Car body repairs near you
Compare trusted dent, scratch and body mechanics 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.
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What does a car body repair include?
There are many different types of body repairs and the right one for you will depend on the condition of your car and your own unique needs. Here’s a summary of the different types of car body repairs and how much you can expect them to cost.
SMART & scratch repair
The average cost of a SMART or scratch repair booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £344. SMART stands for Small Medium Area Repair Technology and involves repairs to localised patches of modest car body damage like scratches. They are easy fixes that can be done quickly or by a mobile mechanic.
Can include- Paint repairs
- Scuff repairs
- Paint chip repair
- Dent removal
- Wheel flaw repairs
Paint repair
The average cost of a paint repair booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £427.53. A paint repair comes under the bodywork category and can include anything from minor scratches to large areas of damage. The cost of a paint repair will depend on the extent and size of the damage.
Can include- Scratch removal
- Respraying
- Panel replacement
Dent removal
The average cost of dent removal booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £432.23. Dent removal ranges from fixing minor scuffs to the replacement of car panels. The exact cost of dent removal depends on the extent of the damage. A mechanic will assess the dent and recommend whether it should be repaired.
Can include- Damage assessment
- Dent sucking
- Reverse hammer
- Filling
- Paint respraying
- Panel replacement
Find body shop garages
The average cost of a car body repair booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £426.43. Body shop garages will replace or fix parts on the external body of the car. The cost will depend on the extent of the damage and any part replacements that are needed.
Can include- Dent and scratch removal
- Alloy wheel refurbishment
- Panel replacement
- Paint respraying
- Chassis realignment
Accident repairs
The average cost of an accident repair booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £496.07. Car accidents are stressful, but accident repairs don’t have to be. If you have an accident and need to organise a repair quickly, a mechanic will be able to assess any damage and perform a wide range of repairs to get you back on the road.
Can include- Damage assessment
- Accident repair
Welding
The average cost of car welding repairs booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £353.47.
Welding involves using high heat to fuse and reshape the metal your car body is made from. Welding is an effective solution for structural repairs and getting rid of rust or corrosion to your car.
Can include- Damage assessment
- Welding repair
Panel beating
The average cost of panel beating booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £424.38. Panel beating involves reshaping the metal that your car body is made from. A mechanic uses various tools and techniques to manipulate car panels and repair rather than replace them.
Can include- Damage assessment
- Panel beating
Car wrapping
The average cost of car wrapping booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £428.92.
Car wrapping is a cost-effective way to change the design or colour of your car body without the need for an expensive full respray. A professional will wrap your car fully or partially in vinyl material to change the look and protect it from damage.
Can include- Wrap design
- Car wrapping
Car restoration
The average cost of car restoration booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £428.92. Car restoration involves stripping a vehicle down to its bare metals and returning it to its original condition, mainly by removing all signs of damage and wear to the car body. The cost of a car restoration will depend on how much work needs to be done.
Can include- Diagnosis and inspection
- Full car restoration
Passing your MOT: Do you need to repair your car body?
Do I need to fix scratches, rust, or dents on my car body to pass an MOT?
Passing an annual MOT test is a legal requirement to ensure that your vehicle is safe to be on the road. Although a bodywork inspection is included as part of an MOT, you won’t fail an MOT for cosmetic damage to your car.
However, if there is car body damage that could compromise the safety of your vehicle (for example, sharp edges or big holes) you need to get these repairs before your car can pass its MOT.
If you’re concerned about damage to your car body, it’s best to get it repaired ahead of your MOT to give yourself confidence in coming out with a pass.
Does car insurance cover body damage?
The details of your coverage depends on what type of car insurance you have
With third party insurance, you’re only covered if you cause damage to someone else’s car. With fully comprehensive insurance, you’re covered for damage caused by you or by another driver to either vehicle.
If there’s damage to your car body that needs to be repaired, check your insurance policy documents for the details of your coverage and find out whether it covers body damage.
How much does a car body repair cost?
