Car repairs cost comparison
Find the best quote for your vehicle repair and book online.
- STEP 1Enter your car registration + locationLet us know your details so we can find you accurate quotes.
- STEP 2Compare prices from the best garagesYou're in the driving seat. Choose the right garage for you based on price, proximity and customer reviews.
- STEP 3Book your service online instantlyBook your chosen garage at a time that works for you.
“The best local garages”
Over 3 million drivers have trusted us already
£77.89
average driver saving*
Which car repair is right for you?
Struggling to understand what kind of repair your car needs? There are lots of different kinds of car repairs and ultimately, the right one for you will depend on what needs fixing. Any one of our trusted garages will be able to work with you to diagnose the problem before agreeing on which kind of repair should be carried out. Here are some typical car repair services and what they involve.
Brake repairs
The average price of a brake repair booked on FixMyCar is £440.93. Brake repairs are common and often involve the replacement of parts.
Can include- Diagnosis
- Brake pad replacement
- Brake caliper repair
- Brake fluid replacement
- Handbrake repair
- Brake lines repair
- Brake disc replacement
Cambelt change
The average price of a cambelt change booked on FixMyCar is £426.76. A snapped cambelt will cause damage to the engine if it’s not replaced.
Can include- Diagnosis
- Cambelt repair
- Cambelt replacement
Clutch replacement
The average price of a clutch repair on FixMyCar is £454. If a clutch is slipping or making an unusual noise, it needs to be replaced to avoid further damage to the engine.
Can include- Diagnosis
- Replacement clutch
- May include flywheel replacement
Car body repair
The average price of a car body repair booked on FixMyCar is £453.41. Car body repairs include fixing or repairing the car's external body, including dents, panel replacement, respraying and more.
Can include- Dent and scratch removal
- Alloy wheel refurbishment
- Panel replacement
- Paint respraying
- Chassis realignment
Dent removal
The average cost of dent removal booked on FixMyCar is £436.59. Car dents can be unattractive. Getting a car dent repair at a bodyshop can improve its resale value and make it look a lot more sightly. Repairs can range from the removal of minor scuffs to the replacement of car panels.
Can include- Damage assessment
- Paintless dent removal (PDR)
- Dent sucking
- Reverse hammer
- Filling
- Paint respray
- Panel replacement
Scratch repairs
The average cost of car body repair and scratch repairs booked on FixMyCar is £418.61. Getting a car dent repair at a bodyshop can improve its resale value and make it look a lot more sightly. SMART repairs (Small Medium Area Removal Technology) involve localised work on an area of your car body. In contrast, more significant repairs might require the removal and replacement of a car panel.
Can include- Paintless dent removal (PDR)
- SMART repairs
- Scratch removal
- Scuff removal
Car battery replacement
The average price of a car battery replacement booked on FixMyCar is £137. A car battery should be replaced approximately every three years. There are many car battery types, including lead-acid, calcium, and VRLA batteries.
Can include- Battery assessment
- Battery selection
- Battery replacement
Car windscreen repair
The average price of a windscreen repair booked on FixMyCar is £272.60. Car windscreen repairs often involve a chip filling or a windscreen replacement and are relatively quick and straightforward jobs. Prices may vary depending on the car's size and the windscreen's complexity - for instance, if there are rain sensors or cameras.
Can include- Damage assessment
- Windscreen chip repair
- Windscreen replacement
Alloy wheel refurbishment
The average price of an alloy wheel refurbishment booked on FixMyCar is £119.95. Alloy wheels sometimes need refurbishing due to wear and tear. An alloy wheel refurbishment can be done 2-3 times before a replacement is necessary.
Can include- Wheel cleaning and sandblasting
- Scratch and gauge removal
- Paint and lacquer
- Crack and dent repair
Tyre puncture repair
The average price of a tyre puncture repair booked on FixMyCar is £24.65. Tyre puncture repair is relatively cheap and simple but must be done quickly to avoid damage to the car wheels or a breakdown.
Can include- Wheel check
- Puncture analysis
- Puncture repair
Gearbox repair
The average cost of a gearbox repair booked on FixMyCar is £381.75. A gearbox is used to change the speed of a car. It's essential to get gearbox issues diagnosed as soon as possible.
Can include- Diagnosis
- Gearbox repair
- Gearbox replacement
Car electrical repairs
The average price of an electrical repair booked on FixMyCar is £62.74. Car electrical systems are complex and can develop many different types of faults.
Can include- Electrical system check
- Fault diagnosis
- Electrical repair
Paint repair
The average cost of a full paint repair booked on FixMyCar is £976.82. A paint repair comes under the category of bodywork. The cost will depend on the size of the damaged area.
Can include- Scratch removal
- Respraying
- Panel replacement
- Paint chip repair
Car exhaust repair
The average cost of an exhaust repair booked on FixMyCar is £112.67. Exhaust repairs can range from sealing holes and tightening fittings to replacing parts with extensive damage. You may need an exhaust repair if you notice an unusual noise coming from the exhaust.
Can include- Diagnosis
- Exhaust hole repair
- Exhaust silencer repair
- Exhaust replacement
Timing chain repair
The average price of a timing chain repair booked on FixMyCar is £702.16. A timing chain is an essential part of a car engine and needs to be replaced every 40,000 to 100,000 miles.
