Thatcham’s escribe celebrates 10 years of providing vital intelligence

• escribe continues to serve UK vehicle repairers in its 10th anniversary year.

• Repair portal contains more than half a million repair methods, across more than 1,000 models.

• escribe users complete just under two million methods downloads per year.

• Demand for ADAS repair methods guidance has risen by 58% in the last five years.

• EV repair methods downloads have increased by more than 300% since 2018.

• 89% of escribe users describe it as a vital one-stop-shop reference tool.

• As Thatcham Research marks the 10th anniversary of its online escribe repair methods tool, the automotive risk intelligence company has given an insight into how emerging vehicle technology is altering the profile of the UK car parc.

Since the online version of escribe was first launched in 2012[1], it has become the UK’s leading online repair methods solution. It gives insurance engineers, vehicle damage assessors (VDAs) and repairers instant access to methods and technical information – across more than 1,000 models – and enables the industry to promptly return damaged vehicles to their pre-accident condition.

In a recent survey conducted by Thatcham Research, 89% of users valued escribe as a one-stop-shop reference tool, and a further 87% highly rated the portal for its ease of use. 

Moving with the times

escribe contains over 500,000 repair methods with users completing close to two million downloads every year. Crucially, escribe continues to keep pace with car parc change – particularly when it comes to the increased proliferation of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Electric Vehicle (EV) technology.

Karen Jakes, Thatcham Research Senior Product Manager, said: “As the profile of the cars we drive continues to evolve rapidly, its vital that repairers are provided with dynamic repair intelligence.

“escribe is uniquely positioned to support repairers in overcoming the challenges they're facing. Our vehicle-led research programme allows us to add 7,000 new methods per month, powered by a combination of expert vehicle data analysis and rigorous engineering grade research conducted in our state-of-the-art Repair Technology Centre.

“It plays an important role in not only ensuring safe repair, but also providing repairers with BS10125 compliant methods.”

ADAS in the spotlight

Thatcham Research noted that in 2022, the number of new car sales with standard fit Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) stood at 91%, compared to only 53% in 2018. It also observed that 25% of licensed cars had standard fit AEB in 2022, compared to just 10% in 2018.

The demand for ADAS information from repairers significantly increased over the same period with data showing that methods requests increased by 58%, while downloads for ADAS equipped vehicles rose by 45%.

Thatcham Research has also recorded a 300% increase in ADAS Alert ‘look-ups’ within escribe since 2018. Alerts contain information about sensor type, location, calibration requirements, as well as other system and technology types that may be fitted to the vehicle. 

Increased EV awareness

During the last five years, the EV car parc in the UK has expanded significantly, with 17% of new car sales attributed to Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in 2022, compared to only 1% in 2018.

Unsurprisingly, interest in EVs from within the vehicle repair industry has increased hugely as technicians become more aware of the need to identify specific considerations that ensure the safe handling of EVs.

Thatcham Research has noted a 331% rise in methods requests for vehicles within the EV market (BEV, HEV and PHEV) alone during the last five years, while the number of methods downloads has increased by 333%.

Jakes said: “While coverage stood at 98% of licensed cars and LCVs and 92% of newly registered cars and LCVs in 2022, the constantly evolving nature of modern vehicles requires a methods solution that evolves in parallel.

“The rise of emerging tech and its impact on the repair industry is something we see every day in our data. And with vehicle manufacturer annual zero emission sales targets rising exponentially in response to government proposals, escribe's fundamental role in supporting sustainable repair is only going to increase.

“As we look ahead to another decade of escribe success, our dedicated Research Engineering, Vehicle Data Management and Helpline teams are focused on delivering the best repair advice, guidance and recommendations to our user community.”