I’ve always loved to see a freshly painted older car. There’s something about a deep, glossy finish that can completely transform a tired-looking motor and make it feel almost new again. Over the years, I’ve been through the process – even travelling as far as Poland to get one car repainted correctly. And while it’s a satisfying thing to do, it’s also one of the most misunderstood and, frankly, expensive cosmetic jobs you can ever take on.
So, if you’re wondering how much it costs to respray a car, you’re not alone. It’s a common question and the answer really depends on what you’re working with. A respray might make perfect sense for a car you love and plan to keep forever. But if it’s just to spruce something up to sell, or you’re thinking of flipping a bargain, you need to look at the numbers very carefully.
This guide should help you decide whether it’s what you want to do.
How much does it cost to respray a whole car?
Cue sounds of air sucking through teeth. The cost to respray a whole car can vary widely depending on a few key factors: the size of the car, the quality of the finish, whether the car needs prep work, and whether you’re going to a local body shop or a specialist. According to Check-a-trade the average price of a car respray comes in at around £2,400 – and that’s for a small family car with minimal damage.
Add in a few small repairs, and that figure jumps to £2,900. Repainting a panel with a repair weighs in at about £400. If rust or dents need attention first, that adds more labour and cost. Removing trims, lights and badges also adds time. A top-tier respray from a prestige body shop could easily run into five figures, especially on a luxury or classic car.
You can technically paint over the original paintwork if it’s in good condition, but this should be done properly. The surface must be prepared correctly, and any imperfections will show through a new coat. For best results, the old paint is usually sanded down or removed to ensure long-lasting adhesion. Check-a-Trade says: ‘You’ll notice that prices can vary a lot between paintwork specialists – large firms and car dealerships will often cost more than small local car paintwork shops.’ These prices are for a typical Volkswagen Golf-sized car in 2025.
You should get quotes from as many bodyshops as possible and cross-reference the quotes with online reviews before committing to getting the work done.
| Work needed: | Cost: |
| Full respray with minimal repair work required | £2,400 |
| Full respray with moderate remedial work – multiple dents & rust | £2,900 |
| Bumper respray to match rest of car | £280 |
| Panel respray x 1, minimal remedial work required | £400 |
Is it worth getting a car resprayed?
If your car is scratched, rusty or just looking a bit tatty, it’s definitely worth having some or all of it repaired and resprayed. It’ll shine brighter than even the best polishes can achieve and you’ll feel better about it as a result. If rust was the problem, having it repaired and resprayed could add years to the car’s life.
If you think a respray will boost your car’s value, you need to carefully weigh up the costs against the added value. Also consider other options, for instance if a door is scratched it might be cheaper to buy another one from a salvage yard than get a so-called ‘Smart repair’ done. If you have a particularly valuable car, you could be quids in. If you’ve got something like a Vauxhall Corsa, it’s unlikely the numbers will tally.
How much to respray a car bumper?
Bumpers take a lot of punishment, so it’s no surprise they’re one of the most commonly resprayed parts. A bumper respray in the UK typically costs between £150 and £300 depending on the severity of the damage and whether plastic repairs are needed beforehand.
Colour matching can be tricky, particularly for older vehicles or metallic paints, so it’s important to go to a shop with a good reputation for blending and matching finishes. As always, shop around, ask others who’ve had work done, and check online reviews.
How much to respray a car bonnet?
Respraying a bonnet tends to cost a bit more than a bumper due to the larger surface area. Expect to pay between £200 and £400. Again, this can increase if there’s corrosion or dents to sort first.
Bonnet resprays are often needed after stone chips or sun damage to the top coat of lacquer. It’s a visible part of the car, so getting it done properly can help boost your car’s resale value.
How much to respray a car door?
The average price to respray a single car door is £200 to £500 depending on the size of the door and the extent of prep required. Labour costs go up if there’s damage to repair, or if the door needs to be removed to get a flawless finish.
If multiple doors are affected, it may be more cost-effective to do them all in one go rather than as individual jobs.
When to wrap a car instead of repainting?
Firstly, what’s a vinyl wrap? It’s a sheet of self-adhesive vinyl that’s applied to a car’s bodywork to change the colour. There are endless colours and finishes to choose from, from flat white to sparkling chrome pink and everything in between. Wraps can also be printed with custom patterns and liveries.
How much a wrap costs depends on the colour, the size of your car and how complex its bodywork is. But wraps always cost less than having the car resprayed because there are far fewer materials involved, and although wrapping is an art form itself, it’s still less labour intensive than painting. Bear in mind, also, that wraps do have a shelf life, so you may need to get it done more than once.
Other things to consider
While respraying your car is perfectly legal in the UK, you must inform the DVLA if you change the car’s colour significantly. The V5C logbook should be updated with the new colour to stay compliant. I know, I’ve been there and it can help you avoid awkward questions in the future.
If you’re on a budget or looking to improve the paint condition without the cost of a full respray, there are DIY alternatives. Products like car polish, scratch repair kits, and paint sealants can restore shine and remove light blemishes. You can also try ceramic coatings or regular detailing with car wax to maintain your paintwork.
Conclusion
Having been around more than a few freshly painted cars in my time – and more than a few patchy, oversprayed disasters – I’ve learned one thing. Respraying a car can be a brilliant thing to do, but only when the circumstances are right.
If you’re restoring a cherished classic or sprucing up something sentimental you plan to keep long-term, then go for it. Done properly, it can make your pride and joy look better than new and give you years of enjoyment.
But if you’re just tidying up your car because you’re sick of looking at something past its prime, doing up a car for a quick sale, or trying to add value to a cheap runabout, I’d think twice. A decent paint job isn’t cheap, and cutting corners rarely ends well. Be honest with yourself about the car’s worth and your long-term plans for it. Sometimes, a good polish and some DIY TLC can go a surprisingly long way.
As ever, it pays to do the sums long before you commit – and go in with your eyes wide open.
FAQs: the lowdown on getting your car resprayed
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How much does it cost to respray a car?
For a full respray in the UK, expect to pay between £1,000 and £5,000 depending on car size, colour choice, quality level and bodywork condition. Small partial resprays (like bumpers or doors) typically range from £150 to £500.
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Is a full respray worth it?
It depends on the age, value and condition of your car. If you're restoring a classic or planning to keep the vehicle for a long time, a respray can be a great investment. For everyday cars with low resale value, the cost may outweigh the benefit unless the paint is badly damaged. Also consider that a poor-quality job may harm rather than improve your car’s appearance.
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What does a full car respray cost?
A full respray involves repainting the entire exterior of the car, often including door shuts, sills and sometimes even the engine bay if you're going all-in. It’s a labour-intensive job that usually requires stripping the car of trim, badges, lights and sometimes glass. If there’s any rust, dents or old paint defects, these need to be sorted first – and that’s where the time and money can start to spiral. Add in custom colours or high-end finishes, and the bill can quickly climb to the point where the sky's the limit.
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Is it cheaper to respray or wrap a car?
Vinyl wraps can be a more affordable and reversible alternative. A wrap costs around £1,200 to £2,000 for a whole car and takes less time than a respray. Wraps can also protect the original paint underneath. However, they don’t offer the same finish quality or durability as paint, and they can peel or fade over time.
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