Accident repair centres like many other business face an uncertain future, as the Coronavirus pandemic continues. Bodyshops may be back up and running and many are now busy, but in the longer term, there is a good deal of uncertainty about repair volumes. This makes finding related, but diversified, business opportunities important, so here are five areas that repairers might want to consider.

SMART REPAIRS
Providing smart repair services offers a bodyshop many advantages. The service can be set up for a relatively low investment cost, often utilising existing materials and equipment and if successful, it is an area that can provide a much needed instant cash flow boost. The repairs themselves are generally quick and easy, so can fit in well around the normal accident repair workflow.

The key to success in this area is not just offering the service, but successfully promoting it. Many motorists still perceive any kind of body repair to be an expensive business involving an insurance claim and are unaware of what can be achieved for a reasonable price.

With most industry observers believing that people will keep cars for longer due to the uncertainties of the COVID-19 outbreak, the future market for more cosmetic vehicle repairs should be bright.

LEASE CAR RETURN
Damaged bodywork can carry big financial penalties for motorists who are returning vehicles on personal contract plans and leasing deals. By offering an inspection and rectification service bodyshops may be able to save customers significant amounts of money.

ALLOY WHEEL REPAIR
Nearly all cars now have alloy wheels which can be easily damaged by kerb scuffs and stone clips. Offering alloy wheel repair and refinishing can be a good way to supplement normal repair business and does not require a huge investment. Once again the key to success is effective promotion of the service.

VEHICLE SANITISING & DEODORISING
Coronavirus means everyone is more health and hygiene aware and a vehicle interior can often harbour germs and bacteria. A wide range of vehicle sanitising systems are now on the market and offering this as a standalone service could open up a new income stream. Having the vehicle interior regularly sanitised will make perfect sense to a lot of drivers, not least taxi drivers and in the future could become as normal as washing the outside of the car.

AIR-CON SERVICING
This is an area that has seen sales increase in the face of the health crisis. Many bodyshop already have air-con equipment but only use it in a repair context. For those that don’t, it should be noted that this is a growing market, so making an investment in air-con servicing equipment and training now should bring healthy future returns.