Find car detailing near me

If you’re looking to get your vehicle back to factory-fresh condition (or better!), you’re in the right place. 

Here, we cover all you need to know about car detailing near you – from what it involves to when you should consider investing in this service. But first…

Want to get started finding a car detailer near you?

We hope to make it as quick and easy as possible to find companies for car detailing near you on Checkatrade. 

Why not start your search by entering your postcode into search tool? We’ll point you towards a selection of relevant mechanics and auto services working in your area.

How finding car detailing works

1. Search your postcode

Enter your postcode and we’ll help you browse tradespeople on Checkatrade who work locally to you.

2. Choose a tradesperson

Pick a tradesperson who offers services that fit your needs, and get in touch straight away to hire them.

3. Get your task done

Hire your chosen tradesperson to sort your task out for you. It’s that easy.

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What is car detailing?

Car detailing is the process of meticulously cleaning your car, to restore it to showroom quality or even better.

It goes beyond a regular car valet and includes a range of specialised processes that aim to clean, restore and protect various car components (including those that wouldn’t usually be included in a clean) – both inside and out.

This includes paintwork, glass, wheels, leather upholstery and more.

It can even include enhancing areas such as the exhaust pipes, badges, trim and exterior plastics.

Why hire a dedicated tradesperson for car detailing?

Expert car detailing has several key benefits:

• Improve appearance

• Preserve the value of your vehicle

• Protect against wear and tear

• Enhance comfort

• Shield from environmental damage (such as UV rays or pollution)

There are no rules around how often you should hire auto services or mechanic for car detailing.

However, full detailing once or twice a year (or even more frequently) can help you to keep your car in pristine condition.

Many car owners also choose to invest in car detailing after buying a second-hand car (to make it feel like new) or before selling a vehicle (to preserve its value and ensure it fetches a good price).

What to expect from nearby car detailing services

Car detailing involves a number of procedures and processes designed to clean, enhance and protect your car. 

Here’s what car detailing services near you will typically offer:

1. Deep exterior clean

• Pre-wash

• Contact wash

• Tyre, arch, and alloy cleaning

• Door shut and fuel filler cap cleaning

• Iron and tar contamination removal

• Clay bar treatment

2. Deep interior clean

• Dusting and vacuuming

• Cleaning and santitising hard surfaces

• Steam cleaning and extraction

• Window cleaning

• Cleaning intricate areas such as vents and pedals

3. Enhancement

• Single-stage polishing OR

• Two-stage polishing (compounding followed by polishing)

4. Protection and coatings

• Protecting paintwork with waxes, sealants or coatings

• Glass ceramic coating

• Wheel ceramic coating

• Soft-top convertible roof protection

• Plastic trim coating

• Interior plastic coating

• Leather coating

Exactly what’s included in car detailing can vary from service to service, and depending on the condition of your car. 

So, always check with your car detailer to find out exactly what’s included in the service you’re considering.

That said, here’s what you can typically look forward to when you hire a tradesperson on Checkatrade.

1. No obligation quotes 

We always recommend getting at least three quotes for car detailing.

Use our ‘request a quote’ feature or search your postcode to find reputable car detailers in your area.

Our members will scope out your project and offer you a no-obligation quote, so you can make your choice with confidence. 

2. Helpful advice 

Local trades offering car detailing should lean on their expertise to give you advice and guidance.

In this way, you can be confident that you’re making the right choices.

For instance, they may offer their professional opinion on the best coatings to protect your car’s paintwork, given your needs and budget.

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:

1. Deliver a high quality of workmanship 

2. Maintain high standards of personal conduct 

3. Work safely, ethically, and within their skill set 

4. Communicate clearly and honestly 

5. Agree costs and contract terms upfront 

6. Encourage and welcome customer reviews 

On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.

4. Quality service

When you hire someone through Checkatrade, you can confidently expect a commitment to quality workmanship. 

Our trades should never agree to work that they don’t have the skills to carry out to a professional standard. 

Rather, you can expect 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 we even offer a guarantee.

Find and book a trade through us and we'll guarantee their work for up to £1,000* (*12 months guarantee – 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*

* Eligibility and T&Cs apply

How does getting car detailing locally work?

Ready to get your car looking brand new once more? Here’s what the process of hiring a local car detailer for the job looks like.

1. Enter your postcode to find car detailing services in your area

Enter your postcode into the box below to browse reputable car detailing services near your address.

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 detailers in your area on your behalf.

2. Get in touch

Reach out to local car detailers you like the look of, and ask them for a free quote.

They’ll take down some details in order to get an accurate picture of what the job might entail.

3. Compare quotes

Once you receive quotes from the car detailers 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 car detailer

Pick out your preferred local car detailer, 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 a date for the work!

Finally, all that remains is to find a suitable date and book the job.

If you’ve chosen a mobile car detailer, they’ll travel to your property to complete the work. If not, you can arrange to drop your car off or, sometimes, your detailer will have a car pick-up and delivery service to save you the trouble.

How to choose the best car detailer near you

So, you’ve decided to find a tradesperson for car detailing near you. Good call!

But you’re probably wondering how to pick the right car detailer for the job.

Here are our top tips.

Read reviews

Always check to see what others have to say about car detailers in your area. That way, you can make sure to choose someone that others rate. 

At Checkatrade, we check all the reviews our trades receive, to make sure they’re written by real people.

Get multiple quotes

It’s best to get at least three quotes for car detailing near you.

This will allow you to get a feel for a range of different services. 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 car detailers 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 car detailing locally? Why not ask if they would recommend the company they used?

Make sure to cross-reference any recommendations on Checkatrade, so you know they’ve also been checked and vetted by us.

Your questions answered about car detailing

Is car detailing worth it?

Yes. Car detailing comes with many benefits, including preserving your car’s value, protecting it from wear and tear, and improving your driving experience.

What is the difference between valeting and detailing?

The terms valeting and detailing are sometimes used interchangeably. However, detailing typically goes above and beyond what a typical car valet would offer.

In particular, detailing includes processes to rectify and correct your car’s paintwork – including removing swirl marks, scratches and other blemishes – using a machine polisher.

Why is detailing so expensive?

The cost of detailing is reflective of the skill and time it takes to get your car back to showroom condition.

Depending on the condition of your car and the level of detail chosen, detailing can take anywhere from two to 20 hours, showing just how much work goes into it.