What it costs · 10 min read
Scratch repair at a glance
- Depth, not length, is the main driver of scratch repair cost.
- Machine polish, SMART repair and full refinish sit at three different price points.
- Scratches crossing panels are priced per panel involved.
- Metallic and pearl paints add cost over solid colours.
Why scratch depth changes everything
The single biggest factor in any scratch repair quote is depth. A mark that only lives in the clear lacquer layer behaves completely differently to one that has gone through the colour coat, and differently again to one that has cut down to bare metal or plastic.
We covered the headline price range on our main page at /car-scratch-repair-cost. This guide sits alongside that page and goes into more detail on exactly why depth, method and panel count move the number, so treat the two pages as a pair rather than duplicates.
The four depth categories
| Depth | What it looks like | Typical approach | Guide price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear coat only | Fine lines, catches light but no colour loss | Machine polish | £60 to £120 |
| Through to colour | Colour visible in the scratch line | SMART repair or blend | £120 to £250 |
| Through to primer | Grey or white line showing | Localised filler and blend | £180 to £320 |
| Down to bare metal | Silver line, risk of rust if left | Panel repair and refinish | £250 to £450 |
Machine polish versus SMART repair versus panel refinish
- Machine polish removes fine scratches that sit entirely in the lacquer, without adding any paint, so it is the cheapest option where it applies.
- SMART repair blends new paint into a small localised area and is suited to scratches that have broken through the colour but stay within a manageable patch.
- A full panel refinish strips and repaints the entire panel edge to edge, which is needed once a scratch is long, deep, or sits close to a panel edge where a blend would show.
- The right method is a judgement call made at the free estimate stage, since photos only tell us so much about true depth.
Multi panel scratches cost more per panel involved
A scratch that runs from a door into the adjacent wing or quarter panel is priced as more than one job, because each panel needs its own preparation, masking and paint stages even if the work happens in one visit.
Where a scratch crosses a shut line between two panels, we also need to check whether the paint can be blended cleanly across that line or whether both panels need a fuller refinish to avoid a visible colour step.
Keys, vandalism and deliberate damage
Deliberate scratches, often called key marks, are usually deeper and more erratic than accidental scuffs, and they frequently run across several panels in one continuous line. This tends to push the job towards a panel refinish rather than a spot repair, so do not assume a key scratch will be a small job just because the line looks thin.
Insurance excess versus paying privately
Our guide at /pay-excess-or-pay-privately looks at this comparison in more detail if you are weighing up the two routes.
| Route | What you pay | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Pay privately | £120 to £320 depending on depth | Job cost is close to or below your excess |
| Claim on insurance | Your policy excess, often £250 to £500 | Damage is extensive or excess is low |
Paint type also matters
Solid colours are the simplest and cheapest to blend. Metallic paints need careful colour matching for flake orientation, and pearl finishes add a further layer that must be matched too. Both push the cost above a solid colour repair of the same depth.
Getting an accurate figure
- 01Send us clear photos of the scratch in daylight by WhatsApp so we can judge depth and length.
- 02Tell us if the mark is on one panel or crosses into another.
- 03We give you a free no-obligation estimate based on those photos and confirm it in person if needed.
- 04You decide whether to go ahead, no pressure either way.
Questions people ask us
- Is this page different from your main scratch repair cost page
- Yes, our page at /car-scratch-repair-cost gives the headline range, and this guide explains the depth categories and methods behind those numbers in more detail.
- Can a scratch be repaired without any paint at all
- Yes, if it sits entirely within the clear lacquer a machine polish can remove it without adding any paint, which is the cheapest outcome.
- Does a longer scratch always cost more than a short one
- Not always, since depth and panel count usually matter more than raw length when it comes to pricing the work.
- Will a key scratch always need a full respray
- Not always, but deliberate scratches are often deeper and more erratic than accidental ones, so they lean towards a fuller panel refinish more often.
- How do I know if my scratch is worth claiming on insurance
- Compare the free estimate we give you against your policy excess, and our guide at /pay-excess-or-pay-privately walks through that comparison.
Where to go next
Not sure which method your scratch needs
Send us a few photos by WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly whether it is a polish, a SMART repair or a panel refinish, with a free no-obligation estimate attached.
Workshop hours
Monday – Friday 8:30am – 6:30pm
Saturday 9:00am – 4:00pm
Sunday Closed