Technical

    2026 ADAS calibration requirements for UK bodyshops: what insurers and procurement teams need to know

    Thatcham, BS10125 and OEM ADAS calibration guidance is tightening in 2026. Here's what's changing, who is ready, and what procurement teams should ask.

    By Solution EV & ADAS Team11 February 20268 min
    TL;DR

    From 2026, BS10125 audits expect documented ADAS calibration on any panel replacement that affects sensor mounting, alignment, or aim — including bumpers, windscreens, and grilles. Sublet-only calibration without in-house verification is no longer considered best-practice. Networks with in-house static and dynamic calibration capability are the lower-risk panel partner.

    What changed in 2026

    Thatcham updated its ADAS code of practice in late 2025, and BS10125 audits in 2026 are now actively checking calibration paperwork against repair operations. Where a repair plan touches a panel known to host or affect ADAS sensors — front bumpers (radar, camera), windscreens (forward camera, lane-keep), grilles (radar), wing mirrors (blind-spot), tailgates (rear radar) — auditors expect a documented calibration record on the job file.

    The change isn't a new requirement. Calibration has always been needed when sensor geometry is disturbed. What has changed is the documentation expectation and the audit enforcement.

    Static vs dynamic calibration — what insurers should ask

    Static calibration uses target boards in a controlled bay environment. It's required for most forward cameras and many radar units. Dynamic calibration uses a road test at defined speeds with the OEM diagnostic tool active. Most modern vehicles need both.

    A bodyshop that only owns dynamic calibration tooling cannot realistically calibrate the majority of modern vehicles in-house. Procurement teams should ask any panel network: how many sites have static calibration bays, and which OEM target board sets do they hold?

    Solution Repair Group ADAS readiness

    Across the Solution Repair Group network, 19 of 23 sites are ADAS-calibration-capable in-house, with the remainder using a single approved sublet provider with documented sign-off authority. The network runs target board sets for the major OEM groups including BMW, Mercedes, VAG, JLR, Volvo, Tesla, Honda, Kia, Hyundai and Stellantis brands.

    Every job file includes a calibration record where applicable, signed by an IMI-qualified technician, with diagnostic report attached. This is the documentation pattern BS10125 auditors are now expecting as the baseline.

    About the author
    Solution EV & ADAS Team

    EV high-voltage and ADAS calibration specialists

    The Solution Repair Group EV and ADAS specialist team coordinates electric-vehicle repair authority and ADAS calibration governance across the network. They maintain manufacturer-approved tooling, IMI Level 3 and Level 4

    FAQs

    More insights