How Much Will It Cost to Repair a Scratch on My Car?

A scratch on your car is never “just a scratch” — it’s money out of your pocket.

Whether it’s a light surface scratch from a prickly bush or a deep scratch from a collision, you want to repair it quickly to prevent further damage, maintain your car’s appearance, and preserve its resale value.

So, how much does it cost to repair a scratch on your car? And can you get it covered by your insurance?

In This Guide:

What’s the average cost of a car scratch repair?
Different types of car scratches and how much they cost
What other factors affect the cost of car scratch repairs?
Common car scratch repair methods and costs
Will my car insurance cover car scratches?
How to reduce the cost of car scratch repairs
Conclusion
FAQs

What’s the average cost of a car scratch repair?

Car scratch repair costs vary significantly depending on the depth and severity of the scratch, along with where it’s located, the service you use to fix it, and other factors.

A minor scratch may cost around £90 for a professional repair, whereas a severe scratch could cost £300 or more, depending on the amount of damage, if you live in a high-cost area, or if you have a luxury or custom vehicle.

Different types of car scratches and how much they cost

To get a better idea of the average car scratch repair costs, let’s explore how the severity of the scratch affects how much you’ll have to pay.

Minor scratch repair

Light surface scratches and scuffs describe damage that only affects the clear coat (i.e., the protective top layer of paint on your car).
Minor scratches have lots of different causes, from road debris to scrapes from bushes, shopping trolleys, or the car doors of other vehicles. They can even be caused by improper cleaning techniques, such as using a coarse sponge to wash your car.

Clear coat scratches and scuffs are only superficial, typically requiring no more than a polish and/or a bit of touch-up paint.

Average repair cost: £20 for DIY fixes, or £90 for professional repairs.

Moderate scratch repair

Scratches that penetrate the base paint layer or “primer” layer — but don’t expose the metal underneath — are trickier and more expensive to fix.

Your vehicle might sustain a moderate scratch if it’s involved in a minor accident or is the victim of vandalism activity, such as car keying. Moderate scratches can also be caused by scraping against sharp objects like tree branches, or by small rocks colliding with your car’s paintwork (also known as stone chip damage).

While you could use a buffing tool and paint pen to repair moderate scratches yourself, it’s generally advised to get them repaired professionally.

Average repair cost: £150 for a professional repair.

Severe scratch repair

If you’re involved in a major collision with another vehicle or object, your car might sustain a deep scratch. Deep scratches penetrate the base paint layer, exposing the metal underneath to dirt, water, and other debris that can lead to corrosion and rust.

If you don’t have comprehensive car insurance, be prepared to dig into your wallet. Severe scratches require all three layers to be repaired. And if there is dent damage, rust, or the scratch is in a structurally important or highly visible area, the entire panel may need to be replaced.

Average repair cost: £300, although this can increase depending on the volume and severity of the damage.

What other factors affect the cost of car scratch repairs?

Along with severity, there are a few other factors that determine scratch repair costs:

Size and extent of scratches: If your car has a big scratch or lots of little scratches, expect to pay more.
Location of the scratches: Scratches located in hard-to-reach areas, such as tight corners or trim areas, require more labour to fix, increasing the cost of repair.
Type and quality of paint used: If your car needs specialised or high-quality paint, it will ramp up the cost.
Where you live: Garages in big cities tend to charge more for repairs than those in small towns and rural areas.

Common car scratch repair methods and costs

The method you use to repair your vehicle also plays a key role in the total cost you’ll pay. Let’s take a look at four different options and how much they cost.

DIY scratch repair

Not every scratch on your car requires a frantic trip to the body shop. You can repair a car scratch yourself using a DIY scratch remover kit, though you may not be able to achieve professional-looking results.

DIY scratch repair kits can be purchased for under £30, making them a cost-effective option for repairing small, minor scratches. They typically come with a fine abrasive as well as colour-matching touch-up paint, polish, and other tools.

That said, proceed with care. Rubbing scratches too aggressively — or attempting to use DIY kits on moderate to severe scratches — can make the problem worse, especially on dark cars.

Professional car scratch repair services

For a deep car scratch, it’s best to take your car to a professional repair shop.

