How much does fender repair cost?
Fixing a small fender dent with paintless dent repair costs $100 to $350. Repairing and repainting a fender runs $400 to $900, and replacing one is $500 to $1,200 for a common steel fender or $1,000 to $2,500 for aluminum or luxury vehicles.
The fender is the panel around the front wheel. It bolts on (unlike a welded quarter panel), so replacement is labor-light — most of a replacement quote is the part and the paint.
Cost breakdown
| Repair | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small dent, paint intact (PDR) | $100 – $350 | Paint intact |
| Dent or scrape repaired + repainted | $400 – $900 | One panel refinish |
| Replace a steel fender + paint | $500 – $1,200 | Bolt-on part |
| Replace an aluminum / luxury fender | $1,000 – $2,500 | OEM part + blend |
| Rust repair (cut and weld a section) | $300 – $1,000 | Then repaint |
What affects the cost
Bolt-on vs welded
Front fenders bolt on, so replacement labor is modest. This is a key difference from rear quarter panels, which are welded.
Material
Aluminum fenders (common on newer and premium cars) cost more as parts and need a shop equipped for aluminum work.
Trim and liners
Wheel-arch moldings, side markers, and the inner fender liner may need to be transferred or replaced.
Paint blend
A new fender is blended into the door and bumper so the color transition is invisible.
Hidden damage
A hit hard enough to crease the fender may also have bent the mounting bracket or damaged the wheel — worth checking before you commit.
Repair, replace, or claim?
Small dents and scrapes are cheaper to repair than replace and keep more original metal on the car.
Replace when the fender is torn, heavily creased, or rusted through — a straight new panel paints better and lasts longer than a heavily filled one.
A standalone fender repair is usually below a collision deductible; claim only when it comes with bumper, wheel, or suspension damage.
Frequently asked questions
Is a fender the same as a quarter panel?
No. The fender is the bolt-on panel around the front wheel; the quarter panel is the welded panel around the rear wheel. Replacing a fender is much cheaper because it is not welded.
How much to replace a front fender?
A common steel fender is $500–$1,200 including paint. Aluminum or luxury fenders, or ones with a complex paint blend, run $1,000–$2,500.
Can a rusted fender be repaired?
Surface rust can be sanded and repainted. Rust that has eaten through the metal needs the affected section cut out and a patch welded in, or the fender replaced.
Does a bent fender affect the tire?
A fender pushed into the tire can rub and damage the sidewall. Have the wheel, tire, and suspension checked if the impact was more than a light scrape.
Will aftermarket fenders fit properly?
Quality varies. A good aftermarket steel fender fits and paints acceptably for a large saving; poor ones have gap and alignment issues that cost labor to correct.
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.