Dent Repair in Mitcham, South London
Most dents don't need filler or paint. PDR restores your panel to its original shape — invisibly, and in a fraction of the time of traditional repair.
That Dent's Been Bothering You for a While, Hasn't It?
A dent in your car is one of those things that shouldn't bother you as much as it does — but it does. Every time you walk past it. Every time someone else notices it. And the longer it sits there, the more it feels like a problem you should have sorted out by now.
Here's the thing most people don't realise: the majority of dents — car park door dings, hail damage, minor reversing creases — can be repaired without any filler, primer, or repainting. Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) uses specialist tools to massage the metal back to its original shape from behind the panel. When it's done correctly on the right type of damage, the result is genuinely indistinguishable from the original panel.
But PDR isn't right for every dent. And we'll tell you honestly when it isn't. If the paint has cracked, if the dent sits on a sharp body line, or if the metal has been stretched significantly, traditional repair will achieve a better result. We'd rather tell you that upfront than attempt PDR on unsuitable damage and leave you with a panel that looks worse than before.
Signs You Need Dent Repair
- A car park door ding that catches the light at every angle
- Hail damage leaving multiple small dents across the bonnet or roof
- A minor crease from a reversing mishap with paint still intact
- A dent you've been ignoring for months because you assumed it was expensive
- Dents appearing on your insurance renewal that you want sorted first
Not All Dents Are Equal
The shape of a dent determines whether PDR is appropriate — and understanding this is the difference between a repair that's invisible and one that makes things worse.
Round Dents
Ideal for PDR
Classic car park door dings and hail damage. The metal deforms in a smooth curve with no sharp edges, giving the PDR technician clean access to massage it back. Paint is almost always intact.
Creases
Depends on severity
A linear dent along a panel. Shallow creases away from body lines are often PDR-suitable. Deep creases or those sitting on a character line are harder — the metal has been stressed along its stiffest axis.
Sharp Dents
Traditional repair likely
Dents with a sharp point — from a bollard, tow bar, or corner impact. The metal is often stretched at the impact point, and the paint is frequently cracked. PDR can't reverse stretched metal.
PDR was developed in the 1980s by Mercedes-Benz technicians looking for a way to remove minor dents from new vehicles without repainting them. The technique has evolved significantly since then and is now the preferred repair method for suitable dents across the automotive industry.
The critical requirement for PDR is that the paint surface must be intact. Modern vehicle paint is flexible enough to move with the metal during the repair process — but only if it hasn't already cracked or chipped. If the paint has been compromised, the repair requires a different approach regardless of how the underlying metal is addressed.
PDR is significantly faster than traditional repair. Most car park dents can be repaired in one to three hours. There's no drying time for filler or paint, no risk of colour mismatch, and no compromise to the vehicle's original factory finish. For insurance purposes, a PDR repair that preserves the original paint is often preferable to a repaint.
How the PDR Process Works
Four steps. No guesswork. A fixed price before we start.
Assessment
We examine the dent under specialist lighting to map its exact shape, identify any paint stress, and confirm PDR suitability. This takes 5–10 minutes and is free.
Access
We access the back of the panel through existing gaps, door jambs, or by carefully removing interior trim. No drilling, no cutting.
Massage
Using PDR rods and picks, we apply precise pressure from behind the dent — working gradually from the outside edge inward until the panel returns to its original contour.
Finish
The panel is inspected under the same specialist lighting used at the start. If there's any imperfection, we work it further before signing off. No paint, no filler, no compromise.
Dent Repair Pricing
Every dent is assessed individually. Fixed price before we start — no surprises.
PDR — Paintless Dent Repair
For round dents and shallow creases with intact paint. No filler, no repainting, factory finish preserved.
- Car park door dings
- Hail damage
- Minor creases with intact paint
- Dents away from panel edges
Repair time: 1–3 hours. Same-day appointments often available.
Traditional Repair
For dents with cracked paint, sharp body line dents, or stretched metal. Filler, primer, colour coat, and blending.
- Dents with cracked or chipped paint
- Sharp creases on body lines
- Dents on panel edges or corners
- Large dents with stretched metal
We'll tell you which approach your dent needs before we quote.
When to Get That Dent Sorted
Dents don't get cheaper to repair with time. Here's why acting sooner makes financial sense.
Paint is still intact
Act nowPDR is only possible while the paint is undamaged. Every week the dent sits exposed to UV and temperature changes increases the risk of paint stress developing around the edges.
Hail season damage
Book soonMultiple small hail dents are the ideal PDR scenario — but repair shops fill up fast after a hail event. Waiting means longer lead times and potentially higher prices.
Pre-sale or part-exchange
Before valuationA dent can reduce a car's trade-in value by £200–£500 depending on its location. A PDR repair costing £150 can recover three times that in resale value.
Lease return approaching
Before inspectionLease companies charge for dents at return. Their rates are typically higher than independent repair costs. Getting dents sorted beforehand almost always saves money.
The Most Expensive Mistake We See
Attempting DIY dent repair with a suction cup or glue puller on a dent that needs PDR. These tools can work on very minor, round dents — but on anything more complex, they stretch the metal further or leave a ring mark around the dent. The subsequent professional repair becomes harder and more expensive because the metal has been disturbed. If you're unsure, bring it in for a free assessment before trying anything yourself.
Why Customers Choose IQ Tyres for Dent Repair
We're a garage, not a bodywork chain. That means honest assessments, fair prices, and no pressure.
Honest Assessment First
We assess every dent under specialist lighting before recommending anything. If PDR isn't right for your dent, we'll tell you — and explain exactly why.
Fixed Price, No Surprises
You get a fixed price before we start. Not an estimate. Not a range. A number. If anything unexpected comes up during the repair, we tell you before proceeding.
Factory Finish Preserved
A successful PDR repair preserves your vehicle's original factory paint — which matters for resale value, insurance claims, and manufacturer warranty considerations.
Ready to Get That Dent Sorted?
Bring your vehicle to IQ Tyres in Mitcham. We'll assess the dent, tell you whether PDR is appropriate, and give you a fixed price — in under 10 minutes. We're easy to reach from Croydon, Wimbledon, Tooting, and Streatham.
IQ Tyres · Mitcham, South London · Mon–Sat 8am–6pm