Cost

How much does it cost to wrap a car in the UK?

NBy Nic Bessent 7 min read

A full colour change wrap at Wrap Cube costs from £2,000 + VAT. Where your car lands above that depends on four things: its size and shape, how much of it is covered, the film, and how much trim comes off before fitting. Across the UK, 3M puts a typical full car wrap at £1,800 to £5,000 (3M). Partial jobs such as a roof, bonnet or chrome delete cost less, and we price them on the car.

By Nic Bessent, Managing Director, Wrap Cube. Updated 3 November 2026. We usually reply with a price the same working day.

Get a car wrap quote BMW i8 colour change wrap, fitted by Wrap Cube in Caterham

Car wrap prices at a glance

JobPriceTime in the unit
Full colour change wrapFrom £2,000 + VAT2 to 3 days, including an overnight settle
Larger cars, SUVs and performance carsAbove the from price, quoted on the car2 to 3 days
Roof, bonnet or mirrorsLess than a full wrap, quoted on the carOften the same or next day
Chrome deleteQuoted on the carUsually a day
Wrap removalQuoted on the car, depends on the film and its ageDepends on the film

Prices are for gloss or satin 3M or Avery Dennison cast film, fitted indoors at our Caterham unit. Specialist finishes cost more (see below). Every quote is itemised, so you can see exactly what you are paying for.

What it costs to wrap other vehicles

If you are pricing a business vehicle rather than a car, these are our starting prices.

JobPrice fromMore detail
Van sign writing£300 + VATVan sign writing
Partial van wrap£1,500 + VATVan wrapping prices
Full van wrap£3,000 + VATVan wrapping prices
Full coach wrap£4,000 + VATBus and coach wrapping
Full bus wrap£6,000 + VATBus and coach wrapping

How much does it cost to wrap a car by size?

A bigger car costs more to wrap because it takes more film and more fitting hours, but shape matters almost as much as size. Deep bumper vents, sharp body lines and lots of trim add hours even on a small car.

Car sizeExamplesWhat to expect
SmallFiat 500, VW Polo, MiniClosest to our £2,000 + VAT from price
MediumVW Golf, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Tesla Model 3A step up, for the extra film and fitting time
Large and SUVRange Rover, BMW X5, Tesla Model YMore again: more film, roof rails and large bumpers
Sports and performancePorsche 911, BMW i8, cars with complex aeroQuoted individually

How much does a partial car wrap cost?

A partial wrap covers only part of the car and costs less than a full colour change. The most popular partial job is a contrast roof, bonnet and mirrors, which changes the look of a car in about a day and is a low-risk way to try a wrapped finish.

  • Roof wrap. Gloss black is the usual choice for a two-tone look.
  • Bonnet wrap. Often paired with the roof and mirrors.
  • Roof, bonnet and mirrors. About a day in the unit.
  • Chrome delete. Blacks out the grille, window surrounds, trim and badges, usually in a day. See chrome delete.

We price partial jobs on the car, because a roof on a Fiat 500 and a roof on a Range Rover are very different amounts of film.

Does the finish change the price of a car wrap?

Yes. Gloss and satin are the standard price. Matte, metallic, pearl and colour-flip films cost more per metre, and chrome costs the most. Our colour change wraps page compares the finishes.

FinishPriceWorth knowing
GlossStandardClosest to paint, easiest to clean, usually lasts longest
SatinStandardA soft sheen that suits most cars
MatteCosts moreShows fingerprints and bird droppings, and cannot be polished
Metallic, pearl, colour-flipCosts moreWe put a physical swatch on your panel before you commit
ChromeCosts the mostMirror chrome causes glare, so we recommend it for accents only

What should a car wrap price include?

A proper full colour change price includes far more than the film. Ours covers each of these, and they are the items most often missing from a cheap quote.

