Full-body paint protection film (PPF) typically costs around £4,000 at Auto Wrap Manchester, and partial front-end coverage is cheaper because it protects only the panels that take the most stone chips. At the time of writing, every full PPF job we fit also includes a complimentary Halo ceramic coat on top.
That’s the short answer. The rest of this guide explains what you get for the money, why one PPF quote can be very different from another, and how to decide whether it’s worth it on your car. We’ve been protecting paint at our Trafford Park unit since 2014, and everything below comes from the jobs we quote and fit every week.
PPF cost in Manchester: coverage options
PPF is priced by how much of the car you cover. The more panels, the more film and the more hours, so the price steps up in stages.
| Coverage | What’s covered | Typical price (guide) |
|---|---|---|
| Front end | Bonnet, front bumper, front wings, mirrors | £1,200 |
| Track pack | Front end plus the high-impact areas along the sills, rear arches and lower doors | Quoted per vehicle |
| Full body | Every painted exterior panel, with a complimentary Halo ceramic coat currently included | Around £4,000 |
| Colour PPF (full body) | Colour change and paint protection in one film | £3,500 |
These are guide figures. A full-body job on a large SUV uses far more film than the same job on a hatchback, so we’ll always confirm an exact price once we know the car. Start on our paint protection film page or ask for a quote directly.
What drives the cost of PPF
The film brand
We fit STEK and Gyeon paint protection film. Both are thermoplastic polyurethane, self-heal on light scratches with heat, and stand up to stone chips. Premium film costs more per roll than budget alternatives, and that shows in the quote, but it’s also what makes the job last.
Vehicle size and shape
PPF is cut and fitted panel by panel, so a Range Rover Sport takes longer and uses more film than a Porsche 911. Complex bumpers, deep vents and sharp body lines all add fitting time, and time is the biggest cost in any PPF job.
How much you cover
Front-end coverage protects the panels that take the most damage on motorways and country roads. A track pack extends that to the sills and rear arches. Full body covers everything, which is why it’s the most expensive option and also the only one where the whole car is protected evenly.
Colour PPF
Colour PPF gives you a colour change and paint protection in one film. It’s a different product from clear PPF, and it’s priced differently, so it’s worth reading our colour PPF installers page before you decide which route to take.
PPF vs ceramic coating vs vinyl wrap
People often compare these three, and they do different jobs. The table gives the short version, and our full comparison of PPF, wraps and ceramic coating goes deeper.
| PPF | Ceramic coating | Vinyl wrap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stops stone chips | Yes | No | Limited (standard vinyl is roughly 70 to 100 microns, PPF is thicker) |
| Self-healing | Yes, light scratches with heat | No | No |
| Changes the colour | Only with colour PPF | No | Yes |
| Typical life | Long-term protection | 2 to 5 years before reapplication | 5 to 7+ years with care |
| Typical cost | Around £4,000 full body | Quoted per vehicle | £1,800 to £5,000 full wrap |
Ceramic coating is a liquid layer that adds gloss and makes the car hydrophobic, so it’s easier to wash, but it won’t stop a stone chip. A vinyl wrap changes the look and protects the paint underneath, but it isn’t built for impact. PPF is the only one of the three designed to take the hit. See our vehicle wraps hub if a colour change is the main goal.
Is PPF worth the money?
On a new car
This is the most common time to fit PPF, and the easiest to justify. The paint is perfect on day one, the film goes on over a flawless finish, and every chip for the next few years hits the film instead of the lacquer.
On a lease
End-of-lease inspections pick up stone chips and scratches, and the charges add up. PPF keeps the paint underneath as it was when the car was delivered, and the film can be removed before hand-back if you want to.
For resale
A car with unmarked original paint is easier to sell and easier to price. If you’re planning to keep the car for a few years and move it on, protecting the front end at least is a sensible spend against the cost of chip repairs or a respray later.
The complimentary Halo ceramic coat
At the time of writing, every full-body PPF job we fit includes a complimentary Halo ceramic coat over the film. That gives you the impact protection of PPF with the hydrophobic, easy-clean surface of a ceramic coating, without paying for the two separately. Ask us when you book, as this is a current offer rather than a permanent part of the package.
A recent job: Mercedes GLB350 in green colour PPF
One of the colour PPF jobs through the unit this year was a Mercedes GLB350 finished in green colour PPF. The owner got a full colour change and paint protection in a single film, fitted panel by panel in-house at Trafford Park. It’s a good example of the route to take if you want a new look and you don’t want to choose between that and protecting the paint.
PPF cost FAQs
How much does full PPF cost in the UK?
A typical full-body PPF job at Auto Wrap Manchester comes out around £4,000, with a complimentary Halo ceramic coat currently included. Larger vehicles cost more.
How much is front-end PPF?
Front-end coverage (bonnet, bumper, wings and mirrors) is the cheapest option because it covers fewer panels. Front-end packages start from £1,200; ask us for a price on your specific car.
Is PPF worth it?
Yes if you want to keep the paint chip-free, especially on a new car, a lease or a car you plan to sell on. It’s the only option of PPF, wrap and ceramic that’s designed to stop stone chips.
Which PPF brands do you fit?
We fit STEK and Gyeon paint protection film. Both self-heal on light scratches with heat and protect against stone chips.
Does PPF come with a warranty?
Our PPF comes with a 10-year warranty as standard.
Get a PPF quote for your car
Tell us the make, model and how much coverage you want and we’ll give you an exact figure rather than a bracket. Request a free quote or call us on 0161 672 7376. We’re at Unit 5, The Hives, Mosley Road Trading Estate, Trafford Park, Manchester M17 1HQ, and we offer 0% finance over 3, 6 or 12 months.
