BVocEd&Train CSturt, M.M.I.A.M.E, Mr. David Marston

General Specialties:

Automotive

Specialty Focus:

Expert Witness, Crash Analysis, Accident Reconstruction, Mechanical Failure, Fire Investigation

Education:

Tertiary & Trade Qualifications • Master Mechanic • Bachelor of Vocational Education & Training – Charles Sturt University • Certificate IV – Automotive (Light Vehicle Mechanical) • Certificate IV – Training & Assessment (TAA40104) • Certificate IV – Frontline Management • Certificate III & IV – Automotive Technology • Certificate III – Proficiency Automotive (Light Vehicle Mechanical), DET NSW • Certificate II – Automotive Electrical & Electronics • AURETH101 – Battery Electric Vehicles • AURETH011 – Hybrid Electric Vehicles Professional Development • Expert Legal Witness Training Programs • Governance & Finance for Registered Organisations training • Ongoing annual upskilling across automotive, marine, diagnostic and compliance fields • Research and development in LPG and Hydrogen systems to Australian and UN/EU standards • Continued workshop management and assessment training with the Motor Traders Association of NSW Licences & Memberships • Tradesman’s Certificate – LP Gas Mechanic • Tradesman’s Certificate – Light Vehicle Mechanic • Tradesman Air Conditioning Licence • NSW Motor Vehicle Repairer’s Licence • RMS Authorised Inspector – AIS & AUVIS (including LPG) • Master Member, Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers (IAME) since 1984 • NSW Driver’s Licence (Light Vehicle, Medium Rigid & Motorcycle) • Marine Vessel Licence – up to 40 ft • Advanced Open Water Diver • Private Pilot Licence

Years in Practice:

40

Number of cases in the last 4 years:

162

David Marston is a Master Mechanic with more than 40 years of practical experience across light and heavy vehicles, motorcycles and marine craft. He has designed and constructed automotive workshops, developed operational policies and procedures, and supervised technical teams to industry standards.

For the past 24 years—specifically the last 18 years—David has specialised in forensic automotive investigation for legal, insurance and government clients. He has conducted hundreds of assessments involving crash analysis, mechanical and component failure, immediate post-impact fires, repair quality disputes and human injury mechanisms.

David is an experienced Expert Witness who has given evidence and been cross-examined in the Federal Court (including class actions), Supreme, District and Local Courts, as well as multiple Civil and Administrative Tribunals across Australia and overseas. He has been engaged by leading law firms and barristers on complex automotive, defect, and catastrophic loss matters.

For over 12 years, David has also undertaken international research and development, designing, testing and implementing automotive, LPG and hydrogen systems in Australia and overseas.
He is the immediate past National Chairman of the Australian Automotive Repairers Association and an immediate past Board Member and an immediate past Advisory Councilor of the Motor Traders Association of NSW. He currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer for a hydrogen research company based in Melbourne. David is also an experienced technical educator, course designer and former automotive lecturer with TAFE NSW.

Forensic & Expert Witness Work
• Motor vehicle crash analysis and reconstruction
• Forensic examination of mechanical and component failures
• Post-impact fire origin investigation
• Human accident and injury mechanism assessment
• Expert report review and critique
• Accident dynamics analysis, including tyre marks, stopping distances and impact calculations

Automotive & Marine Technical Expertise
• Petrol, diesel, LPG, hybrid, electric and hydrogen systems
• Advanced diagnostics, engine management and computer system reprogramming
• Fuel injection diagnostics and repair
• Heavy vehicle systems including trucks, buses, cranes, forklifts and generators
• Marine inboard/outboard engines and marine electrical systems
• Engine rebuilds, driveline, braking, suspension, steering, body and chassis repair
• Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Vehicle electronics and modern computerised systems

Industry, Insurance & Compliance
• Mechanical, structural, paint/panel and fire-damage assessments
• Repair quality audits, cost assessments and compliance reviews
• Invoice analysis for accuracy and reasonableness
• Approved Assessor/Repairer for major insurers since 2005 (NRMA, Shannons, CommInsure)
• National Assessor & Auditor for LPG installations and certification
• Safety inspections, workshop audits and operational compliance evaluations

Specialist Areas
• LPG system design, conversions, service and repair
• Hydrogen system testing, certification and international deployment
• Child restraint installation and certification
• Specialist investigative support and skip-tracing within the automotive sector
• Developer and trainer of national automotive competency-based courses

40+ years hands-on mechanical and diagnostics experience.
24 years in forensic automotive assessment and expert reporting.
18+ years as an expert witness in litigation and insurance matters.
12+ years international R&D in hydrogen, LPG and advanced fuel systems.

Specialties:
Forensic & Legal:
Crash Analysis
Accident Reconstruction
Expert Witness
Mechanical Failure
Fire Investigation
Injury Mechanisms
Evidence Review
Report Critique

Mechanical & Technical
Diagnostics
Engine Systems
Fuel Injection
Hybrid Vehicles
Electric Vehicles
Hydrogen Systems
LPG Systems
Heavy Vehicles
Marine Engines
Vehicle Electronics
FMEA Analysis
Drivetrain
Braking Systems
Suspension
Chassis Repair
Engine Rebuilds

Insurance & Compliance
Damage Assessment
Repair Audits
Costing Analysis
Compliance Reviews
Workshop Audits
Safety Inspections
Invoice Review
LPG Certification

Specialist Areas
Hydrogen R&D
Alternative Fuels
Child Restraints
Marine Electrical
Off-Road Vehicles
Motorsport
Fleet Vehicles
Training & Education
Workshop Design