It Got Fixed… But Is It Actually Safe?
- Casey Brothers
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
So your car got into a fender bender. Maybe a parking lot bump. Maybe a bigger hit.
No worries — the shop fixed it up, slapped on a new bumper, matched the paint perfectly, and gave you the keys. Looks brand new, right?
But let us ask you something nobody else will:
👉 Did they recalibrate your safety systems?
Because if they didn’t — or didn’t do it right — your car might look repaired… but it’s not safe.
Modern Cars Are Smarter Than Ever — and They Rely on Calibrated Sensors to Keep You Alive
We're not being dramatic. Today's cars are loaded with life-saving systems like:
Automatic emergency braking
Lane keeping assist
Blind spot monitoring
Rear cross traffic alert
Adaptive cruise control
Parking sensors and 360° cameras
These all rely on radars, sensors, and cameras being perfectly aligned.
Even a small misalignment — like from a minor bump or a bumper replacement — can make those systems dangerously wrong.
And No, They Don’t Always “Tell You” When Something’s Off
That’s the scary part.
These systems don’t always throw a warning light or beep when they stop working. Sometimes they:
Just don’t brake when they should
Think something’s in your blind spot when there’s nothing
Stop detecting cars behind you
Fail to warn you before a crash
In other words… you only know they didn’t work when it’s too late.
Here’s What Should Happen After a Collision Repair:
The shop identifies which systems need calibration based on manufacturer guidelines
Calibrations are performed using special tools, targets, and measurements — not just a scan tool
You receive documentation (printouts or screenshots) showing everything passed
You get your car back fully repaired — AND fully safe
If you didn’t get that?Your repair may be incomplete.
So What Should You Ask?
When picking up your vehicle, ask these 3 simple questions:
“Did any ADAS calibrations need to be done?”
"Who performed them — your shop or a specialist?”
“Can I see documentation that confirms everything passed?”
If the answers are vague, defensive, or sound like:
“No codes came back, so you’re good,”
…that’s a red flag.
Why Would a Shop Skip It?
Lack of training
No proper space or tools
Assumption the system "looks fine"
Insurance didn’t want to pay (yep — that happens)
Or worst of all: they didn’t know better
But just because they skipped it doesn’t mean it wasn’t required.And it doesn’t make it safe.
Final Word: A Good Repair Isn’t Just About Looks. It’s About Function.
We’re not trying to scare you. We’re trying to protect you.
Your car is a rolling computer with radar, cameras, and sensors designed to help you survive the things you can’t predict.
So if it’s been in an accident — even a small one — make sure it was repaired correctly.
Ask questions. Demand proof. Expect answers.Because it’s not just about getting your car back.
It’s about getting your car back safe.
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