Dents are among the most common damage we see, from car park dings and trolley knocks to larger dents from low-speed collisions. Capital SMART repairs dented panels, doors and bumpers on drivable vehicles.
Car dent repairs for drivable vehicles
How a dent is repaired depends on its size and depth, where it sits on the panel, whether the paint has cracked or stretched, and what is mounted behind it. Where a panel can be repaired and refinished to a high quality finish, that is usually the faster and less expensive option; where it can’t, we’ll quote a panel replacement.
We repair drivable vehicles with low to medium accident damage at 60+ locations across Australia and New Zealand. Dent repairs are available as a private repair, where you pay directly and request a free quote online, or as part of an insurance claim through one of our partnered insurers: AAMI, GIO, Apia, Shannons Insurance, Vero, Bingle and Suncorp Car Insurance.
Dents we repair
Car park dings and door dents
Shallow round dents on doors, guards and quarter panels, often repaired without replacing the panel.
Bumper dents and pushed-in corners
Deformed or cracked plastic bumper covers, repaired, refinished or replaced depending on the damage.
Bonnet, boot and roof dents
Dents on large, flat panels show every ripple and need careful reshaping and blending.
Creases and body-line dents
Sharp dents across a styling line or panel edge almost always need panel work and refinishing.
Dents with cracked or chipped paint
Once paint has broken, the dent is reshaped and the area prepared, colour matched and refinished.
Dents across doors and side panels
Side-swipe damage across a door and adjacent panel, repaired and realigned so gaps and lines match.
How dent repair works at Capital SMART
Assessment
Private repairs: upload photos and a description and we send an estimate without an in-person visit. Insurance repairs: your insurer books an assessment at one of our centres.
Choosing the right repair method
If the paint is unbroken and the metal hasn't stretched, a dent can sometimes be reshaped without repainting. Sharper dents and creases are repaired, filled, primed and refinished.
Refinishing and colour matching
Any repaired area that has been primed is colour matched to your vehicle and blended into the surrounding panel so there is no visible edge.
Quality check and collection
Every repair goes through a quality assurance check before you're notified to collect your vehicle. Every repair is backed by our warranty on all repairs.
See the result
Drag the slider to compare a dented and scraped panel before and after repair at Capital SMART. For more examples of our work, visit our before and after gallery.
Worth knowing before you book a dent repair
Modern panels aren't simple sheets of steel
Many vehicles use high-strength steels, aluminium and composite panels that behave differently from older mild steel. Heat or aggressive pulling in the wrong place can permanently weaken a panel, which is why home suction cups, glue-pull kits and hot-water tricks often make a dent worse.
Dents near sensors and cameras
Bumpers on most recent vehicles carry parking sensors and, increasingly, radar. If a dent sits near these, the repair may need the sensors checked and recalibrated; we identify this during assessment and coordinate it as part of the repair. Read more about ADAS calibration.
Insurance claim or private repair?
For a single small dent, it can be worth comparing a private quote against your policy excess. For larger or multiple dents, an insurance repair through one of our partnered insurers may make more sense. If you're unsure, request a free private quote and compare.
Dents on lease, fleet and rideshare vehicles
Dents that are cosmetic to you can be costly at lease return or hurt a vehicle's presentation. We repair dents on fleet vehicles and rideshare and delivery vehicles with the same focus on getting the vehicle back on the road quickly.
Related repair services
Scratch Repairs
Dents rarely arrive alone. Scuffs and scratches around a dent are repaired and refinished in the same visit.
Hail Damage Repairs
Dozens of small dents across roofs, bonnets and boots after a storm, repaired for drivable vehicles.
Panel Repairs
When a dented panel is beyond repair, we replace it and refinish it to match.
Front and Rear Bumper Repairs
Dented, cracked and scuffed plastic bumpers repaired and refinished.
Paint and Refinishing
The colour matching and blending that finishes every dent repair.
All accident repair services
Explore the full range of accident repair services we offer for drivable vehicles.
Common questions about dent repairs
Can a car dent be repaired without repainting?
Sometimes. If the paint is intact and the dent is shallow, it may be possible to reshape the panel without repainting. Once the paint has cracked, chipped or stretched, or the dent sits on a body line, the area needs to be refinished to protect the metal and restore the finish. Our assessment will tell you which applies.
How much does dent repair cost?
It depends on the size and location of the dent, whether the paint is damaged, and how much refinishing is needed. We don’t publish set prices because two dents that look similar can need very different repairs. The quickest way to get an accurate figure is to request a free quote online with photos of the damage.
How long does a dent repair take?
Most minor repairs, including dents, are completed within days. Dents that need panel replacement, parts to be ordered or sensor recalibration can take longer. We confirm an estimated timeframe once your vehicle has been assessed.
Should I claim a small dent on insurance or pay privately?
Compare your private quote with your policy excess. For a single small dent, paying directly is often simpler and avoids a claim. For larger damage, an insurance repair through one of our partnered insurers (AAMI, GIO, Apia, Shannons Insurance, Vero, Bingle and Suncorp Car Insurance) may be the better option. We currently only accept insurance repairs from our partnered insurers.
Will a dent repair affect my parking sensors?
Dents on bumpers often sit close to parking sensors or radar units. Where a repair involves removing or refitting a bumper, or working near a sensor, we identify any calibration requirement during assessment and coordinate it as part of the repair.
Do I need an appointment to have a dent assessed?
For private repairs, no. Upload photos and a brief description through our online quote form and we’ll provide an estimate without an in-person visit. If you proceed, we schedule a booking at your preferred repair centre. For insurance repairs, your insurer books the assessment and we confirm it by SMS.
