5 min read
"How much will it cost?" is the first question almost everyone asks, and the honest answer is that no two repairs price the same. Two cars with what looks like identical damage can differ by hundreds of pounds once the panel construction, paint type and hidden damage are taken into account.
Below is how body shop pricing actually works, so you can judge whether an estimate is fair.
What drives the price
- Repair vs replace — reshaping original metal is usually cheaper than a new panel plus fixings
- Paint type — metallic and pearl finishes need more coats and more blending than solid colours
- Number of panels — blending into adjacent panels is what makes a repair invisible, and it costs labour
- Hidden damage — brackets, absorbers, sensors and clips behind a bumper are often broken too
- Parts availability — genuine parts on newer or premium models raise cost and turnaround
Typical ranges
As a guide only: a localised SMART repair to a scuff or small dent is usually the cheapest option; a single panel repaired and resprayed sits in the mid range; a bumper repaired and refinished is typically cheaper than a supplied, painted replacement; and accident repair involving multiple panels or structural work is priced from a full assessment.
Any body shop quoting a firm figure without seeing photographs or the vehicle is guessing — and that guess usually rises later.
Insurance or pay privately?
If the repair cost is close to your excess, paying privately is often the better decision — you avoid losing no-claims discount and a claim on your record. We can estimate both ways so you can compare before you commit.
Getting an accurate figure
Send clear photographs of the damage on WhatsApp — one close up, one from a few feet back, and one of the whole side of the vehicle — with the make, model and registration year. We will come back with a realistic estimate, or invite you in for a free, no-obligation inspection.