Dashcams and parking sensors: what to look for

1. Parking mode

For a car left in shared or open parking, parking mode matters most: the camera wakes up and records when it detects a bump or movement. It needs a hardwire kit (connected to the car's fuse box) so it can run with the engine off without draining the battery.

2. Front, or front and rear?

A front camera covers most accidents. A dual (front + rear) camera also records rear-end bumps and scrapes in parking.

3. Video quality and night vision

Look for at least Full HD (1080p), a wide-angle lens and good low-light performance to read number plates at night and in basements.

4. Storage

Use a high-endurance microSD card made for continuous recording; ordinary cards wear out quickly. Loop recording overwrites old clips and locks the ones saved after a bump.

5. Parking sensors and reverse camera

Rear parking sensors beep as you get close to a wall or car; a reverse camera shows the view on a screen. Both are inexpensive and save many scrapes in tight slots.

Quick tips

• Mount the dashcam behind the rear-view mirror so it does not block your view.
• Have hardwiring done by a fitter who uses a fuse tap with low-voltage cut-off.
• Check footage now and then to be sure it is recording.

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