Rust: Repair Cars and Helicopters With a Hammer

Here’s how to fix a car, Minicopter, or Attack Helicopter after a fight in Rust.
Gather What You Need in Rust
Hit the Vehicle to Repair It
Wait Out the Damage Cooldown
Land Helicopters Before Repairing in Rust
Fix Modular Car Engines in Rust
What to Do Next
FAQ
Q. How do I fix my Minicopter in Rust?
Q. Why won’t my car let me repair it?
Q. Can I repair a helicopter while flying in Rust?
Q. What does a Hammer cost to make?

Here’s how to fix a car, Minicopter, or Attack Helicopter after a fight in Rust.

Vehicles in Rust all repair the same way, with a Hammer and the right materials in your inventory. This guide covers what to carry, how the repair works, and the rules that can block it. Controls here use mouse and keyboard.

Gather What You Need in Rust

Craft a Hammer from 100 Wood, with no workbench required. In Rust, most repairs then draw on Metal Fragments, and some vehicles also take High Quality Metal.

The cost changes from one vehicle to the next. For example, the Minicopter used only Metal Fragments in one run.

Rust Hammer and Inventory Screen

Hit the Vehicle to Repair It

Equip the Hammer, walk up to the vehicle, and swing at it with the left mouse button. Each hit restores a bit of health and pulls materials from your inventory.

Keep swinging until your materials run out or the Hammer shows Not Damaged, which means the vehicle is back to full. The method stays the same across every vehicle in Rust, from modular cars to the Attack Helicopter.

Wait Out the Damage Cooldown

A vehicle that just took a hit reportedly can’t be repaired right away. If your swings do nothing, step back for a while, then try again.

Rust Armored Car being repaired via hitting with Hammer

Land Helicopters Before Repairing in Rust

Since the Pivot or Die update in November 2025, helicopters in Rust can’t be repaired while they’re in the air. Touch down away from enemies, step out, and repair on the ground.

The same update stopped pilots from eating healing foods while flying any vehicle. A hurt pilot has to land to heal, too.

Fix Modular Car Engines in Rust

A modular car’s engine runs on parts such as pistons and spark plugs. Worn engine parts are reportedly swapped out at a Vehicle Lift instead of fixed with the Hammer.

Rust Damaged Minicopter on the ground

What to Do Next

A spare Hammer in your hotbar saves a trip back to base. Carry a stack of Metal Fragments on every drive and flight, plus some High Quality Metal if your vehicle needs it. When you fly, pick a landing spot you can reach fast in case you come under fire.

Keep a Hammer and Metal Fragments on hand, and land before you repair any helicopter in Rust.