The Impact of the ADAS Calibration Industry on the Used Vehicle Market

New vehicles’ ADAS systems are increasingly advanced, offering significant safety features that can reduce accidents, prevent injuries, and save lives. And though shops now have to account for calibrations during the repair process, it opens up another stream of revenue that can be highly profitable.

New vehicles with modern ADAS systems aren’t the only sector being impacted, however. The ADAS industry has also had an impact on the used vehicle market, which can also directly affect repair shops and customers alike. 

In this post, we’ll talk about what those impacts are and what shops need to know to ensure their customers are getting into safe cars when they drive away post-repair. 

Customers and insurance companies alike value ADAS features 

Recent studies clearly show that customers and insurance companies alike both value vehicles that come equipped with ADAS features. 

AutoPacific’s Future Attribute Demand Study found that demand for ADAS and autonomous driving features had gone up since 2024, with customers most interested in features like rear emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane change assist. 

I can speak to this myself. I had a fully paid off 2012 Honda Civic with only 10,000 miles on it, and my husband convinced me to get a newer vehicle specifically for the ADAS systems. And when I did, I even bought a higher-level trim for advanced ADAS features. 

Insurance companies are also in favor of ADAS features. Even though calibrations come at an extra cost, insurance companies also know that these systems can prevent costly accidents that the car’s owner could have been responsible for. If the driver has autonomous emergency braking in place, for example, they’re much less likely to rear end a Porsche and do thousands of dollars in damage. 

While some insurance companies may not provide discounts for cars with ADAS features, many do, recognizing that it’s a risk reduction factor for their drivers. 

Used car owners are less likely to know about their car’s ADAS features

New car owners have a clear advantage when it comes to knowledge of their vehicle’s ADAS systems. Research shows that new car owners both have better awareness of and trust in their ADAS features, including what features are equipped and how they work. 

This isn’t altogether unsurprising. Many dealerships heavily promote ADAS features during the selling process. My salesperson did a driving demo to show how the features worked, clearly explained what they could and could not do, and showed me how to make sure they were equipped. 

Used car buyers don’t get that same education, especially if they’re buying a used vehicle from companies like Carvana and CarMax instead of the manufacturer’s dealership. 

Their sales team may not have the knowledge of individual manufacturer ADAS systems, and some salespeople may only mention that there are specific features based on what’s listed in the documentation. As a result, used car buyers are much less likely to know about their car’s features or how they work. 

When these customers arrive at your shop, they may need more education about what calibrations may be needed and why they matter. The right ADAS marketing and selling techniques can help with this. 

Risks of used cars that shops should consider 

Used car buyers aren’t just less likely to know about their ADAS features than new car owners. They’re also unlikely to know a car’s full repair history.

In many cases, used car owners may know that the vehicle had previously been in an accident that caused the rear bumper to be replaced, for example. But they may not know that the previous owner declined the needed calibration services when the bumper was replaced. 

Companies like CarMax and Carvana touch a thousand cars a day. And in many cases, while these companies have teams that perform extensive safety checklists, ADAS calibrations are not currently on their radar. If a car isn’t properly calibrated, that could get missed.

Shops may want to consider early engagement when customers come in with new-to-them used vehicles. 

You can ask about the history of the car, and explain how sometimes previous owners may have turned down recommended or required calibrations. Even a three or four year old car could have systems that need to be reassessed due to normal wear and tear and driving conditions like potholes. 

You can offer customers a one-time calibration check for critical systems, especially if there was an accident in the car’s history. Offering this service (and documenting it) offers your shop some liability protection, and clear documentation about what repairs and calibrations your shop completed is also critical. 

Moving forward with confidence and clarity for used vehicle owners

The used vehicle market creates unique ADAS challenges, but also real opportunities. Used car buyers need more education about their safety systems and may have vehicles with missed calibrations from previous repairs. Shops that recognize this can build trust, generate additional revenue, and ensure customers leave in safe vehicles.

Early engagement is key. When customers bring in used vehicles, ask about the car's history and what they know about its safety features. Consider offering calibration assessments for recently purchased used cars, especially those with previous accident histories. 

Revv makes this process straightforward by providing instant VIN-specific ADAS calibration requirements and current OEM documentation. Whether you're working on a brand new vehicle or one that's changed hands multiple times, you'll know exactly what calibrations are needed.

By taking proactive steps to educate used car owners and verify their ADAS systems are working properly, your shop becomes a trusted safety partner in your community while opening new revenue streams in a growing market.

Want to confidently offer calibration services to all your customers? Book your demo with Revv today.