'It's just a scratch.'
… said absolutely no-one ever after spotting a scrape or a mark on the outside of their vehicle.
Yep, there's few things worse, and whilst getting a car scratch is painful enough for car owners who actually own the vehicle and plan to sell it on, it can also be a bad thing when leasing, because by not getting it removed, you run the risk of paying for excess wear and tear fees at the end of your contract, and who wants that?
Which is why in this post we'll be going over some of the most common types of car scratches AND the price and time range you could be looking at to get each one fixed.
So if worst comes to worst, your car will be back 'up to scratch' in no time!
Identifying the Different Types of Car Scratches
So, you've spotted a cheeky car scratch and want to get your vehicle back in perfect condition and looking in good nick again.
Well, first thing's first, you'll have to identify what type of scratch it is.
There's a lot of sub-categories, but generally speaking, they can be split into three main groups according to the severity and level of damage.
Here they are . . .
Scuffs & Clear Coat Scratches
Average professional cost to repair - £90
Time required - 2 to 5 days
The most basic type of scratch, a scuff or a clear coat scratch only damages the top paint layer and can be easily repaired.
So easy, in fact, that you can even do it yourself. Indeed, most minor scratches can be removed by polishing via rubbing agents. You should be able to pick up a scratch remover kit at a good auto body shop for not much more than £10 or £20, and then Bob's your uncle . . . scratch removed. Of course, the cost is going to go up if you seek a professional car scratch repair service.
The difference between a scuff and a clear coat scratch is that scuffs do less damage than a clear coat scratch. Small rocks thrown up on the roads can often cause this type of damage.
Primer Scratches
Average professional cost to repair - £150
Time required - 4 to 5 days
A bit more damaging than clear-coat scratches, these penetrate through to the paint layer or 'primer layer', but without being severe enough to expose the metal.
As such, it goes without saying that these will be more expensive to repair than the previous kind due to the simple fact that the scratches are harder to remove. And whilst it is still something you could do yourself with a buffing tool, a car paint pen and some car clear varnish coat, it could be worth looking into a professional for this one just to be on the safe side.
As opposed to small rocks being thrown up by your tires, primer scratches are often caused by minor car accidents, and also scrapes caused by overhanging tree branches.
Deep Paint Scratches
Average professional cost to repair - £300
Time required: 4 to 7 days
The most severe of the three types of scratches, a deep car scratch penetrates through to the 'base layer' or bare metal of the car. So unlike with the previous two, all three layers have to be repaired.
As the deepest paint scratches, they also require the deepest prices, being the most expensive to have fixed. And it's not something you should do yourself as things like polish will be ineffective for deep scratches that require more than mere abrasion. Instead, you're best advised seeking a professional and heading to your nearest (or cheapest) car body repair shop as soon as possible. Not doing so could lead to the scratch rusting, causing more and more damage overtime.
Deep scratches usually occur as a result of vehicle collisions of the more serious kind.
What Affects the Cost?
The Size and Extent of the Damage
Pretty obvious one here. It's largely down to how much damage the paintwork has received and whether it has affected other areas of the car as well.
A deep scratch that's not too large in extent may cost more than a light scratch that covers a larger area, for example.
The Location of the Paintwork Needed
Where the scratch is located on the vehicle can have a clear effect on the price that you pay. If the paintwork has been damaged in surface areas which are out of the way or difficult to access, then expect to see costs rise. That's because the amount of labour time necessary to do the job is increased.
The Type and Quality of Paint Used
Like with other types of paint, there’s a large choice available when it comes to car paint, and depending on the type that's needed for your car and the quality of the paint that's used, you may find that this has an affect on the final price that you pay.
Your Location
It's not just the location of the scratch that matters, but your own location as well.
The reason is down to simple economics. How much you pay for certain professional services differs based on where you are in the country. For example, if you live in a major city like Edinburgh or London, you'll have to pay more for services like mechanics and garages. That's because the cost of living there is much higher than in smaller, out-of-the-way rural or village areas. That translates into affecting costs associated with parking, transport, running a business, supply of materials, and . . . well, everything really.
