How much does car dent repair cost?
A small dent with intact paint costs $75 to $150 to fix with paintless dent repair (PDR). Medium dents run $150 to $400, and large or creased dents $400 to $1,000+. Once the paint is cracked or the panel needs filler, expect $300 to $1,500 for conventional body work and a repaint.
PDR massages the metal back into shape from behind the panel and keeps the factory paint, so it is the cheapest option whenever the paint is undamaged and the dent is not on a hard edge.
Cost breakdown
| Repair | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small door ding (PDR, coin-sized) | $75 – $150 | Paint intact |
| Medium dent (PDR, palm-sized) | $150 – $400 | Paint intact |
| Large or creased dent (PDR) | $400 – $1,000+ | Multiple hours |
| Dent with cracked paint (fill + repaint) | $300 – $1,200 | Body shop |
| Deep crease near a body line (repaint) | $500 – $1,500 | Filler + blend |
What affects the cost
Paint condition
If the paint is unbroken, PDR keeps costs low. Cracked or chipped paint means filler, primer, and a repaint.
Dent size and depth
PDR is priced by size and how long the technician needs. A sharp crease takes far longer than a shallow round dent.
Location on the panel
Dents on body lines, edges, or braced areas (near the door handle, wheel arch) are harder to access and cost more.
Panel
Aluminum panels and areas with limited rear access (roof pillars, quarter panels) push PDR toward the top of the range.
Number of dents
Shops discount per-dent pricing when several are done at once, which is why hail packages are priced separately.
PDR or body shop?
Choose PDR when the paint is intact and the dent is on an accessible part of the panel — it is cheaper, faster (often same day), and preserves the factory finish.
Choose conventional body work when the paint is cracked, the metal is stretched or torn, or the dent sits on a sharp body line that PDR cannot fully restore.
Most single dents cost less than a comprehensive deductible, so pay out of pocket unless the dent is part of wider collision damage.
Frequently asked questions
Is paintless dent repair worth it?
Yes, when the paint is undamaged. It costs a fraction of a repaint, is usually done the same day, and keeps the original factory paint, which matters for resale.
How much is it to fix a dent the size of a golf ball?
A shallow golf-ball dent with intact paint is typically $100–$200 with PDR. If the paint is cracked, a body shop repaint puts it at $300–$600.
Why does one small dent cost $500 to fix?
A dent on a body line or one that has cracked the paint needs filler, primer, base coat, clear coat, and blending into the next panel — that is body-shop labor, not a quick PDR.
Can dents be fixed at home?
Suction pullers and boiling-water tricks sometimes work on shallow dents in flexible plastic or thin panels, but they rarely match a technician result and can crack paint.
Does a dent lower my car value?
A visible dent typically costs more in lost resale or trade-in value than the repair, so fixing it before selling usually pays off.
Get a repair estimate for your exact car: take a few photos of the damage and the app returns an itemized cost and labor-time breakdown in your currency.