[ostberry]

Am I allowed to have my dashcam hard wired. The reason I ask is I have just collected a new Skoda Karoq and all the 12v sockets remain live even with the ignition off and I am concerned that I may end up with a flat battery if I forget to unplug the dashcam, not to mention the unsightly trailing wiring.

Topic

[junglegreen]

Hi @ostberry, my understanding is that you are not allowed to hard-wire aftermarket accessories to your Motability vehicle, even if they are fitted by the dealer. Only factory options are allowed.

However, what constitutes “hard-wiring” is a bit of a grey area, and I know many on here tap into a fuse or power supply to rear-view mirror for their dash cam 😉

Sean
Current car Hyundai Kona Ultimate EV

[joss]

From Motability: https://news.motability.co.uk/motoring/dashcams-explained/

Fitting a dashcam to a Motability Scheme vehicle?
If Motability Scheme customers want to use a dashcam then they must use one that plugs into the car, it cannot be hard wired into the vehicle. It’s easiest to fit a dashcam when selecting a new car, this way it can be professionally fitted by a dealer.

You can add a dashcam to your vehicle during your lease, but it must be attached in such a way as to not cause damage to the vehicle, so fixed by suckers and not permanantely attached to the dashboard.

Please note, a dashcam is an optional extra and any costs incurred, including the purchase of the dashcam and any fitting or removal costs, are the responsibility of the customer.

If you have any queries, then your dealer may also be able to help advise you on purchasing and installing a dashcam. Alternatively, you can contact our Customer Services team for advice on 0300 456 4566.

Joss
Current car: Peugeot 308 GT Premium 1.2 Pure tech Petrol.
Coming soon...BMW X2 sDrive 20i M Sport 5dr Step Auto In November 2025

[Retro89]

Do Skoda’s still have the USB port where your rear view mirror is? A Dash cam with a short cable might be best.

Car History:
Ford Fiesta
Vauxhall Astra Mk6
Mazda 3
BMW 2 Series Coupe
Mercedes A Class
Vauxhall Astra Mk8 (Lease ended early)
Renault Austral

[Phaedra]

The Enyaq doesn’t, however there’s a replaceent mirror housing that allows you to tap into the wiring inside the original.

Reviews can be found here, https://www.enyaqforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1832

Please excuse spelling/typos. Apart from being a clot it turns out I had one on my cerebellum that's now causing various problems!

[ostberry]

Yes, there is an option for a USB port in the mirror housing. Unfortunately it comes as part of an additional package which at the time of ordering was around £1000 and included adaptive cruise control etc.  Looks like I will have to remember to unplug the dash cam from the 12v socket every time I leave the car. Why the 12v sockets are always live I don’t understand.

[kezo]

All manufacturers should have a dedicated usb connection on the mirror housing, to facilitate dash cam connection.

[Peter (Original)]

@ostberry

When I had a Skoda Octavia on the scheme I had the same problem.  My solution was to pay the dealer to do a modification in the fuse box so that the USB ports were only live when the ignition was on. I believe this basically entailed them fitting a short piece of cable between 2 sections, very minor.  I paid because I worried if I did it myself and the car  went up in flames, I might have a problem 😂.  This mod was listed on the actual invoice so I was covered.  I think I paid around £85 but decided this was worth it for piece of mind in case of any consequent issue or flat battery.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by Peter (Original).

[ChrisK]

I have a VW Tiguan and know this is true of the Golf and, assume the same for all VAG cars.

In the Tiguan the 12V sockets turn off with the car by default but its a simple fuse configuration to change this so there live all the time. Just means removing the fuse from one slot to another and an Internet search will find what fuse holder and slot it is.

[belfast4]

ostberry wrote:

Am I allowed to have my dashcam hard wired. The reason I ask is I have just collected a new Skoda Karoq and all the 12v sockets remain live even with the ignition off and I am concerned that I may end up with a flat battery if I forget to unplug the dashcam, not to mention the unsightly trailing wiring.

 

the easiest way to hardwire a dash cam is with an OBD power supply. It plugs into the OBD port of the car and gives you the power to run the dash cam without any problems.

[belfast4]

ChrisK wrote:

I have a VW Tiguan and know this is true of the Golf and, assume the same for all VAG cars. In the Tiguan the 12V sockets turn off with the car by default but its a simple fuse configuration to change this so there live all the time. Just means removing the fuse from one slot to another and an Internet search will find what fuse holder and slot it is.

 

it is fuse number 40 to make it constantly live move it up to beside 39 and 41. But it still goes off with the stop start which is a nuisance.

[Jojoe]

Our Octavia has the 12v cigar socket in the boot, not very practical.

[ostberry]

Thank you for all your advice. So as not to upset anyone at Motability I have decided to route the cable from the 12v socket under the dash and up the A pillar to the dash cam. As my better half has pointed out I usually remove the camera when parked anyway, I’ll just have to remember to do it.

[Author]

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