On the flip side of the coin, living in a big city also means that competition is always higher, giving you more leeway to shop around for different service providers and compare the market.
Does Insurance Cover Car Scratches?
Insurance is probably the best way to 'pay' for the damage, but whether or not your insurer pays out really depends on the cause of the scratch and the type of insurance policy you've signed up to. If the scratch resulted from an accident, then your insurance will probably cover it, as long as you have comprehensive insurance (rather than just third-party or fire and theft).
If the scratch occurred by accident due to a stone chip or a rock hitting your vehicle, for example, then you'll probably need comprehensive insurance cover to pay for it. If the scratch resulted from a collision, then either you or the other driver (depending on who was at fault) needs collision insurance as a minimum.
Even if you don't file for a claim, a lot of insurers require you to inform them of even minor damage to your vehicle, so best to do that anyway in the first instance. Failing to do so could invalidate your policy and lead to future claims being rejected.
How Do I Find a Professional or Garage?
Finding the right person for a car paint repair job shouldn't be taken lightly.
Your first port of call should be family, friends and work colleagues. Even if they've never had to have a scratch repaired themselves, chances are that they may know a car repair professional or garage in the nearby area.
Once you've found a potential professional or garage who carry out car scratch repairs, you'll want to do your due diligence by checking out their experience, reviews and photos of previous jobs, not to mention their professional accreditations.
Verify That They Have Insurance
Any tradesperson worthy of the name should have insurance, but especially so for a car repair professional, even if it is just for repairing a scratch of the smaller kind. As well as providing you with safety and peace of mind, it also protects you from any potential liability.
So due to the importance of insurance, it's best to check whether your chosen car repair professional is sufficiently covered before you hire them to carry out any work on your car.
Get A Written Quote
It's always a good idea to get your quotes in writing in order to get a full breakdown of the included services/items and to help prevent any misunderstandings surrounding pricing, which could come back to haunt you later.
Secondly, it enables you to read every quote from multiple professionals without feeling pressured by a specific company to perform the job. This way, you've got all the cards right in front of you and can choose the one that's best.
Tips to Prevent Future Scratches on Your Vehicle
Attack is the best form of defence, as we like to say.
In other words, taking steps to reduce the chances of your car receiving a scratch is the way to go. Prevent it before it happens.
Taking some or all of the following steps could potentially save your vehicle and your wallet from a lot of unwanted hassle:
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Avoid parking close to other vehicles or moveable objects (e.g. doors hitting your car)
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Only clean using microfiber
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Consider using a paint protection film
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When shopping, avoid parking next to trolley shelters at the supermarket
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Install cameras to catch potential vandals in the act, or to at least serve as a deterrent
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Be aware of tree branches and don't squish your vehicle up against a jaggy bush that may scratch your paintwork
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Above all, drive carefully!
Summary
Well, that about covers it on what we know can be an unfortunate but very important topic.
Not only are there different types of scratches you need to know about, but there's also average prices associated with fixing each one, and whether or not you should seek a professional.
So if you ever, you know . . . get a car scratch, you read it here first!
FAQs
Is it worth fixing scratches on car?
Yes, as delaying this could expose the paint or metal underneath to the elements and cause further problems down the line. Plus, you want to avoid any excess wear and tear fees when handing your car back to the leasing company.
What is the cheapest way to fix a scratch on a car?
The cheapest way is probably with toothpaste, believe it or not. Pretty much everyone brushes their teeth, so you're bound to have a tube of it. But the downside is that it can only really be used on scratches that aren't too deep and which have yet to penetrate the top coat of your car's paint.
Can deep scratches be fixed?
They can, but obviously it's going to take more time. And as a general rule, the deeper the scratch, the more expensive it's going to be to repair.
How much does it cost to remove deep scratches from a car?
On average, the cost to remove a deep scratch from a car is around £300, though it could sometimes be as low as around £230.