Matched to the Right Repair
Your journey to the perfect repair in four simple steps
Assess your damage
Identify the damage type and measure the affected area. Our smart assessment helps determine the repair complexity.
Answer quick questions
Select affected panel
Pick your price & finish
Assess your damage
Identify damage type
Which Repair Type Do You Need?
Understanding the difference between SMART repairs and full bodyshop work helps you get the right fix at the right price. Browse examples below or watch our quick guide.
SMART Repair vs Full Repair
Watch our 2-minute guide to identify your repair type
Stone Chips
Small chips of paint missing from the bonnet, bumper or panels caused by road debris.
Scratches and Scuffs
Surface-level scratches that haven't deeply damaged the metal or distorted the panel shape.
Minor Bumper Scuffs
Plastic bumpers that have scrapes or scratches.
Small Dents (PDR)
Minor dings where the paint is still intact. Often handled via Paintless Dent Removal.
Alloy Wheel Kerbing
Scratches or scuffs on the outer rim of your wheels.
Major Collision Damage
Anything involving crumpled metal, frame misalignment, or deployed airbags.
Large Dents
If the panel or panels are damaged and cover a significant portion of the vehicle.
Deep Key Scratches
Long "vandal" damage that run across multiple doors or panels. Hard to "blend" invisibly.
Bonnet or Panel Repainting
Large, flat surfaces like roofs, bonnets or panels catch the light easily, making a localised SMART repair look obvious.
Extensive Corrosion
Where extensive corrosion is apparent and may require significant repair or replacement of panel.
Cracked or Split Bumpers
While some plastic welding is possible, a structural crack usually warrants a bumper replacement for safety.
Swipe to explore 11 types
Decide on your repair
Which repair does your damage qualify for?
SMART Repair
Small to Medium Area Repair Technology
- Fast turnaround
Usually 2-4 hours. Sometimes while you wait.
- Cost effective method
Localised spot repairs only
- No need to replace panels
Use specialist tooling & paints
Best for:Car park scuffs, shopping trolley scratches, minor bumper damage—anything you wouldn't claim on insurance for.
Full Body Repair
The traditional bodyshop
- Full panel respray
Entire door, wing, or bonnet.
- Restored to pre-accident condition
You won't know it was ever damaged.
- Longer turnaround & repair guarantees
Takes longer & gives repair guarantees
Best for:leasing vehicle returns, restoring your pride & joy, prestige vehicles, insurance claims, accident repair or collision damage
Good to know
Most bodyshops can do SMART repairs— they have the equipment, the specialist tools, and the skills. It's just a smaller job for them.
But not all SMART repairers can do full bodyshop work. They specialise in mobile, localised fixes and may not have the facilities for complex panel work or full resprays.
That's why we show both:Once you've identified which repair type applies to you, you'll compare providers that can handle your specific repair type
How Much Does a SMART Repair Cost?
Prices are calculated from live rates across our network of UK repairers.
Scratch Repairs
£193–£1,624
Small scratches, scuffs, and paint damage on panels and bumpers.
Learn more →Dent Removal
£110–£336
Minor dents with no paint damage across any body panel.
Learn more →Alloy Wheel Refurbishment
£55–£406
Scuffs, kerb damage, and diamond-cut wheel restoration.
Learn more →Bumper Repairs
£110–£966
Scratches and dents on front and rear bumpers.
Learn more →Price ranges are estimates based on national garage rates. Your actual quote may vary based on location, vehicle, and damage details. Last updated 15th July.
Why Should I Book a SMART Repair?
You'll probably notice a scratch or two over the years of using your car, and whilst a small scrape might not seem like cause for concern, you shouldn't ignore it for long.
Even small dents and scratches can let water permeate your car's finish, which can lead to rust which could be costly to fix.
If you ever hope to sell, it's important that you address any paintwork damage right away.
By booking a timely SMART repair, you can prevent further damage from occurring later down the line and maintain your car's appearance so you can drive in style.
Which SMART Repairs Can I Book Through BookMyGarage?
If your vehicle has suffered minor cosmetic damage, you can book the following SMART repairs on our platform:
- Scratch repairs
- Paint repairs
- Small dent repairs
- Alloy wheel refurbishment
- Bumper repair
- Scuff repairs
If your vehicle has sustained any of the following, then full bodyshop work may be required:
- Windscreen damage
- Major collision damage
- Large dents
- Deep key scratches
- Bonnet or panel paint damage
- Extensive corrosion
- A cracked or split bumper