Car detailing prices by vehicle size
| Service | Small car | Compact / saloon | Estate / SUV | Van / transporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior cleaning | from €110 | from €130 | from €165 | from €190 |
| Exterior detailing | from €110 | from €130 | from €165 | from €190 |
| Full detail (interior & exterior) | from €210 | from €250 | from €310 | from €360 |
| + single-stage polish | from €335 | from €395 | from €495 | from €575 |
| + two-stage paint correction | from €505 | from €595 | from €745 | from €865 |
| + three-stage paint correction | from €675 | from €795 | from €995 | from €1,155 |
| + ceramic coating | from €590 | from €695 | from €870 | from €1,010 |
Typical market guide prices incl. VAT for normally soiled vehicles, as of September 2026. Heavily soiled vehicles cost around 25% more, smokers' and pet-owners' vehicles up to 55%.
Extra services and what they cost
| Extra service | Price | When is it worthwhile? |
|---|---|---|
| Seat shampooing | €80 – €140 | For stains on fabric upholstery, often from €35 per seat |
| Odour removal (ozone) | €69 – €120 | Smoker's car, mould, spoiled food |
| Pet hair removal | €40 – €90 | Dog hair in the boot and in the upholstery |
| Leather care & sealing | €45 – €220 | Care alone from €45, sealing against dye transfer from €200 |
| Headlight restoration | €60 – €130 | Yellowed lenses – important for the Hauptuntersuchung (HU, the German MOT-style vehicle inspection) |
| Engine bay cleaning | €50 – €100 | Before selling, or if there is an oil mist |
| Air-conditioning disinfection | €49 – €90 | Musty smell when you switch it on |
| Fabric protection coating | from €360 | Protects against new stains, lasts several years |
| Paint protection film (PPF) | from €1,700 | Stone-chip protection for the front or the whole vehicle |
What does car detailing really cost?
Professional vehicle detailing in Germany costs between €130 and €1,200. The range is so wide because the term covers very different services: a plain interior clean with vacuuming, plastics care and windows starts at €130. A full detail with three-stage paint correction and a ceramic coating, on the other hand, takes two to three working days – and accordingly runs into four figures.
The three price drivers
The price is determined mainly by three factors. First, the vehicle size: a van or transporter has roughly twice the interior surface of a small car, and the surcharge in practice is 40 to 50%. Second, the level of soiling: a regularly cleaned car is done in a few hours, while a smoker's car or a dog owner's car takes three times as long. Third, the condition of the paint – every additional polishing stage means a complete pass over the whole vehicle.
Single-, two- or three-stage polish?
A single-stage polish uses one combination product: it removes car-wash scratches and holograms and brings back around 50 to 70% of the gloss. That is enough for most everyday cars. The two-stage correction uses a cutting polish followed by a finishing polish – this also removes deeper scratches. The three-stage correction is a labour of love for dark paints and for cars that are to be sold or shown. Important: polishing removes clear coat, and that cannot be repeated indefinitely.
Is a ceramic coating worth it?
A ceramic coating costs roughly €590 to €1,010 as an extra and lasts two to five years, depending on the product and care. During that time it replaces waxing, makes washing much easier and protects against bird droppings and insects. On paper it pays off for cars you plan to keep for a long time and that are parked outdoors. For a leased car with a three-year term, a simple paint sealant for €200 to €340 is usually the more economical choice.
Detailing before selling: does it pay off?
As a rule, yes. A full detail for €250 to €350 typically raises the achievable price of a mid-size used car by several hundred euros – mainly because a clean interior gives the impression of a well-kept vehicle. Interior cleaning, odour removal and headlight restoration are especially effective, because those are exactly the things buyers notice at the viewing.
Do it yourself or have it done?
For interior cleaning alone, doing it yourself is definitely worthwhile: a wet-and-dry vacuum, upholstery cleaner and plastics care cost around €100 to €150 as a one-off and last for many cleans. Polishing is a different story. A decent dual-action polisher, pads and polishing compounds come to €250 to €400, and a mistake with the machine – clear coat polished through on an edge – means respraying the panel.
Frequently asked questions about car detailing
A full interior and exterior detail costs from €210 for a small car and from €360 for a van or transporter. This includes a hand wash, wheel cleaning, interior cleaning, windows and a paint sealant. Machine polishing is not included.
A plain interior or exterior detail takes 3 to 5 hours, a full detail a whole working day. With a single-stage polish it is one to two days, and with multi-stage paint correction plus a ceramic coating two to three days – the coating also needs time to cure.
Nicotine settles as a sticky film on every surface – including the headliner and the ventilation system. That calls for chemical cleaning rather than simple vacuuming, and usually an ozone treatment as well for €69 to €120. In total, expect a surcharge of about 50% compared with a normally soiled car.
Every machine polish removes clear coat – a few micrometres depending on the polishing stage. A typical clear coat layer is 40 to 50 µm thick. As a rule of thumb: a corrective polish every three to four years, with only gentle finishing polishes and sealants in between. Reputable detailers measure the paint thickness beforehand.
Professionally applied ceramic coatings last two to five years if the car is washed by hand or in a soft-cloth car wash. Brush car washes and aggressive wheel cleaners shorten the lifespan considerably. Preparation also matters: without a proper polish beforehand, you seal the scratches in.
Usually yes. The biggest effect comes from the interior, odour removal and restored headlights – exactly the things that stand out at the viewing. A full detail for €250 to €350 is therefore generally the more sensible investment than an expensive multi-stage paint correction.
