How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Scratch or Dent?

The cost to fix a scratch or dent depends heavily on the size, whether the paint is broken, and whether the panel itself is bent. Here's a realistic breakdown.

Scratches

• Light surface scratches (haven't gone through the clear coat): often fixable with polishing, roughly $80 to $200
• Scratches through the clear coat into the paint: usually need touch up paint and blending, roughly $150 to $400 per panel
• Deep scratches into the primer or metal: need proper panel prep and repaint, roughly $300 to $800 per panel

Dents

• Small dents without paint damage: paintless dent removal (PDR), roughly $100 to $300
• Larger dents or dents with paint damage: traditional panel beating and repaint, roughly $400 to $1,200 per panel
• Dents on complex panels (near creases, edges, or body lines): often cost more due to the extra skill required to match the original shape

Why paintless dent removal is often the cheaper option

If the paint hasn't cracked, paintless dent removal massages the panel back into shape from behind without needing any paint work at all. It's faster, cheaper, and keeps the factory paint intact, which also matters for resale value. It only works if the dent is in an accessible location and the paint is undamaged.

When it's worth claiming on insurance

For minor scratches and small dents, most people pay out of pocket since the excess often costs more than the repair itself. Larger panel damage or damage affecting multiple panels is usually where insurance becomes worth using, factoring in your excess and no claim bonus impact.

Getting an accurate quote

Panel damage is one of those things where photos rarely tell the full story. You can compare panel and paint specialists and request a quote on Spott to get an accurate price for your specific damage.