What Really Drives Car Scratch Repair Cost
Repair cost for a scratch depends heavily on both size and how deep the damage goes. A minor scratch under an inch can often be buffed out or touched up for well under a hundred dollars, while a severe scratch over four inches, or one that requires bodywork, needs a full repaint and can run several times higher. As a rule of thumb, a dent costs about 2.5x more than a plain scratch of the same size, and deep damage needing bodywork runs about 5x more.
This calculator only needs the scratch size and damage type to estimate a repair cost based on typical shop pricing. Use it to get a rough budget before requesting quotes, or to decide whether filing an insurance claim makes sense given your deductible. Actual quotes vary by panel material, paint color matching difficulty, and shop location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Light clear-coat scratches can often be buffed out with a compound. If the paint layer is exposed, professional touch-up is needed.
A dent with no paint damage can use PDR, but paint damage adds bodywork and repainting, increasing cost.
Typically $250-$500 depending on your policy. If the repair cost is lower than your deductible, paying out of pocket is usually better.