Spotted a scratch, dent or chip in the body of your car? Don’t worry. If you’re not sure where to start, help is at hand.
Here, we’ll explore everything to do with car body repair near you – from who to hire for the job, to how much you’re likely to pay.
Want to get started finding the best car body repair near you?
It’s quick and easy to find the best car body repair specialists near you on Checkatrade.
Simply enter your postcode into the search box below to browse a list of top experts in your area.
Why hire a professional for car body repairs in your area?
Whether you decide to take your car to a body shop or to find a mobile car body repair service in your area, hiring a professional to repair surface defects comes with lots of benefits.
Save time
A professional will have the tools, knowledge and experience needed to complete your job quickly and efficiently.
In this way, you’ll be able to get your car body repaired in no time.
Professional finish
Car body repairs require expertise and specialist equipment.
When you hire a local expert, you can be confident that they have the skills and experience necessary to create a seamless finish on your car, restoring it to its original condition.
Prevent further damage
Just as leaving surface defects untreated can lead to further damage, so can a bad repair.
Hiring a professional could even save you money in the long run by helping you to avoid more extensive repair work in the future.
Convenience
Hiring a local expert is a convenient and stress-free way to get your car looking spick and span again.
This is especially the case if you hire a mobile car body repair service near you. They’ll travel to your home or place of work and carry out the job in situ, so you don’t even need to travel.
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
Is mobile car body repair near me a good idea?
Yes, finding a company that offers mobile car body repair near you can be a fantastic option. Especially if you’re struggling to find the time to bring your car to a garage or body shop.
- Repairs are completed at a place that’s convenient for you
- You could get work done at your home or place of work
- Mobile repairs tend to cost less, especially for minor damage
That said, a car body shop may have more extensive facilities. The repair for your car can also happen in a more controlled environment.
In particular, a body shop will typically be able to handle larger, more complex damage. A more convenient local mobile repair service will be more likely focus on smaller repairs such as dents and scratches.
Your questions answered about car body repair in your area
What does car body repair include?
Car body repair is all about fixing your car’s exterior when it’s been damaged.
This can include:
- Removing dents
- Repairing scratches
- Repainting
- Repairing bumper damage
- Fixing structural damage after accidents or wear and tear
In this way, a car body repair is designed to get your car back to its original condition, as well as making sure it’s safe and structurally sound.
Are body repairs worth it?
Yes! Surface defects on your car aren’t just an eyesore. If left untreated, bodywork issues can also lead to further, more costly damage.
As an example, paint scratches and chips can lead to rust and cause long-term issues with your car’s paint and metal.
Treating them as soon as possible is the best way to keep your car in good condition and prevent further damage.
Are small dents worth fixing?
In most cases, it’s worth fixing even small dents. This is because even small dents can lower your car’s resale value.
Plus, there’s a chance that dents could cause your car’s paint to crack, leading to more expensive body repairs in the future.
What is the most expensive part of a car to repair?
The most expensive part of a car to repair can vary – but it’ll often include parts such as the catalytic converter, clutch and alternator.
In contrast, car body repairs can often be very cost-effective, particularly if you’re only dealing with a minor scuff or scratch.
At what point is it too expensive to repair a car?
The point at which it’s too expensive to repair a car can vary depending on the car itself and your budget.
However, the ‘50% rule’ is a good guide. Essentially, if the cost of repairing your car is more than 50% of its current market value, a replacement could be a better option.
Where can I get a local car body repair?
If you need a car body repair, you’ll be able to choose from two main options:
- Take your car to a car body shop
- Find a mobile car body repair service to come to you
Both options have their pros and cons.
A mobile car body repair is a convenient option that is often popular.
However, a professional car body shop will be able to repair your vehicle in a more controlled environment, and more tools may be available.
What to expect from a local car body repair service
As you can see, hiring a local car body repair service comes with lots of benefits. But what can you expect from your chosen repair specialist?
Well, every company will work slightly differently, so it’s important to check exactly what you can expect.
However, when you hire a local car body repair service on Checkatrade, here’s what you can usually look forward to.
1. Free no-obligation estimates
Use our ‘request a quote’ feature or search your postcode to find reputable companies near you.
Our members will be happy to scope out your project and offer you a no-obligation estimate, so you can make your choice with confidence.
2. Helpful advice
Our members take the time to find out more about your job and recommend the best repair work for your needs, based on their professional opinion.
For instance, they may recommend a SMART repair to keep labour and costs down. If that is the case, they’ll explain why and make sure you’re both on the same page.
