Small dents are frustrating, but the real problem is knowing what they’ll cost to fix. Without a quote, it’s tough to tell whether you’re looking at a minor expense or a more significant repair.

If you have a rough idea of how many dents your vehicle has and how large they are, the calculator below serves as a dent repair cost estimator. It’s a simple way to understand your potential bill before you head to a body shop.

Our Dent Repair Cost Estimator

How the Estimate Is Calculated

Each estimate is based on just two things: how many dents you have and how large they are. That’s what drives most of the cost.

Dent Size	Typical Cost (Per Dent)
Nickel-sized	$100 – $150
Quarter-sized	$150 – $225
Golf ball-sized	$250 – $375
Creased dent (~2–3”)	$400 – $600

These ranges assume the paint is still intact and the dent is in a spot that’s easy to reach. That’s not always the case:

• If the paint is cracked, the cost jumps, usually by $100 to $300 to refinish the panel.
• If the dent is on an aluminum panel (common on newer cars, trucks and SUVs), prices can go up another 15–30% because of the extra time and tooling required.

But even for dents that are similar in size, where they land on the vehicle makes a difference too. That’s what we’ll look at next.

Why Dent Location Affects the Cost

Even if two dents are the same size, where they appear on your vehicle can change the price. That’s because location affects how easily a technician can get behind the panel to work the metal back into place.

Here’s a breakdown of how different panel locations impact cost:

Panel Location	Cost Impact	Why It Matters
Door (center)	Lowest	Easy tool access from inside the panel
Fender (flat area)	Low to moderate	Generally accessible but may require partial disassembly
Trunk lid	Moderate	Often braced or double-walled; more interior trim removal
Roof	High	Requires removing the headliner; access is tight
Quarter panel / edges	Highest	Hardest to reach, heavily reinforced, sometimes not repairable by PDR

How It Adds Up

Panels like quarter panels and roofs take longer to work with, not because the dent is worse, but because the technician needs time to remove interior panels or maneuver around bracing. It’s not just about pushing metal, it’s about getting to the right place to do it cleanly.

That’s why a door ding and a roof dent, even if the same size, might differ in cost by $100 or more.

What Small Dent Repairs Actually Cost

Still not sure where your repair might land? Here are a few sample estimates based on real-world repairs we see regularly. These aren’t bundled hail jobs or major bodywork, just everyday dents from doors, carts, and parking lot mishaps.

2018 Toyota Corolla – Parking Lot Door Ding

Detail	Description
Damage	One quarter-sized dent on driver-side door
Estimated Cost	$175
Notes	Clean access, no paint damage, done same day

2020 Ford Explorer – Creased Dent Near Fender Edge

Detail	Description
Damage	One deep crease (~2.5”) near wheel arch
Estimated Cost	$450 – $600
Notes	Location made it tough to reach; required careful shaping

2022 Subaru Crosstrek – Clustered Small Dents

Detail	Description
Damage	3 nickel- to quarter-sized dents on rear panel
Estimated Cost	$350 – $400 total
Notes	Same-panel repairs help reduce per-dent pricing

2017 Honda Accord – Roof Dent From Tree Debris

Detail	Description
Damage	Golf ball-sized dent on center of roof
Estimated Cost	$300 – $375
Notes	Required headliner removal for access

Do Dent Repair Costs Make Sense for Me?

The real question isn’t whether a dent looks bad, it’s whether the cost of repair makes financial sense for your situation. Here’s how to think it through:

1. Do you have comprehensive insurance?

If you do, dent repair might cost no more than your deductible. Most comprehensive policies cover minor damage like door dings or parking lot incidents, but they don’t kick in unless the repair cost exceeds your deductible, usually $250, $500, or $750. If a $400 repair only saves you $100 out of pocket, it may not be worth filing a claim.

2. What’s your car worth, and how much would a dent repair affect that?

If your car is worth $3,000 and you’re facing a $600 repair with no insurance coverage, that’s 20% of its value and probably not worth doing unless it affects function or resale. But if you’re driving a newer vehicle, a small repair can preserve resale value or help maintain clean trade-in eligibility.

3. Are you preparing to sell, trade in, or return a lease?

Buyers and dealerships factor cosmetic damage into their offers. A clean body, free of dings and creases, can help you get a better price or avoid lease-end penalties. That makes a modest dent repair a worthwhile investment in some cases, especially if the cost stays under $500.

A reputable shop will walk you through these trade-offs. And if it’s not worth fixing? They’ll tell you.

Understanding Your Estimate and Your Next Steps

If you’ve used the estimator above, you’ve already seen how quickly dent costs can add up depending on size and count. What that number doesn’t show is how much experience, efficiency, and transparency can affect the final repair.

Shops with the right training can fix dents in less time, avoid unnecessary panel work, and restore the look of your car without surprises at pickup. And for drivers with insurance, working with a shop that understands claims can make a big difference in what you actually pay.

Pro-Masters Auto Collision Center in Pueblo is a local leader in this kind of work. We’re certified by I-CAR, trained to repair both steel and aluminum body panels, and trusted by drivers who want straight answers. We also help eligible customers reduce or eliminate deductibles, and keep you moving with rental car support when needed.

To schedule a repair evaluation or ask a quick question, call us at (719) 543-4393 or request a no-pressure estimate online.