Last updated: September 7, 2026
Car welding costs in the UK typically start around £125–£200 for a small rust patch and rise to £500–£1,000 for many chassis repairs. Sill and floor-pan work usually falls between those figures, while extensive structural restoration can cost much more. This guide explains current planning prices, repair times, MOT rules, mobile-welding charges, and what can increase your final quote.
Car welding in the UK typically costs about £125–£200 for a small rust patch, £200–£500 for one sill, £300–£600 for a floor-pan repair, and £500–£1,000 for a chassis repair. Mobile call-outs are commonly benchmarked at about £200, or £300 for urgent work, often covering 2–3 hours.
Key takeaways
- Current UK planning ranges are about £125–£200 for a small patch, £200–£500 for one sill, £300–£600 for a floor pan, and £500–£1,000 for many chassis repairs.
- Full structural restoration can go well beyond £1,000, so visible rust alone is not enough to predict the final bill.
- Mobile welding commonly carries a minimum call-out charge; a published UK benchmark is about £200 for a standard visit and £300 for urgent or out-of-hours work, usually covering 2–3 hours.
- For MOT-related corrosion, the repair method, location of the rust, remaining sound metal, and proximity to safety-related mountings all matter.
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How Much Does Car Welding Cost in the UK?
For budgeting in September 2026, the most useful approach is to compare the type of repair rather than rely on one national average. MyBuilder’s UK welding cost guide, updated in August 2026, gives the following automotive ranges:
| Repair | Typical planning range | What the range means |
|---|---|---|
| Small hole or rust patch | £125–£200 | Localised repair where corrosion can be cut back to sound metal without major strip-down |
| Sill repair, one side | £200–£500 | Price depends on how much of the sill is affected and whether corrosion extends beyond the visible area |
| Floor-pan repair | £300–£600 | Access, interior removal, fabrication, and the size of the corroded section can affect labour |
| Chassis repair | £500–£1,000 | Applies to many defined repairs; broader or more involved chassis work may be quoted higher after inspection |
| Full structural restoration | £1,500–£5,000+ | Extensive multi-area corrosion or restoration work needs an individual inspection and quote |
These are planning figures, not guaranteed garage prices. Rust often extends farther than the visible blister or hole, so a welder may need to revise the quote after cutting back damaged metal. Ask what will happen if additional corrosion is found before authorising the work.
What Is Welding?
Automotive welding joins metal at a repair joint so the finished section can regain the required strength. MIG and TIG are both arc-welding processes. MIG is widely used for automotive steel and body repair because it is relatively fast, while TIG provides greater control for precise work and specialist materials.
On cars, welding may be needed on sills, floor pans, chassis rails, structural mounting areas, exhaust components, and body panels. The correct process depends on the metal, thickness, vehicle construction, repair location, and manufacturer repair requirements.
For rust repairs, the important step is not simply covering the damaged area. Corroded metal must be assessed so the repair can extend into sound material, especially where the section is structural.
How Long Does Car Welding Take?
A small patch or crack repair commonly takes around 1–2 hours once the area is accessible. Sill or floor-pan work may take roughly 2–5 hours for many defined repairs, but extensive corrosion can require substantially more workshop time.
The torch time is only part of the job. The welder may also need to inspect the rust, remove trim or covers, cut back damaged metal, shape a repair section, clean the joint, weld it, grind or finish the repair, refit removed parts, and apply corrosion protection.
Ask the garage whether its quoted turnaround includes preparation, fabrication, finishing and refitting rather than only the welding itself. Current UK welding time and pricing guidance also notes that access and job type materially affect duration.
How Much Does Mobile Car Welding Cost?
Checkatrade’s published welding benchmark lists about £200 as a standard mobile minimum call-out and about £300 for urgent or out-of-hours work. These minimums generally cover around 2–3 hours, with extra time charged separately.
Treat those numbers as a benchmark rather than a guaranteed vehicle quote. Travel distance, parking, urgency, access and the repair itself can change the price.
