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There’s nothing quite like spotting a fresh scratch or chip in your car’s paintwork. Whether it’s a light scrape in a car park or peeling paint on a bumper, most people want to know the same thing first: how much will it cost to fix?

Small cosmetic fixes can be relatively quick, easy and inexpensive to put right, while more extensive repairs or a full respray can creep into the thousands.

Here, you'll discover the typical costs of common paint repairs, for everything from small chips and scratches to bumper resprays and full car resprays.

How much does car paint repair cost in the UK?

In the UK, most car paint repairs cost between £60–£1,200, depending on the size and type of damage and the repair required. Small chip or scratch repairs are usually at the lower end of the range, while full resprays can cost £2,400–£2,900 or more.

Costs tend to vary depending on the extent of the damage, the type of paint used, and the amount of preparation needed before the car can be repainted.

Supra after respraying by MH Bodyworx Ltd

Car paint repair cost at a glance

If you're looking for a quick snapshot of what a car paint repair might cost, these typical ranges can help.

Average cost range: £60–£1,200 depending on the repair.

Common repairs:

• Car scratch repair: around £60–£210

• Paint chip repair: around £60–£210

• Peeling paint repair: around £280–£510

• Bumper respray: around £280

• Single panel respray: around £400

• Full car respray: around £2,400–£2,900

Typical repair time:

A few hours for small SMART repairs, or around 1–3 days for larger resprays.

Compare car paint repair quotes near you

For a clearer idea of what your repairs might cost, search your postcode to compare quotes from checked, reviewed car paint repair specialists working in your area.

Types of car paint repairs and their costs

Car paint chip repair cost

Small paint chips are one of the most common cosmetic repairs. They’re often caused by loose stones, road debris, or minor knocks in car parks.

If the damage is small, a technician can usually repair the chip using localised paint techniques or touch-up systems.

Typical car paint chip repair cost: £60–£210

Many chip repairs can be completed using SMART repair techniques, which focus on repairing only the damaged area rather than repainting the entire panel.

In turn, this keeps costs lower and reduces the repair time.

Car scratch and scuff repair cost

Light scratches and scuffs are also very common, especially around door handles, wheel arches, and bumpers.

Minor scratches that haven't penetrated the paint layer can sometimes be polished out. Deeper scratches usually require localised repainting or blending.

Typical car scratch repair costs: £60–£210 The cost will largely depend on how deep the scratch is and whether the paint colour needs blending.

Car paint peeling repair cost

Peeling paint can happen when the paint layer starts separating from the primer or bodywork underneath.

This is often seen on older vehicles or where previous paint repairs haven’t bonded properly.

Because the loose paint needs to be removed before repainting, repairs usually involve the broader job of sanding, preparation, and then repainting the affected area.

Typical peeling paint repair costs: £280–£510

Bumper and panel respray costs

If the damage affects a larger section of paintwork, a panel respray may be needed.

This involves:

• Sanding the damaged area

• Preparing the panel

• Applying colour-matched paint

• Sealing with lacquer

Typical costs include:

• Bumper respray: around £280

• Single panel respray: around £400

Larger panels or complex colours (such as metallic finishes) may cost more because of the extra paint blending that's needed.

Full car respray cost

A full car respray is usually done when the paintwork across the vehicle is faded, heavily scratched, or damaged in several areas.

Because the process involves preparing and repainting the entire car, costs are significantly higher.

Typical full respray costs:

• Basic full respray: around £2,400

• Full respray including repairs: around £2,900

This type of work typically takes several days to complete.

Budget reality check

While small paint repairs can be relatively inexpensive, larger jobs can quickly become more costly once the work begins.

For example, a technician might discover additional damage under the surface, such as rust or dents that need to be repaired before the car can be repainted.

Costs can also increase if:

• Multiple panels need repainting

• Colour matching is more complex

• Specialist paint finishes are required

Because of this, it’s very common for repair shops to want to inspect your vehicle in person before confirming a final quote.

What affects car paint repair costs?

