A Sutton vehicle repair centre has expanded to create a dedicated ADAS — Advanced Driver Assisted Systems — centre.

ADAS are the cameras/radars developed to help drivers stay safe but, once a car has been involved in an incident, need recalibrating.

Fix Auto Sutton owner Steve Cook has invested significantly in his business, taking over an additional two new adjoining units to create the ADAS centre.

The additional space takes the size of the award-winning repair centre to 16,000sq ft and is being used as additional panel repairing and MET facility.

Steve said: “The incredible pace in which ADAS calibrations are needed to complete the repair process has driven this investment. Eighteen months ago, a handful of cars we repaired each week needed ADAS calibrating so we outsourced the service. Now, practically every vehicle passing through the centre has to be calibrated in some way.

“Every repairer knows it’s a significant but necessary investment. With every inch of the business in use I had no other choice but to expand to an additional unit.

“Three became available, which we secured, refurbished and equipped to create a standalone ADAS centre and additional repair space to help increase our productivity.”

Mark Swaby, of Bodyshop Solutions Ltd, who worked with Steve and his team to equip the new centre, said: “ADAS is a significant investment and Steve came to us with a specific criteria and needs which we adhered to in order to devise a tailor-made, modular, system that met his requirements.”

Fix Auto UK’s Ian Pugh said: “Here is another Fix Auto UK franchisee who is clearly thinking and planning for the immediate and long-term future of his operation. Any investment, no matter how big or small, has to be hugely positive for the business and its team.”