Scratches are one of many types of car repairs that you can get at a professional garage. On average, a primer layer scratch repair will cost around £150, while a deeper scratch can cost more than £300. However, prices may be higher in cities such as London. Costs may also be higher if you need to repair a luxury or custom car.

Professional services also perform stone chip repairs and alloy wheel scratch repairs.

Stone chip repair costs: Stone chip damage is caused by rocks and other debris hitting your car. Repair costs will vary significantly depending on how many stone chips you have and where they are. Expect to pay between £40-£100.
Alloy wheel scratch repair costs: Scratches on your alloy wheels will cost around £90 per wheel to repair. Again, this depends on the extent of the damage — mild scratches will cost less, and severe scratches will cost a lot more.

To get the best deal, compare quotes from local, reputable repair services.

Mobile scratch repair services

If you aren’t able to drive to the garage, a car repair expert can come to your home or workplace.

Many repair shops offer mobile scratch repair services for around the same price as their garage-based services. If you live in a rural area, this can save you money on petrol while adding extra convenience.

SMART scratch repair technologies

SMART (Small to Medium Area Repair Technology) is an innovative car repair method that can quickly and cheaply repair scratches that penetrate just the clear coat.

SMART focuses repairs on the localised affected area using specialised tools, materials, and paints. Thanks to advanced paint technologies and colour-matching, it can quickly fix car scratches and deliver professional finishes without needing to repaint entire panels.

Typically, SMART services begin at around £50, which is cheaper than traditional repair services. You can even get mobile SMART services.

Will my car insurance cover car scratches?

If you have fully comprehensive car insurance, your insurance provider may cover the cost of scratch repairs, but it's important to always check your terms and conditions.

Scratches caused by accidental vehicle collisions are covered by comprehensive policies, regardless of who was at fault. They also cover scratches caused by collisions with objects, natural disasters, vandalism, and animals.

What comprehensive insurance doesn’t cover is minor cosmetic damage caused by everyday wear and tear. This includes minor scratches, chips, and dents that are bound to occur with frequent vehicle use.

But what if your car sustains a scratch from an event that isn’t classed as everyday wear and tear, such as scraping your car against a tree branch?

Here, claiming the cost on your insurance often isn’t worth it. If your excess amount is higher than the cost of repairing the scratch, it makes more financial sense to pay out of pocket and keep your no-claims bonus, which will save you money in the long run.

You could opt for cosmetic car insurance (also known as scratch and dent insurance) as an add-on or separate policy. This covers the cost of minor cosmetic damage for as little as £10 a month without affecting your no-claims bonus.

While there are limits to how many claims you can make, it might be worth it if your car frequently sustains minor cosmetic damage.

How to reduce the cost of car scratch repairs

Want to cut the cost of repairing scratches? Here are a few things you can do:

Respond quickly to scratches to prevent further damage.
Get quotes from different garages to find the most cost-effective deal.
Opt for SMART or mobile services if available to reduce costs.
Compare car insurance policies to find one that offers coverage at the best price.

Conclusion

Getting a minor car scratch repaired can be done relatively cheaply. But the bigger and deeper the scratch, the more it’s going to cost you. To save money, choose a comprehensive car insurance policy that covers you for a wide range of damages and get quotes from local repair shops to secure an affordable deal.

If it suits you, you could even shop around for cosmetic car insurance for extra protection and cost savings.

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to fix a scratch on a car?

For light scratches, using DIY scratch repair kits is the most affordable option. You could also use buffing tools, polishes, and other rubbing compounds. For a deep car scratch, get multiple quotes from reputable garages and choose the cheapest option.

Is it worth getting car scratches fixed?

Yes. Repairing minor scratches helps to maintain your car’s appearance and resale value. Repairing deeper scratches is advised as it prevents them from causing further damage.

Can deep scratches be fixed?

Yes. Car repair experts can fix deep scratches for you, although panel replacements may be required if there is rust or structural damage.

How can I prevent scratching my car?

There are lots of things you can do to minimise the risk of scratches. Parking away from busy roads, avoiding tight spaces, using non-abrasive cleaning methods, and adding paint protection film or ceramic coating to your vehicle are good preventative methods.