Question about rendering an outside wall

I have an exterior wall that has a render over the original red brick.
We live in Wales and the weather is often rainy and high humidity but without temperature extremes in summer or winter.
The wall has a few long cracks but isn’t badly damaged.
I have the option of a full re rendering but the builder said that it wasn’t worth it and he suggested we Red grit the surface, patch up all defects and rebead the windows and doors and finish with an sbr flat render finish.
I’m not sure what that means but he said that it would provide a smooth final surface and wall protection for decades.
My other option is to fill in all the cracks myself and then paint it.
I would appreciate any opinions or advice.

Fill cracks and paint it.
Next…

I would carry out resin crack repairs. A base coat Parex Parinter with full fibre mesh if the wall has been decorated. Finished with Webber O C R.

My problem is that the wall also has a ridiculous surface pattern, like someone took a stick and scratched random long curving lines into the wet cement, so just filling the cracks and repainting won’t get rid of the ugly surface pattern.
Also, the wall has been painted before.

Kajuna said:

My problem is that the wall also has a ridiculous surface pattern, like someone took a stick and scratched random long curving lines into the wet cement, so just filling the cracks and repainting won’t get rid of the ugly surface pattern.
Also, the wall has been painted before.

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Fotos wd be helpful