It goes without saying that no one likes when their car gets damaged, whether in an accident or through the simple process of slow deterioration that occurs with any product. According to one study presented by AAA, properly maintaining your vehicle can cost about 5 cents per mile. The United States Department of Transportation estimates that the average American drives around 13, 500 miles a year. Multiply that by 5 cents a mile, and just keeping your vehicle in decent shape can cost you around $675 a year. With this in mind, you can’t help but wonder what car work is really going to set you back? Here is a short list, in no particular order, of five of the most expensive auto repair jobs as a caution to remind you to take care of your vehicle.
Most Expensive Auto Body Jobs
1. The Hood
This cost depends on what type of car you are driving, but replacing or repairing the hood of your car can cost quite a bit. If you are repairing parts of it, it could be as low as $70, give or take a few dollars, but replacing the hood this can cost you thousands of dollars, especially once you factor in professional labor.
2. Bumpers
Labor time alone to replace a damaged bumper tends to add significantly onto the price tag of this particular body repair. This is because the bumpers on modern vehicles are tied into the lights, trim, warning systems, airbag sensors, and sometimes even the air intakes. Replacement bumpers run anywhere from $300-$700, and if there are other systems integrated into the bumper, that number will quickly increase. Repairing the bumper takes more time than a replacement and requires a paint job, so labor costs may shoot the price up.
3. Dents
Even what appears to be a minor dent can end up costing you a few hundred dollars. Some estimates start around $25 per inch of damaged surface. The average for these types of repairs is around $135, but if your vehicle is a higher-end model, the cost can increase dramatically. Then of course, if you do have a higher-end model vehicle, you will likely need a specialist which will also increase your price tag, because you would be paying for that specialist’s expertise. It all depends on the type of car you have and where you take it Prices can change depending on your geographical location as well.