A mobile welder can be useful when the vehicle cannot easily be moved, but some underside or structural repairs are easier in a workshop with a ramp and better access. Ask whether the repair can be completed safely at your location before choosing mobile service only on convenience.
How Much Does MOT Welding Cost?
For MOT-related automotive welding, current UK planning figures span roughly £125 to £1,000 for many defined patch, sill, floor-pan and chassis repairs. Extensive structural restoration can exceed that range.
The important point is that an MOT failure description does not tell you the full repair cost. A small visible hole may open into a larger corroded section once the welder removes weak metal, while a larger-looking cosmetic area may not be structurally significant.
What Is the MOT 30 cm Prescribed-Area Rule?
The DVSA MOT manual gives special attention to load-bearing or supporting structure within 30 cm of certain safety-related mounting locations, including mountings connected with brakes, steering, suspension and other testable items. Corrosion in these areas can become an MOT failure when the metal is perforated, no longer firm, or the structure has been inadequately repaired.
For structural repairs, the DVSA says suitable material must be used and the repair must extend to sound load-bearing metal. Spot-welded repair is acceptable in specific cases where the original panel was spot welded and the original panel or section has been removed. In other patch-repair circumstances, continuous seam welding is normally required. Manufacturer-recommended repair methods can also be acceptable where the completed repair is not clearly inadequate. See the DVSA structural-integrity and corrosion guidance.
What Affects Car Welding Cost?
Repair Complexity
The amount of metal that must be cut away, the structural importance of the area, fabrication work, finishing, and hidden corrosion all affect the bill. A quote based only on photographs may change after the garage exposes the full damaged section.
Location and Accessibility
Welding becomes more labour-intensive when trim, interior parts, shields or other components must be removed before the repair area can be reached. Instead of relying on a fixed accessibility surcharge, compare what each quote actually includes.
| Repair area | Why the quote can change | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Sills | Visible outer-sill rust may extend into adjoining or inner sections | Whether the quote covers a local patch or broader sill repair |
| Floor pans | Interior or underbody access may be needed before sound metal is exposed | Whether removal and refitting are included |
| Chassis rails or crossmembers | Structural importance and corrosion depth can increase inspection and fabrication work | Exactly which section will be repaired or replaced |
| Seat-belt or suspension mounting areas | MOT structural requirements make repair quality and surrounding sound metal especially important | Whether the proposed repair meets the applicable vehicle and MOT requirements |
| Wheel arches or body panels | Some corrosion is mainly cosmetic while other damage reaches adjoining structural metal | Whether metal repair, finishing and paint are all included |
Type of Welding
MIG is commonly used for automotive repair and is generally faster than TIG. TIG gives the welder more control and may be selected for precision work or materials such as aluminium. Current general UK welding guides place MIG around £60–£120 per hour and TIG around £70–£150 per hour, but many automotive repairs are quoted as a complete job rather than simply multiplying an hourly rate.
- Do not choose a repair method only because one process has a lower hourly rate.
- The vehicle material, joint design, metal thickness and repair requirements should determine the process.
- Ask for a total repair quote that separates optional finishing from work required to restore the damaged metal.
For MOT-related structural areas, follow the DVSA repair requirements and any applicable manufacturer repair instructions rather than assuming every damaged section can be repaired with the same technique.
What Should a Car Welding Quote Include?
A clear quote should tell you what work the garage intends to perform and which costs could change after the rust is exposed. Before approving the repair, ask about:
- the exact sill, floor, chassis or body section being repaired;
- whether the price includes cutting back corrosion and fabricating replacement metal;
- whether trim, seats, shields or other parts must be removed and refitted;
- whether grinding, primer, seam sealer, paint or underbody corrosion protection are included;
- whether VAT is included in the figure you were given;
- whether an MOT retest is included, where relevant; and
- how the garage will contact you if hidden corrosion makes the original quote impossible to complete.
Comparing the same scope across two or three written quotes is more useful than choosing the lowest headline number.
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When Is Car Welding Worth It?
There is no universal price at which a rusty car should automatically be repaired or scrapped. Start with an inspection and written quote, then compare the complete repair cost with the vehicle’s value, overall mechanical condition, expected remaining use and the amount of corrosion elsewhere on the structure.
