Smash repair costs study
January 25, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
With so many first-time car-buyers picking a new car on cost alone, not many consider the repair costs involved with minor accidents. The most common type of accident is a 10km/h collision – usually with another car or object. In light of the statistics, the NRMA has conducted a study to find which cars are the cheapest to repair.
The test put the top nine small-vehicles in Australia through a basic stimulated 10km/h crash, as expected, repair costs ranged from around $1,000 to more than $7,000.
To get the good news out of the way, Toyota has won yet another title, with the Corolla small car (2nd best-selling car in Australia) crowned the cheapest small-car to repair, costing only $1019 or 4.4 per cent of its purchase price.
The most expensive was the Honda Civic, costing an estimated $7,386 or 31.4 per cent of its purchase price. So how can one car cost $7000 while the other only costs $1000? Both are Japanese designed, both are mass produced and both are priced in the same range?
According to NRMA Insurance Head of Research Robert McDonald, it’s all about bumper designs.
“The test results show a vast difference in repair prices across the range of vehicles tested, as a poorly designed bumper can slide under other bumpers on impact, causing more damage to both vehicles,” Mr McDonald said.
Despite Civic owners having to cough up the most, Suzuki Swift owners are also in for a shock with damage after a low speed crash costing $5547.15 or 34.7 per cent of the car’s purchase price.
The NRMA is quick to point out that pedestrian-friendly bumpers are not the reason for the high repair costs as both the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic scored similar leg protection results in the EURO NCAP pedestrian safety program.
“This proves that manufacturers can design vehicles that can perform well in both pedestrian safety and vehicle protection.”
The table below shows the cars tested:
| Vehicle | Repair Cost | Repair Cost as a % of the RRP price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Corolla(5 Door Hatch) | $1019 | 4.4% | ||
| Ford Focus(Sedan) | $2358 | 10.7% | ||
| Holden Astra(5 Door Hatch) | $2627 | 10.9% | ||
| Mazda 3(5 Door Hatch) | $2886 | 12.6% | ||
| Toyota Yaris(5 Door Hatch) | $4016 | 22.1% | ||
| Hyundai Getz(5 Door Hatch) | $3363 | 22.4% | ||
| Mitsubishi Lancer(Sedan) | $5467 | 23.5% | ||
| Honda Civic(Sedan) | $7386 | 31.0% | ||
| Suzuki Swift(5 Door Hatch) | $5547 | 34.7% |
Have you ever considered repairs costs before buying a new car? Are you likely to consider it in the future and if so, will it affect your decision?
Print it: 
So if the entire front of the car is bumper bar then this should be cheaper to repair as it will always line up with opposing bumpers and thus minimise more expensive panel/ structural damage. Looks like a fluke to me more to do with styling than a conscious effort by the manufacturer to minimise the cost of low impact repairs?
Thank god for Boffins.
What about a collision with an SUV?
Award for what?
What about if two Civics collide. Their bumpers should line up?
Is NRMA still on the Toyota payroll?
Me thinks NRMA should stick to Road Service.
Something funny here. Look at the difference between Corolla and Yaris (same manufacturer).
This is one of the big appeals of the Aussie family vehicles – Commodore, Falcon, etc. There are heaps of parts around, and at very cheap prices.
Jbot, before writing off these costs as being more expensive than the auusie family vehicles, go and check the price of new genuine parts for a Falcon, Commodore ect, not recycled parts or taiwanese knock offs
The above study doesnot use non genuine parts or second hand parts for the repairs.
You might find that repairs for a similar impact on one of the locals may actually be more than costs of a few of the small cars.
How about Subaru???
How come they don’t test all the manufacturer???
Rumour has it the wall saw the Toyota coming and it was scared away by its ugliness… hence the Toyota only hit part of the wall
Why would anyone bother about repair costs when choosing a car? – if you are insured, you pay your excess and it’s fixed, doesn’t matter if it’s $7000 or $1000
I’d like to see a Corolla after hitting a Kangaroo on the Newell at 120k (3.00am) – damage = write-off. I did this in my Jackaroo, damage nil.
So as mentioned above, if a Corolla ran into me at 10km/h, I’d still be laughing, the corolla would be crushed to the windscreen.
Dlr1, from my experiences and those of people I know, the Aussie built sixes are among the cheapest to fix in an accident (particularly the AU Falcons). I didn’t say they were cheaper than the vehicles mentioned here, but I know they would be cheaper than some and not much more than the cheapest.
Reckless, you are correct in that you can just pay the excess, but the more you claim on your insurance policy, the more you pay each year for the cover (rating goes down, etc). Its not so important when buying a new car, but with second hand vehicles its good to know if spare/replacement parts are cheap/available immediately if you need them. Also, if you need to fix something which is under your excess, the cheaper the better right!
I think these tests are great. People dont consider these sort of costs when buying a car, but they should.
