Lease-Return Dent Repair

No — not for a cash-pay PDR repair. Carfax records come from insurance claims and from body-shop work that involves paint or parts replacement. PDR uses neither: no paint, no body filler, no parts removed. If you pay Mike directly (no insurance claim filed), the repair doesn't generate any record that Carfax indexes. The exception is hail damage filed through your insurance — those comprehensive claims DO show up on Carfax even if PDR is used.

Yes — almost always. Most lease contracts charge $100–$600 per ding above the per-vehicle wear threshold. PDR typically costs $125–$300 per ding. So fixing the dent costs less than the lease-end fee would, AND the car retains higher residual value AND there's no Carfax footprint. The math works for almost every dent you'd otherwise get charged for.

Two to four weeks is the sweet spot. Time enough for the repair to be done without rushing, and not so long that new dents accumulate. Mike will write you a quote within 24–48 hours of your photo, and most lease-return jobs run 1-2 days at the Bethlehem shop or mobile at your driveway.

Yes, every lease company flags door-edge dings. They're the most-charged dent type at turn-in. Mike fixes them in 30-60 minutes on-site, usually for $125-$200 each. Compared to the $100-$300/ding excess-wear fee, the math always favors fixing pre-turn-in.

Yes — but the work is different. Aluminum panels (Tesla bodies, BMW hoods/trunks, F-150 hoods + beds, Audi panels) need glue-pull work from the outside instead of rod work from behind. Takes longer than steel and prices at roughly 1.3-1.5x. Still less than the lease-end fee, still no Carfax. See the metal taxonomy page for the full breakdown by car make.