Advertisement feature from Onyx Repair Innovations
As UK dealers plan for the year ahead, the question of generating profitable aftersales revenue is increasingly pressing. Traditional income streams are under pressure, and many dealer groups are looking at smart body repair as an untapped opportunity.
As Mark Greener, Commercial Director at Onyx Repair Innovations, explains: “Dealerships are going through a major transition. As vehicles evolve, particularly with the rise of EVs, traditional aftersales revenue is reducing.
“Cosmetic body repair remains a strong, high-margin opportunity. If dealers can identify minor damage, estimate it accurately and manage the repair well, they can increase revenue while delivering a better customer experience.”
Why smart repair is a strategic priority
Industry data suggests that around 40% of vehicles arrive at dealerships with repairable cosmetic damage, from light scratches and scuffs to bumper and alloy wheel damage. However, only a small proportion of this work is identified, estimated for repair, or offered to customers.
Research also shows that more than 15% of drivers would agree to a minor repair if it were offered during a routine dealership visit. This represents a significant volume of high-margin work. As pressure increases on traditional servicing revenue, smart repair is a practical way to protect and grow aftersales income.
Making the most of smart repair
Cosmetic damage can be easy to miss during busy service check-ins, sales handovers or vehicle health checks. Even when damage is noticed, delays in producing estimates or uncertainty around repair management can lead to lost opportunities.
This is where automation and connected systems, like those delivered by Onyx Repair Innovations, are beginning to change the picture.
From inspection to income
Digital inspection tools allow dealers to identify cosmetic damage far earlier and with greater consistency.
Mobile estimating systems, such as Onyx AutoPad, are used by dealership teams during service appointments to help turn missed damage into booked work, quickly and with minimal disruption.
Onyx’s innovative Automated Vehicle Inspection (AVI) technology takes this a step further. Using AI-powered scanners positioned at the entrance and exit of the dealership, vehicles are scanned as they arrive or leave site.
Within seconds, the system detects cosmetic damage, captures images and produces an instant repair estimate. No manual inspection is required. Damage is identified consistently, creating a clear opportunity to discuss repairs with customers or plan work on stock vehicles.
Systems that help unlock additional revenue
To support dealers in maximising profitable smart repair opportunities, two proven repair management platforms, Onyx and BodyNet, have come together under the Onyx name to launch a connected suite of repair and estimating systems.
The suite combines Onyx BMS for repair management, AutoPad for mobile estimating, AutoPad AVI for AI-powered vehicle inspection, and Connect MI for real-time reporting.
Built on systems already used across leading UK dealer and repair groups, the unified Onyx suite is designed to make smart repair easier to identify and manage, securing an additional aftersales income stream.
For dealers planning their strategy for 2026 and beyond, cosmetic smart repair is no longer hidden potential. With the right technology and connected processes in place, it can become a repeatable, profitable part of everyday operations.
Learn more about Onyx Repair Innovations.