Paint Chip & Stone Chip Repair Cost UK

Indicative cost guide

How much does paint chip repair cost in the UK?

The cheapest option is not always the smallest-looking option. A chip the size of a pinhead may expose bare steel and need careful preparation, while several shallow chips on a plastic bumper may be primarily cosmetic. The table below is intended to help you understand the likely repair route before requesting a quotation.

Some repairers quote inclusive of VAT, while others display prices before VAT. Confirm the VAT position, repair scope and any exclusions before comparing quotations. For a broader explanation of labour, materials, travel and operating costs, read SMART Repair Prices Explained.

The most common high-impact area

How much does bonnet stone chip repair cost?

The bonnet is exposed to road debris at speed and can gradually become peppered with chips. The economical repair depends less on the size of one chip and more on the total condition of the panel.

One or two isolated bonnet chips

A careful touch-in may cost around £60–£180 when completed professionally, depending on paint colour, preparation and whether metal is exposed. The result may remain visible at close range, but it can protect the panel and improve normal viewing appearance.

A small cluster in one section

Where several chips sit close together on the leading edge, a local SMART paint repair may cost roughly £150–£350. The technician needs enough room to prepare, colour and lacquer the area without creating an obvious blend edge.

A heavily peppered bonnet

When chips cover a large part of the bonnet, repairing each one individually can leave a spotted finish and may take disproportionate time. A complete bonnet refinish commonly sits in the broad £350–£750+ range, with more complex paint systems, corrosion or adjacent-panel blending increasing the price.

Bonnet chips on metallic, pearl or tri-coat paint

The correct code alone may not guarantee a perfect match. Age, fading, previous paintwork and the orientation of metallic or pearl particles can affect the visible shade. A repairer may recommend blending into adjacent panels when a panel-only repair is likely to show.

Colour matching

How paint type changes the cost

Solid colours

Solid colours can sometimes be more straightforward to touch in, but age, fading and previous repairs can still create visible differences.

Metallic paint

Metallic appearance depends on how reflective particles sit in the coating. Brushed touch-up paint may look darker or lighter than a sprayed finish, especially when viewed from different angles.

Pearl, tri-coat and tinted-clear finishes

These may rely on several layers to create the final colour and effect. A simple paint pen can protect a tiny chip but may not reproduce the appearance closely enough for a prominent area.

Matt and satin paint

These finishes cannot normally be polished and blended in the same way as conventional gloss lacquer. Local repairs can alter the sheen, so specialist assessment is important.

Older or previously refinished paint

Sunlight, weathering, repeated polishing and previous body repairs can all change the visible colour. A professional may tint the colour or blend into the surrounding finish rather than relying only on the original code.

For a deeper explanation of chips, paint layers, touch-up materials and colour matching, use the Paint Chip Repair Guide.

Lease and PCP vehicles

Should you repair stone chips before a lease return?

Not every small stone chip automatically requires professional refinishing. Lease and finance providers assess condition against their current return standard, and normal use is different from chargeable damage. The sensible approach is to inspect the clean, dry vehicle well before collection and compare any repair quotation with the provider’s likely return charge.

1. Request the leasing company’s current fair wear and tear guidance.
2. Wash and dry the vehicle before inspecting it in good light.
3. Photograph the bonnet, bumper, wings and any larger chips.
4. Prioritise rust, exposed steel, larger missing paint areas and poor previous touch-ups.
5. Obtain a professional quotation where the damage may fall outside the standard.
6. Compare repair cost, expected finish and warranty with the possible return charge.

The BVRLA’s consumer guidance on returning a leased vehicle explains the distinction between fair wear and tear and damage, and recommends checking the vehicle before collection. Also see the Damage Fix Lease Car Return Damage Guide.

Compare quotations properly

What should a paint chip repair quotation include?

A useful quotation should explain more than the final price. Depending on the job, check whether it identifies:

• the panel or component being repaired;
• whether the method is touch-in, localised SMART repair or complete refinishing;
• corrosion treatment or primer where required;
• colour and lacquer stages;
• whether adjacent-panel blending is included;
• any trim removal, masking or dismantling;
• mobile or workshop location;
• VAT position;
• expected timescale;
• warranty or exclusions;
• what happens if hidden corrosion or failed previous paint is discovered.

Customers should compare the proposed method and expected result, not just the lowest number. The cheapest quote may be excellent when it describes a proportionate repair; it may be poor value when important preparation has simply been omitted.

Common questions

Paint chip and stone chip repair cost FAQs