What is a SMART Repair?

There was a time when cosmetic damage to your car often meant replacing an entire panel or bumper, which was time-consuming and expensive.

SMART repairs have changed all of that. Repairers, who are now often mobile, use specialist tools and materials to fix modest amounts of damage to a localised area of your car, blending the paint into the surrounding area to make it look as good as new.

This guide explains everything you need to know about SMART repairs.

What does SMART stand for?

SMART is an acronym for Small Medium Area Repair Technology.

What types of work are covered by a SMART repair?

SMART repairs typically cover a number of areas:

• Paintwork scratches

• Bumper scuffs

• Minor dents

• Scuffed alloys

• Vandal damage

How do SMART repairs work?

Minor dents without any damage to the paintwork can be repaired using paintless dent removal. This process involves gently manipulating the area to remove the dent without requiring filler or paint.

Paintwork damage, on the other hand, requires filler and paint. The area is sanded, filled, and then dried with a heater. After that, the area is rubbed down before being sprayed, lacquered and polished.

A SMART repair aims to fix the damage without replacing a whole panel or re-spraying the vehicle. It's much quicker and cheaper, and many technicians operate as mobile mechanics, which means it can be done at a location of your choice.

What type of damage isn’t covered by SMART repairs?

While SMART repairers can do wonders, they aren’t miracle workers, and there are some areas where you may need to contact a specialist.

These include:

• Diamond cut or fully polished alloy wheels

• Cracked or broken lights or glass

• Bonnets and roofs

How much does a SMART repair cost?

The cost of a SMART repair will vary depending on the damaged area's size, depth and location and your car’s paint finish, i.e., metallic or solid paint.

The good news is that in most instances, the cost of a SMART repair will be less than your insurance excess, meaning you shouldn’t have to claim on your policy.

Benefits of a SMART repair

• Lower cost than a traditional repair

• Faster than a traditional repair

• Can be done at a location of your choice

• There's often no need to claim on your insurance

• Increases the value of your car if you choose to sell

• Ensures perfect colour match with existing paint

Looking to repair damage to your car? Find a trusted SMART repair technician on FixMyCar's garage network.

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• How to prepare your car before selling it

• Cheapest cars to repair

• Are mobile mechanics any good?

• How to refurbish alloy wheels