Several factors can influence how much you’ll pay for car paint repairs:

• Extent of paint damage: Small chips are much cheaper to fix than large scratched panels

• Type of repair needed: Localised SMART repairs are usually cheaper than full panel resprays

• Paint type and colour: Metallic or pearlescent paints often need additional blending

• Car make and model: Larger vehicles will need more paint and labour time

• Preparation work: Sanding, filling, and primer work can all increase overall labour time on the job

• Location and labour costs: Labour rates can vary across the UK

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

What’s included in a car paint repair quote?

Most professional paint repair quotes will include the following:

• Surface preparation

• Sanding and smoothing the damaged area

• Colour matching and paint application

• Lacquer coating and finishing

• Labour costs

Some quotes may also include minor dent filling or blending into surrounding panels.

What’s not usually included?

It's also helpful to know what's not typically included in a quote for car paint repairs.

Some types of repairs will involve additional work that may increase the cost beyond the initial estimate.

Examples include:

• Dent repairs

• Rust treatment

• Panel replacement

• Extensive bodywork preparation

• Repainting multiple panels

If the technician discovers additional damage during preparation, they should contact you to discuss updated costs before continuing the repair.

How long does car paint repair take?

Repair time varies depending on the size of the job. Typical timeframes that you can expect are:

• Small SMART repair: 2–4 hours

• Panel respray: 1 day

• Larger repairs or multiple panels: 2–3 days

• Full car respray: several days

Drying and curing time can also affect how quickly your vehicle can be returned.

Supra before respraying by MH Bodyworx Ltd

Car paint repair cost calculator

Use our estimator to get a guide price for your car paint repairs.

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This calculator provides a guide price only, not a quote. Always arrange for a trusted local car paint repair specialist to assess your vehicle and provide a written quote before you go ahead.

For a clearer idea of what you’ll actually pay, search for car paint repair companies operating in your area and get in touch for a quote.

Can you repair car paint yourself?

Some minor paint chips can be repaired using DIY touch-up kits.

However, these repairs rarely produce the same finish as a professional repair, particularly when colour matching and lacquer blending are involved.

DIY kits may work for very small chips, but larger damage is usually best handled by a professional body repair specialist.

Tips to keep car paint repair costs down

If you’re trying to minimise repair costs, a few simple steps can help.

• Repair small chips early before they spread

• Address scratches before rust develops

• Consider SMART repairs rather than full resprays

• Compare quotes from reputable repair specialists

• Ask whether mobile repair services are suitable for the job

Car paint repair cost checklist

• Confirm the most suitable repair approach

• Ask how the paint will be colour matched and whether blending into surrounding panels is required

• Ask how long the repair will take

• Compare quotes from a selection of repair specialists and check they include materials and labour

• Read verified reviews from previous repair jobs

Is professional car paint repair worth it?

If the damage on your vehicle goes beyond a small scratch or chip, it’s usually worth getting advice from a professional.

A repair specialist can assess:

• The extent of the damage

• Whether SMART repair is suitable

• Whether a panel respray is required

Getting a quote early can help you decide whether the repair is worthwhile and what your options are.

Find car paint repair specialists near you

Search your postcode to compare checked, reviewed car paint repair specialists near you, read verified reviews from real jobs, and request quotes with confidence.

FAQs

How much does it cost to respray a car in the UK?

A full car respray typically costs between £2,400–£2,900, depending on the condition of the vehicle and whether additional body repairs are needed.

How much does it cost to respray a bumper?

A bumper respray usually costs around £280, although complex colours or extensive damage may increase the price.

Is it cheaper to repair car paint or respray a panel?

Repairing a small section of paint is usually cheaper. SMART repairs often cost around £210, while full panel resprays can cost £400 or more.

Can chipped car paint be repaired?

Yes. Small chips can often be repaired using touch-up paint or localised repair techniques.

How long does paint repair last?

A properly completed repair can last many years, particularly if the paint has been correctly blended and sealed.

Will repaired paint match the original colour?

Professional body repair specialists use colour-matching systems designed to match the original paint as closely as possible.

Can scratches be polished out?

Very light scratches that haven’t penetrated the paint layer can sometimes be polished out without repainting.

Does insurance cover paint damage?

Insurance may cover paint damage if it results from an accident or insured incident, although minor cosmetic damage is often paid for privately.

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