Typical UK budgeting ranges
The figures below are typical UK budgeting ranges, not a price list or a quotation for your vehicle. They are presented including VAT where a VAT-registered repairer charges it. Prices vary with location, vehicle size, the condition of the existing finish and the method selected. A workshop inspection and written scope are needed before you commit.
| Job | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Light clear-coat polishing | £80 to £180 |
| Local SMART paint repair | £150 to £350 |
| Full panel repair and repaint | £300 to £700 |
| Several panels or specialist paint | £700 to £900+ |
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What affects the cost
Depth and extent
Light surface scratches may be polished without repainting. Deep scratches can need sanding, filler where appropriate, primer, colour and lacquer. Damage across a body line or multiple panels adds preparation and masking. A bodyshop may blend into an adjacent panel for a colour match, especially with metallic or pearl finishes. Ask whether blending is included, not just whether the visible scratch will be covered.
Vehicle, labour and hidden damage
Labour rates differ between workshops and regions. A premium vehicle can have expensive trim, specialist materials or additional calibration requirements, but the badge alone does not determine the repair. Ask the repairer to explain the operation, parts and preparation that make up the price. An AI estimate uses the information supplied; it cannot see behind a bumper or verify a manufacturer repair method from a photograph.
What to check before agreeing the repair
- Ask for a written scope covering preparation, parts, refitting and VAT, and whether extra work requires your approval.
- Tell the repairer about previous repairs, unusual paint finishes, corrosion or any damage that is not clear in the photographs.
- Ask whether lights, sensors or other fittings near the damage need testing, and do not drive a vehicle that may be unsafe.
How to pay a fair price
Compare like-for-like written estimates rather than headline prices. Confirm the repair method, panels included, paint blending, parts, strip-and-refit time, VAT and exclusions. Supply one wide photograph and a close-up taken at an angle, together with your vehicle details and a short description of what happened. Mention warning lights, broken fittings or changes in steering or driving. If the vehicle might be unsafe, stop using it and arrange an inspection. RepairRadar can provide an instant AI estimate as an initial budget; it is a draft and the workshop must check the scope before agreeing a final price. Local bodyshop replies depend on coverage and capacity and are not guaranteed. If the vehicle is leased or financed, check the return or repair requirements before selecting a method. Keep photographs and the written quotation, and ask the workshop how any additional damage found during dismantling will be authorised. A quoted turnaround depends on parts, paint curing and workshop capacity, so agree the collection date directly rather than assuming a national guide can predict it.
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Related guides
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.
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.
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.