Car park damage accounts for a large proportion of bumper repairs. A scrape reversing out, a trolley that rolled across a car park, a low bollard that did not register on the sensors. At KITH Bodyworks in Hackbridge, we assess every bumper repair on its own merits and recommend the most appropriate repair method first.
For a single shallow scuff in a limited area, a SMART repair is usually the right approach. We repair the damage in place without removing the bumper from the car. The preparation and respraying is done in our controlled workshop, not on a driveway. Standard SMART repair is £160 inc VAT for most vehicles. For vehicles over 10 years old where expectations about colour matching need to be calibrated for the age of the existing paint, the price is £120. Combined scuff and dent repairs are £200 inc VAT.
For more extensive damage, a full remove-and-repaint produces a better result. The bumper comes off the car and goes on a paint stand. Every surface gets correctly prepared, including the edges and mounting areas that cannot be reached when the bumper is fitted. Primer is applied, flatted, and the colour and lacquer coats are built up in the correct sequence.
Plastic welding is worth considering before assuming a cracked bumper needs replacing. Where the crack runs through a structurally sound area of the skin, a plastic welding repair fuses the crack using a compatible filler rod and a heated tip. The repair is then prepared and painted like any standard respray. At £80 inc VAT per repair, it is almost always less expensive than sourcing a new bumper.
Panel prices at KITH Bodyworks increase by vehicle size. A front bumper on a small or 5-seat car is £240 inc VAT. On a 7-seat vehicle or SUV, that becomes £280. On a 9-seat minibus or crew van, £320. On a large panel van or Luton, £340. The additional cost reflects the larger surface area and greater material used.
Multi-panel discount: the first panel is at the standard price. Every additional panel in the same booking is discounted by 20%. If two or more panels are damaged, bringing them all in at the same time is the most cost-effective approach.