3. Adherence to the Checkatrade Standard
All our tradespeople have to pass up to 12 checks and commit to upholding the Checkatrade Standard.
As part of this, members agree to six quality commitments:
- Deliver a high quality of workmanship
- Maintain high standards of personal conduct
- Work safely, ethically, and within their skill set
- Communicate clearly and honestly
- Agree costs and contract terms upfront
- Encourage and welcome customer reviews
We check the reviews on Checkatrade are from real people, and that trades meet our high standards.
4. Quality workmanship
When you hire a local professional through Checkatrade, you can confidently expect quality workmanship.
Our car body repair experts should never agree to work that they don’t have the skills to carry out to a professional standard.
Rather, when you hire a local body repair service, you’ll know they have the skills, knowledge, tools and experience required to carry out the job to the highest standards.
5. The Checkatrade guarantee
We’re so confident in the quality of the trades on Checkatrade that if you book through us, we guarantee their work (up to £1,000 for 12 months – Eligibility and T&Cs apply).
Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*
How does getting your car body repaired locally work?
So, how does the process of getting your car body repaired regionally actually work?
1. Enter your postcode to browse companies near you
Enter your postcode into the box below to browse reputable car body repair specialists in your area.
Don’t have time? Just use our request a quote feature instead and we’ll send details of your job out to three of our top car body repair companies on your behalf.
2. Get in touch
Reach out to local companies you like the look of, and ask them for a free price estimate. They’ll take down details about your job to scope out the work.
3. Compare estimates
Once you receive estimates from the car body repair specialists you contacted, it’s time to compare.
Make sure you’re comparing quotes like-for-like, and remember not just to go for the lowest price every time.
4. Choose your favourite local body repair specialist
Pick out your preferred local body repair specialist and let them know you’d like to go ahead with the work.
They might ask to take a deposit, or they may be happy to take the whole payment after the job is complete. Either way, they should never ask for the full payment upfront.
5. Book the job!
Finally, all that remains is to find a suitable date and book the work in.
If you’ve chosen a car body shop to carry out the work, you’ll need to drop your car off at the time agreed.
Or, if you’ve opted for a mobile car body repair near you, your specialist will travel to your agreed location to carry out the work.
Either way, your car will be looking sleek and smart in no time!
How do I find reputable specialists in car body repair near me?
So, you’ve decided to go ahead with car body repair. But you’re probably wondering how to pick the right specialist for the job.
Here are our top tips.
Read reviews
Always check to see what other homeowners have to say about any companies offering car body repair in your area.
That way, you can make sure to choose someone that others rate.
Get multiple estimates
It’s best to get at least three estimates for car body repair near you.
This will allow you to get a feel for a range of different professionals. Plus, you’ll be able to check that you’re getting a fair and competitive price for the work.
Ask about insurance
Check that the contractors you’re considering have the right insurance in place. This will give you confidence that you’re protected in case things go wrong.
You’ll be pleased to hear that all our tradespeople must have up-to-date public liability insurance to get listed on the Checkatrade directory.
Get recommendations
Know a friend or family member who’s recently invested in a car body repair? Why not ask if they would recommend the service they used?
Make sure to cross-reference any recommendations on Checkatrade, so you know they’ve also been checked and vetted by us.
Use Checkatrade!
At Checkatrade, all our tradespeople have to pass up to 12 checks and are regularly reviewed on everything from punctuality to professionalism. So you know they’re the real deal.
How much does the average bodywork repair cost in your area?
The average bodywork repair cost starts at around £90 for a minor surface layer scratch.
However, this can climb significantly depending on the extent of the damage.
How much does it cost to fix scratches on a car?
How much it costs to fix scratches on a car will depend on factors like the size and extent of the damage, as well as the location of the scratch.
That said, repairing a light surface scratch costs on average £90.
Meanwhile, a deep paintwork scratch repair typically costs around £300.
Head over to our car scratch repair cost guide to learn more.
How much does it cost to repair car paintwork?
The average cost to repair a chip in your car’s paint ranges from £60 to £210 – although the exact cost will depend on the quantity, size and significance of the paint chips.
Meanwhile, average costs for repairing peeling car paint can range from £280 to £510.
Our car paint repair cost guide has more details.
How much does it cost to fix dents on a car?
To repair a car dent, you’ll typically be looking at around £335.
However, if your technician uses Paintless Dent Removal (PDR) to target small areas without needing to repaint the entire panel, your costs could be less. In this case, you’re looking at closer to £120.
To learn more, check out our dent and paint repair cost guide.