers
• Plan for the years aheadwith our company pension scheme
• Balance home and workwith our industry‑leading family‑friendly policies designed to help you spend more time with the people that matter
• Commute for lesswith our cycle‑to‑work scheme
• Prioritise your wellbeingwith dedicated support for you and your family
• 24/7 access to healthcare professionals, ensuring you get the expert advice you need quickly and easily
• Make a differencewith a paid day to volunteer in your community
• Invest in your futurewith our company share purchase plan
• Earn financial rewardswhen you refer a friend to join the team
• Keep learning and growing with our training and development opportunities for everyone.
• Life assurancewith the option to increase cover
• We’re open to flexible working options – just ask

What you’ll do day to day

• Carrying out estimates accurately, in detail acceptable to the Manager and sending these to customers in a timely manner.
• Ensuring you clearly identify and understand the customer’s needs and desires.
• Maintaining a thorough understanding of the full range of competitors’ products and services.
• Informing customers of additional repairs needed over and above those estimated for, including approximate costs and revised completion.
• Liaising with insurance companies /third parties to access necessary claim information.
• Carrying out all estimate follow‑ups.
• Handing over completed vehicles ensuring customer satisfaction with work carried out.
• Making sure a constant communication is adhered to at all times with approved repairer.
• Assisting the Workshop Controller to achieve recorded completion dates or advise Bodyshop Administrator of issues affecting completion date.
• Responsibility for work quality and final checking of all vehicles for both the repair and completion stage.

Helpful skills and qualifications

Don’t worry about ticking off every single skill here− if you care about delivering great experiences as much as we do, we want to hear from you.

• Previous experience in vehicle damage estimating (ATA qualification desirable)
• Previous experience of working within the Automotive industry
• Comprehensive knowledge of the motor trade
• Able to influence, motivate and manage a team effectively
• Maintain methodical and logical approach to varying workloads
• Will be able to meet deadlines and prioritise workloads
• A full UK driving licence

We value diversity and believe it strengthens our team. If you don’t meet every requirement listed but are enthusiastic about this role and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply.

Be part of something big

Group 1 Automotive is on an exciting growth journey. We are home to over 7000 colleagues dedicated to providing exceptional customer service, with 114 dealerships in the UK, representing 21 brands at the forefront of automotive retail.

But you don’t need to love cars to work with us- just need to share our mission to create outstanding and trusted experiences for our customers, our partners, and our people.

Our Values

At Group 1 Automotive we pride ourselves on our five core values that are incorporated in all we that do.

Respect - Integrity - Transparency - Teamwork – Professionalism

These are the principles that every member of our team lives by, whether that be business functions, customer interactions, how we interact with the local community and even how we view each other in the team.