Car Bodywork Repair Guide: UK Costs and Options
Complete UK guide to car bodywork repairs. Learn about scratch removal, dent repair, paintwork costs, and when to DIY vs use a professional.
Bodywork damage is frustrating. Whether it is a supermarket car park scratch, a shopping trolley dent, or rust bubbling through the paintwork, damaged bodywork affects both your car's appearance and its value. The good news is that many repairs are more affordable than you might expect, and some can even be tackled at home.
This guide covers everything you need to know about car bodywork repairs in the UK: the types of damage you might encounter, DIY solutions for minor issues, professional repair options, realistic costs, and how to find reputable body shops.
What this guide covers:
- Types of bodywork damage and their severity
- DIY solutions for minor scratches and chips
- Professional repair options including SMART repair
- Typical UK costs for common repairs
- Insurance claims vs paying yourself
- Finding reputable body shops
- Paintless dent removal explained
- Rust treatment and prevention
Types of Bodywork Damage
Understanding what type of damage you are dealing with helps you choose the right repair approach.
Surface Scratches (Clear Coat Only)
The most common type of damage. These scratches affect only the clear coat - the transparent protective layer over the paint. You can identify them because:
- They appear white or light coloured
- Running your fingernail across does not catch
- They are often caused by bushes, light contact, or poor washing technique
Repairability: Often DIY-fixable with cutting compound or scratch remover
Paint Scratches (Through to Base Coat)
Deeper scratches that penetrate the clear coat into the coloured paint layer. Characteristics:
- You can see the car's body colour in the scratch
- Fingernail catches slightly when run across
- Caused by keys, harder impacts, or scrapes against objects
Repairability: May need professional attention or careful touch-up
Deep Scratches (Through to Primer or Metal)
Serious scratches exposing grey primer or bare metal. These require urgent attention because:
- Exposed metal will rust quickly
- Primer is visible as a grey or white layer
- Bare metal appears silver or dark grey
Repairability: Professional repair recommended. Temporary protection essential.
Dents
Dents vary significantly in repairability:
Simple dents: Round, shallow dents without paint damage - ideal for paintless dent removal (PDR)
Complex dents: Dents with creased metal, sharp edges, or paint damage - require traditional repair
Location matters: Dents on body lines, near edges, or on aluminium panels are harder to repair
Stone Chips
Common on bonnets and front bumpers from road debris. Small but problematic because:
- Expose bare metal to moisture
- Spread and worsen over time
- Multiple chips affect appearance significantly
Repairability: Touch-up paint for minor chips; professional respray for severe chipping
Rust Damage
Rust ranges from surface oxidation to structural corrosion:
Surface rust: Orange/brown discolouration on paint surface - often removable
Bubbling paint: Rust forming under paint, pushing it up - requires professional attention
Penetrating rust: Metal eaten through, visible holes - structural repair needed
DIY Solutions for Minor Damage
Many minor bodywork issues can be addressed at home with patience and the right products.
Scratch Removers and Cutting Compounds
Best for: Clear coat scratches, light swirl marks, minor surface damage
Products to consider:
- T-Cut Original (3-8 pounds) - good for light scratches
- Meguiar's ScratchX (10-15 pounds) - effective on moderate scratches
- Autoglym Super Resin Polish (10-15 pounds) - all-round protection and minor scratch removal
How to use:
- Wash and dry the affected area thoroughly
- Apply small amount of product to microfibre cloth
- Work in circular motions over the scratch
- Buff off with clean microfibre cloth
- Repeat if necessary (usually 2-3 applications)
- Apply wax or sealant to protect
Limitations: Only effective on clear coat damage. Deeper scratches remain visible.
Touch-Up Paint
Best for: Stone chips, small scratches through to primer, isolated paint damage
What you need:
- Correct colour match paint (find your paint code on door jamb sticker)
- Touch-up brush or pen (often included with paint)
- Primer (for bare metal exposure)
- Clear coat (for final protection)
- Prep solvent or panel wipe
How to apply:
- Clean area with prep solvent
- Apply primer to any bare metal, let dry
- Apply thin layers of colour, allowing each to dry
- Build up gradually rather than applying thick coats
- Apply clear coat once colour is dry
- Allow 24-48 hours before polishing blend edges
Cost: Touch-up kits 10-25 pounds from Halfords or online
Tip: Order paint from specialists like Halfords or Paints4U using your exact paint code for best colour match.
