How much does paintless dent repair cost? When should you choose PDR vs. body shop repair? Get answers about dent removal pricing, techniques, and results.
QHow much does paintless dent repair (PDR) cost?
PDR typically costs $75–$150 per small dent (coin-sized). Medium dents (golf ball to baseball) run $150–$350. Large dents or creases cost $250–$500+. Most shops charge per dent, with discounts for multiple dents. Door dings from parking lots are the most common repair — averaging $100–$125 each. Hail damage packages (many small dents) range from $1,000–$3,500 for a full vehicle. Location on the panel and accessibility affect price.
QWhat is paintless dent repair (PDR)?
PDR is a technique for removing dents without repainting. Specialized tools are used behind the panel to slowly massage the metal back to its original shape. It preserves the factory paint, which maintains the car's value. PDR works best on dents with no paint damage, no sharp creases, and where the metal hasn't been stretched. It's faster, cheaper, and produces better results than traditional body filler and repaint for qualifying dents.
QWhat dents can be fixed with PDR?
PDR works best on: round dents with smooth edges (door dings), shallow dents up to 3–4 inches across, hail damage (many small dents), and dents on accessible panels. PDR is NOT suitable for: dents with cracked or chipped paint, sharp creases where metal is folded, dents on panel edges or body lines, extremely large dents (over 6 inches), or dents on aluminum panels with limited flex. A good PDR tech will honestly assess whether your dent qualifies.
QHow long does dent repair take?
A single small dent takes 30–60 minutes. Multiple door dings on one panel take 1–2 hours. Full hail damage repair takes 1–3 days depending on severity. Most PDR shops offer same-day service for 1–3 dents. Traditional body shop repair (filler, prime, paint) takes 2–5 days per panel. Mobile PDR services can come to your home or office, saving you a trip.
QIs PDR better than body shop repair?
For qualifying dents (no paint damage), PDR is almost always the better choice. Benefits: preserves factory paint (higher resale value), costs 50–70% less than body shop repair, no color-matching risk, faster turnaround, environmentally friendlier (no paint chemicals). Body shop repair is necessary when: paint is cracked or chipped, metal is stretched or torn, dent is on a body line that can't be accessed, or the panel needs structural straightening.
QDoes PDR work on hail damage?
Yes — PDR is the gold standard for hail damage repair. Insurance companies prefer PDR because it's cheaper and preserves factory paint. A typical hail-damaged vehicle has 50–200+ dents across the roof, hood, and trunk. PDR techs use specialized lighting to see each dent and systematically work through them. Cost ranges from $1,000 to $3,500+ depending on severity. Most comprehensive insurance covers hail damage with a deductible ($250–$1,000).
QCan dent repair affect my car's value?
Properly done PDR actually preserves value better than traditional repair because the factory paint is untouched. Carfax and AutoCheck don't flag PDR repairs. Traditional body shop work (repaint) may show up on paint thickness gauges during pre-purchase inspections, potentially lowering resale value. For leased vehicles, PDR is especially valuable — it fixes dings without triggering 'repainted panel' lease return penalties.
