Can All Bumpers Be SMART Repaired?
The short answer is no, and this is where due diligence is required to see if a SMART repair is the best option. Here are just a few examples of why.
Audi state that a vehicle with adaptive cruise control has certain parts of the front bumper that must not be painted during a repair. This is because the adaptive cruise control system relies on sensors located behind the bumper, which can become non-operational due to the thickness of added paint layers.
Similarly, some models of BMW have blind spot sensors behind the rear bumper which can also be affected by any excess materials used during the repair process. Therefore, a SMART repair cannot be carried out in that area.
Due to the ever-increasing advances in safety systems on modern vehicles, combined with a move towards autonomous driving, these repair issues are not uncommon across all vehicle brands.
Our advice to anyone seeking a SMART repair solution would be to check with the repairer that they have access to vehicle specific data and the equipment required to carry out any calibrations that may be required post repair. This will ensure that the vehicle is returned to a safe and road-worthy condition and will not be vulnerable in the event of a future accident.
