SMART Repair FAQ: Everything You Need to Know
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For most bookings, payment is taken on completion of the repair. Once our technician has finished the work and you’re happy with the result, you can pay using the card machine carried on the van.
If a third party is paying for the repair, we require a pre-authorised payment before the booking can be confirmed.
Who counts as a third party?
A third party can be anyone other than the vehicle owner who is covering the cost of the repair. This may include:
- A friend or family member
- An employer or business
- A company responsible for a fleet vehicle
- A neighbour or another driver
- Someone who has caused the damage and agreed to pay for the repair (often quicker and cheaper than going through insurance)
What is a pre-authorised payment?
A pre-authorised payment is a secure way of reserving funds without taking the money upfront. The third party provides their card details, and an amount is temporarily held to guarantee the booking and ensure funds are available.
This ensures:
- The appointment is fully secured
- No delays on the day of the repair
- Guaranteed payment for the work once completed
After the repair is finished, the pre-authorisation is either:
- Captured (converted into a payment)
- Released if another payment method is used
This process protects both you and our technicians, ensuring everything is arranged before we travel to the appointment.
Payment is simple and convenient. All of our technicians carry card machines on their vans, so you can pay by card on completion of the repair.
We accept:
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
- Contactless payments
- Apple Pay / Google Pay (where supported)
This allows the repair to be completed and paid for in one visit, with no need for cash or advance payment unless previously agreed.
Availability varies, but most customers can book within a few days. Busy periods may require additional notice.
Yes. We repair kerbing, scratches, corrosion and offer mobile diamond-cut style repairs for cosmetic restoration.
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Yes. SMART repair is ideal for bumper scuffs, scratches, minor cracks, and light impact damage on plastic bumpers.
Yes — SMART repair works on all makes and models, including cars, vans and commercial vehicles. Certain colours or finishes may require specialist techniques, but most cosmetic repairs are suitable.
Yes. SMART repair is one of the best ways to avoid expensive end-of-lease or PCP wear-and-tear penalties for cosmetic damage.
We don’t require you to stand with the technician while the repair is being carried out, but someone does need to be home during the appointment.
This ensures we have:
- Access to the vehicle
- Access to a power socket if needed
- Someone available in case we need to discuss repair details or unexpected issues
Once the vehicle is set up and we have everything we need, you’re free to continue with your day while we complete the repair.
Yes. The aftercare for SMART repairs is the same as the aftercare recommended by a traditional bodyshop. Fresh paint continues to cure for several days, so it’s important to follow these guidelines to protect the finish.
- Avoid jet washing for at least 2 weeks after the repair.
- You can wash the car during this period, but you must keep the jet wash nozzle at least one foot (30cm) away from the freshly painted area.
Getting too close with a jet wash nozzle can cause damage to new paint, especially along the edges of the repaired panel. High-pressure water directed at close range may lift or remove fresh paint before it has fully hardened.
Following these simple aftercare steps ensures the repair cures correctly and maintains a long-lasting, professional finish.
A properly performed SMART repair should be virtually invisible. Blending and precise colour matching ensure the finish looks consistent with the surrounding panels.
Yes — SMART repair is usually 50–70% cheaper. Because we repair only the damaged area instead of whole panels, labour and material costs are far lower.
Blending is a professional paint technique used to ensure a seamless colour match when repairing a damaged area. Instead of repainting only the exact section that’s been repaired, we gradually fade and blend the new paint into the surrounding panels. This creates a smooth transition so the repaired area matches the rest of the vehicle perfectly, with no visible colour difference.
Why blending is sometimes necessary
Even when a vehicle has a specific manufacturer paint code, not all panels will look exactly the same colour. This is because certain parts — especially bumpers — are often painted off the vehicle in the factory, while the main body panels are painted on the production line.
Because of this, colour differences can occur due to:
- Different materials (plastic vs. metal)
- Temperature variations during factory painting
- Different paint absorption on each material
- Separate manufacturing/painting processes
- Sun exposure and ageing over time
Why blending prevents colour mismatch
When repairing a bumper, wing, or quarter panel, simply spraying the damaged area can highlight these natural colour variations. Blending allows us to:
- Fade new paint into the adjacent panel
- Match the overall appearance more accurately
- Avoid a harsh paint line between new and old paint
- Achieve a consistent, factory-like finish
In simple terms, blending ensures the finished repair looks as close to the original factory finish as possible, even on vehicles where individual panels vary slightly in shade.
Our mobile SMART repair service is fully equipped to operate at your home or workplace, but we do require a few essential conditions to ensure the work is carried out safely and to a professional standard.
