Paintless Dent Repair vs Body Shop: Which Is Right for Your Dent?

By Dent Press · Updated 2026 · 6 min read

You've got a dent. Now what? If you're like most people, your first instinct is to take it to a body shop. But depending on the type of damage, that could cost you significantly more time and money than necessary. Paintless dent repair and traditional body shop repair are two very different approaches — and understanding when to use each one can save you hundreds of dollars.

Here's a straightforward comparison from a Charlotte PDR specialist who's been repairing dents for over 20 years.

How the Two Methods Work

Paintless dent repair (PDR) uses specialized hand tools and lighting to access the back side of a dented panel and carefully massage the metal back to its original factory shape. No paint is applied, no fillers are used, and no sanding is required. Your original factory finish stays completely intact.

Traditional body shop repair takes a different approach. The damaged area is sanded down, filled with body filler (Bondo), primed, color-matched, and repainted. In some cases, entire panels are replaced. This is the right method for damage where the paint is cracked, chipped, or heavily scratched.

Cost Comparison

Factor	Paintless Dent Repair	Body Shop
Small door ding	$75 – $150	$300 – $500
Medium dent	$150 – $400	$600 – $1,200
Large dent / crease	$300 – $800	$1,000 – $3,000+
Hail damage (full vehicle)	$1,000 – $5,000	$3,000 – $10,000+
Repair time	30 min – 1 day	2 days – 2 weeks
Factory paint preserved?	Yes — always	No — repainted
Rental car needed?	Rarely	Often
Resale value impact	None — original finish	May reduce (repaint on record)

The cost difference comes down to materials and labor. PDR doesn't require paint, primer, filler, or a paint booth — which means no material costs and significantly less labor time. For a deeper look at Charlotte-specific pricing, read our PDR cost guide.

When PDR Is the Better Choice

Paintless dent repair is the right method when:

• The paint surface is intact — no cracks, chips, or scratches through the clear coat
• The dent hasn't stretched the metal beyond its elastic limit
• The back of the panel is accessible (most panels are)
• You want to preserve your factory finish and vehicle value

This covers the vast majority of door dings, parking lot dents, hail damage, and minor collision dents. Not sure if your specific dent qualifies? Our guide on what dents PDR can fix breaks it down in detail.

When a Body Shop Is the Right Call

A traditional body shop is the right choice when:

• The paint is cracked, chipped, or heavily scratched
• The metal is torn or has sharp creases that have stretched the panel beyond repair
• There's structural damage to the frame or unibody
• The panel needs full replacement (severe collision damage)

A good PDR technician will always tell you honestly if your damage needs conventional repair. At Dent Press, if we can't fix it properly with PDR, we'll let you know and refer you to a trusted body shop in Charlotte.

What Most People Don't Know

Here's something worth understanding: many body shops actually subcontract PDR work to independent PDR technicians. They'll add a markup to the PDR technician's rate and present it as their own service. By going directly to a PDR specialist like Dent Press, you skip the middleman and pay less for the same — or better — quality of work.

Also worth noting: insurance companies generally prefer PDR for hail damage and minor dents because it's less expensive and produces excellent results. If you're filing a claim, choosing PDR can speed up the approval process. Learn more in our hail damage insurance guide.

The Bottom Line

For most dents, dings, and hail damage where the paint is intact, PDR is faster, cheaper, and produces a better result than body shop repair. You keep your factory paint, your vehicle's value stays higher, and the work is usually done the same day — often right in your driveway.

Body shops have their place for severe damage, but they shouldn't be your first call for a parking lot ding. When in doubt, start with a PDR specialist — a good one will always be honest about whether your dent qualifies.