Type of car and extent/location of damage – how much might costs vary?

The extent of the damage

You can get a good idea of how much a repair is likely to cost by the seriousness of the damage and how easy it is for the repairer to access. Generally speaking, the larger the area of damage, the more expensive the repair bill will be. For example, replacing an entire car bonnet or roof may cost thousands compared to panel beating a smaller, simple dent.

Location of the damage

Location is important too, however, and where a small dent requires a door to be removed, this will then increase the price despite the size. If the damage lies on a part of the car that is easily removed, the price of repair is likely to be lower.

Make and model

The car’s make and model will also impact on the repair price. A mass-produced vehicle will likely be less expensive to fix than a rare or luxury car. Parts, replacement panels and paint might be easier to find on the recycled and used auto parts market for, say, a 2008 Toyota Camry than for an imported or rare vehicle such as a Maserati GranTurismo.

Contact a car body repairer or panel beater for advice and quotation on repairing your car.