Car repair cost guides for UK drivers

Bumper scuff repair cost in the UK

A limited plastic bumper scuff repair is listed at £75–£250 plus VAT by one UK repairer. This is repairer-published guidance, not a national average or a guaranteed quote.

Typically £75–£250 + VAT

Cracked bumper repair cost in the UK

Cracked bumper repairs are advertised from £150 by AutoScratch, whose guide does not state VAT treatment. A long split, torn mounting or unsafe repair may require replacement instead.

Typically From £150; confirm VAT

Door dent repair cost in the UK

Single-panel dents are listed at £65–£250 plus VAT by one UK repairer. Paintless repair and a dent needing filler and repainting are different jobs, so the condition of the paint matters.

Typically £65–£250 + VAT per panel

Panel scratch repair cost in the UK

One UK repairer lists £125–£225 plus VAT for a single-panel scratch that has broken through the paint. A polishable clear-coat mark has a different scope from a scratch exposing metal.

Typically £125–£225 + VAT per panel

Key scratch repair cost in the UK

Key scratch repair is advertised from £150 by AutoScratch, with VAT treatment unstated. Damage across several panels or through the paint needs an individual assessment rather than a fixed whole-car price.

Typically From £150; confirm VAT

Stone chip repair cost in the UK

There is no single defensible price range for stone chips: a cosmetic touch-in, a cluster of bonnet chips and a full panel refinish are different jobs. Ask for a quote showing which finish and area are covered.

Typically Individual assessment required

Wing mirror bodywork repair cost in the UK

Mirror-casing scuff repairs are listed at £48–£78 including VAT by a Dundee repairer; AutoScratch advertises from £80 without stated VAT treatment. These figures do not cover a replacement mirror assembly.

Typically Casing scuffs: £48–£78 incl. VAT at one repairer

Alloy scuff repair cost in the UK

AutoScratch advertises alloy scuff repairs from £80, without stating VAT treatment, and excludes diamond-cut alloys. Diamond-cut machining, cracked wheels and structural damage need separate quotations.

Typically From £80; excludes diamond-cut; confirm VAT

Rear-end collision repair cost in the UK

Rear-end collision repairs have no reliable fixed UK range: a scuffed bumper, damaged crash bar and distorted boot floor are very different repairs. A photo estimate is provisional until hidden damage is checked.

Typically Inspection-based quotation required

Front-end collision repair cost in the UK

Front-end collision damage needs an inspection-based quotation rather than a generic UK price range. Bumper refinishing, damaged cooling systems and structural or safety-system repairs cannot sensibly share one typical price.

Typically Inspection-based quotation required

Scratch repair cost in the UK

A scratch can sit in the clear coat, cut through the colour coat, or expose bare metal.

Typically £80 to £900+

Dent repair cost in the UK

Paintless dent removal, often called PDR, reshapes metal while retaining the original paint.

Typically £80 to £800+

Car respray cost in the UK

Respraying is mostly preparation, not simply spraying paint over an old finish.

Typically £300 to £10,000+

Alloy wheel refurbishment cost in the UK

Wheel refurbishment can remove cosmetic kerb damage and restore a finish, but cosmetic work does not make every damaged wheel safe.

Typically £60 to £180 per wheel

Car repair: claim on insurance or pay privately?

Start with the facts of the incident, not just the price of repainting a panel.

Typically Compare the repair with your policy excess

Car battery replacement cost in the UK

UK price ranges for a supplied and fitted car battery, plus the signs yours is on the way out.

Typically £90 to £400

Clutch replacement cost in the UK

What a new clutch costs by car type, including dual-mass flywheels and DSG clutch packs.

Typically £450 to £2,500

Cambelt replacement cost in the UK

Timing belt prices, service intervals, and why skipping it can cost you an engine.

Typically £300 to £1,000

Brake pads and discs replacement cost in the UK

Front and rear pad and disc prices, plus how to tell which you actually need.

Typically £120 to £600

Car respray and paint repair cost in the UK

Panel respray, blending and full respray prices for UK bodyshops.

Typically £300 to £6,000

Bumper repair and replacement cost in the UK

Scuffed, cracked or hanging bumper? Repair versus replacement prices, including sensors.

Typically £120 to £1,200

Dent removal cost in the UK

Paintless dent removal versus filled and painted repairs, with realistic UK prices.

Typically £60 to £600

Alloy wheel refurbishment cost in the UK

Kerbed alloys? Per-wheel and full-set refurb prices, including diamond cut finishes.

Typically £50 to £600

Windscreen repair and replacement cost in the UK

Chip repair versus full replacement, ADAS calibration, and what your insurance covers.

Typically £40 to £1,200

Car air conditioning regas cost in the UK

Regas prices for R134a and R1234yf systems, plus what to do if it still blows warm.

Typically £50 to £400

Turbo replacement cost in the UK

Turbo failure symptoms, recon versus new prices, and why the cause matters.

Typically £600 to £3,000

Suspension repair cost in the UK

Shock absorbers, springs, bushes and air suspension prices for UK garages.

Typically £150 to £2,500

Exhaust and catalytic converter replacement cost in the UK

Backbox, mid-section, cat and lambda sensor prices, plus catalytic converter theft advice.

Typically £100 to £1,500

DPF cleaning and replacement cost in the UK

Diesel particulate filter warning light? Cleaning, forced regen and replacement prices.

Typically £150 to £2,000

Is my car worth repairing?

How to decide between repairing, selling or writing off, with a simple rule of thumb.

Engine management light: what it means and what it costs

What the engine warning light means, whether you can keep driving, and diagnostic costs.

What is that noise? A guide to common car noises

Squeals, knocks, whines and grinds: what each noise usually means and what it costs.

Car won't start: causes and repair costs

Cranks but won't fire, clicks, or completely dead? Work out the cause and likely cost.

Car service cost in the UK

Interim, full and major service prices, plus what should actually be included.

Typically £90 to £600

Common MOT failures and what they cost to fix

The most common MOT failures in Britain and roughly what each costs to put right.

Typically £20 to £600