Driving a company car comes with plenty of benefits. You get a reliable vehicle without the worry of ownership costs. But there is one catch that many fleet drivers forget about until it is too late: you are responsible for keeping that car in good condition.
When the time comes to return your company car, any scratches, dents, or damage could land you with hefty excess charges. The good news? Kent smart repairs offer a simple and affordable way to fix minor damage before your return inspection.
What Are Your Responsibilities as a Company Car Driver?
As a fleet driver, your employer trusts you to look after the vehicle. While they cover the big costs like insurance and servicing, day-to-day care falls on your shoulders.
Most company car policies expect you to:
- Report any damage promptly
- Keep the vehicle clean and tidy
- Arrange repairs for minor damage you have caused
- Return the car in fair condition
The key phrase here is “fair condition”. This does not mean perfect. But it does mean the car should not have damage beyond normal wear and tear. A small stone chip is acceptable. A cracked bumper from a car park collision is not.
If you drive a company car, you will pay tax on this benefit. The GOV.UK guidance on company car tax explains how this works. Since you are already paying tax on the vehicle, the last thing you want is extra charges for damage when you hand it back.
Understanding Return Inspections
When your company car lease ends, a return inspection checks the vehicle condition. A trained assessor will examine every part of the car, looking for damage that goes beyond normal wear.
Common issues flagged during inspections include:
- Scratches deeper than 25mm
- Dents larger than a credit card
- Scuffed or damaged alloy wheels
- Bumper scrapes and chips
- Interior stains or tears
Each item gets recorded and priced up. These excess charges can quickly add up to hundreds or even thousands of pounds. As the driver, you are typically liable for these costs.
How Kent Smart Repairs Save You Money
This is where kent smart repairs become your best friend. Smart repairs, also known as SMART repairs (Small to Medium Area Repair Technology), fix localised damage without the need for full panel replacement.
Instead of respraying an entire bumper, a mobile technician repairs just the damaged area. The result? Professional quality repairs at a fraction of body shop prices.
| Repair Type | Body Shop Cost | Smart Repair Cost | Typical Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bumper scuff | £300-£500 | £80-£150 | Up to 70% |
| Minor dent | £200-£400 | £60-£120 | Up to 70% |
| Alloy wheel scuff | £100-£150 | £50-£80 | Up to 50% |
| Paint scratch | £250-£450 | £70-£130 | Up to 70% |
The maths is simple. If you are facing £800 in excess charges for a scratched bumper and scuffed alloys, a kent smart repair might cost you just £200 to fix both. That is £600 back in your pocket.
Common Damage Company Car Drivers Face
Company cars cover serious miles. All that driving means more opportunities for minor damage to occur. Here are the most common issues we see from fleet drivers:
Car park knocks: Tight spaces in supermarket and office car parks lead to bumper scrapes and door dings. Other drivers opening their doors carelessly can leave dents along your panels.
Kerbed alloys: Misjudging a tight turn or parallel parking can scrape your alloy wheels against the kerb. This happens more often than drivers like to admit, especially with unfamiliar vehicles.
Stone chips: Motorway driving throws up small stones that chip your paintwork and crack your windscreen. The front bumper and bonnet take the worst of it.
Minor scrapes: Hedgerows, posts, and pillars all claim their share of paintwork from company cars navigating tight lanes and car parks across Kent.
Why Mobile Repairs Work for Fleet Drivers
As a company car driver, your time is valuable. Taking a day off work to sit in a body shop waiting room is not practical. That is why mobile kent smart repairs make so much sense.
A mobile technician comes to your home or workplace. You hand over the keys, carry on with your day, and collect a repaired vehicle a few hours later. No booking hassle, no courtesy car needed, no wasted time.
This convenience matters even more when you are approaching your return date. Many drivers only notice damage when they start thinking about their inspection. With mobile bumper repair in Kent, you can get issues sorted quickly without disrupting your schedule.
When to Book Your Repairs
Timing is everything with company car repairs. Book too early and you risk picking up new damage before your inspection. Leave it too late and you might not find an available slot.
The sweet spot is usually two to four weeks before your return date. This gives you time to:
- Walk around the car and spot all the damage
- Get a quote for any repairs needed
- Schedule the work at a convenient time
- Have a small buffer in case anything goes wrong
Some drivers wait until the last minute, hoping damage will go unnoticed. This is a risky strategy. Assessors are trained to find every scratch, and modern inspection tools make it even harder to hide damage.
What Smart Repairs Can and Cannot Fix
Smart repairs work brilliantly for minor to moderate damage. But they are not a magic solution for everything. Here is what to expect:
Smart repairs work well for:
- Scratches and scuffs on bumpers and panels
- Small dents without paint damage
- Alloy wheel kerb damage
- Stone chips and minor paint damage
- Interior scuffs on plastic trims
You might need traditional repairs for:
- Large dents or creases
- Deep scratches through to bare metal
- Cracked or split bumpers
- Structural damage
- Major panel damage
A good technician will be honest about what smart repairs can achieve. If the damage is too severe, they will tell you upfront rather than attempting a repair that will not pass inspection.
Preparing for Your Return Inspection
Beyond booking repairs, there are other steps you can take to prepare your company car for return:
Clean the car thoroughly: A clean vehicle makes a better impression and helps you spot any damage you might have missed. Do not forget the interior, boot, and engine bay.
Gather all the paperwork: Make sure you have the service history, MOT certificates, and any repair invoices ready. Missing documents can cause delays.
Check the basics: Ensure all lights work, tyres have good tread, and fluids are topped up. These basics are often overlooked but can trigger charges.
Take photos: Document the condition of your car before the inspection. If there is any dispute about damage, you have evidence of how you left it.
Getting a Quote for Kent Smart Repairs
If you drive a company car in Kent and have damage that needs fixing, getting a quote is straightforward. Most mobile repair specialists offer free quotes based on photos you send them.
Simply take clear pictures of any damage in good daylight. Include close-up shots and wider angles showing where the damage sits on the panel. Send these over and you will typically get a quote within 24 hours.
At Smart Fix Autos, we work with company car drivers across Kent every week. We understand the pressure of return inspections and the importance of getting repairs done quickly and properly. Our mobile service means we come to you, whether that is your office in Gravesend, your driveway in Sevenoaks, or anywhere else across the county.
Do not wait until your return inspection is days away. Get in touch now to discuss your repair needs and keep those excess charges where they belong: in your pocket, not your employer’s invoice.