ADAS & Camera Systems: The Hidden MOT Risks You Might Miss
? Introduction: When Technology Outpaces Awareness
Cars today are smarter than ever — capable of recognising traffic signs, warning you of lane drift, even braking before you have time to react. But as these systems evolve, many UK drivers remain unaware of just how crucial they are to passing an MOT.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) — including lane-keeping cameras, parking sensors, and radar-based emergency braking — have become standard on most modern vehicles. Yet, MOT testers across the UK are now reporting a growing number of failures linked not to worn tyres or brakes, but to camera misalignment, warning lights, and calibration errors within these high-tech systems.
If you’ve ever had a windscreen replaced or a wheel alignment done, your car’s ADAS could already be out of sync — even if you’ve never noticed a thing.
So, what exactly is ADAS, how does it affect your MOT, and why could skipping a calibration cost you both safety and your certificate?
⚙️ What Is ADAS, and How Does It Work?
ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems — a network of cameras, sensors, and radars that work together to support safe driving.
Common ADAS features include:
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – detects obstacles and applies the brakes.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) – alerts you if you drift from your lane.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) – maintains a safe distance from the car ahead.
Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) – reads and displays speed limits.
Blind Spot Monitoring – warns of vehicles approaching your blind spots.
These systems rely on millimetre-accurate calibration. A tiny change in camera angle or radar position can alter how your car interprets the world — and, crucially, how it responds in an emergency.
? Why ADAS Matters for Your MOT
While ADAS components aren’t individually “tested” in the MOT like brakes or lights, they fall under “Driver Assistance and Safety Systems” — meaning any warning lights, faults, or inoperative systems can result in a fail.
For instance:
A lane assist or collision warning light on your dashboard is now classed as a major defect.
A camera or radar system misaligned after windscreen or wheel repair may trigger these alerts.
A faulty calibration could make your AEB or adaptive cruise control unreliable, impacting road safety.
MOT testers are increasingly trained to identify when ADAS-related issues could make a vehicle unsafe. In other words, ignoring that little yellow warning icon could be the difference between a pass and a fail.
? Everyday Scenarios That Can Knock Your ADAS Off Calibration
ADAS systems are extremely sensitive — they can drift out of alignment more easily than most drivers realise. Here are some common causes:
? Windscreen Replacement
The forward-facing camera mounted near the rear-view mirror must be recalibrated every time the windscreen is replaced. Even a millimetre of movement can skew its vision.
⚙️ Wheel Alignment or Suspension Work
Adjusting the car’s geometry changes the way sensors read distance and angle. After any alignment or suspension work, calibration is essential to restore system accuracy.
? Minor Collisions or Potholes
Even a low-speed bump can alter radar alignment or camera aim. What looks like a harmless scrape could disable or confuse your ADAS.
? DIY Maintenance Mistakes
Cleaning sensors or cameras with harsh chemicals or incorrect tools can damage lenses or protective coatings — leading to unreliable readings.
? Seasonal Conditions
Snow, salt, and road grime can obscure radar and camera lenses, temporarily disabling ADAS until they’re cleaned and recalibrated.
??? Different Drivers, Different Risks
? Commuters
Stop-start traffic and constant braking rely heavily on adaptive cruise control and collision warning. If those features fail unnoticed, your reaction window disappears.
??? Families
Vehicles like SUVs and MPVs often have multiple sensors and cameras for blind spots and reversing. A minor knock on the school run can disable these aids without obvious signs.
? Rural and High-Mileage Drivers
Frequent stone chips, debris, and long-distance wear make camera misalignment more likely — especially on uneven or unpaved roads.
? Elderly or New Drivers
ADAS provides vital reassurance for less confident drivers. But if it’s not functioning properly, it can create a false sense of security that leads to slower reactions or dangerous assumptions.
? The Technical Side: How ADAS Calibration Works
Calibration ensures each ADAS sensor or camera “sees” the road exactly as designed.
There are two main types:
Static Calibration – performed indoors using specialist Bosch calibration panels and alignment lasers.
Dynamic Calibration – carried out on the road with diagnostic equipment guiding the process while the vehicle is driven.
At Brede Garage, our Bosch-trained technicians use precision equipment to perform both methods depending on the make and model.
A post-calibration scan confirms that all cameras, radars, and sensors communicate correctly with the vehicle’s control unit — ensuring full safety system operation and compliance for MOT testing.
? Common ADAS Faults That Trigger MOT Fails
Dashboard warning lights for safety systems
Inoperative reversing cameras or parking sensors
Blocked or dirty radar sensors (common after winter driving)
Camera calibration faults after windscreen or suspension work
Disrupted wiring or loose mounts following body repairs
Any of these can cause a major defect, resulting in an MOT failure.
Ignoring ADAS faults isn’t just unsafe — it can also invalidate your insurance in the event of a collision if your safety systems were known to be defective.
⚠️ Signs Your ADAS May Need Attention
You’ve recently had a windscreen, bumper, or alignment job done
Warning lights like “Lane Assist Unavailable” or “Front Assist Error” appear
The car pulls or drifts unexpectedly under cruise control
Parking sensors or cameras behave erratically
Even if your car seems fine, calibration drift can go unnoticed until an MOT or emergency stop reveals the issue.
? Brede Garage’s ADAS Expertise
As a Bosch Car Service Centre, Brede Garage is equipped with the latest Bosch ADAS calibration tools and diagnostic systems.
Our services include:
Full static and dynamic ADAS calibration
Diagnostic fault scanning
System reset and validation
Post-repair recalibration after glass, alignment, or suspension work
MOT and safety compliance checks
We handle vehicles from most major manufacturers, ensuring your safety systems meet exact specifications and pass inspection confidently.
? The Seasonal and Practical Angle
Winter’s grime and summer glare can both confuse cameras. A regular clean with microfibre and gentle automotive glass cleaner can help prevent temporary malfunctions.
If you’ve driven through flooding or snow, moisture behind a sensor cover can cause short-term warning lights. Always get these inspected if they persist.
ADAS also links directly to headlight aim, brake control, and traction systems, which are tested during MOTs — making calibration part of a broader safety ecosystem.
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? Conclusion: Don’t Let Hidden Tech Fail Your MOT
ADAS is quietly working every time you drive — from the moment you start the car to the split second before an accident might happen. But that same system can also quietly fall out of sync, leaving you exposed without knowing it.
Checking your tyres and lights might still be MOT essentials, but for modern vehicles, camera and sensor calibration is the new safety frontier.
If you’ve had recent repairs, warning lights, or a replacement windscreen, don’t wait until MOT day to find out something’s off.
? Book your ADAS calibration or MOT check today at BredeGarage.co.uk/book-online
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