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A fresh coat of paint can work wonders in revitalising the appearance of your car, whether you want to restore its original shine or give it a brand-new look. However, the cost of a car paint job can vary significantly depending on various factors. In Savvy’s helpful guide, you can explore the key elements which influence the cost of painting a car in Australia and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the expenses involved.
How much does car repainting cost in Australia?
The average cost of fully repainting or respraying a car in Australia generally ranges from around $1,500 to $3,500. More expensive vehicles, such as luxury or fast, high-performance models, and larger cars are likely to cost more to repaint, up to $5,000 or more in some cases.
However, if you’re only looking to respray certain parts of your car and not the full vehicle, you can expect to pay less. For example, if a bumper repaint was the only thing you were after, you might only pay between $150 and $300 (depending on your car and other factors).
It’s important to note that these are just average figures, correct as of 2024. The true cost of your car’s repaint will ultimately come down to a range of factors specific to your car and where you’re getting it repainted.
What factors affect the cost of painting a car?
As mentioned, it’s important to bear in mind that many factors impact the cost of respraying your car. As well as the type of car you own, its size and how much of it you’re having repainted, the following can all impact how much it’ll set you back:
- Quality of paint: one of the biggest cost factors is the quality of paint you decide to use. Most cars come with solid paint, which is generally the cheapest if you’re looking for a respray. However, matte or metallic paint could cost three to four times that amount, while pearlescent paint can also be pricey.
- Where you live: part of the cost simply comes down to where you’re living in Australia, as different states and territories can have different average costs. For instance, respraying a car in Melbourne may not cost the same as one in Adelaide.
- Whether there’s any damage to repair: if your car has any damaged parts which need to be repaired or replaced to have your car repainted, you can expect to pay extra for this to be done. Additionally, if there’s dirt or grime on your car which needs to be removed, you may have to pay extra for this to be dealt with.
- The detailer you choose: different companies will charge different amounts for the repainting of your car. If you’re looking for the cheapest available option, it might be worth getting multiple quotes to compare before taking your car in.
Common questions about car repainting and how much it costs
Car insurance may cover painting costs if it's due to an accident or covered incident. If the respraying is unrelated to an incident occurring which is outlined in your policy, you’ll have to pay the full cost yourself. However, it’s important to check your policy documents and consult with your insurer to understand coverage and requirements.
If you have the tools and ability to repaint your car yourself, doing so can save you plenty of money. For instance, if there’s only a small scratch or chipped paint, you may be able to do this yourself if a paint touch-up pen is suitable for your car’s paint type. However, if the damage is more severe, you may be better off taking this to a professional to be resprayed.
If your car is repainted a different colour, you’ll likely need to alert your state or territory government’s relevant road or vehicle body to inform them of the change of colour. Different governments will have different rules and processes in place for this, however, so it’s worth checking with them before moving ahead with a repaint.
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This guide provides general information and does not consider your individual needs, finances or objectives. We do not make any recommendation or suggestion about which product is best for you based on your specific situation and we do not compare all companies in the market, or all products offered by all companies. It’s always important to consider whether professional financial, legal or taxation advice is appropriate for you before choosing or purchasing a financial product.
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