Urban Autohaus

Dashcams

We recommend a camera, hardwire it cleanly, and run through how to use it before you leave.

Why book with us

Dashcams with clear advice.

Vehicle crime and parking damage across West Bromwich and the wider Black Country has driven a significant increase in dashcam fitting requests. A properly hardwired dashcam records continuously on the road and — with the correct setup — keeps recording while the vehicle is parked, capturing hit-and-run incidents, attempted break-ins, and vandalism that a plug-in camera on a timer simply misses.

We hardwire dashcams at our West Bromwich garage with all cables routed neatly behind trim panels and connected at the fuse box. We are experienced in fitting on German vehicles including BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen, which require careful circuit selection to avoid error codes. Single-channel front cameras and dual-channel front-and-rear systems are both catered for.

Parking mode capable

Hardwired to a live fuse with low-voltage cutoff — camera records when parked without draining the battery.

Hidden wiring

Cables routed behind pillars, headlining, and trim panels. No wires visible across the windscreen or dashboard.

All makes fitted

Experienced on BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, VW, and mainstream makes — correct fuse selection every time.

Dashcams

Dashcam installs include

Clear expectations, no surprises. If anything extra is needed, we explain it first.

  • Advice on camera choice, position, and whether front or front-and-rear suits your use.
  • Hardwired installation with cables routed neatly behind trim — no visible wiring.
  • Fuse tap with low-voltage cutoff for parking mode where required.
  • TPMS or circuit check on German vehicles to avoid triggering electrical errors.
  • Brief handover including playback, settings, and app pairing where applicable.

Dashcams

Common questions

What is the difference between a hardwired and a plug-in dashcam?
A plug-in dashcam uses the 12V socket and leaves cables draped across the dash. A hardwired install routes cables neatly behind trim panels and connects directly to the fuse box — giving a much cleaner look, enabling parking mode, and powering the camera only when needed via a switched or live circuit with a low-voltage cutoff to protect the battery.
What is parking mode and do I need it?
Parking mode keeps the dashcam recording when the ignition is off — triggered by motion or impact detection. It requires a hardwired connection to a live fuse and a low-voltage cutoff so the car battery is not drained. If you park in busy streets, car parks, or areas with high footfall, parking mode provides evidence for hit-and-run damage and attempted theft that you would otherwise have no record of.
Can you hardwire a dashcam on a BMW, Audi, or Mercedes?
Yes. German vehicles use CAN bus-controlled fuse boxes where certain circuits behave differently to standard fuse taps. We know which circuits to use on BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and VW models to get a clean hardwire without triggering error codes or affecting the vehicle electronics. Call us to confirm scope for your specific model before booking.
Can you fit front and rear cameras?
Yes. We run the rear cable neatly through the headlining and down the rear pillar so the interior stays completely tidy. Rear cameras are particularly useful for capturing incidents in car parks and during reversing. We advise on dual-channel systems that suit your car and budget before you commit.
Will a hardwired dashcam drain my car battery?
Not when installed correctly. A low-voltage cutoff disconnects the camera once the battery drops below a safe threshold — typically 11.8V to 12V. We set this during installation. Most modern dashcams in parking mode draw around 200–300mA, which on a healthy battery gives several days of coverage before the cutoff activates.

Areas served

Serving drivers across the local area

We provide dashcams for customers from across the region — book online or call us.