  1. {01}Paint check. Repaired or resprayed panels are tested first, because film can lift weak paint when it is removed.
  2. {02}Preparation. Safe wash, chemical decontamination and clay where needed.
  3. {03}Trim removal. Badges, handles, lights and trim are removed and refitted where agreed, rather than wrapped around.
  4. {04}Door shuts and edges. Film is tucked around bonnet and boot edges, and your quote says which door shuts are wrapped, so you know whether the old colour will show when a door opens.
  5. {05}Fitting indoors. Each panel is wrapped in our temperature-controlled unit and post-heated so the film holds its shape.
  6. {06}Overnight settle and second-day check. Minor lifting is caught before you collect, not a week later.
  7. {07}Written aftercare and the film warranty. As a 3M Select Gold Partner, our fitted wraps carry the manufacturer's warranty.
Wrap Cube fitter working 3M film into a panel edge in the Caterham unit

Why are some car wrap quotes so much cheaper?

A quote at half the going rate is usually cheaper because it leaves things out. 3M's own guide says a budget of £1,000 to £1,500 is usually achieved by leaving out door handles, mirrors and even the bumpers and sills, and that durability is limited at that price (3M). The other common savings are calendered film on curves it was not made for, film trimmed in place with a blade that leaves cuts in the lacquer, and trims forced off and refitted badly.

Ask every wrapper these questions, and compare the answers rather than the totals:

  • Which film, by brand and series? (For example 3M 2080 or Avery Dennison Supreme Wrapping Film.) Our Avery Dennison vs 3M guide explains the difference.
  • Are door shuts included, and which panels are not covered?
  • Are handles, badges and lights removed, or wrapped around?
  • Is it fitted indoors, and does the car stay overnight?
  • Is the fitter approved by the film manufacturer, so the warranty applies?
  • Does the price include VAT?
Get a car wrap quote

Is it cheaper to wrap or respray a car?

A wrap is usually cheaper than a quality respray, and it is reversible: the original paint underneath stays protected and can be revealed again before you sell. A respray is permanent. If your paint is already failing, with peeling lacquer or rust, a respray is the better choice, because film cannot hide or fix failing paint and we will tell you so before quoting.

How long does it take to wrap a car?

A full colour change takes two to three days in our unit, including a night for the film to settle and a second-day inspection. A roof, bonnet or chrome delete is often finished the same or next day. Our guide on how long it takes to wrap a vehicle explains why a car stays overnight.

How long does a car wrap last?

A full colour change on cast film, fitted indoors and hand washed, typically lasts three to five years. Gloss and satin usually outlast matte. Outdoor parking, high mileage and brush car washes shorten that life, so the cost per year depends partly on how the car is kept. Our wrap maintenance guide covers the washing rules.

Other costs to budget for

  • Removal. A quality cast wrap comes off cleanly with heat. We price removal on the car, because it depends on the film and its age. See wrap removal.
  • Insurance. Tell your insurer before the work is done, because a wrap is a modification. Many add nothing for a colour change, but some charge extra. See vehicle wrap insurance.
  • DVLA. If the wrap changes the main colour, update the colour on your V5C. There is no fee (GOV.UK). Partial wraps and chrome delete usually do not change the recorded colour.
  • Leased cars. Most leasing companies allow wraps with permission. Budget for professional removal before the car goes back. Our leased vehicle guide covers the rules.
  • Paint repairs. If a resprayed or damaged panel fails our paint check, it needs repairing before it can be wrapped. See do vehicle wraps damage paint?.

“We honestly couldn't find a better partner when it comes to vehicle wrapping and signage.”

— James, Shred & Butta

Tell us the car, the finish you have in mind and how much you want covered. One of the team will come back with an itemised price, usually the same working day. You can also call 020 8944 6360. The unit is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

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Before you book

Questions this guide gets asked

How much does it cost to wrap a car matte black?
How much does it cost to wrap an SUV?
How much does it cost to remove a car wrap?
Does wrapping a car increase your insurance?
Does a car wrap damage the paint?
Are car wrap prices quoted with VAT?
Still got a question?

Ask the people who fit the film

If the answer isn’t here, ring the unit or send us the details through the form. A straight reply, usually the same working day.

Get a free quote Call 020 8944 6360