How to Tell If Your Body Shop Is Missing ADAS Calibrations

Most missed ADAS calibrations don’t happen because shops are careless — they happen because systems, communication, and processes break down. With modern vehicles packed with cameras, radar, and sensors, it’s easier than ever for a required calibration to slip through the cracks.

Here’s how to tell if your shop might be missing ADAS work — and what to do about it.

Red Flags That Calibrations Are Being Missed

If any of these sound familiar, your risk is elevated:

• Warning lights appear after delivery

• Customers return saying safety features “don’t feel right”

• Estimators aren’t sure when calibrations are required

• Windshield or bumper work is completed with no scan

• Sublet invoices lack OEM procedure references

• ADAS work is handled differently from job to job

These are not just process issues — they are liability exposures.

The Most Common Missed Calibration Triggers

Shops often think of ADAS only after major collisions, but calibrations are also required after:

• Windshield replacement

• Bumper removal or replacement

• Mirror replacement

• Suspension and alignment work

• Structural repairs

• Wheel alignments

• Airbag deployment

• Steering or SAS resets

Even a simple repair can affect sensor alignment.

Why Internal Scanning Alone Isn’t Enough

Many shops rely solely on:

• Generic scan tools

• Basic pre & post scans

• Internal assumptions

But not every tool detects ADAS requirements accurately, and scans alone do not perform calibrations — they only report faults.

Proper ADAS service requires:

• OEM repair procedures

• Target placement validation

• Calibration software

• Environmental control

• Final system confirmation

How Absolute ADAS Prevents Missed Calibrations

Our process is built specifically to eliminate gaps:

• Early ADAS flagging during the repair process

• OEM procedure verification on every job

• Mobile, dealership-level calibration equipment

• Pre & post scans included

• Setup photos and validation reports

• Insurance-ready documentation

This ensures:

• Nothing is missed

• Nothing is guessed

• Nothing is denied

• Nothing comes back

Final Thought: Missed ADAS = Hidden Liability

A missed calibration rarely causes problems immediately — but when it does, the consequences are severe:

• Legal exposure

• Insurance disputes

• Customer injury

• Reputation damage

The cost of prevention is always lower than the cost of correction.