Bodywork and paint repairOctober 16, 2026

Keyed car repair cost: what affects it

The cost of repairing a keyed car depends on how deep the scratch goes, how long it runs, how many panels it crosses and what colour the car is. A photo is enough for us to quote it, free, within 24 hours.

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What decides the cost

Our bodywork repair cost guide covers how these factors apply to other repairs.

Get a photo quote Call 020 7060 3666

What to do first

Photograph the damage.

Take wide shots of each affected panel and close ups of the scratch, in daylight if you can.

Note where and when.

Write down where the car was parked and when you found the damage.

Report it if you want to.

If you think it was deliberate, you can report it to the police and get a crime reference number. Your insurer may ask for one.

Keep bare metal dry if you can see it.

Book soon, because rain and road salt start rust quickly.

It depends on your policy and your excess. Vandalism is often covered by comprehensive cover, but a claim may sit against your no-claims discount and renewal price, so check the terms before you decide. If the repair costs about the same as your excess, paying privately can make more sense. If the damage runs across several panels, a claim may be worth making. Most policies let you choose your repairer; check yours. Then tell your insurer you'd like Whoops Wheel Fix It to repair your car and we'll deal with them from there.

How a keyed car is repaired

A key scratch is repaired by repainting the damaged area. The process follows the same steps as any car paint repair.

Prepare.

We clean the line, sand it back and prime any bare metal.

Match.

Paint is mixed from your car's paint code.

Spray and cure.

The panel is sprayed in our spray booth and cured with infrared.

Blend and lacquer.

The new paint is blended into the surrounding panel and sealed with clear lacquer.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to repair a keyed car?

It depends on the depth, length, number of panels and your paint colour. Send us a photo and we'll give you a price for your car within 24 hours.

Can a keyed car be polished out?

Only if the scratch is in the clear coat. Run a fingernail across it: if the nail catches, the damage has gone into the colour and the area needs a paint repair.

Should I claim on my insurance for a keyed car?

Check your policy and your excess first. If the repair costs little more than the excess, paying privately may suit you better.

Do I need to report a keyed car to the police?

You don't have to, but if you want to claim on insurance, your insurer may ask for a crime reference number. Reporting it is also the way to put the incident on record.

How long does a keyed car repair take?

Minor bodywork at our workshop is done within 24 hours. Damage across several panels takes longer, and your quote says how long.

Car body inside a professional spray booth

Get a quote

Photograph the whole panel and the scratch up close, and send both over. Call or send a photo first so we can book a time. Or call us on 0207 060 3666 Unit 1, 38 Crown Road, Enfield, EN1 1TH · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm · Sat 8am-1pm

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