Mobile paint repair is great… until it isn’t.

If your bumper’s had an impact (even “minor”), modern cars may need proper assessment, correct repair methods, and ADAS checks — not just a cosmetic respray.

A simple reality check

ChipsAway is positioned as mobile SMART repair designed to be convenient and often cheaper than traditional body shops. That can be a good fit for purely cosmetic damage.

But modern bumpers aren’t just plastic and paint anymore. Many vehicles integrate sensors and radar behind/within bumper areas, and calibration can be required when sensors or the parts they mount to are disturbed.

The ADAS problem nobody mentions

Why bumper impacts are different in 2026

Even when the paint damage looks small, a bumper impact can involve:

• hidden deformation

• broken mounts/clips

• sensor mounting tolerances

• paint/repair methods that can affect sensor operation

Industry guidance commonly stresses that when a sensor or the part it’s fitted to is replaced/affected, calibration risk exists, and incorrect calibration can lead to safety systems not working as intended.

Some manufacturers explicitly warn that improper bumper repair/paint/wrap can affect sensor operation.

What we do differently at ScuffedUp

• We treat bumper impact repairs as inspection-led, not paint-led

• We check for misalignment, mount damage, and sensor area considerations

• If calibration is required, we ensure it’s handled appropriately as part of a safe repair process (not guessed)

When a mobile repair is fine

Mobile-style repairs can be a sensible choice when:

• It’s a light scuff with no impact and no deformation

• There’s no cracking/splitting

• No sensors/radar areas are involved

• You’re not seeing warning lights or parking sensor issues

Even ChipsAway note DIY/mobile-type approaches aren’t suitable once you get into cracks/splits where the process becomes more complicated.

When you should choose a bodyshop

Choose a proper bodyshop assessment if any of these apply:

• the bumper was hit (not just scraped)

• panel gaps look different

• parking sensors behave oddly

• the bumper is cracked/split

• the car has ADAS features (AEB, ACC, blind spot, lane assist, etc.)

• you’re in a non-fault claim and want the vehicle repaired to a recognised standard

We’re certified to BS 10125 — designed around safe, consistent vehicle damage repair processes.

• Independent, family-run accident repair centre in Swansea

• BSI 10125 certified

• ATA-qualified technicians

• ADAS recalibration capability / process awareness

• Courtesy cars available

• Works with insurers but you can still choose your repairer

Questions?

• Do I always need ADAS calibration after bumper repair?

  Not always — it depends on the vehicle, the sensor locations, and what was disturbed. The risk is that when sensors or their mounting areas are affected, calibration may be required to ensure correct operation.

• Is a mobile SMART repair "bad"?

  Not inherently. It can be great for light cosmetic damage. The issue is assuming every bumper scrape is purely cosmetic — modern cars often make that a risky assumption.

• Can you repair a bumper rather than replace it?

  Often yes — but only after inspection confirms it’s safe and structurally sound, and any sensor-related considerations are addressed.

• Why does BSI10125 matter?

  It signals a documented quality management approach to vehicle damage repair processes and consistency.

Convenient doesn’t mean correct.

Call us or book an appointment today for free, honest advice on how your repair should be handled -