You’ve spotted damage on a used car you’re considering, or you need to fix up your own vehicle before selling. Either way, you need to know what bodywork repairs actually cost. Prices depend on the type of damage, the panel affected, and the repair method. Here’s a detailed guide with real prices in 2026.
Prices by Repair Type
Scratches and Scuffs
Scratches are the most common type of damage. The price depends on depth and length.
| Scratch type | Method | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Surface micro-scratches | Machine polishing | 80 to 150 euros |
| Light scratch (clear coat only) | Local paint touch-up | 100 to 250 euros |
| Deep scratch (primer visible) | Sand, prime, and repaint | 250 to 500 euros |
| Long scratch across multiple panels | Full repaint of affected panels | 500 to 1,200 euros |
A touch-up pen costing 10 to 25 euros can mask a light scratch for resale. The result isn’t perfect up close, but it’s enough in many cases.
Dents
Paintless dent removal (PDR) fixes small dents without touching the paint. It’s the most cost-effective method when the paint surface is undamaged.
| Dent type | Method | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Small dent (under 3 cm) | PDR | 60 to 120 euros |
| Medium dent (3 to 10 cm) | PDR | 120 to 250 euros |
| Large dent with paint damage | PDR + repaint | 300 to 700 euros |
| Deep crease in metalwork | Panel replacement | 500 to 1,500 euros |
PDR only works when the paint is intact and the metal isn’t creased. A good PDR specialist works in 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on complexity. It’s often the best option for car park dings.
Bumpers
The bumper is the most frequently damaged panel. Most modern bumpers are plastic (polypropylene), which makes them repairable in many cases.
| Damage | Method | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Surface scuff | Sanding and partial repaint | 150 to 350 euros |
| Crack or slight deformation | Plastic repair + repaint | 250 to 500 euros |
| Broken or heavily deformed bumper | Replacement + repaint | 400 to 900 euros |
| Bumper with parking sensors | Full replacement | 600 to 1,200 euros |
A new unpainted bumper costs 100 to 400 euros depending on the vehicle. Paint adds another 150 to 400 euros. For premium marques, double those figures.
Wings and Doors
| Damage | Method | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Dent on wing, paint intact | PDR | 100 to 250 euros |
| Dented wing with paint damage | Repair + repaint | 400 to 800 euros |
| Front wing replacement | Part + paint + fitting | 500 to 1,200 euros |
| Dented door | Repair + repaint | 500 to 1,000 euros |
| Door replacement | Part + paint + fitting | 800 to 2,500 euros |
Front wings are usually bolted on, so they’re straightforward to replace. Rear wings are often welded to the body shell: replacement involves much heavier panel work costing 1,500 to 3,000 euros.
Bonnet and Roof
| Damage | Method | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Hail dents on bonnet | Multiple PDR | 300 to 800 euros |
| Caved-in bonnet | Replacement + repaint | 600 to 1,500 euros |
| Hail damage on roof | Multiple PDR | 500 to 1,500 euros |
| Caved-in roof (accident) | Replacement | 2,000 to 5,000 euros |
Hail damage is a special case. If the car has comprehensive insurance, the repair is usually covered. The excess typically runs between 150 and 500 euros.
Factors That Affect Price
Make and Model
An identical repair can cost twice as much on a premium vehicle. The reasons: more expensive parts, more complex paint (multi-layer metallic), and tighter assembly tolerances.
As an example, a front bumper for a Renault Clio costs around 120 euros unpainted. The equivalent for a BMW 3 Series runs about 350 euros. That difference carries through to the final bill.
Paint Type
Metallic and pearlescent paints cost more to match. A solid colour (white, black) blends easily. A metallic shade requires blending into adjacent panels to avoid visible tone differences.
The number of layers matters too. Premium 4-layer finishes (base, pearl, clear coat, anti-scratch clear coat) take more time and product.
Location
Hourly rates vary by region. In the Paris area, the average body shop rate sits around 75 to 95 euros per hour. Outside major cities, it drops to 55 to 75 euros. The same job can therefore cost 30 to 40% less outside urban centres.
Insurance-Approved vs Independent
An insurance-approved body shop applies negotiated rates. Prices are often lower, but the shop may be tempted to do the bare minimum. An independent body shop sets its own prices but sometimes delivers a better result.
When to Repair, When to Leave It
Before Selling
If you’re selling, a small repair can significantly boost the sale price. Clean bodywork builds buyer confidence. But an expensive repair isn’t always worth it.
The simple rule: if the repair costs less than 30% of the price reduction the defect causes, do it. A scratch that knocks 600 euros off the price, fixable for 150 euros, is worth repairing. A dent that lowers the price by 500 euros but costs 800 euros to fix isn’t.
Before Buying
When viewing a used car, bodywork defects are a negotiation lever. Estimate the cost of visible repairs and deduct it from the price. Most sellers accept a reduction when you present specific figures.
Watch out for damage that hides structural problems, though. A replaced rear wing may indicate a serious impact. A colour mismatch between the bonnet and wings suggests a repaired frontal collision. In those cases, the question isn’t the cost of the bodywork but the integrity of the structure.
Purely Cosmetic Damage
Some defects are purely aesthetic: micro-scratches, small parking dents, bumper scuffs. If the car is for daily use and you’re not reselling soon, you can live with these imperfections and save the money.
Negotiating with the Seller
When you spot bodywork damage on a used car, here’s how to approach the negotiation:
- Document every defect with photos
- Get a quote from a body shop (even an approximate one)
- Present the figures to the seller factually
- Propose a reduction of 50 to 70% of the repair cost (sellers rarely refuse a reasonable offer)
An Automano inspection scan helps you identify and document visible bodywork damage. Annotated photos give you a solid basis for price negotiation with concrete arguments rather than vague impressions.
DIY Repairs: What You Can Do Yourself
Not every cosmetic fix requires a professional. Some repairs are straightforward enough to handle at home, and the cost savings are significant.
Touch-up paint pens (10 to 25 EUR) work well for stone chips and small scratches. Clean the area, apply thin layers, let each layer dry. The colour match won’t be perfect, but it prevents rust from spreading and looks acceptable from a normal viewing distance.
Scratch removal compound (15 to 30 EUR) buffs out clear coat scratches only. If you can catch the scratch with your fingernail, the compound won’t fix it. Apply with a microfibre cloth in small circular motions. It removes the lightest damage effectively.
PDR suction cups (10 to 20 EUR) can pull out shallow dents where the paint is intact. Results are mixed. They work on flat panels with gentle dents but struggle with creased metal or dents near panel edges.
Bumper repair kits (30 to 50 EUR) handle small cracks in plastic bumpers. The process involves sanding, applying a flexible filler, and painting over it. It takes patience but produces decent results on non-visible areas.
Headlight restoration kits (15 to 25 EUR) clear up yellowed, hazy lenses using abrasive pads and a UV sealant. The improvement is dramatic and takes about 30 minutes per lens.
Know when to stop, though. Anything involving colour matching across panels, structural damage, or safety-critical components (crumple zones, B-pillars) belongs in a professional shop. A botched DIY repair can actually lower the car’s value more than the original damage. Buyers spot amateur paintwork instantly, and it raises questions about what else was done on the cheap.