Airbags, ABS and driver-assistance systems
Information for drivers in England.
Safety-system warnings deserve a proper investigation. The service should identify the affected system and the checks required for the vehicle. Clearing a warning message is not, by itself, evidence that a fault has been repaired.
Quick answer
Safety-system warnings need investigation rather than simply clearing a message. Confirm the systems covered and ask for the outcome of required checks or calibration.
- Investigate warnings rather than just clearing them.
- Confirm the systems and model covered.
- Ask for the outcome of the required checks.
Fault diagnosis
Investigates warning lights and system faults.
Wheel alignment
Checks the vehicle's wheel geometry.
ADAS calibration
Checks or sets the reference required by the relevant assistance system.
Airbags and seatbelts
SRS diagnosis concerns the supplementary restraint system. Seatbelt repair or replacement is a separate scope and may involve associated restraint components. Tell the garage about accident damage, water ingress or previous work near seats and wiring.
ABS diagnosis
An ABS warning needs investigation of the relevant system. Ask for the findings and proposed repair rather than selecting a sensor solely from a warning light. The MOT manual includes ABS inspection, but a roadworthiness test is not a full diagnostic service.
ADAS calibration
ADAS means advanced driver-assistance systems. When calibration is specified, ask which cameras or sensors are involved and whether the workshop can complete the procedure for your model. Check whether prerequisite work, such as alignment or glass replacement, must be completed first.
What to ask for afterwards
Ask for a record of the system worked on and the outcome of the required checks. If calibration could not be completed, the reason and any remaining restrictions should be explained. Use the vehicle handbook for the operating limits of driver-assistance features.
What does ADAS calibration mean for my booking?
Ask which driver-assistance system needs checking, what triggered the requirement and what report you will receive. Calibration is a specific job, not a generic improvement to every safety feature.
Does wheel alignment include ADAS calibration?
Do not assume so. Ask whether your vehicle needs calibration after the planned work and obtain a price for the complete procedure if it does.
Can I ignore an airbag warning because the car still drives?
Arrange an assessment and follow the handbook. Being able to drive does not prove that a restraint system will work correctly in a collision.
Will replacing a sensor automatically restore the system?
Ask how the workshop will verify correct operation after the replacement and whether setup or calibration is required. Keep the resulting documentation with the invoice.
Can driver assistance replace my own checks?
No. Follow the vehicle handbook and remain responsible for driving and observation. If a system is unavailable, do not rely on it while deciding how to proceed.
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Official guidance and further reading
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (opens in a new tab or window), where applicable.
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