Cost for dent/ scratch repair

[grahamstobie]

Hi Folks

I've ended up with a small dent and scratch on my car door (kids with a scooter ). I took it to the local coachworks yesterday and they quoted me £350-£400 to repair, incl. re-spraying the door and blending in to the panels either side. Have to admit this was more than I was expecting, but does this seem reasonable? I'm as ignorant about this type of thing as I am about most matters car-related !

I've posted a couple of pics, basically the top area is where the dent & main mark is - about 1" long mark and a 1" diameter dent. The other scratch is thinner but goes down to the bottom of the door.






Any thoughts on what you would expect this repair to cost would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[paintman]

You need to take it to a couple more bodyshops in your area.
The amount of work they are suggesting is right, if they just paint the door you are very likely to see a difference between it and the adjacent panels.

Your location is shown in your profile as Fife. If that's correct then with luck you might get some recommendations from other local PHers.

Edited by paintman on Thursday 20th July 12:29

[GRSGRS]

Thanks Paintman, good to know the work they are suggesting is right.I am in Fife, I'll try another couple of places and see if I can get anything a bit lower...

[taznuv]

It's always hard to see in a picture how bad it is but have you tried polishing the mark and scatch to see how much they improve? Costs nothing and if you think it's acceptable you could then get someone to just deal with the dent which would likely be much cheaper.

[GRSGRS]

I've not tried that, will give it a go, thanks. I actually went to a second body shop yesterday - this one in Glasgow - and they quoted a similar price to my original quote but suggested I try a touch-up pen from Volvo first, applying in very small 'dots' on a pinhead. I'll try that too, only lose a tenner if it doesn't work!

Thanks again.

[taznuv]

That sounds like a good tip, never tried it. I would try polishing first and then use the minimum amount of paint. Painting scratches is hard, filling in a chip/mark much easier.

[tortop45]

Any good painter could do that with out blending on to the other panels,as is in the middle of the door and low down,you don,t wan,t to pay more then £300 for that.......