A woman who says she recently bought an Audi is questioning why it lacks a feature most of us probably consider standard. Now people are wondering both why the Audi doesn't have it and how she didn't realize it before buying it. Seyi Adeyemi (@seyiadeyemi) said she was surprised to discover that her Audi came with "no reverse camera" shortly after purchasing it. Overall, Adeyemi said the Audi has been driving well, despite the steering wheel feeling "a little bit heavy." But during a routine drive to work, she attempted to back into a parking space and quickly realized something was missing. "Where’s the camera at?" Adeyemi, who lives in England, questions. "The car didn’t come with a camera. How am I supposed to park now?" While she said she doesn’t rely exclusively on a backup camera, Adeyemi added that having one makes it easier to maneuver a larger vehicle. "I’m just a girl," she says, noting that, despite the missing feature, she was still able to park. "What do you mean you’re an Audi and ain’t got a camera?" Still, the clip clearly struck a nerve online. As of this writing, the video has racked up more than 91,700 views. Are Backup Cameras Required? In the US, backup cameras are required. Federal regulators require all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds built on or after May 1, 2018, to come equipped with a rear visibility system. The rule, issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, was designed to reduce backover crashes and applies to all new cars, SUVs, trucks, and vans sold in the US. The requirement covers more than just having a lens on the trunk. Vehicles must include a camera and an in-car display that shows a clear view of the space directly behind the vehicle. The mandate only applies to newer models, though. Older cars on the road today are not required to be retrofitted, although many drivers have since added aftermarket systems. The rules look a bit different in England, however. While backup cameras aren’t universally mandated—at least not explicitly—Auto-Vox reports that rear-visibility standards have gotten stricter, particularly due to broader European safety regulations that took effect in 2022. Those rules are designed to improve what drivers can see behind them and often require automakers to install cameras or sensors. The result is that most new vehicles now come equipped with some form of rear-visibility technology, even if backup cameras themselves aren’t spelled out as a standalone legal requirement for every car on the road. Aftermarket cameras remain legal in both the US and the UK, so long as they do not obstruct the driver’s view. Should Backup Cameras Be Standard? Adeyemi’s video clearly resonated with viewers, with commenters piling on about why backup cameras aren’t standard across the board—no matter where or when a car is built. "What new car don’t have reverse cameras these days," one asked. "Reverse camera and heated seats are something I’d always double-check before buying, it honestly should be standard!" another added. "I feel like from 2017 onwards reverse cameras should be standard no matter what spec you get," a third viewer posted. "Those companies are too greedy." "It’s law in the states," a fourth pointed out. Some Audi owners chimed in, saying they ran into the same issue. "MY AUDI DOESN’T EITHER," one user shared. "I’m now paying to have one installed." "I realized this as well just after I bought my Q2! It’s so silly honestly, I found out Audi does offer a service to put reverse cam in but it’s around £850 to get it fitted." "I don’t even have front sensors on mine," another noted. A few commenters, though, turned their attention back to Adeyemi—questioning the purchase itself, given the missing feature. "So u bought a car and didn’t check what it comes with," one wrote. "So bought a car not knowing it doesn’t have a backup camera," another said. Motor1 has contacted Adeyemi via a direct message on TikTok for comment. We’ll update this post if she responds. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
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