The cost of a car body repair varies, depending on the extent of the damage and the type of repair you need. Whether it’s a localised scuff or an entire panel replacement, our cost table gives you an idea of the average cost of different car body repairs.
| Car repair | Average price | Get quotes |
|---|---|---|
| Body shop garage | from £426.43 | Get quotes |
| Paint repair | from £427.53 | Get quotes |
| Dent removal | from £432.23 | Get quotes |
| SMART & scratch repair | from £112 | Get quotes |
| Accident repairs | from £496.07 | Get quotes |
| Welding | from £266.89 | Get quotes |
| Panel beating | from £424.38 | Get quotes |
| Car wrapping | from £428.92 | Get quotes |
| Car restoration | from £428.92 | Get quotes |
Frequently asked questions
Car body repairs involve various techniques, depending on the type of damage. Bodyshops can grind down, cut out, or suck out damage before smoothing, polishing, and repainting the area to finish the job.
The way a dent is repaired will depend on how big it is, and its whereabouts on the car. A body shop’s most common techniques include ‘sucking’ the dent out or hammering it out from the inside.
SMART repairs stand for Small Medium Area Repair Technology and include fixing modest damage on localised areas of your car body. They can be done quickly and easily, without the need for a full respray of paint.
A paintless dent repair includes dent removal techniques that don’t require a repaint. For example, sucking out a dent or hammering it out from the inside is an efficient way to perform a fix without a paint respray.
Bodyshops can match a car’s paint colour to the original using specialists that examine the condition of the colour in multiple lights to find a match. They will then blend the new paint to make sure any slight differences are unnoticeable.
The cost of car bodywork repairs will depend on the extent of the damage. Minor localised dents are easily repaired for under £100, whereas large areas that require a respray will cost at least double. If your bodywork repair quote is high, you can look to claim on your car insurance to minimise the cost.
Car warranties don’t typically cover bodywork repairs that are required due to wear and tear like scuffs, scratches, and dents. However, if the bodywork repair is necessary because of rust, corrosion, or an accident, this may be covered. It’s essential to check your car warranty documents to understand exactly which types of bodywork repair are included.
If your leased car is damaged beyond the description of ‘wear and tear’, you will probably incur a cost on returning the vehicle. Check your policy documents for what comes under ‘wear and tear,’ and complete any repairs needed before returning your leased car to avoid any expensive surprises.
Potholes often cause damage to your car’s wheels and tyres in the form of punctures or cracks. Hitting potholes at speed can also misshape and misalign your wheels. In the worst circumstances, driving over potholes can also cause damage to your car’s suspension system.
The type of insurance cover you have will determine whether scratches and dents are covered. However, it’s often not worth claiming minor cosmetic damages to your car body, as it will probably cost you more in the long run. You will likely need to pay the excess to claim and your insurance premiums will go up after a claim, meaning you’ll pay more for your insurance in future.
Car rust can spread, and if not repaired, will damage the entire car body. It’s essential to remove and repair rust or corrosion as soon as you notice it to stop it from spreading to further parts of your vehicle. To avoid rust altogether, it’s important to keep your car clean and away from poorly drained surfaces.
Many things can cause damage to your car paint, including stones, birds, people, and other vehicles. Liquids that aren’t purely water can also cause discolouration to your car paint. It’s essential to clean your car body frequently to avoid paint damage.
There are many different sealants and waxes you can use to protect your car paint. Alternatively, car wrapping involves covering your vehicle in vinyl material and is an efficient way to protect the car body paint.
If you have a car accident, there are a number of important steps to take. The first thing to do is make sure that everyone involved is okay. If in doubt, call the emergency services. If the accident was minor and nobody was hurt, you can start to think about damage to the vehicles. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other drivers. Take pictures of both cars, and note the time, date, and location of the accident. If your car is safe to drive, call your insurance company as soon as you get home to understand what to do next.
Cosmetic scratches on your car don’t need to be repaired unless you’re unhappy with the way they look. However, any extensive damage that might compromise the safety of your vehicle should be repaired as soon as possible, as otherwise, you could put yourself and others in danger and your car won’t pass its MOT.
If a dent to your car has caused no other damage to the structure or mechanics of the vehicle, you may want to think twice about getting it repaired. Repairing car body dents can be expensive and may cost you more than you think. Even if you claim on your insurance, you’ll need to pay for the excess and the cost of your insurance may go up once you’ve made a claim.
Most car dents can be fixed unless they’ve also caused damage to other mechanics of the vehicle. Small dents on cars can often be fixed by sucking the dent out or hammering it out from the inside. However, if the dent is significant, the entire car body panel may need to be replaced.
Most scratches on a car window can be easily repaired without needing to replace the glass. There are many approaches people try to do from home, but the best way to get an effective repair is to visit a local garage.
