When you hear cost to detail car, the total price for professional cleaning, protection, and restoration of a vehicle’s exterior and interior surfaces. Also known as car detailing, it’s not just a wash—it’s a full revival of your car’s appearance. But here’s the thing: not all detailing is the same. A basic clean might cost you £80, while a full paint correction and interior overhaul can hit £500 or more. The difference? It’s not magic. It’s time, skill, and the right products.
Most people don’t realize that car interior detailing, the deep cleaning and protection of a vehicle’s cabin, including seats, dash, carpets, and trim is often where the real value hides. A dirty dashboard or stained fabric doesn’t just look bad—it can degrade faster. And if you’ve got leather, suede, or carbon fiber? That’s a whole different ballgame. You can’t just spray and wipe. You need specific cleaners, conditioners, and techniques to avoid cracking, fading, or streaking. That’s why pros charge more for interior work—it’s labor-intensive and mistakes are expensive to fix.
Then there’s paint correction, the process of removing swirls, scratches, and oxidation from a car’s clear coat using machine polishing. This isn’t waxing. This is surgery for your paint. It can take 8 to 16 hours on a single car, and it’s the main reason why high-end detailing costs so much. A $200 detail might give you a shiny surface. A $400 detail might give you a mirror finish that lasts two years. One hides flaws. The other removes them.
And let’s not forget the hidden costs. Some shops upsell sealants, ceramic coatings, or odor treatments. Others charge extra for SUVs, trucks, or cars with matte finishes. A black SUV with a matte wrap? That’s going to cost more than a silver hatchback. Why? Because it’s harder to clean, easier to scratch, and takes longer to get right. You’re paying for expertise, not just time.
What you’ll find below aren’t generic price lists. These are real stories from people who’ve been there—those who spent too much on a detail that didn’t last, those who saved money by doing it right at home, and those who learned the hard way that not every "professional" knows what they’re doing. We’ve got posts on what damages carbon fiber spoilers, why Armor All can hurt your dash, and how to avoid paint damage from bad detailing. You’ll see exactly what goes into a proper clean, what’s worth the money, and what’s pure marketing.
Detailing your car yourself saves hundreds each year compared to professional services. Learn the real costs, essential tools, and simple steps to get showroom results without the markup.