Car Scratch Repair Costs: What Sets the Price?

Start with the damage, then the estimate

A scratch repair price depends on what has been damaged and what work is needed. A light mark in the clear coat may be suitable for polishing. A scratch through the colour layer needs a different approach because polishing cannot replace missing paint.

Coventry Body Shop has one workshop in Wyken, Coventry. A written, itemised estimate comes first, and no deposit is required. The car needs inspecting before the final repair price is set.

Which repair approach suits the damage?

The right service depends on the condition of the paint and the extent of the damage. These starting prices apply to the named services, rather than to every scratch. A single average figure would mix polishing, touch-up and panel repainting, which are different jobs, so it would not tell you what your scratch will cost.

• Paint touch-up: from £49 plus VAT (£58.80 including VAT). The final price is set after the car is inspected.
• Scratch removal and machine polish: from £120 plus VAT (£144 including VAT). The final price is set after the car is inspected.
• Single panel paint: from £150 plus VAT (£180 including VAT). The final price is set after the car is inspected.

Do not choose a service by price alone. A touch-up and a panel repaint involve different work, and an inspection establishes which approach is suitable.

What affects the work required?

• Scratch depth: damage confined to the clear coat differs from damage that has removed colour or exposed the material underneath.
• Length and spread: a short isolated mark and scratches across several panels need different preparation.
• Position: edges, creases and nearby trim can affect access and the area that needs protecting or preparing.
• Surrounding condition: dents, corrosion or previous paint repairs may affect the work needed.
• Paint finish: the colour and finish affect how replacement paint is matched and applied.

The estimate should make clear which areas will be polished, repaired or painted. The visible scratch is not necessarily the boundary of the work.

Deep scratches on a car door

A deep door scratch can pass through the clear coat and colour into the primer or down to the panel itself. If bare steel is exposed, rust can develop. Arrange an assessment promptly rather than repeatedly polishing the mark.

Repairing missing paint can involve cleaning, sanding the damaged edges, priming exposed areas where needed and applying replacement paint. Depending on the paint system, clear lacquer may also be needed. Preparation can extend beyond the scratch itself, so the painted area may be wider than the visible line.

A door crease, nearby handle or trim can affect access. Any dent or corrosion also needs considering. The age of the car alone does not establish the repair price.

Applying touch-up paint before an assessment does not guarantee a cheaper later repair. Uneven or unsuitable material may need removing during preparation. Ask whether a touch-up is suitable for the damage and the result you want.

If you are considering an insurance claim, use the written estimate when asking your insurer what your policy covers. Compare the repair estimate with your policy excess and ask about any potential effect on future premiums before deciding how to pay for the repair.

How the paint is matched

Paint is mixed to the manufacturer's paint code and matched with a spectrophotometer. Paint thickness is checked with a paint depth gauge, and painting takes place in the workshop's spray booth.

The director, a former Aston Martin technician and painter, is the only person who paints the cars. There is a six-month workmanship guarantee, from collection.

Inspection, timing and getting started

A small inspection is free. A deeper inspection costs from £200 plus VAT (from £240 including VAT), deducted if the repair goes ahead. This is an inspection charge, separate from the repair price.

Minor scratches and chips usually take 1 to 2 days. Most repairs take 3 to 7 working days once started, parts permitting. A deep door scratch should not be assumed to fall within the minor scratch timescale.

Send photos by WhatsApp or with the Send enquiry button. Include a close view of the damage and a wider view showing where it sits on the car. Photos help explain the problem, but the final price is set after inspection. For phone enquiries, use +44 7903 105777.

After the repair

After a repair, ask when the new paint can be washed and when wax or other treatments can be applied. Gentle washing with clean equipment helps avoid introducing further scratches.