Mistakes to Avoid When Replacing Your Windscreen

Most windscreen problems are not bad luck; they are avoidable mistakes made at the quote or the booking stage. Here are the ones that catch Adelaide drivers out most often, and the simple way to sidestep each.

Mistake 1: skipping ADAS calibration

On any car from around 2018, the forward-facing camera has to be recalibrated after the glass is replaced. Skip it and lane-keep, auto-braking and adaptive cruise can misread the road, often with no warning light. It is the most serious mistake on this list because it is invisible until the moment you need the system to work. Always confirm calibration is included on an ADAS car.

Mistake 2: driving off too soon

The urethane that bonds the glass needs time to cure to a safe strength. The windscreen is part of the car’s structural rigidity and helps the passenger airbag deploy correctly, so a bond that has not cured is a safety risk in a crash. Respect the safe-drive-away time your fitter gives you (often 1 to 4 hours), and be wary of anyone who says you can drive off immediately.

Mistake 3: chasing the cheapest quote

A quote that is hundreds cheaper than the rest usually is not cheaper at all: it has left something off, most often the calibration, sometimes the mouldings, disposal or a realistic glass spec. Compare quotes on an all-in basis and the cheapest headline number is frequently not the cheapest final bill.

Mistake 4: ignoring what your insurer requires

If you are claiming on comprehensive cover, your insurer may specify OEM glass (common on prestige and European cars) and have a preferred process. Booking an aftermarket job without checking can mean the price rises or the claim is complicated. Confirm your excess, glass requirement and process with your insurer before you book.

Mistake 5: waiting on a repairable chip

A chip smaller than a 20c coin can often be resin-repaired for $70 to $150, and free on most comprehensive policies. Wait, and Adelaide’s heat drives that chip into a long crack, turning a cheap or free repair into a full replacement. If you have a small chip, treat it as urgent.

The bonus mistake: not documenting the calibration

On a modern car, ask for a calibration certificate or report. Without it, you have no proof the camera was recalibrated, which can matter for a warranty claim or after an incident. A good fitter provides it as standard; if yours does not offer one, ask.