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CostHelper.com > Cars  > Detailing a Car

Detailing a Car Cost

How Much Does Detailing a Car Cost?

low costMedium: $58-$89
low costHigh: $147-$188+

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Auto detailing services are typically offered at car washes, specialty stores and auto body repair shops. Car washes generally offer lower-cost detailing for the average consumer. Businesses that specialize in auto detailing will usually target car owners who are selling a vehicle, car enthusiasts or luxury vehicle owners, and fleet or government contracts. Auto body repair shops offer post-repair auto detailing services. According to Consumers' Checkbook, more mobile operators are going to customers' homes or businesses with a truck, trailer and mounted water tank.
 
Typical costs:
  • Fees for auto detailing run an average of $58 for a basic package for passenger cars to $89 for larger vehicles such as SUVs and mini-vans. Upgraded packages run an average of $147 for passenger cars to $188 for larger vehicles.
  • Prices will vary not only by size of vehicle, but also by geographical location, interior style and type of services selected. Packages will usually offer the best prices, but most businesses offer a la carte services as well.
What should be included:
  • A basic detailing package should include a touchless or hand wash, wax, tire cleaning, vacuuming of the interior, and wipe-down or polish of all interior surfaces, including the dashboard, windows, mirrors and trim.
Additional costs:
  • Superior wax: $58 for regular vehicles; $89 for larger vehicles
  • Interior detailing (steam cleaning or hot water extraction for fabric, protectant for vinyl, carpet shampoo): $83 for regular vehicles; $128 for larger vehicles
  • Leather upholstery cleaning: $47 for regular vehicles; $75 for larger vehicles
  • Dent removal: $80
  • Vintage or classic cars, boats, motorcycles, RVs, motor homes and trailers may all incur additional charges.
  • Some businesses charge extra for white wall tires, or engine cleaning.
Discounts:
  • Many auto detailing businesses offer discounts for pre-paid services. Discounts are given in the form of dollar amounts (usually $5 - $50) or percentages (anywhere from 5% to 50%). Similar discounts are often available for multi-vehicle customers. Most offers for discounts on auto detailing services can be found through the individual company websites, ads in the yellow pages, local newspapers and mailers.
  • Local coupon sources such as Entertainment and ValPak may offer discounts specific to your area.
Shopping for detailing a car:
  • Check for recommendations and customer reviews on subscriber websites like Angie's List or free websites such as CitySearch and Yelp.
  • Consumers' Checkbook recommends asking to see a shop's liability insurance policy, to ensure it can cover repair costs to your vehicle in case it is damaged while the detailing work is done.
  • As with most businesses, it's a good idea to see whether a particular company has a history of consumer complaints with the Better Business Bureau.
Article updated March 2007
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Recent Posts
Amount: $75.00 Duncans Auto Detailing
Posted by: shawn duncan in corydon, IN.Purchased: 2009
Car Make: 2006 dodge ramCar Model: 2006
this was a great little company , outside of corydon ind.
This guy did a great job on my truck ,I was a us marine and i have my ocd's , this guys the real deal folks ! 502-939-3486
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Amount: $65.00 avesdetailing
Posted by: a user in palatine, IN.Purchased: March, 2010
Car Make: 2005 mustangCar Model: 2005
the kid is grate he really knows hos stuff too!
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Amount: $125.00 Car Detail
Posted by: Ramon Goldberg in Cathedral City, CA.Purchased: March, 2010
Car Make: MercedesCar Model: C320
Had my car detailed @ Top Dog Detailing in Cathedral City CA. They did a wonderful job at a very good price. would recommend to anyone in the valley. They cleaned my carpet, left interioe sparkling and the paint looked new. Made me feel like I was driving a new car.
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Amount: $130.00 showroom shine mobile detailing co.
Posted by: joey davis in eustis, FL.Purchased: April, 2010
Car Make: 04 silveradoCar Model:
Purchased highest detail at great price! Clay barred, polished, and waxed. Cleaned and shined engine, cleaned underbody as well. Deep cleaned interior, shampooed all carpet and upholstery. Treated all vinyl and leather. This vehicle went back in time! Highly recommend. Call Charlie @ 352 434 9735
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Amount: $300.00 cars
Posted by: jv in corona, CA.Purchased: 2009
Car Make: nissanCar Model: quest
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Amount: $55.00 car detailing
Posted by: Trina in jackson, MS.Purchased: February, 2009
Car Make: 95 AudiCar Model: 100 quattro
Very nice job by Done right mobile carwash totally remarried my car
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Amount: $145.00 Car touch up with detail
Posted by: happy with my toyota in rochester, MN.Purchased: April, 2010
Car Make: toyotaCar Model: Tundra
After the $1,690 estimate I received for a couple minor scratches on the box of my truck I was about to turn in a claim and with a $500 deductable i thought to ask around. I had seen a van that had cosmetic repair and detail lettered in the back and The Rejuvenater 507-206-9065. I called the rejuvenater and the very same day he had fixed my truck for a tenth of what body shop estimate and most important less then my deductable. It was a great experience he was able to mix my paint right on the spot and the total repair took less then 2 hours! Not two days like the body shop wanted my truck for.
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Amount: $130.00 auto detail
Posted by: Mr. Bishop in Honesdale, PA.Purchased: April, 2010
Car Make: dodgeCar Model: ram excab 4x4
I took my truck to have it detailed to a local garage, thinking it was going to cost me $150.-$250.00 for the job that was done, boy was wrong it only cost me $130.00, my truck looks brandnew, they did the eng.,floors, seats,tires,you name it it was done, THKS Maple City Auto Detail....
