Collision repair cost
Updated 2026-10-07 · By the Car Repair Estimator team
Collision repair typically costs about $300-$1,500 for minor damage, $1,500-$5,000 for moderate damage such as bumpers and body panels, and $3,000-$10,000 or more for major damage involving the frame or driver-assistance systems. CCC's insurance-claim data put the average total cost of a repair at over $4,730 in 2024.
Collision repair costs by damage severity
There is no single price for collision repair, because the bill depends on how far the damage goes. A scuffed bumper cover is a cosmetic job; a bent frame rail or deployed airbags is a different category. Shop guides group repairs into minor, moderate and severe damage, and the ranges overlap and disagree at the edges.
| Severity | What it usually involves | Typical cost range |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | Dents and scratches | $300-$1,500 (one guide: $500-$1,500) |
| Moderate | Bumper and body panel work | $1,500-$5,000 (one guide: $1,500-$3,000+, another $2,000-$5,000) |
| Severe | Frame, mechanical and driver-assistance system damage | $3,000-$6,000+ in one guide; over $7,000 and up to $10,000+ in another |
The ranges come from two 2025 collision shop guides. Their wide, overlapping bands are why a photo-based estimate of your actual damage is more useful than any average.
Collision repair cost by repair type
Typical prices for common collision repairs, with a separate guide for each one. Figures are from the shop guides listed below; Caliber's ranges are often wider than the others.
| Repair | Typical cost range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bumper replacement | $300-$700 | Caliber puts bumper repairs at $300-$1,500+ |
| Hood replacement | $500-$1,000 | Our hood guide shows totals up to $2,500+ with OEM and aluminum hoods |
| Headlight assembly | $200-$600 each | Front-end collision repairs |
| Tail light assembly | $150-$400 | Rear-end collision repairs |
| Trunk lid repair or replacement | $500-$1,200 | Rear-end collision repairs |
| Door | $50-$1,000+ | Caliber; see also door dent repair |
| Radiator or condenser | $400-$1,200 | Front-end collision repairs |
| Frame straightening | $500-$2,000+ | $500-$1,500 in the rear-end guide |
| Rear sensors and cameras | $300-$600 | Rear-end collision repairs |
| Paint and refinishing | $800-$2,500 | Caliber puts a paint job at $500-$2,500+ |
| Windshield replacement | $250-$1,000+ | Higher when it carries driver-assistance cameras |
| Suspension | $200-$5,000+ | Parts roughly $100-$600 each |
| Front-end collision, whole repair | $2,500-$6,000 | Bumper, hood, lights, radiator and paint together |
| Rear-end collision, whole repair | $2,000-$5,000 | Bumper, trunk lid, lights, sensors and paint together |
Smaller jobs have their own guides: fender repair, side mirror replacement, windshield chip repair, scratch repair, paintless dent repair, hail damage and rust repair.
The average total cost of repair
CCC, which supplies estimating data to insurers and shops, reported that the average total cost of repair was over $4,730 in 2024, an increase of under 4% and the smallest since 2017. In the first half of 2025 it rose a further 1.4%. CCC also reported that labor rates were up 3.1% year over year and that part prices rose more than 4% year over year in March and April 2025. An average mixes small and large claims, so use it as context rather than a price for your car.
What drives collision repair cost
Extent and type of damage
Caliber lists the extent of the damage, its type (some repairs need specialized skills), the vehicle's make and model, and the shop you choose as the four main drivers. Luxury vehicles cost more to fix, and structural damage costs far more than cosmetic damage.
Labor rates and shop type
Caliber cites AAA data putting shop labor rates anywhere from $47 to $215 per hour. One guide puts urban shop rates at $75-$150 per hour, and says dealerships charge 25-40% more because they use OEM parts. For mechanic rates, see mechanic labor rates.
Driver-assistance systems
Cameras and radar behind bumpers and windshields must be removed, replaced or recalibrated after many repairs. AAA's 2023 study found driver-assistance systems can add up to 37.6% to the total cost of a crash repair. In its minor rear collision example, the average estimate was $1,698, of which $684, or 40.9%, was driver-assistance parts. In the minor front collision example, the parts averaged $1,540, or 13.2%. CCC says just over 32% of repair appraisals in the first quarter of 2025 included a calibration, up from nearly 24% a year earlier, and that repairs with calibrations took over 17 days from drop-off to pickup, against 13 days for repairs without.
Costs on top of the body work
One shop guide lists wheel alignment at $100-$200, suspension repairs at $500-$1,000, sensor calibration at $200-$600 and a rental car at $30-$50 per day as costs that can come on top. Once panels come off, a shop can find damage that was not visible at the first estimate, so ask how changes are approved before work starts.
Insurance and deductibles
Whether to file depends on your policy and the size of the bill, so ask your insurer. One guide says deductibles are typically $500-$1,000, so a minor repair may fall near or under your deductible, while moderate and severe damage will typically exceed it. Compare an itemized estimate with your deductible before you decide.
How to get an accurate collision repair estimate
Photograph the damage from several angles, include close-ups, and note any warning lights or sensor messages. With Car Repair Estimator Repair+ you can snap the damage and scan the VIN so the estimate matches your exact trim, then get an itemized estimate with parts, body labor and refinish hours listed separately. Then get 2-3 written, itemized estimates from shops and compare them line by line, including paint blending and calibration. The app's estimate is informational, not an insurance appraisal or a binding quote. If you run a shop, see how to write an auto repair estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does collision repair cost on average?
CCC reported that the average total cost of repair was over $4,730 in 2024, up under 4% from the year before, with a further rise of about 1.4% in the first half of 2025. Shop guides put minor damage at about $300-$1,500, moderate damage at $1,500-$5,000 and severe damage at $3,000-$10,000 or more.
What makes collision repair so expensive now?
Labor rates rose about 3.1% year over year and part prices rose more than 4% in spring 2025, according to CCC. Driver-assistance systems add cost too: AAA found they can add up to 37.6% to a repair bill, and CCC says just over 32% of repair appraisals in early 2025 included a calibration.
Does a collision repair estimate include everything?
Not always. One shop guide lists wheel alignment ($100-$200), suspension repairs ($500-$1,000), sensor calibration ($200-$600) and a rental car ($30-$50 a day) as costs that can come on top of the body work. Ask whether the estimate includes calibration, paint blending and any parts that can only be seen once panels come off.
Should I use insurance for collision repair?
It depends on your deductible and policy, so ask your insurer. One shop guide says deductibles are typically $500-$1,000. Minor damage can fall under that, while moderate and severe damage usually will not. Compare an itemized estimate with your deductible first.
Sources
- Dietrich's Collision - How much does collision repair cost? 2025 pricing guide (Aug 2025)
- Frank & Son Auto Body - What is the cost of collision repair (Jul 2025)
- Caliber Collision - How much does car repair cost?
- FenderBender - CCC Crash Course Q3 2025 report (Sep 2025)
- Repairer Driven News - CCC: total repair cost increase lowest since 2017 (Jun 2025)
- AAA - Fixing advanced vehicle systems makes up over one-third of repair costs (Dec 2023)
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