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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: $100.00 Car Detailing
Posted by: Travis Kitchen in Hillsboro, OR.Purchased: October, 2007
Car Make: BuickCar Model: Century
very clean after detailing, engine felt and looked better, car ran better and it looked good.
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Amount: $200.00 how much
Posted by: felipe in clifton, NJ.Purchased: 2001
Car Make: toyotaCar Model: camrry
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Amount: $160.00 car detail
Posted by: danica flores in orange, CA.Purchased: September, 2001
Car Make: lexusCar Model: es 300
On the phone the guy told me 49.99 for a detail then when i GOT THERE IT WAS 160.00!That includes carpet shampoo and some wax machine thing...but how do I know if they actually used the machine?I have not picked it up yet-
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Amount: $35.00 Door to Door Detailing extravaganza
Posted by: Brendon White in hinesville, GA.Purchased: January, 2001
Car Make: mercedes benzCar Model: benz
exceptional detail service with at home convenience it took 20 minutes. complete hand wash, and wax, carpet shampoo, window cleaning, and tires shined. If you are in the area look for Door to Door Detailing it will be worth time plus great incentive offers and contracts
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Amount: $135.00 B's mobile detailing
Posted by: Trevor Pintost in St. George, UT.Purchased: May, 2009
Car Make: ToyotaCar Model: Avalon
Very knowledgeable and informative. Vacuumed, shined interior, conditioned leather & washed exterior. Polished wheels and shined tires. Used a polymer paint sealant. Turned out great, and definitely can see a huge difference before and after.
Will do it again before winter comes. I'm sure I'll have him by to clean it regularly.
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Amount: $125.00 expertise @ car detailing
Posted by: Rick Johnson in West Palm Beach, FL.Purchased: May, 2009
Car Make: chevyCar Model: silverado
I had gotten an on call, on site car detail from Anointed Hand Detailing of West Palm Beach , after the carpet to carpet detail cleaning , i was flabergasted @ how much newer my car looked. The receptionist was nice as can be. Experiences like that ,makes a person not mind paying high price for service well done.
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Amount: $85.00 Eco Wash Mobile Detailing
Posted by: Saidy in Stanton, CA.Purchased: July, 2009
Car Make: FordCar Model: Expedition
Very well priced and Good results!!
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Amount: $100.00 anointed hands car detailing
Posted by: D. Timms in west palm beach, FL.Purchased: July, 2006
Car Make: buickCar Model: park avenue
My car looked exceptional after i had gotten it deatiled by Anointed Hands car detailing. The job was done efficiently and did not lack quality! The attention to detail was extrodinary and they really went above and beyond, quality and detail are most important to me and for that they will always have me as a customer.
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Amount: $100.00 Jay's Bubble Bath
Posted by: a user in Southington, CT.Purchased: July, 2009
Hi i got my car detailed by jay and was very pleased with his work well priced and my car lookes new again and did not lack quality he really went above and beyond for the price i will bring it back grate work
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Amount: $129.00 Keeler Honda
Posted by: BobM-NY in Lathem, NY.Purchased: June, 2005
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Accord
Exterior Wash/Wax, wheel and tire cleaning. inside looked amazing.
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Amount: $1,000.00 paint
Posted by: a user in homestead, FL.Purchased: October, 2009
Car Make: dodgeCar Model: 2002
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Amount: $300.00 My auto detail experience
Posted by: Charles Davis in Pine Bluff, AR.Purchased: October, 2009
Car Make: 2007Car Model: GMC Sierra
I owned a 2007 GMC Sierra. Pretty much a farm truck that has scratches everywhere you look and the inerior was very very dirty!!! Sand buildup in the carpet and red dust in every crack and crevice. But after I took my truck to Reflections Auto Detail-2607 So. Magnolia at Pine Bluff,Arkansas. My truck looked Great inside and out. This guy actually took the carpet out of my truck to clean it. He even brightened up my rusted tailpipe. The price was well worth what he did to make my very used truck a sellable vehicle and a pleasure to drive....
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Amount: $75.00 BARONNIS MOBILE AUTO DETAING
Posted by: john hemming,indian river ,fl in sebastian, FL.Purchased: December, 2009
Car Make: mercedesCar Model: c320
very well priced for my budget and excellent job
i have a 1988 lincoln mark 7 and a 2008 mercedes
and had them both full detailed by baronnis mobile detailing very convenient no waiting at a shopor stuck without either cars . their number is 772 913 1590
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Amount: $149.99 Car wash/Auto Detailing
Posted by: A & M RECON in Orange Park, FL.Purchased: December, 2009
Car Make: 2003Car Model: Chevy Aztec
I am VERY impressed by the professionalism of the crew at A & M Reconditioning! If you are looking to get your car detailed and live in the Jacksonville, FL area, do yourself a favor try the best detailing service we have ever used. The guys came to my work (Kmart, Orange Park) and completely reconditioned my SUV to showroom new condition right in the parking lot, while I was working. They showed up at 9am as promised and were completely finished by 11:30. If you had seen my car before they started and then the finished product, you would NOT believe it was the same vehicle. I purchased my SUV new in 2003 and never have the time to clean it on a regular basis and I have 3 children that have spilled ice cream and food as well as left crayons on the cloth seats and melted. Sean, Crew leader, and his crew steamed cleaned my interior and it looks as good as the day I purchased it 6 years ago. They also sold me a service contract to come out every week and keep it looking new for ONLY $99 per month. The outside also looks a new as the day I drove it home from the car dealership. They even made the engine clean enough to eat off of. OMG! I am so very pleased, and just want to spread the word of how gifted A & M Recon detailing service is.
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Amount: $79.00 car wash/auto detailing
Posted by: a user in anchorage, AK.Purchased: December, 2009
Car Make: nissanCar Model: murano
jts auto spa on 33rd and denali has the best prices in anchorage.they did a complete exterior wash and interior detail of my suv for 79.00.
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Amount: $79.00 LISENO'S DETAILING SERVICE
Posted by: loving my car in SOUTH DAYTONA, FL.Purchased: January, 2010
Car Make: 2009 DODGECar Model: AVENGER
THE OWNER OF THIS COMPANY IS A GREAT GUY WHO REALLY KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING HE TOOK ME THROUGH ALL THE STEPS OF THE DETAIL I WAS GETTING AND THE PRICES ARE GREAT FOR $79 I GOT A WASH WAX BUFF ALL RUBBER WAS DRESSED UP AND THE WHOLE INTERIOR WAS CLEANED MY CAR LOOKED NEW AGAIN HIS NUMBER IS 3867605301/CLISENO@GMAIL.COM
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Amount: $50.00 Auto Detailing
Posted by: Jonreene in Panama City Beach, FL, FL.Purchased: October, 2009
Car Make: 2008Car Model: Mercedes
Professional Detail 850-527-9853

Car was inside and out with particular attention given to the hard to reach areas. The glass, inside the doors, the carpet and paint looked amazing. Well worth the cost and best of all, he came to my condo to clean my car. Thanks David
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Amount: $300.00 auto detailing
Posted by: cory in silsbee, TX.Purchased: September, 2009
Car Make: hondaCar Model: accord
I had Jason's Car Wash & Detail here in silsbee clean my car. He did everyting top to bottom. Washed ,waxed, all the interior with shampoo and detailed the motor. He was very professional and did an awesome job. Was very well priced, the best customer service I have ever recieved.
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