Collision Repair Calibration

Q: My body shop says they have reset the warning lights — is that enough?

No. Clearing fault codes removes the dashboard warning but does not realign the physical sensor. The system will appear to work normally but may detect objects at incorrect distances or angles. True calibration involves physically aligning the sensor and running manufacturer-approved verification procedures.

Q: How many sensors might need calibrating after a collision?

It depends on the impact location and your vehicle specification. A front-end collision may affect the camera, front radar, and parking sensors — three separate calibrations. A rear impact might involve blind spot radar, cross traffic alert, rear camera, and parking sensors. We identify every affected system during the diagnostic scan.

Q: Can my insurer arrange the ADAS calibration?

Some insurers include ADAS calibration in their approved repair network, but many do not. If your body shop or insurer cannot provide calibration, we work directly with you or your insurer to complete the process. We provide full documentation for claim purposes.

Q: Is it safe to drive to your workshop after a collision repair?

If your ADAS warning lights are illuminated, the safety systems are not functioning correctly. The vehicle is drivable, but features like automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring may not work. Drive carefully and avoid motorway speeds if possible until calibration is complete.

Q: How long does post-collision calibration take?

Allow two to four hours depending on the number of systems affected. A single-system calibration takes about 90 minutes, but post-collision work often involves multiple sensors. We provide an accurate estimate once we know your vehicle and the repairs carried out.

After any collision repair, your vehicle's ADAS sensors may be misaligned — even if the damage appeared minor. A full sensor check ensures every safety system is functioning as the manufacturer intended.

Our IMI-certified technicians carry out comprehensive post-collision calibration at over 70 UK workshops, using OEM-grade equipment to restore complete system accuracy.

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When You Need Collision Calibration

Any accident — from a car park bump to a motorway shunt — can affect ADAS alignment

After Front-End Collision

Front impacts affect the forward-facing camera, radar module, and parking sensors simultaneously. Even at low speed, the force transfers through mounting brackets, shifting sensors by enough to compromise detection accuracy.

After Rear-End Impact

Rear collisions affect blind spot detection radar, cross traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and the reversing camera. Body shops repair the visible damage, but the sensors behind the panels need professional recalibration.

After Side Impact or Scrape

Side impacts can knock mirror-mounted sensors and side-facing cameras out of alignment. These systems support blind spot monitoring and surround-view cameras — both critical for safe lane changes and parking.

Post-Collision Calibration Scenarios

The most common situations we see after accident repairs:

Body Shop Referrals

Most body shops can repair the physical damage but lack the specialist ADAS equipment to recalibrate sensors afterwards. We work with hundreds of UK body shops to provide the calibration step they cannot.

Mandatory

Insurance Repair Claims

Insurers increasingly require documented ADAS calibration as part of the repair process. Without a calibration certificate, the repair is considered incomplete and the vehicle may not pass inspection.

Mandatory

Persistent Warning Lights

Dashboard warnings that persist after collision repair usually indicate an uncalibrated or misaligned sensor. Clearing the fault code without recalibrating the sensor does not fix the underlying problem.

Mandatory

How Post-Collision Calibration Works

A thorough inspection and recalibration process that covers every ADAS system affected by the collision.

Submit Repair Details

Provide your vehicle registration and describe the collision damage and repairs carried out. Include photos if possible — this helps us identify which sensors may be affected.

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Full ADAS Diagnostic

We scan every ADAS module for fault codes and compare sensor alignment data against manufacturer baselines. This identifies all systems that need attention, not just the obvious ones.

Multi-System Calibration

Each affected system — camera, radar, lidar, parking sensors — is recalibrated individually using the manufacturer-specified procedure and approved targets.

Documentation

You receive a comprehensive report covering every system checked and calibrated, with before-and-after alignment data. This document satisfies insurer requirements.