When your car picks up a dent, a deep scratch or collision damage, the first question is usually what it will cost. There's no honest single figure, because two repairs that look similar can involve very different work. This guide explains what affects the price, so you know what to ask when you get a quote.
What affects the cost of a body repair?
The type and size of the damage
A light scuff on a bumper is a very different job from a dent across two panels or structural damage after a collision. The more panels involved, and the deeper the damage, the more time the repair takes.
Repair or replace
Many bumpers and panels can be repaired. Some are better replaced, particularly when they're badly cracked or distorted. Replacement adds the cost of the part, as well as the paint and fitting.
Paint and colour matching
Metallic, pearl and multi-layer colours usually take more work to match than a solid colour. To get a seamless finish, the paint is often blended into the neighbouring panel, which increases the area being worked on.
Your vehicle
Prestige models, aluminium panels and cars with sensors built into the bumpers can all add time and cost to a repair.
Preparation
Most of a good paint finish comes down to preparation: stripping parts, repairing the surface, sanding, priming and masking. A very cheap quote can mean some of that is being skipped.
Should you claim on your insurance?
For small repairs, compare the quote with your policy excess and consider how a claim might affect your premium. If the accident wasn't your fault, speak to your insurer about your options. You have the right to choose where your vehicle is repaired.
How to get an accurate price
- Take photos close up, from further away and from different angles.
- Note the make, model and colour of the vehicle.
- Mention anything else you'd like painted or fitted at the same time.
- Expect a repairer to want to see the car before confirming the price on bigger jobs, because some damage is hidden until parts come off.
Get a quote for your car
We don't publish a price list because every repair is different. Send us your photos and we'll tell you what it needs, with no hidden charges.