Rust on a car can be a frustrating and costly problem, but the good news is that small rust spots can often be repaired relatively inexpensively. The cost to fix rust on a car depends on the size and severity of the damage, but for minor rust repairs, you can expect to pay anywhere from $60 to $150 per spot.
Minor Rust Repairs
Minor rust damage is typically defined as an affected area that’s less than two inches in diameter without perforation of the metal. In these situations, a DIY repair using a rust treatment kit from an auto supply shop is usually all that’s needed. These kits typically cost around $30 and contain solutions to remove the rust, clean the affected area, and seal the spot to prevent the return of rust.
If you prefer to have a professional handle the repair, an autobody technician would charge around $50 to $100 for the same work. However, if the repair involves repainting, expect to pay more for supplies or autobody shop work costs.
Moderate Rust Repairs
A larger rust-affected area that’s six to twelve inches in diameter is considered a moderate repair. This may also involve multiple more minor spots. Additionally, moderate rust repairs may involve deeper surface penetration but without perforation. In these cases, the rust repair kit should still be an adequate solution for DIY work.
Depending on the corrosion depth on an exterior body panel, you may need to use a filling compound (like Bondo) to flush the treatment area with the adjacent surface. Not including paintwork, expect an autobody shop to charge $200 to $300 for a moderate rust repair. A small can of Bondo will run $10 to $20.