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Amount: $200.00 Rebel Detailing
Posted by: kim harvest in Chesapeake, VA.Purchased: 2007
Car Make: chevyCar Model: Tahoe
Rebel detailing did an awsome job on my tahoe, the did the complte works or as they call it "a full pack" witch included a wash, hole car buff, wax, vacume and shampoo. the even spayed air freshener that lasted for over 2 months and still going strong. ANd they have a military dicount. only down side is theres no waiting room to wait in while they r cleaning your call. butif you the chesapeake area, then you know 200 bucks dont get you far, but they are well worth themoney.
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Amount: $225.00 Auto Detail Pro's
Posted by: Martin Waters in Lakeville, MA.Purchased: April, 2010
Car Make: CadillacCar Model: Escalade
These guys detailed my SUV to the 9's. They washed, waxed, completely detailed the interior, shampooed the carpets and treated my leather, rims, and tires. I'll be going back in the fall. Friendly, great service. Highly recomend if your in the south of Boston Ma. Lakeville\Middleborough area give them a call 1-508-265-5785.
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Amount: $40.00 Johnson's Touch Detailing
Posted by: Jason Hampton in New Haven, CT.Purchased: February, 2010
Car Make: Honda AccordCar Model: 1995
Mr. Johnson came and washed and waxed my car completely and to perfection! The price was for a basic wash and waxin. I was very pleased with the way the car looked and he even did the interior for free as a bonus! I was very shocked because I usually get m car waxed at a detailing shop or even when I clean it myself, it looked pretty clean to me....the results were uncomparable!
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Amount: $85.00 Precision 727-557-8509
Posted by: J Smith in Clearwater, FL.Purchased: April, 2010
Car Make: FordCar Model: Expedition
Henry came out and did a fantastic full detail on my SUV. I would recommend him and his team to anyone! Made my truck look more like a 2008!
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Amount: $0.00 Cost of Detailing
Posted by: Budget in anywhere, KS.Purchased: January, 2010
Car Make: anyCar Model: Any
As a Professional Detailer, the prices in this article are not even close to depicting real pricing. And the content of the packages do not reflect true pricing. If you want your car washed the prices are close but if you want it detailed the pricing is not correct. Detailing is much more involved than just washing and waxing and cleaning. It is a profession utilizing professional skills to attain an as close to new look of the vehicle. I do believe the writers need to reassess the value of Automotive Detailing. This article leads the consumer to believe the cost of detailing is much cheaper than it really is.
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Amount: $250.00 Great Detail
Posted by: Ryan J in Wheat Ridge, CO.Purchased: May, 2010
Car Make: 2004Car Model: Ford Excersion
Took my SUV to D&T Ultimate Auto Detail in Wheat Ridge Colorado. They did such a great job I decided to keep it alittle longer.
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Amount: $2,700.00 Finer Finish
Posted by: snakemaneee in Richmond, VA.Purchased: May, 2010
Car Make: DodgeCar Model: Viper
All defects were removed from my paint leaving it flawless. After 45 hours of treatment I have never seen such a perfect finish. The results couldn't be duplicated with a 15k repaint.
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Amount: $120.00 Detailing
Posted by: Langtimm in knoxville, TN.Purchased: 2010
Car Make: LexusCar Model: 320
With the quality I recieved from the professional car detailing crew of the business known as MADE in Knoxville I will never look to get my car cleaned by any major company again. My car looked absolutly fantastic within 1 and 1/2 hours it took them to perfect a detail. I have had my vehicles detailed at Lexus and the Toyota dealerships around town on a regular basis which takes all day. But what I have learned is that a good detailer will make all the difference in timing and have your vehicle back to you within a short period of time. If around the Knoxville, TN area get in contact with MADE and see the difference of quality and excellance.
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Amount: $185.00 auto detailing
Posted by: linda thomas in norco, CA.Purchased: January, 2009
Car Make: cadillacCar Model: cts
I got my car detailed by artsons mobile detailing that guy is good, a couple of my buddys at work refered me to him ive tried diffrent detailers in norco but none as good as art, hes done our horse trailer, motorhome, and our 22feet boat his # is 951 642 9011
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Amount: $120.00 FULL DETAIL
Posted by: AndreaM in Denver, CO.Purchased: August, 2010
Car Make: JEEPCar Model: GRAND CHEROKEE
I took my jeep to TONI's MOBILE DETAILING in Denver Luis detailed inside outside wheels, engine and shampood carpets and seats. My engine runs so smooth and my car shines like the day i bought it. I recommend Luis @ Toni's Mobile Detail for all your detailing needs 720-841-7269
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Amount: $145.00 Mobile detail
Posted by: Jesse Thomas in New Orleans, LA.Purchased: August, 2010
Car Make: ToyotaCar Model: Camry
I got a detail from nola detail based in new orleans. These guys did a great job. My paint now feels really smooth and is so shiny, it looks new again! These guys pay plenty of attention to detail. Even places I didn't think to clean, were spotless! Recommended to all!
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Amount: $195.00 Auto Detailing
Posted by: Joshua Johnson in Flemington, NJ.Purchased: August, 2010
Car Make: 2007Car Model: Honda Civic
I called Nothing But Details and Scott came out and fixed all the mistakes my last detailer made (swirls and a hologram look all over it).

He was out for 5 hours and it came out better then the day I got the car.
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