Can include- Diagnosis
- Timing chain replacement
Average cost of common car repairs
As you'd expect, some car repairs are easier than others. The cost of your car repair depends on what part of the car needs fixing, how long it will take, the price of any parts that need replacing, and the level of specialist who should do the job.
Average costs of car repairs also change over time. Below you can see the average price for common repairs over the last 12 months.
Car repair | Average price | Get quotes |
---|---|---|
Car body repair | £428.92 | Get quotes |
Mobile repair | £66.83 | Get quotes |
Car windscreen repair | £272.60 | Get quotes |
Car battery replacement | £137 | Get quotes |
Tyre puncture repair | £24.65 | Get quotes |
Gearbox repair | £381.75 | Get quotes |
Car aircon recharge | £63.05 | Get quotes |
Brake repair | £316.89 | Get quotes |
Car electronics repair | £56.44 | Get quotes |
Alloy wheel refurbishment | £133.94 | Get quotes |
Paint repair | £551.84 | Get quotes |
Clutch repair | £483.34 | Get quotes |
Exhaust repair | £107.63 | Get quotes |
Timing chain repair | £702.16 | Get quotes |
Frequently asked questions
There are a few different factors that affect how much your car repair will cost. The biggest factor is the area of damage. Minor damage to the body of your car, like dents, should cost no more than £200. In comparison, a gearbox repair can cost between £400-£500. Use our handy comparison tool to find quotes to repair your damaged car.
Your auto repair cost will depend on the type of repair you need. Minor auto repairs can cost between £50-£200, whereas more specialist repairs can cost up to £1,000 depending on your location. Use our handy comparison tool to find quotes for your auto repair cost.
The cost of repairing your car after a crash can vary widely and depends on the type and severity of the damage. Cosmetic damage will likely cost less than £500, whereas structural damage that means you cannot drive the car can cost over £1,000 to repair.
You have the right to choose who repairs your car after an accident. Your insurance company may have a list of mechanics they advise you to use, but in most cases, it's your car and, therefore, your decision where you take it to be repaired.
The average hourly rate for a car repair is between £70 and £100 in the UK, depending on your location. This cost doesn't include any replacement parts that you may need.
Car insurance providers use damage level categories to decide if a car can be repaired. Category A and B damage cannot be repaired, and the vehicle must be written off. Category S damage is structural, and the car can be repaired. Category N damage is cosmetic or electrical and may be repaired if the fault is not a severe electrical one.
Car repair costs are not covered when you lease a car unless you purchase an additional repair package. Under your lease agreement, you will need to pay for any repairs or wear and tear to your car when you return it to the dealer.
If the repair cost is more than the value of your car, it’s not worth the repair. If the repair cost is nearing the value of your car, you should think about whether you'd prefer to get a new vehicle or pay for the repair. Your insurer will decide if the damage is so severe that the car needs to be written off.
Unless the scratches on your car are a sign of additional damage, or you’re just not happy with the look of them, they’re probably not worth repairing. Scratches are normal wear and tear on a vehicle that happens over time. However, if your car is leased, the dealer may expect you to pay to repair scratches at the end of your lease.
It can be challenging to decide whether to buy a new car or repair your used car. If the repair cost is nearing the value of your car, it’s worth considering purchasing a new car, especially if you've had it for a long time.
A garage doesn't need to give you a warranty for their work, but many regulated and approved mechanics will. If you believe you have received a faulty repair, you can explore your legal rights to claim. If the work was not done 'with reasonable skill and care', you are legally entitled to compensation.
While many engine noises are normal, sometimes a ticking noise is a sign of a problem. Common reasons for a ticking noise include low oil pressure, low oil level, an exhaust leak, bad spark plugs, or worn valves. To diagnose the issue properly, get your car checked at a garage nearby.
Diagnosing car trouble is complex because it has thousands of different components. The best way to find out what’s wrong with your car is to visit a local garage and get an expert to take a look. You can find the best quotes for a car service near you by using our handy comparison tool.
The type of car you have will be a big factor in how much your repair costs, especially if the area of repair is the power source. Diesel car repairs tend to be the cheapest on average, while electric car repairs tend to be the most expensive as a specialist is often needed to make the repair. However, diesel cars tend to need more maintenance than electric cars, so electric cars tend to be cheaper to run overall.
Car damage is categorised into different levels because insurers need to make strict assessments about costs. Category N refers to a car that has cosmetic damage or electrical damage but no structural damage. Category S means the car has extensive damage to the structure that is more than cosmetic, but it can be repaired. Category B describes a car as waste and means that the body is not fit for the road (although some parts may be salvaged for reuse in other vehicles). Finally, a car that's placed in Category A must never go back on the roads. The entire vehicle needs to be crushed for scrap metal.
How to find the best places to fix your car near you
It can be a bit overwhelming when you're faced with loads of great repair quotes. Here's how to assess the information we give you and find the best mechanic for your car repair.
1. Read the reviews
See how many stars each mechanic has and how many reviews they've received.
2. Assess the urgency of your repair
Check the next available booking time and whether it works for you.
3. Compare the price
Decide how much you're willing to pay to fix your car.
4. Decide if you need a mobile mechanic
If you can’t drive your car into a garage near you, look out for mobile mechanic options.
5. Option to pay in instalments
Some garages give the option to pay in up to 4 different instalments for your repair.
6. Check the customer service score
We badge each garage with either bronze, silver, or gold for customer service.