Can a Dash Cam Record Scratches When the Car is Parked by the Roadside?

[LeahMarie]

Yes, but it depends on the situation, mainly determined by the angle of the scratch. Here is the relevant introduction: Dash Cam: A dash cam is a device that records images, sounds, and other related information during vehicle travel. After installing a dash cam, it can record the entire driving process, including video images and sounds, providing evidence for traffic accidents. For those who enjoy road trips, it can also be used to document the process of overcoming challenges. Function: It protects the legitimate rights and interests of drivers. In case of a collision with pedestrians crossing the road or cyclists and motorcyclists, there might be a risk of extortion. With a dash cam, drivers can provide valid evidence for themselves.

[DeMaci]

Whether a dash cam can record a scratch incident while parked mainly depends on whether your device has a parking monitoring function. I've had a dash cam installed in my car for several years, and once when my car was scratched while parked on the roadside, it wasn't recorded. That's when I figured out the issue. Most newer dash cams now support this mode—they automatically go into sleep mode after the car is turned off but immediately start recording when they detect body movement or someone approaching. You need to enable this feature in the app or device settings and ensure it's connected to a backup power source. Otherwise, a regular dash cam only works while driving. From my experience, parking monitoring can save a lot of trouble, but you should watch the battery level, as frequent activations might drain the power, causing it to fail at critical moments. It's best to choose a model with a G-sensor—like the one I use—which saves key footage upon impact, providing solid evidence for insurance claims. In short, proper setup is essential for reliability.

[SanKinsley]

As someone who loves tinkering with car electronics, I've found that a dash cam's recording capability in parking mode isn't simply a yes-or-no matter. If you don't activate parking surveillance, it automatically shuts off when the engine stops, capturing nothing. But for tech enthusiasts like me, we specifically choose models with this feature—they typically have built-in motion or impact sensors that briefly activate upon detecting events. For instance, the new brand model I bought enters low-power mode when parked, drawing power from the car battery or an added capacitor, and captures key footage if scratched. However, power supply is crucial: an old car battery with short endurance might fail when needed. I recommend testing settings via a mobile app to adjust sensitivity properly, avoiding false alarms or missed recordings. This way, parking roadside feels secure.

[Cassidy]

From my actual driving experience, the chances of a dashcam recording a scratch when the car is parked by the roadside are quite slim, unless you've preset the parking mode. Most standard dashcams only operate when the engine is running and shut off when parked. I once tried to check the footage after my car got scratched, only to find nothing recorded because that feature wasn't enabled. Later, I upgraded my device—the new one supports motion-triggered recording while stationary, but this requires manual activation. Simply put, don't count on it if you haven't set it up; always pay attention to the manual or app settings.