An initiative to set a series of standards for smart repairers aims to restore the industry’s reputation by putting it on a more professional footing.

Smart repairer Revive has been amongst those working with The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) to develop core competencies.

“There is a lack of trust and confidence in smart repairers because of question marks over the level of quality offered by some operators,” explained Mark Llewellyn, managing director of Revive.

“It is one of the key reasons we got involved with the IMI to work on an accreditation scheme that would be valued and accepted by the industry and by the insurance companies.”

Llewellyn has spent the past 18 months working with the IMI and told Fleet News that he hoped an accreditation standard, recognised by the insurance industry, could be introduced early next year.

In addition, he said training courses based on bodyshop repair standards for both paint repairs and dents, with two skill levels of technician and advanced, should be ready for the start of the next academic year.

Revive, which has 85 smart repair vans and 59 franchises across the country, intends to put its own repairers through the scheme and is considering becoming an approved accreditation centre once the scheme is introduced.

The majority of its business (65%) is dealer based, with 25-30% coming from fleet contracts and 5-10% from private motorists.

However, Llewellyn hopes his focus on meeting customer expectations will bring more business across the board.

“There are a number of big customers out there and I want to make them aware that smart repairs can be done professionally,” said Llewellyn. “This initiative and the fact that we are service and standards driven will help change people’s perceptions.”