Timothy and Terry, technicians at Lookers’ Jaguar centre in Ipswich, are now included in the ATA register and hold an ATA photo-identity card. Customers are able to check their credentials on a dedicated website www.automotivetechnician.org.uk thereby raising confidence in the industry and the service provided.

The accreditation scheme, administered by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), was launched in 2005 to raise standards of car servicing and repair by testing the current competence of vehicle technicians. To achieve accreditation a technician must sign up to a code of conduct and pass a series of practical tasks and online tests.