Zone Types Reference
When you create a zone you choose a type. The type describes what the area is for, which makes a floor readable to anyone.
Listed here in the order a vehicle typically moves through a full workshop.
→ For how zones work, see Zones & the Floor.
Arrival
| Zone type | What belongs in it |
|---|---|
| Pre-repair inspection | Initial assessment on arrival: walkaround damage record, diagnostic scan, estimate build, work authorisation. Everything needed before quoting or starting repair. |
| Pre-service parking | Vehicles checked in but not started — awaiting authorisation, awaiting parts, or queued for a free bay. Keeps the working floor clear. |
Repair
| Zone type | What belongs in it |
|---|---|
| Rapid / express | Quick-turnaround jobs under an hour: oil changes, tyre rotations, bulbs, wipers, fluid top-ups, basic diagnostics. High bay turnover, minimal disassembly. |
| Mechanical (general service) | Core repair needing lifts and longer bay time: engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust, cooling. |
| Diagnostics / electrical | Fault-finding and electronic work: ECU faults, wiring, sensor issues, ADAS calibration. Increasingly its own zone as vehicles get more electronic. |
| Tyre / wheel | Fitting, balancing, alignment, puncture repair, TPMS. Often has a dedicated alignment ramp. |
| Body / collision | Structural and cosmetic repair after accidents: dent removal, panel replacement, frame straightening, welding. Needs frame benches and jigs. |
| Paint / refinish | Prep, priming, spraying, curing. Isolated in booths for dust control and ventilation. Includes colour matching. |
| Smart repair (SMART) | Localised cosmetic fixes without full panel work: minor scuffs, small dents, alloy refurbishment, bumper scuffs, trim. |
| EV / high-voltage | Ring-fenced zone for battery, motor, charging and high-voltage system work. Requires de-energising and isolation, insulated tools, and certified technicians. Kept physically separate for safety. |
| Accessories fitment | Add-ons and aftermarket fitting: dashcams, parking sensors, roof racks, seat covers, paint protection film, tint, retrofit audio and lighting. |
Finishing and departure
| Zone type | What belongs in it |
|---|---|
| Detailing / valet | Cleaning, polishing, ceramic coating, interior valet. Final preparation before handover, or a standalone service. |
| Post-repair inspection | Quality control and sign-off after work completes: road test, torque checks, verifying the fault is cleared before the vehicle moves to delivery. |
| MOT / statutory inspection | Region-mandated roadworthiness testing. A legal test with its own equipment and pass/fail record, separate from repair quality control. |
| Post-service parking | Completed vehicles waiting on collection: cleaned, invoiced and ready but not yet handed over. Separates finished work from active work. |
| Delivery / handover | Where the customer collects: paperwork, payment, key handover, and a walkaround of the completed work. Usually near reception. |
A zone type is descriptive, not restrictive. What work can land in a bay is decided by that bay’s role, capabilities and equipment — not by the type of the zone it sits in. Two bays in the same zone can accept different work.
Choosing types for a small shop
A shop with six general bays does not need zones at all. A shop that adds one specialism usually needs two: the general zone, and the specialism.
Common small-shop combinations:
| Shop | Zones |
|---|---|
| General mechanical, six bays | None |
| Mechanical with a fast lane | Rapid / express, Mechanical |
| Mechanical with diagnostics | Mechanical, Diagnostics / electrical |
| Body shop | Body / collision, Paint / refinish, Detailing / valet |
| Anything with a customer car park you manage | Add Pre-service parking and Post-service parking |