Are Car Safety Features Making Repairs More Expensive?

ADAS: The Double-Edged Sword Driving Up Repair Costs in Australia

In the ever-evolving world of automotive technology, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have become standard kit in most new vehicles hitting Australian roads. From autonomous emergency braking to lane departure warnings, these safety features are proven lifesavers – but they’re also creating significant headaches for collision repairers across the country.

Let’s face it – fixing cars with ADAS is more complex, time-consuming, and costly than traditional repairs. For workshops wanting to stay ahead of the curve, understanding how ADAS is reshaping the repair landscape isn’t just nice to know – it’s essential.

The Real Cost of ADAS Repairs

The numbers don’t lie. According to recent studies, ADAS components can add up to 37.6% to the total repair cost after a crash. Even a minor bingle can lead to eye-watering bills when sensors need replacing or recalibration.

Why such steep costs? ADAS sensors are typically found in the most vulnerable parts of vehicles:

• Side mirrors with cameras can see repair costs jump by 70% due to ADAS components
• A basic rear-end prang might have 40% of costs attributed to parking or blind spot sensors
• Even a simple windscreen replacement now often requires camera recalibration, contributing about 25% of the total cost

For many workshops, the need to outsource ADAS calibrations compounds the problem. Sending vehicles to dealerships means sub-contracting fees, delays, and frustrated customers.

The Workshop Perspective: Real Challenges, Real Solutions

Stuart Charity, CEO of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), puts it bluntly: “It’s impossible to buy a brand of scan tool that covers all the cars on our roads that have ADAS systems.” For workshops trying to handle calibrations in-house, this means investing in multiple systems – “the cost and complexity of keeping up with the vehicle car parc is massive.”

Regulatory hurdles aren’t helping either. New rules in NSW have made ADAS calibration its own licensed class of repair work, requiring technicians to be certified mechanics or auto electricians. The unintended consequence? “All that the legislation is doing is creating a whole lot of hurdles to accessing calibration services at a time where we need availability,” Charity explains.

For rural repairers, the challenges are even more pronounced. Jake from Riverland Collision Centre in South Australia knows this firsthand: “If a vehicle required ADAS calibration or OEM-level diagnostics, we had to tow it hundreds of kilometres just to complete the job.” With dealerships often booked out for weeks, repaired cars would sit idle awaiting calibration. “We’d have no choice… If they were fully booked for three weeks, we couldn’t deliver the car back to the customer. That was a nightmare.”

How Remote Diagnostic Services Are Changing the Game

Forward-thinking workshops are finding solutions. For Jake’s team at Riverland, the game-changer was investing in remote diagnostic technology. “Repairify has completely changed how we operate,” he says. “We now have the ability to do remote calibrations, radar recalibrations, and vehicle diagnostics in-house.”

The results speak for themselves – eliminated towing costs, drastically reduced wait times, and a newfound reputation as an ADAS-capable repairer in their region. Other shops have even started sending Riverland their ADAS-related work.

Larger groups are making similar moves. AMA Group recently launched an initiative to bring ADAS calibrations in-house via dedicated calibration hubs, investing about $500,000 to roll out equipment at six facilities. Their reasoning is clear – currently 10-15% of vehicles they repair require ADAS calibration, and that figure will grow to over 30% in coming years.

Government and Industry Support

The good news is that workshops aren’t entirely on their own. Recent developments have made adapting to ADAS more manageable:

• The “Right to Repair” law now requires car manufacturers to make ADAS calibration procedures and software available to all qualified repairers
• I-CAR Australia offers nine ADAS-specific online courses covering diagnostics to calibration processes
• The Automotive Repairers Council of Australia has formed a technical working group to develop best-practice guidelines for ADAS diagnosis and calibration

While specific government grants for ADAS equipment aren’t yet widespread, workshops can leverage broader small business incentives like instant asset write-offs for equipment purchases.

Turning ADAS Challenges into Workshop Opportunities

With estimates suggesting about 20% of vehicles on Australian roads already feature ADAS (growing to over 40% with AEB by 2030), the message is clear: adapt or risk being left behind.

Bringing ADAS calibration in-house offers significant advantages:

1. Dramatically reduced cycle times and delays
2. Eliminated sublet costs to dealers or third parties
3. Greater workshop efficiency and control over quality
4. New revenue opportunities from calibration services

For workshops considering this path, start by evaluating which ADAS features you encounter most often and invest in equipment accordingly. Ensure you have proper workspace conditions – level floors, adequate space, and controlled lighting are often essential for accurate calibrations.

Don’t forget to communicate your ADAS capabilities to insurers and customers. In today’s market, being known as “ADAS-certified” or a “Calibration Specialist” workshop can be a powerful differentiator.

The Road Ahead

There’s no denying that ADAS has made collision repairs more complex and costly. But with the right approach, Australian workshops can not only manage these challenges but turn them into opportunities

By investing in solutions like Repairify’s remote diagnostic services, leveraging available training, and bringing calibration capabilities in-house, forward-thinking repairers are positioning themselves as leaders in the modern collision repair market.

Remember – ADAS is ultimately about vehicle safety. Ensuring these systems function correctly after a repair isn’t just good business; it’s part of our responsibility to keep drivers safe on Australian roads.

The cars coming through your workshop doors are only going to get smarter. With the right tools, training and partnerships, your business can be ready to meet them.

📞 Want to learn more? Get in touch with us today to find out how Repairify’s calibration tools can keep your business ahead of the curve. 🚗🔧