Scratch, dent and SMART repair
Published by the Serviced247 editorial teamLast reviewed 24 October 2026
SMART repair - small to medium area repair technology - fixes localised cosmetic damage without repainting a whole panel. It is quicker and cheaper than a body-shop repair and is often done at your home or workplace.
What SMART repair handles well
- Bumper scuffs and kerb damage
- Small scratches and stone chips
- Minor dents where the paint is intact (paintless dent removal)
- Alloy wheel kerbing
- Small trim and plastic damage
When you need a full body shop
- Damage crossing multiple panels or panel edges
- Creased or stretched metal, or damage on a swage line
- Rust, or damage that has broken through to bare metal over a large area
- Any structural or safety-related damage
What affects the price
Size and location of the damage, paint type (metallics and pearls take more work), the number of areas repaired in one visit, and whether the work is mobile or in a unit.
Price ranges on this page are Serviced247 editorial estimates of typical UK independent-garage pricing. They are not quotes, no garage is bound by them, and they vary by vehicle, parts and location. See our methodology for how we produce them.
Lease and PCP returns
Fair-wear-and-tear standards decide what a leasing company will charge at the end of a contract. Compare the likely end-of-contract charge with a SMART repair quote before the inspection, and use the published fair-wear-and-tear guide for your agreement rather than guessing.