Here’s what we need:
• A private driveway or off-road space
We must work in a safe, private area away from public roads. A driveway, private parking space, or authorised workplace area is ideal. For safety reasons, we cannot carry out repairs on public roads or in unsuitable locations.
• Enough space to erect our 3m x 4.5m gazebo
We use a professional-grade gazebo to create a controlled environment, allowing us to complete repairs in all weather conditions. To set this up correctly, we need a clear area of approximately 3m x 4.5m around the vehicle.
• Access to a standard power socket
A normal household plug socket (outdoor or accessible via an extension lead) is usually required for most repairs.
We can supply our own power if needed, but:
- Special arrangements must be made in advance
- We cannot always guarantee availability of our power supply
- An additional charge may apply depending on the job and location
• Safe access around the vehicle
We need enough room to move around the repair area and to open vehicle doors where required. A single parking space is typically sufficient once the gazebo is set up.
SMART repair prices vary depending on the type of damage, the size of the affected area, and the complexity of the repair. As a fully mobile service, we keep our pricing fair, transparent, and consistent — and we also offer multi-panel discounts when more than one area needs repairing.
Please note:
All prices listed are plus VAT, and we have a minimum charge of £95 + VAT per visit.
Some prices shown below fall under this amount because they usually apply when repairs are carried out as part of a multi-panel booking.
Scratch & scuff repairs — £50 to £250 + VAT
Light surface scratches fall toward the lower end of the scale, while deeper scratches that require additional preparation, colour matching, and blending sit closer to the higher end. Metallic and multi-stage paint finishes can also affect the cost.
Standalone repairs must meet our £95 + VAT minimum charge, but smaller scratches can be discounted when combined with other work.
Bumper repairs — £50 to £300 + VAT
Minor scuffs and scrapes on plastic bumpers start from £50 when completed alongside other repairs. More severe damage — including deeper gouges, cracks, or repairs around parking sensors and cameras — may cost more due to the extra precision required.
Multi-panel bookings help reduce the overall cost per area.
Alloy wheel refurbishment — £65 to £125 per wheel + VAT
Pricing depends on wheel size, finish (painted or diamond-cut), and the extent of the damage. We also offer mobile diamond-cut style repairs for kerb rash and cosmetic marks.
Refurbishing multiple wheels during the same visit often qualifies for discounted per-wheel pricing.
Dent removal (PDR) — £80 to £200 per panel + VAT
Smaller dents on flat, accessible panels are quicker and more cost-effective to repair. Damage located on body lines, curves, or double-skinned areas may require more time and therefore cost more.
Multiple dents on the same panel — such as hail damage — may qualify for package pricing.
Minimum charge & multi-panel discounts
– All prices listed are plus VAT.
– Our minimum charge is £95 + VAT per visit.
– Lower-priced repairs are available only when combined with other work.
– We offer multi-panel and multi-area discounts, making it more cost-effective when booking several repairs during the same visit.
SMART repair is intended for small to medium-sized areas. It is generally not suitable for:
- Full bonnets
- Full roofs
However, some bonnets can still be repaired using SMART techniques, depending on their design. If the style and shape of the bonnet allow us to keep the repair area small (for example, bonnets with natural edges, body lines, or raised sections), we may be able to complete the repair to a high standard.
If you’re unsure whether your bonnet qualifies, simply send us a few photos — we’ll assess it honestly and advise the best approach.
SMART repairs offer:
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Quick turnaround times
Most repairs are completed within the same day. -
Cost-effective results
Only the damaged section is treated, reducing materials and labour. -
High-quality finish
Repairs are blended to match your vehicle’s existing paintwork. -
Ultimate convenience
No bodyshop visits or time without your vehicle.
SMART repair is perfect for most types of cosmetic damage, including:
-
Paintwork scratches & scuffs
Our targeted repair and blending techniques achieve a seamless finish on the affected area only. -
Bumper scuffs, scrapes & cracks
Ideal for low-speed impact or parking-related damage on plastic bumpers. -
Alloy wheel refurbishment
Repairs for kerbing, scratches, peeling lacquer, and corrosion. -
Diamond-cut alloy wheel repairs
We offer mobile diamond-cut style repairs, restoring the appearance of damaged areas without needing a full re-cut on a lathe. -
Minor dents & dings (PDR)
Paintless Dent Removal for car-park dents, door dings, and minor impact marks — all completed without repainting.
Yes. We are a fully mobile service, completing all repairs at your home or workplace. Our mobile system is equipped to deliver high-quality, professional results on your driveway without the need for a workshop.
SMART stands for Small to Medium Area Repair Technology. It’s a specialised method used to restore cosmetic vehicle damage by repairing only the affected area instead of respraying entire panels. This makes the process quicker, more affordable, and far more convenient than traditional bodyshop repairs.