Wheel damage in Dubai is almost always kerb-related. Tight car park bays in malls, narrow streets in Deira, and frequent manoeuvring in confined spaces mean alloy wheel rim contact with concrete is a daily reality. Damage ranges from cosmetic scuffs (kerb rash) that cost AED 250 to fix, to bent rims requiring straightening at AED 400-600, to cracked wheels that may need replacement. This guide covers what each type of damage looks like, repair versus replacement decisions, and fair pricing in 2026.
Kerb Rash: Cosmetic Scuffs and Gouges, AED 250-350
Kerb rash is scuffs and light gouges on the wheel face from low-speed contact with a kerb edge. The rim is not bent structurally, and the damage is purely cosmetic. Kerb rash appears as scratches, surface gouges, or paint transfer marks on the wheel face or lip.
Repair method: The wheel is wet-sanded progressively with fine grades (400 to 1000 grit) to remove the scuffs and any paint transfer. For painted wheels, the area is then repainted and clearcoated to match the surrounding finish. For diamond-cut or polished wheels, a light lathe pass (removing 0.05-0.1mm of alloy) restores the cut face. Cost: AED 250 to AED 350 per wheel for single-wheel kerb rash. Sets of four run AED 800 to AED 1,000 total when discounted.
Bent Rims: Structural Deformation, AED 400-600
A bent rim happens when the wheel contacts a kerb edge hard enough to deform the metal structurally. The rim is no longer perfectly round, causing vibration at speed or tyre pressure loss because the tyre bead (the edge of the tyre that sits in the rim seat) no longer seals properly.
Repair method: The wheel is removed from the tyre and placed on a specialised wheel straightening machine. The machine applies precise pressure to the deformed section to bring the rim back to specification. This is different from cosmetic kerb rash repair. Straightening costs AED 400 to AED 600 per wheel depending on severity. After straightening, the wheel is remounted on the tyre and balanced.
When straightening is not possible: If the rim has cracked during the impact or is deformed beyond recovery, replacement is safer and not much more expensive than straightening. A replacement OEM alloy wheel in most popular sizes (17", 18", 20") costs AED 600 to AED 1,200 depending on brand and finish.
Cracked and Split Rims: Repair or Replace?, AED 600+
A cracked rim has a structural break in the alloy, either from an extremely hard impact or from latent stress in the metal (common on wheels that have been straightened multiple times). Cracks appear as hairline breaks along the rim or spoke.
Repair method: Small cracks (under 3cm) may be welded and repaired using TIG welding and filler, then refinished. This costs AED 400 to AED 600 per wheel. Large cracks or breaks along multiple spokes indicate the wheel integrity is compromised and replacement is safer.
Replacement: A new OEM alloy wheel costs AED 600 to AED 1,200 depending on size and vehicle. Aftermarket alloy wheels cost AED 350 to AED 900. Steel wheels cost AED 200 to AED 400 but are not popular in Dubai for cosmetic reasons.
For structural safety, a cracked rim that has lost pressure overnight or shows visible movement when you push on the wheel during inspection should be replaced, not repaired. DentGuy assesses crack size and location before recommending repair or replacement.
Corrosion and Pitting: Deep Damage from Salt Air, AED 500-800
Corrosion on alloy wheels develops in coastal areas and after brake dust sits on the wheel surface for weeks without cleaning. Dubai's summer heat (60°C road surface temperature) accelerates brake dust oxidation, creating chemical bonds to the alloy rather than just surface dirt.
Repair method: The wheel is stripped of all existing paint or clearcoat, sanded back to clean alloy, and corroded areas are filled with alloy-specific epoxy or two-part filler. The wheel is primed, painted, and clearcoated. For diamond-cut wheels, a controlled lathe pass (0.2-0.5mm removal) brings out clean metal below corrosion depth. Cost: AED 500 to AED 800 per wheel depending on severity. Heavily corroded wheels with structural integrity questions may need replacement instead.
When to Repair vs. Replace?
Repair if: The wheel is not cracked or severely deformed, the damage is cosmetic or a minor bend, and the cost of repair is less than 50% of a replacement wheel. For most wheels, a cosmetic repair at AED 250-350 is worth doing.
Replace if: The wheel is cracked, the rim cannot be straightened, the wheel has failed pressure test (loses air overnight), or multiple repairs have been done to the same wheel (repeated straightening weakens alloy). A vehicle is safer on a replacement wheel than on a repeatedly repaired wheel.