OEM tools, carrier trust, and the real cost of cutting corners with Darren Sodoski of National Calibrations and Diagnostics
Joel Adcock sits down with Darren Sodoski, co-founder of National Calibrations and Diagnostics and CIO of ProMobile and Scan, to talk about what it actually takes to do ADAS work correctly and build a business around it. Darren grew up in his family's collision shop, nearly went into IT and networking, and found that ADAS and diagnostics were the perfect intersection of both worlds. His perspective is shaped by years of reading OEM engineering documents, performing mobile sublet services, and building carrier relationships through transparency rather than conflict.
The conversation covers why a "successful" calibration screen doesn't always mean a safe one, what shops get wrong about setup and execution, and how Darren's team handles the gray area between required and recommended procedures (they perform the work and eat the cost if reimbursement doesn't come through). Darren also walks through the 360 OEM laptop he spent 18 months engineering to consolidate every manufacturer's diagnostic software onto a single device, and explains how short-term licensing makes OEM tools financially accessible for shops that only see certain brands a few times a year.
What we discuss:
- Why reading OEM service information is the most underused (and most valuable) resource in the industry
- How modern vehicles are diagnostic networks on wheels and why technicians need to understand the science behind the sensors
- The difference between a calibration that passes and one that's actually safe
- Makeshift target setups, gravel parking lots, and why some calibrations may be more dangerous than skipping the procedure entirely
- Toyota's retroactive service information changes and how they caught shops off guard
- Required vs. recommended: how Darren's service company approaches gray-area calibrations
- Building carrier relationships through transparency, documentation, and being a diagnostic resource
- How early overbilling in the ADAS space created lasting skepticism from insurers
- The 360 OEM laptop: consolidating every manufacturer's software onto one device
- Short-term OEM licensing as an affordable alternative to full annual subscriptions
- What shops should evaluate before bringing ADAS in-house vs. subletting
- Why a hybrid model (in-house for common work, sublet for edge cases) makes sense for most operations
- Equipment ROI: most customers pay off their investment within six months
- Why diagnostics and ADAS are no longer optional, and shops without a plan will get left behind
Darren emphasizes that the industry needs better standards, better training, and a willingness to invest in doing things the right way. Whether a shop sublets to a trusted provider or brings calibrations in-house, the priority has to be safety and proper documentation. The shops that treat ADAS as optional are running out of time.
Guest: Darren Sodoski, Co-Founder, National Calibrations and Diagnostics / CIO, ProMobile and Scan Host: Joel Adcock, Revv Resources: Learn more at revvhq.com
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