The short answer
Respray prices depend mainly on how much of the car is sprayed and the finish. A single panel respray typically starts from around £400, and a bumper respray is often about £280. A full respray on a small to medium car commonly runs about £1,000–£1,500 for basic work, rising to roughly £2,400–£2,900 once minor repairs are included, and £3,000–£5,000+ on larger or specialist cars. Finish matters too: metallic paint can add £200–£500 and pearlescent or custom finishes can add £1,000+ because of the extra blending involved. The main drivers are the area sprayed, the paint type and the amount of preparation the panels need.
Price depends mostly on how much of the car is being sprayed, the paint finish, and how much prep and repair the panels need first. The figures below are typical UK prices for guidance, not quotations.
Typical UK respray costs
- Single panelfrom ~£400
- Bumper respray~£280
- Small-car full respray (basic)~£1,000–£1,500
- Small-car full respray (with repairs)~£2,400–£2,900
- Metallic / pearlescent finish+£200–£500 / +£1,000+
What drives the price
- Area sprayed: a single panel is far cheaper than a full respray, which covers every exterior panel and the prep that goes with it.
- Paint finish: solid colours are the lowest-priced; metallic and pearlescent finishes cost more because they need extra coats and careful blending.
- Car size & condition: a larger car has more surface area, and existing rust, dents or old respray work add preparation time.
- Where it's done: main dealers often charge more, while independent bodyshops tend to be lower-priced for the same work.
| Job | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single panel respray | from ~£400 | one panel, solid colour |
| Bumper respray | ~£280 | common standalone job |
| Full respray, small car | ~£1,000–£2,900 | basic to with-repairs |
| Full respray, larger / specialist | ~£3,000–£5,000+ | more area, premium finishes |
| Metallic finish add-on | +£200–£500 | extra blending |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: Checkatrade and Parkers car paint and respray cost guides.
Why a full respray costs so much more
A full respray is not just more paint — it is far more preparation. Every panel has to be cleaned, sanded, masked, primed and sprayed in coats, with the car often partly stripped of trim and badges first. That preparation is where most of the labour goes, which is why a full respray on even a small car commonly lands around £2,400–£2,900 once minor repairs are included, while spraying a single panel can start from around £400. If only one or two panels are damaged, a panel respray is usually the lower-priced route.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to respray a car in the UK?
A single panel respray typically starts from around £400 and a bumper about £280. A full respray on a small car commonly runs about £1,000–£1,500 for basic work, rising to roughly £2,400–£2,900 with minor repairs, and £3,000–£5,000+ on larger or specialist cars.
Why does metallic paint cost more to respray?
Metallic and pearlescent finishes need extra coats and careful blending so the colour matches across panels. Metallic typically adds around £200–£500, while pearlescent and custom finishes can add £1,000 or more.
Is it cheaper to respray one panel or the whole car?
Spraying a single panel is far lower-priced than a full respray, often starting from around £400 versus a few thousand for the whole car. If only one or two panels are damaged, a panel respray is usually the better-value option.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific car and damage. They are guidance, not a quotation.