AutoScratch

AutoScratch: mobile car body repair in the UK

AutoScratch is a British company specialising in mobile car body repairs using the method known as SMART (Small and Medium Area Repair Technique). Its approach consists of bringing the workshop to the customer's home or workplace, thus avoiding the costs and waiting times associated with a conventional body shop. The company states that its repairs are cheaper than those of a traditional body shop and are completed within hours, so the vehicle can be driven again as soon as the work is finished.

Repair services offered

AutoScratch's catalogue covers four main areas of car body damage:

• Car scratches: repair of deep and light scratches, including those caused by vandalism or keys across multiple panels, as well as those affecting plastic bumpers.
• Bumpers: repair of scuffs, scratches, small cracks, holes or marks and texture damage on the bumper, avoiding the cost of replacing the entire part.
• Painted alloy wheels: repair of minor scuff damage, localising the repair without needing to remove the wheel. The company does not repair diamond-cut, polished or chrome alloys.
• Dents: correction of minor dents and paint damage, including indentations on metal or plastic panels that can be filled with body filler.

They also carry out cosmetic repairs of stone chips by mixing the correct colour and applying it with a touch-up brush, which removes the visual impact of the damage and helps protect the area against corrosion.

Working method and paint

The process begins with a quote request, which can be sent by phone, email, text message or WhatsApp, attaching up to six photographs of the damage. The company states that it responds within about thirty minutes during normal working hours. Once the quote is accepted, an appointment is arranged and a technician comes to the home or workplace with the equipped van. To carry out the work, only a power supply point and enough space to park the van next to the vehicle are required.

Paint mixtures are prepared at the repair site itself, as the vans carry complete mixing schemes. The technician obtains the colour code engraved on the vehicle and enters it into a laptop to generate the paint recipe. According to the company, they can reproduce the correct colour of any car from the last thirty years, including metallic, pearlescent and mica finishes.

The company states that its technicians have at least five years of experience in SMART repairs or in body shops. Repairs are completed the same day and an average job takes approximately two hours; a bumper scuff may require around ninety minutes. The customer can drive the vehicle immediately after the repair, although it is recommended to wait at least four days before washing it. Payment is made by bank transfer or cash on completion of the work, with no deposits or prior payment details.

Guarantee and conditions

AutoScratch offers a two-year satisfaction guarantee on its repairs. Prices are agreed with the customer before work begins and, according to the company, there are no hidden costs. The firm states that it has the highest customer rating in its mobile scratch repair category, a claim it supports with its Trustpilot profile.

There are stated limitations: they do not repair bonnets or roofs because they are flat panels, nor dents that require more filler than usual. They also do not work on diamond-cut, polished or chrome alloys. All work is carried out on a completely mobile basis, with no fixed workshop. The vans are equipped with marquees that allow work in rainy conditions.

Geographic coverage

The service operates in various areas of the UK. The company lists the following coverage areas: West Midlands, Warwickshire, North West, Greater Manchester, East Midlands, Merseyside, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Kent, Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Worcestershire, Nottingham, Derby, Wakefield, Rotherham, Cheshire, Surrey and south London. It also mentions Staffordshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire in its FAQ section.

Customer profile and value proposition

AutoScratch targets vehicle owners looking for a cheaper and more convenient alternative to the traditional body shop. The company emphasises saving time and money, the convenience of not having to travel and transparent pricing. In addition to direct consumer repairs, it offers SMART repair subcontracting services for other businesses.