Car Repair EstimatorPaintless dent repair cost
Updated 2026-09-29 · By the Car Repair Estimator team
Paintless dent repair (PDR) typically costs about $75-$150 for a small door ding and $150-$400 for a medium dent, while large dents and sharp creases can run $300-$1,200. If the paint is cracked, PDR is usually off the table and a conventional repair costs more.
Paintless dent repair prices at a glance
Paintless dent repair, usually shortened to PDR, is a way of massaging a dent out from behind the panel (or pulling it from the front with glue tabs) without sanding, filling or repainting. Because there is no paint work, it is the cheapest professional fix for most dents where the paint is still intact. Prices from PDR shops we reviewed line up fairly closely for small and medium dents and spread out quickly for large or creased damage.
| Repair type | Typical cost range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small door ding (about 1 inch or less) | $75-$150 | Most common PDR job; often done in under an hour |
| Medium dent (about 1-4 inches) | $150-$400 | Depth and access to the back of the panel drive the price |
| Large dent on one panel | $300-$600 | Soft, shallow dents repair better than deep ones |
| Sharp crease on a door | $400-$1,200 | Some creases can't be fully restored with PDR |
| Aluminum panel | Add about 10-20% | Aluminum is harder to work and less forgiving |
| Hail damage, many dents | $500-$2,500+ | Priced by dent count and panel; see hail damage repair cost |
| Dent with cracked paint (conventional repair) | $500-$2,500 | Needs filler, primer, paint and often blending |
Ranges are typical US shop prices compiled from PDR businesses and AAA. AAA puts minor dent repair at roughly $50-$150 per dent, which matches the low end above. Prices in large metro areas tend to sit at the top of each range.
What drives the cost of paintless dent repair
Size and depth
A shallow, round dent the size of a coin is the easiest job. As a dent gets deeper, the metal stretches, and the technician needs more time to work it back without leaving high spots. Two dents of the same width can be priced very differently if one is much deeper.
Location on the panel
Dents in the middle of a door or fender are the simplest. Dents on a body line, near the edge of a panel, on a roof rail or behind bracing take longer because the tech has to remove trim, interior panels or lights to reach them, or has to glue-pull from the outside. Access is one of the biggest price factors PDR shops cite.
Creases vs round dents
A crease, such as one left by a shopping cart dragged along a door, is harder to repair than a round ding. Long or sharp creases sit at the expensive end of the table, and some can only be improved, not fully removed, without conventional bodywork.
Panel material
Aluminum hoods, fenders and doors, common on many trucks and newer vehicles, cost more. One PDR shop adds roughly 10-20 percent for aluminum; hail specialists often quote a similar or larger markup.
Number of dents
Shops usually charge the most for the first dent and discount additional dents on the same visit. That is why one ding may cost $100 while three small dings on the same door may not cost three times as much.
When PDR won't work
PDR is only an option if the paint is not cracked, chipped or flaking. Once the paint is broken, the dent needs to be filled, primed and refinished, and the new paint usually has to be blended into the neighboring panels to match. That moves the job into body shop pricing, typically $500-$2,500 for a single dent with paint damage. If the dent comes with scratches, see our guide to car scratch repair cost. If a bumper is involved, note that most bumpers are plastic covers and are repaired differently; see bumper repair cost.
Other cases where PDR may not be enough:
- The metal is stretched so far that it won't hold its original shape.
- The dent sits on a panel edge or seam where tools can't reach.
- The panel was previously repaired with body filler, which can crack when pushed.
- The damage is on a quarter panel with structural bracing behind it; see fender and quarter panel repair cost.
Door ding repair: DIY or a pro?
DIY dent kits with glue tabs and a slide hammer or bridge puller are sold for home use. They can help with a shallow, round dent in an easy spot, but it's easy to pull too far and create a high spot, or to crack older paint. On a newer or leased car, a professional door ding repair in the $75-$150 range is usually worth the money. Many PDR technicians are mobile and can do the work in a parking lot or driveway, often in 30 to 90 minutes.
PDR and insurance
A single ding or small dent usually costs less than a collision or comprehensive deductible, so most people pay for it directly. Insurance becomes relevant when the damage is widespread, as with hail, which is typically covered under comprehensive coverage. Before filing, compare the repair estimate to your deductible.
How to get an accurate dent repair estimate
Take clear photos of the dent from straight on and at a low angle so the shape and depth show up, and note whether the paint is cracked. With Car Repair Estimator Repair+ you can snap the damage, scan the VIN so the estimate uses your exact vehicle, and get an itemized estimate that splits parts, body labor and refinish hours at local rates. That gives you a baseline before you talk to anyone. Then get quotes from 2-3 shops, including at least one dedicated PDR technician, and ask whether the price assumes PDR or conventional repair. The app's numbers are informational, not an insurance appraisal or a binding quote.
If you are weighing a bigger job, such as repainting a door after a dent repair, our guide to the cost to repaint a car covers panel and full-car paint prices.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fix a small dent in a car?
A small dent or door ding with intact paint typically costs about $75-$150 with paintless dent repair. Medium dents usually run about $150-$400, depending on depth and how easy it is to reach the back of the panel.
Is paintless dent repair cheaper than a body shop repair?
Usually, yes. Because there is no filler, primer or paint, PDR generally costs well under a conventional repair of the same dent. One PDR shop estimates the savings at roughly 50-70 percent, but the gap depends on the dent and the shop.
When can't a dent be fixed with PDR?
PDR needs the paint to be intact and the metal not overly stretched. Dents with cracked or chipped paint, very sharp creases, dents on a panel edge or seam, and some damage on heavily braced areas usually need conventional bodywork and refinishing instead.
Should I use insurance for a door ding?
Often not. Most single dings cost less than a typical collision or comprehensive deductible, so paying out of pocket is usually simpler. Insurance makes more sense for larger damage such as a hailstorm or a collision.
Sources
- Patriot PDR - How much does paintless dent repair cost (2025)
- Carlson PDR - How much do car dents cost to repair (2026)
- AAA - How much does it cost to paint a car
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