Victoria Evans from Esprit Windscreen Repair Equipment shares insights into how ADAS is changing the windscreen repair game, and how savvy mechanics can adapt to boost profits while providing a better service.
Windscreens aren’t what they used to be. Once just a piece of laminated glass, today’s windscreens play a key role in a vehicle’s safety and tech systems. With the rise of ADAS, head-up displays, and augmented reality tech, your approach to windscreen repair and replacement needs to evolve too.
Back in the 1980s, when Esprit began offering screen repairs, it was a simple job. By the 1990s, British Standards dictated where and how repairs could be made, based on size and location. But in 2022, those standards were updated again, this time with ADAS in mind. According to Victoria, “ADAS has made windscreen replacement far more complex and expensive. Recalibration takes time, requires specialist equipment and adds to your customer’s bill. That’s why repair is becoming the go-to solution wherever possible.”
Not every chip can be fixed, but the rules are clear:
- Avoid repairing in the hatched area around cameras or sensors
- Avoid the direct field of view if the damage is larger than 20mm
- Any other area? No problem, ADAS won’t be affected
Worried about how a repair impacts safety systems? Don’t be. “ADAS is designed to handle slight distortions, like a raindrop or smudge. A quality repair using a tested kit won’t interfere with the system,” Victoria says. In fact, Esprit’s kit is certified by TÜV Rheinland to the ECE R43 standard; the same standard as a brand-new screen.
Repair brings more revenue
Here’s where it gets interesting for your business. Windscreen replacements used to be the more profitable route. But not anymore. Consider this:
A screen repair costs £2–£3 in materials and you can charge £35–£40 to the customer. That job takes you around 20 minutes and doesn’t require recalibration or any extra tools. That’s an excellent profit margin for a job you can offer while the car’s already on the ramp. “Once garages realise they don’t need to remove or recalibrate anything and the customer gets a cheaper, faster fix, it’s a no-brainer,” Victoria adds.
With rising interest in sustainability, customers are more open to repair options. A repaired windscreen keeps waste out of landfills and lowers the overall carbon footprint of the job. Plus, early repairs prevent full replacements, which saves your customers time and money and keeps them loyal to your workshop.
Talk to your customers about repair before replacement and keep those ADAS systems working as they should.
