The Vehicle Builders & Repairs Association
The Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association (VBRA) is a national trade association that represents businesses in the vehicle building, accident repair, and specialist body repair industries.
Industry Support & Representation
The VBRA is part of the National Body Repair Association (NBRA) since the two merged in recent years, but the VBRA name is still used for its specialist sectors.
The VBRA supports its members by:
Setting Standards
Setting industry standards for quality and safety.
Providing Accreditations
Providing accreditation and recognition for workshops that meet those standards
Training & Advice
Offering technical advice and training to improve skills and keep up with new vehicle technology.
Industry Representation
Lobbying and representing members’ interests to government and industry bodies.
Promotion
Promoting professionalism to give customers confidence in VBRA-accredited repairers.
VBRA Leadership
Your Representatives for Technical and Commercial Support
Your VBRA representatives are Thomas Hudd, National NBRA/VBRA Technical Business Development Manager, who has been part of the VBRA for seven years, and Gerry Braddock, National VBRA Commercial Manager, who has been part of the VBRA for 27 years.
Why become an Elite Truck and Van standard member?
VBRA Mission Statement
The VBRA is the UK’s only trade association solely dedicated to supporting commercial vehicle bodybuilders and repairers. Our mission is to uphold and advance the highest standards in the commercial vehicle repair sector by providing leadership, accreditation, and guidance that reflect the unique technical demands of the industry.
We are the founders of the Elite Truck & Van Standard — the UK’s only recognised benchmark that evidences a repairer’s competence in both cosmetic and structural commercial vehicle body repair. We also lead the sector in developing and publishing ADAS safety guidance, helping ensure that repairers are equipped to work safely and effectively with the latest technologies.
Through industry collaboration, advocacy, and expert technical support, we empower our members to deliver safe, compliant, and high-quality repairs — building trust with operators, insurers, manufacturers, and the wider commercial transport sector.
Our Core Values
Shaping the Future of Commercial Vehicle Repair
Integrity
We set and uphold honest, fair, and transparent standards that benefit the entire sector.
Technical Excellence
We champion best practice through the Elite Truck & Van Standard and support repairers in achieving the highest levels of competence.
Industry Leadership
We proactively develop guidance and influence policy to shape the future of the commercial vehicle repair sector.
Support & Advocacy
We stand by our members with practical advice, technical resources, and strong representation at both national and regional levels.
Innovation
We embrace change and champion the adoption of new technologies, repair techniques, and compliance solutions to futureproof the industry.
Safety First
We prioritise safety across all aspects of repair, from structural integrity to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).