Factors Impacting Cost of Dent Removal

Has your vehicle been the victim of a parking lot dent or maybe a winter hail storm that has left the hood with many small intrusions? Dent repair not only improves your vehicle’s outer appearance, but it can also boost its resell value. So, what are the factors that impact the cost of dent removal?

 Has the Paint Been Damaged?

If the paint hasn’t been damaged, paintless dent removal (PDR) can be used. PDR can return the vehicle to its original condition, but since it doesn’t involve applying new paint, the service is cheaper and can be completed in a shorter time frame.

If paint damage has occurred then PDR cannot be used and the vehicle will require new paint to be restored to its original condition.

 How Large Are the Dents?

The size of the dent is a large contributing factor in the overall cost of the dent repair. The larger the dent is (in depth and diameter) the more it will cost for the repairs. The cost for dent repair generally increases at the repair shops chosen rate for every half-inch.

Location of Dent

To repair a dent, mechanics need to gain access to the back of surface the dent took place on. This can involve removing body panels, tail lights and potentially interior panels to access the dent. Location is a key factor in determining the difficulty of accessing the damaged area and the amount of time required to repair the dent.

Sharpness of Dent

Dent sharpness refers to the degree to which the metal was stretched during the incident. The greater the stretch, the harder it is to return the metal to its original state. Most auto body repair shops provide a free quote, in which they will inform you on the work required to fix the vehicle and the cost associated with that work.