Why Calibration Is Not Optional
Modern vehicles are packed with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) — lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and more. These systems are not just “nice extras.” They are safety-critical features designed to prevent accidents and save lives.
But here’s the catch: they only work if the sensors and cameras are precisely calibrated.
When your car undergoes a windscreen replacement, accident repair, suspension change, or even a simple wheel alignment, those delicate sensors can shift. If they’re not recalibrated, your car’s safety net may not activate when you need it most.
What Really Happens When Calibration Is Skipped
Drivers often assume that if the dashboard doesn’t show a fault light, everything is fine. Unfortunately, that’s not true. ADAS systems can function while being dangerously inaccurate.
Here are some real-world dangers:
- Lane Departure Warning: May react too late if the camera isn’t aligned to the road.
- Blind Spot Monitoring: Could completely miss a nearby vehicle.
- Emergency Braking: A radar pointing slightly off-target may delay braking by precious milliseconds.
- Adaptive Cruise Control: Misjudged distance could cause your car to accelerate too close to traffic ahead.
The scary part? You won’t know until it fails.
A Case From Our Workshop
At Safe Drive Group, we once recalibrated a car after a seemingly minor bumper repair. The front radar was sitting 8 millimetres off-center. That may not sound like much, but on the highway, it meant the car was “watching” the wrong lane. The driver had no warning — until a calibration test revealed the problem. Without fixing it, a simple lane change could have caused a serious accident.
Insurance and Legal Implications
Skipping calibration doesn’t just put lives at risk — it can also affect insurance. Most insurers now require proof of ADAS calibration after accident repairs. If the procedure isn’t carried out, a claim could be delayed, reduced, or even denied.
In other words, skipping calibration may save money upfront, but it can cost much more later — financially, legally, and personally.
Calibration is not an “extra.” It’s a vital step in keeping your car safe, compliant, and insurable. At SafeDrive Group, we follow strict manufacturer guidelines and provide detailed pre- and post-scan reports so you know your car is truly road-ready.