DIY Dent Removal Kits
Best for: Small, shallow dents without paint damage
Types available:
- Suction cup pullers (5-15 pounds) - varying success rate
- Glue pulling kits (20-40 pounds) - better results on suitable dents
- Hot water method (free) - works on plastic bumpers only
Realistic expectations: DIY dent kits work on some dents but not others. Success depends on dent location, depth, and panel material. Many dents require professional PDR.
Rust Treatment Products
Best for: Surface rust, preventing spread of minor rust spots
Products:
- Rust converter (Kurust, Hammerite) - chemically converts rust to stable compound
- Rust remover (naval jelly) - dissolves rust for removal
- Rust-inhibiting primer - prevents rust returning
Application:
- Clean area and remove loose rust with wire brush
- Apply rust converter/remover as directed
- Prime with rust-inhibiting primer
- Touch up with colour-matched paint
- Apply clear coat and wax
Important: DIY rust treatment is temporary management, not permanent repair. Professional attention needed for spreading or bubbling rust.
Professional Repair Options
When damage exceeds DIY capabilities, several professional options exist.
Traditional Body Shop Repair
Full panel preparation, filling, priming, and respraying in a professional spray booth.
Best for:
- Large areas of damage
- Deep scratches and gouges
- Significant dents with paint damage
- Rust repair requiring metal work
- Colour matching for insurance repairs
Process: Typically involves panel preparation, filling if needed, primer, multiple paint coats, clear coat, and polishing.
Turnaround: Usually 2-5 days depending on extent of damage
SMART Repair (Small to Medium Area Repair Technology)
Mobile or workshop-based repair focusing on specific damaged areas rather than whole panels.
Best for:
- Localised scratches
- Small dents
- Stone chips
- Minor bumper scuffs
- Alloy wheel damage
Advantages:
- Lower cost than full body shop
- Often completed same day
- Mobile services come to your home or workplace
- Repairs only the damaged area
Limitations:
- Not suitable for large areas
- Colour matching can be challenging on metallic paints
- Repairs may be visible on close inspection
Providers: ChipsAway, Revive!, Dentmaster, many independent operators
Paintless Dent Removal (PDR)
Specialist technique using metal rods to massage dents out from behind the panel, preserving original paintwork.
Best for:
- Round, smooth dents
- Hail damage
- Door dings
- Dents without paint damage
Not suitable for:
- Dents on panel edges or body lines
- Creased or sharp dents
- Dents with paint damage
- Aluminium panels (more difficult)
- Areas with limited access behind panel
Advantages:
- Preserves original factory paint
- Quick - often under an hour
- Cost-effective for suitable dents
- No filler or respraying
How it works: Technician accesses behind the panel through existing holes or trim removal, then uses specialised rods to carefully push the metal back into shape while monitoring from the outside.
Mobile Repair Services
Many repair services now operate as mobile units, coming to your home or workplace.
Services typically offered:
- Scratch repair
- Minor dent removal
- Bumper scuff repair
- Alloy wheel refurbishment
- Headlight restoration
Advantages:
- Convenience
- No need to leave car at garage
- Often lower overheads mean lower prices
- Watch the repair being done
Finding mobile services: ChipsAway, Revive!, and local operators found via Google, Checkatrade, or local Facebook groups.
Typical UK Costs for Common Repairs
These are realistic 2025 prices. Actual costs vary by location, vehicle type, and paint complexity.
Scratch Repairs
| Damage Type | DIY Cost | Professional Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Clear coat scratch (small) | 5-15 | 60-100 |
| Paint scratch (small) | 10-25 | 80-150 |
| Deep scratch (15-20cm) | Not recommended | 150-250 |
| Deep scratch (full panel) | Not recommended | 300-500 |
Dent Repairs
| Dent Type | PDR Cost | Body Shop Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small ding (coin size) | 50-80 | 100-150 |
| Medium dent (golf ball) | 80-120 | 150-250 |
| Large dent (tennis ball) | 100-180 | 250-400 |
| Complex dent with crease | Not suitable | 300-500+ |
| Hail damage (multiple) | 300-600 | 800-1500+ |
Panel Resprays
| Panel | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Bumper respray | 200-400 |
| Wing respray | 250-450 |
| Door respray | 300-500 |
| Bonnet respray | 350-550 |
| Full side (2-3 panels) | 600-1000 |
Other Common Repairs
| Repair | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Bumper scuff (SMART) | 80-150 |
| Stone chip repair (multiple) | 60-120 |
| Minor rust treatment | 100-200 |
| Alloy wheel refurbishment | 50-80 per wheel |
| Headlight restoration | 30-60 per light |
Note: Premium and prestige vehicles typically cost 20-50% more due to paint complexity and higher labour rates.
Insurance Claims vs Paying Yourself
Deciding whether to claim on insurance requires careful consideration.
