EVs, hybrids & ADAS
Looking right is only part of a responsible repair.
Your safety is part of the repair
Modern vehicles can have safety equipment hidden behind apparently ordinary panels, bumpers and glass. Electric and hybrid vehicles also introduce electrical and battery risks that need a different approach.
At Bodyworx North West, our duty of care means considering what the repair could affect, explaining the necessary work and recognising when specialist support is needed. A good finish matters. So does what sits behind it.
Where the applicable repair instructions require inspections, electrical safety measures or ADAS calibration, we will not agree to omit them simply to reduce the bill or finish sooner.
What is ADAS?
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems can include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane assistance, blind-spot monitoring and parking assistance. Equipment varies by vehicle. These systems use cameras, radar and other sensors to support the driver; they do not replace the driver’s responsibility.
Why a body repair can affect a safety system
A repair involving sensors, nearby components or vehicle geometry can trigger inspection, realignment or calibration requirements. The correct approach depends on the vehicle and its repair instructions. We identify affected systems and check the relevant procedure rather than assume one rule fits every car.
Where calibration is required, it needs to be completed by a competent person, meet the manufacturer’s specifications and have a documented result. A diagnostic scan alone is not a replacement for a required calibration.
Does every bumper repair need calibration?
No. We assess the actual repair and the vehicle-specific requirements. Removing or disturbing a component does not have an identical consequence on every model. Equally, a small-looking repair does not automatically mean there are no safety implications.
Why bumper repairs and paintwork need checking
Some radar sensors operate through a bumper cover. Manufacturers can restrict repairs and refinishing in those areas, including permitted repair materials and paint thickness. A cosmetic repair may be unsuitable in a sensor zone even when it could look acceptable.
We check the applicable instructions before recommending repair, repainting or replacement. There is no universal paint-thickness limit for every vehicle.
Electric and hybrid vehicles: a different set of precautions
EVs and hybrids can contain high-voltage components and stored energy. Switching off the ignition does not, by itself, establish that an electrical system is safe to work on.
The necessary precautions depend on the task and vehicle. They can include assessment for battery or cable damage, manufacturer-specified isolation and verification by an appropriately competent person, and controls around cutting, welding and heat exposure. Paint-booth temperature limits also need consideration.
Collision-damaged batteries may require specialist assessment and controlled handling or storage. Work must stay within the competence, equipment and facilities available; specialist involvement may be needed before a body repair can proceed.
Also mention any collision damage, warning messages or concerns about the battery or charging system, so the next step can be assessed appropriately.
Our duty of care to you
As a UK repair business, we have a legal duty under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 to carry out consumer repairs with reasonable care and skill. Where the vehicle manufacturer’s repair procedure requires ADAS inspection, realignment or calibration, handling that work correctly is part of a responsible repair. A required safety procedure must not be left out simply to reduce the cost or make the job quicker.
Thatcham Research’s Insurance Industry Requirements also set out professional expectations for repairs involving ADAS: identify affected systems, follow the applicable procedures, use competent personnel and keep auditable evidence of the results. These are industry requirements; the exact checks and calibration needed depend on the vehicle and the work carried out.
Required calibration is part of the repair, not an optional extra. We take these responsibilities seriously and will explain what your vehicle needs before the relevant work goes ahead.
- Assess before committing: identify relevant technology and obtain the applicable repair information.
- Explain the work: discuss necessary checks, specialist involvement, costs and effects on timing.
- Use the right people: work within our competence and arrange or discuss suitable specialist support where required.
- Keep the evidence: retain relevant inspection and calibration records and explain the results at handover.
Can I decline a required calibration or safety check?
You can choose whether to authorise the proposed work. However, that does not mean we can remove a necessary safety step and describe the repair as complete. If required work is declined, we will explain the implications and discuss an appropriate alternative, referral or safe collection arrangement.
A customer waiver is not a substitute for carrying out required work properly. If a necessary check fails or an affected system remains unresolved, we will explain this clearly rather than offer false reassurance.
Why it can affect your estimate
Two similar-looking repairs may need different work. Access to repair instructions, diagnostics, specialist safety measures, geometry checks and calibration can add time and cost where required. We will explain relevant items in your estimate and discuss additional findings before changing the agreed work.
Expert repairs. No corner cutting. That includes the safety-related work you may never see.