Paintless dent removal or a respray – which does this dent need?
When PDR will lift a dent without touching the paint, and when a painted repair is the honest job instead.
A dent is not automatically a respray. If the paint is intact and we can reach the back of the panel, paintless dent removal (PDR) pushes the metal back to shape and leaves the factory finish on the car. That is cheaper, faster, and better for resale than filling and painting. It is also not magic – some dents will not come out that way, and pretending otherwise wastes everyone's time.
PDR is the right job when
The paint has not cracked. The dent is shallow rather than a sharp crease that has already stretched the metal. And we can get a tool behind it – doors, wings, bonnets and roofs are usually fine; some crash structures and double-skinned areas are not.
Door dings from car parks and supermarket bays are the classic PDR job. So is a lot of hail. Small dent removal with us starts from £60, and several dents on one car share the same setup.
A painted repair is the right job when
The paint is broken, the dent sits on a sharp body line that has creased, or we cannot reach the back of the panel. In those cases filler, primer and a blended respray is what actually makes the damage disappear. Trying PDR first and painting later costs more than choosing the painted route up front.
If you are unsure, send a photo. We would rather talk you out of PDR than take a job that will still show.
Why original paint matters
A dealer inspection at the end of a PCP or lease often includes a paint-depth gauge. A respray reads as extra film. Factory paint that has been massaged back into shape does not. That is why PDR is usually the better call on a financed or nearly-new car, provided the paint is still sound.
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