I was actually surprised both the european focus & astra were that cheap to fix when traditionally european parts are much more expensive. Shows how much of a rip off Hondas are anyways.
damn, better not crash the civic now…
but insurnce pays for it doesnt it?
so why are we worrying
realcars,
Its very simple, if you were to look at those cars in accordance to their sales figures they would be loosely similar.
The Corolla was always going to win this because its such a common car. Parts rarely have to be shipped/imported etc as a repairer can safely stock such items and be assured that they will have a decent use turnaround time.
Whenever there is slightest mention of Toyota in any article, the haters come…
I am a spare parts interpreter at Ford,a front bumper for a BA falcon is $513. The cost of the front bar alone for the focus is $643. Those prices are for the front bumper bar, and does not include things like reinforcements, grilles etc. So there isnt a lot of difference in price between the big ausie sedans, and some smaller cars
Would be interesting to have another column showing typical insurance costs for each vehicle.
Manic, as you have noted, the parts for a BA are cheaper than those for the Focus, and the Focus is the second cheapest on this list. So the big aussie sedans are some of the cheapest cars on the road to fix (over 20% cheaper than the second cheapest listed here, which is quite significant IMO).
Honda Civic’s arent cheap!
Corolla, is good for repairs!
If i have comprehensive insurance why would i be worry??
If you have comprehensive insurance you should worry. Why do you think that the NRMA does this research? – they are one of the largest insurers in Aust.
I think they did something similar several times a few years back with medium sized cars. The accord (I think) went from the one of the worst in the first test, to one of the best with a new model the next time round – so manufacturers do listen to these things.
I agree with the sentiment that it will be covered by insurance anyway but I question the validity of these tests.
Also Corolla wins another award. Is this an award and what other awards has it won? Seems motoring media can’t help heaping praise on toyota whether well founded or not.
Yes, out come the haters and lovers of all things toyota.
Manic Mustang,
Thats sensational… though you fail! You forgot labour costs, which i assure you are not cheap!
And Bret is right… NRMA does this research as it becomes a factor in your premium. So yes, you should care, because you pay for it.
Sure these items are covered by insurance, if the repairs are going to be around the $2000 mark, u need to weigh up your options wether u pay the excess or the bill, bearing in mind when u make a claim, it makes ur premiums higher for the next few years, and if ur under 25, most of the time it can be cheaper to pay the repair bill.
For people who say they have Insurance, why should they worry ?? … obviously haven’t had any real life experience ….
Pang your car, get it fixed, and watch your Insurance Premium go up the next time you renew.
If the repair cost is $1000 – Premium may only go up 10-15%, if the damage cost $7000 or $10,000, your insurance premium will go up 20%+ not to mention your rating will drop – provided your not on Lifetime Rating 1.
I fail to see why people cant see the link b/w their Insurance premium and Repair costs ??????
..how do you think Insurance companies calculate their premium ?
If you dont believe me, try it ;)
Anthonii,
I did forget labour cost, but our labour at the dealer will be more expensive than a crash repairer will. Plus u need to factor in paint etc. I only provide parts prices, because that all i do, i dont work out labour costs etc. I can say that our retail labour rate here at the dealership is $110 + GST an hour
Dlr1,
JBOT is right when he says the big aussie car parts are cheaper and more available, becuase they are made local. Smaller cars are generally imported, so the parts need to be imported, which adds to the costs of parts, making them more expensive.
I raised that point because you were comparing your figures to numbers that do include these things.
I have never considered repair costs before buying a car.These type of surveys have never interested me.
“I buy the car that I LIKE and stuff the repair costs NRMA !!!”
As some people already mentioned, the higher the repair cost the more likely the insurance premium will go up. I used to work for AAMI insurance and one of the first things they thought us was what they call the “Pool”. When people pay their insurance premiums, the money goes into a pool for a particular suburb. Every claim that is made in that particular suburb will result in more money taken out of the pool, hence if there are too many claims made in the suburb in ANY time in the year, the quote for new customers will be higher and most likely for existing customers with their insurance re-newels.
Yes it is unfair for customers who have to fork out for others mistakes or mishaps, but that is how insurance works EVERYWHERE. For historical knowledge, one of the earliest form of insurance began in China where boat people will contribute to a reserve to cover each other in the event of an accident.
Remember NRMA stands for No Real Mechanics Available..
Anthonii,
read manic mustangs point a little closer.
what he is getting at is the parts for the falcon are cheaper than a focus and the focus placed in 2nd place, meaning by the time you add the labour costs to the falcon it will still be cheaper than a focus
the labour component of the expense remains the constant.
Jbot,
thats my first thoughts on the article too mate.
simple corolla sells a lot more than the others therefore tonnes of parts around therefore cheaper to fix.
does the studys pricing actually include replacing the bumber or just popping it back into place?