When to Claim on Insurance
Generally worth claiming if:
- Repair cost exceeds 500-1000 pounds
- Damage was caused by third party (claim on their insurance)
- Multiple panels damaged
- Structural damage involved
- You have protected no claims bonus
When to Pay Yourself
Generally better to pay yourself if:
- Repair cost is under your excess amount
- Repair cost is only slightly above excess
- You want to protect no claims bonus
- Damage is minor and cosmetic only
Calculating the True Cost of a Claim
Consider:
- Your excess amount (typically 250-500 pounds)
- Loss of no claims bonus (can add 200-500+ annually for several years)
- Potential premium increase at renewal
- Whether damage affects vehicle safety
Example calculation:
- Repair cost: 400 pounds
- Excess: 300 pounds
- Insurance pays: 100 pounds
- But: Premium increase of 150 pounds per year for 5 years = 750 pounds
- Total cost via insurance: 1050 pounds. Pay yourself instead.
Getting Multiple Quotes
Always get at least three quotes before deciding:
- Get quotes from body shops first
- Compare to paying excess plus potential premium increase
- Only claim if insurance route is genuinely cheaper
Finding Reputable Body Shops
Quality varies enormously in the bodywork repair industry. Here is how to find reliable operators.
What to Look For
Signs of quality:
- Clean, organised workshop
- Proper spray booth (not spraying in open workshop)
- Willing to show previous work examples
- Clear written quote with breakdown
- Offers warranty on work (typically 12-24 months)
- Manufacturer approvals (for specific brands)
- Member of trade bodies (NBRA, ATA)
Warning signs:
- Reluctance to provide written quote
- Significantly cheaper than competitors (may indicate corner-cutting)
- Poor reviews mentioning colour mismatch
- Pressure to make quick decision
- No warranty offered
Where to Find Body Shops
Online resources:
- Google reviews (look for detailed reviews, not just star ratings)
- Checkatrade (verified reviews)
- Which? Trusted Traders
- Manufacturer dealer recommendations
Ask locally:
- Friends and family recommendations
- Local car enthusiast groups
- Taxi and fleet operators (they know who is reliable)
Questions to Ask
Before committing to a body shop:
- Can I see examples of similar repairs you have done?
- What warranty do you offer?
- What paint system do you use?
- How do you colour match metallic/pearl paints?
- Will you provide a written quote?
- What is your typical turnaround time?
- Do you have any manufacturer approvals?
Rust Treatment and Prevention
Rust is bodywork's biggest enemy, especially on UK roads with winter salt.
Preventing Rust
Regular washing: Wash undersides monthly in winter to remove salt. Use a pressure washer on wheel arches and underneath.
Waxing: Regular wax application protects paint from moisture penetration.
Stone chip repair: Fix chips promptly before rust takes hold.
Cavity wax: Consider professional cavity wax treatment (Waxoyl, Dinitrol) especially for older vehicles. Costs 150-300 pounds and lasts several years.
Drain hole maintenance: Ensure door and sill drain holes are clear to prevent water pooling.
Treating Existing Rust
Surface rust (no paint damage):
- Clay bar treatment removes surface contamination
- Polish and wax can remove light surface oxidation
Rust spots through paint:
- Sand back to bare metal
- Apply rust converter
- Prime with rust-inhibiting primer
- Touch up with colour-matched paint
- Clear coat and wax
Bubbling or spreading rust:
- Requires professional attention
- May need metal cutting and welding
- Can become expensive if left untreated
- Get quotes promptly before rust spreads
MOT Implications
Rust can cause MOT failure if:
- It affects structural areas (chassis, subframe, suspension mounting points)
- Sharp edges are exposed
- Corrosion is within 30cm of structural components
Surface rust on body panels is not an MOT failure unless structurally significant.
Summary: Making the Right Choice
DIY is appropriate when:
- Damage is minor clear coat scratches
- Small stone chips need touching up
- You have patience and correct materials
- Cosmetic improvement is acceptable (not perfect finish)
Professional repair is needed when:
- Scratches penetrate to primer or metal
- Dents have paint damage or creased metal
- Multiple panels are affected
- You want invisible repair
- Rust is spreading or bubbling
Remember:
- Get multiple quotes for professional work
- Calculate true insurance claim cost before deciding
- Act quickly on rust and metal exposure
- Quality repair protects your car's value
Bodywork damage is inevitable for most drivers, but it does not have to be expensive or stressful. With the right approach - whether DIY for minor issues or finding a reputable professional for significant damage - you can keep your car looking its best without breaking the bank.