A defined sill or floor repair on an otherwise sound vehicle can be very different from a car with corrosion across several structural areas. Ask whether the proposed job is a local repair, a section replacement or the beginning of a larger restoration before committing money.
For load-bearing areas, do not accept filler or another cosmetic covering as a substitute for a structurally adequate repair. The DVSA requires structural repairs to restore appropriate strength and extend into sound material.
Common Areas Requiring Car Welding
Common rust-repair areas include sills, floor pans, chassis rails, crossmembers, seat-belt mounting areas, suspension or steering mounting areas, wheel arches and body panels.
Not every rusty area has the same MOT significance. A wheel arch with cosmetic corrosion is different from corrosion that reaches a load-bearing section or prescribed area. An inspection should establish what is structural before the repair is priced.
Why an Inspection Matters Before Quoting
Assessing Rust Severity
Surface bubbling or a small hole does not show the full depth of corrosion. The garage needs to determine where weak metal ends and sound metal begins before it can confirm the repair area.
Evaluating Accessibility Issues
An inspection also shows whether the welder can reach the damaged section directly or whether surrounding components need to be removed. This is one reason photographs can help with an initial estimate but may not produce a final fixed price.
| Inspection question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| How far does the corrosion extend? | More damaged metal means more cutting, fabrication and welding |
| Is the area structural or within an MOT prescribed area? | The location affects the required repair standard and safety significance |
| What must be removed for access? | Strip-down and refitting add labour time |
| Is a repair section available? | Custom fabrication may take longer than fitting a suitable repair section |
| What finishing is required? | Primer, sealing, paint and corrosion protection may be separate from the weld itself |
Identifying Repair Type
The inspection should confirm whether you need a small patch, a sill or floor section, chassis work, a replacement panel, or wider structural restoration. That distinction is more useful for budgeting than an hourly welding rate alone.
FAQs
How much does car welding usually cost in the UK?
For planning, expect about £125–£200 for a small rust patch, £200–£500 for one sill, £300–£600 for a floor-pan repair, and £500–£1,000 for many chassis repairs. Extensive structural restoration can cost £1,500–£5,000 or more.
How long do typical welding repairs take?
A small patch commonly takes around 1–2 hours once accessible. Many sill or floor-pan repairs take roughly 2–5 hours, while extensive corrosion can require much longer because of strip-down, fabrication, finishing and refitting.
Will welding help my car pass its MOT?
It can if the repair restores the required structural strength and meets the applicable MOT repair rules. The completed vehicle still needs to satisfy the MOT inspection, so welding itself is not an automatic guarantee of a pass.
Are mobile welders more expensive than garages?
They can be because travel, setup and call-out costs are built into the service. A common published benchmark is about £200 for a standard mobile call-out and £300 for urgent work, usually covering around 2–3 hours, but local quotes vary.
Can I do welding repairs myself?
DIY welding is possible, but structural or MOT-related repairs are unforgiving. An inadequate repair can be rejected at MOT and may weaken the vehicle, so these jobs are better handled by someone experienced in automotive structural repair.
How close to a mounting point does rust matter for an MOT?
The DVSA defines prescribed areas that include load-bearing or supporting structure within 30 cm of certain safety-related mounting locations. Corrosion in these areas receives particular attention because it can affect the strength of critical mountings.
Is it worth welding a rusty car?
It depends on the full repair quote, the vehicle’s value and condition, and whether the corrosion is localised or spread across several structural areas. Get the rust inspected before deciding because visible damage can underestimate the amount of metal that needs repair.
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Conclusion
For a straightforward UK car-welding budget, start around £125–£200 for a small patch, £200–£500 for one sill, £300–£600 for a floor pan, and £500–£1,000 for many chassis repairs. Extensive structural restoration can go much higher.
Use those figures only for early planning. Get the vehicle inspected, ask for an itemised written quote, confirm what happens if hidden rust is found, and compare the same repair scope across two or three garages before approving major structural work.
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