I’d like to see someone go out and find me evidence of a quote to……….
remove the old bumper,
supply of new bumper,
replace bumper clips,
respray (colour match) the new bumper,
re fit the new bumper,
enviro levy,
GST,
All for $1000!!!!!!!!!!!!
i say 1K for that they are dreaming. panel beaters charge like a wounded bull
Theres no way the insurers will make losses, they are in business to make money. As Kaisu says if too much money goes out premiums go up.
That’s not the point of this though, I don’t see people really thinking about repair costs when generally insurance premiums only vary by a few dollars anyway. Cars are generally bought largely on looks & practicality followed by performance.
Andrew M
Price of the part for a dealer is not the same as that to a dealer.
Take for example a Can of Coke.
At a fundraiser they’re a $1
At a Deli there $2
In a box of 24 their 50c each…
No Name,
Insurance company’s do lose money. I can think of one company in an instant that lost money on their Domestic (Home & Car) Portfolio last year. They will make money else where and increase their premiums…
And Look at the HIH collapse of a few years ago.
but your right its not the point, this is not what people will buy a vehicle on.
Anthonii – You contradicted yourself there. you stated Ins CO’s do lose money then subsequently went on the state they recover the monies elsewhere by increased premiums.
They don’t lose money then? They may lose money in any one period but recover it later. If they kept losing money they’d go out of business as you correctly infer.
Cheers anyway…i’m not having a go mate.
There lines of Products…
Say for example they lost money on their car insurance products, but made money on their business insurance products…
cheers
Sorry No Name but companies in the insurance industry regularly lose money and some even do it for years on end! The insurance industry runs on a profit and loss cycle that lasts a number of years between peak and trough. This is a result of fluctuating competition within the insurance industry that drives premiums down to levels that are below cost occasionally. Do a google search and you can read a summary about it online.
How are insurance companies able to maintain this? Easy, they use a number of techniques ranging from favourable tax treatments allowing them to carry forward losses years later, spreading expected claim costs over periods greater than one year, relying on cash reserves to sustain the discount cycle, and issuing more debt or equity if things get really dire. Trust me mate, I’ve just spent the last 6 months at university studying the insurance industry and the things these guys get up to is ridiculous.
Anthonni,
mate i understand that panel beaters get stuff at better prices, but i would still love to see a quote for the replacement of a front bar inc respray etc for $1000.
ive seen a few quotes over my time and its amazing how quickly 2K is racked up.
i had a rear bar done on my ute a while back (nothing to them and pretty common) and from memory it was 2K round figures
Duck, civics are quite cheaps considering their quality and specs
mine was approx 27k for the base spec with alloys, tint, foggies, mats and others.
and also the insurance is not that high either, it is cheaper then our old ford laser and 9yr old commodore both of which are worth less than 10k now
hey people…..
as i do work in the insurance industry the repairs costs of a vehicle does cost you when taking a policy out.. even colour of your car can affected the premium eg white is cheaper then say Blue print for exmaple….
also if you start claiming a couple of times one most likly premium will go up and then also a Punitive XS can be added to policy so the XS will be higher for future claims.
for repairs we go by a simple rule of $1000 per panel that has been damaged this increase if a BMW or something…. so i would advised to not to over claim on insurance or you could be paying a lot more then the 1000 for the repairs… me personal would not claim unless damage for Exmaple $2000 or more is worth claiming other wise you will be wasting money in the long run….
Regarding the honda civic and a commodore insurance — the Commodore and laser are more of a Risk… the claim histroies on these vehicle are not the best so there is more of a risk on the vehicle – as most people driving vehicle of that age now are P-plates which are the highest risk on the road to have a crash or do some thing stupid… also the Commodore is a V6… so that would also account againest ya as well as again that is even a higher risk eg more power…. and the vehicle are not as safe… no ESP and other safty equipment
the commodore has airbags and traction control, and also i am on red Ps
If people were more careful and paid attention instead of playing with there phones and other items in the car this could be reduced.Here on the Gold Coast you constantly see car carriers and tow trucks with small vehicles being taken away from nose to tails.
I have comprehensive insurance. Wouldn’t be without it. but remember just because you haven’t had an accident you still pay in the long run for everyone else. this happens by your premium going up a couple of dollars a year.
Wake up people and pay attention to the brake lights in front of you they are there for a reason….
I constantly see people driving around with 1 or no brake lights working. At least try and check them once a week so that you can warn the people behind you of your intentions. I don’t want to find out what it would costs to fix my car or find out what it costs to fix the person I might just hit because they didn’t replace a $2 bulb.
Just because the corolla is the cheapest to fix, does not mean the parts are the cheapest. Its also how much damage is done…
Hey Anthonii,
That’s three different ways of spelling the same word. The correct one in the context in which you’re using it is the first attempt.