Mass-Market Car Brand with the Costliest Repairs Revealed: A Study of 900,000 Accidents.

Repair Costs for Car Bodywork Vary Significantly by Brand

According to Novyny.live: An analysis by SRA, an organization specializing in vehicle damage assessments, shows that body repair expenses differ widely across automakers. After reviewing roughly 900,000 inspections of cars aged six years or younger, researchers found that Renault is the most expensive mass-market brand to fix, while Porsche leads all brands in maintenance costs.

Renault's body repair cost index is 7% higher than Peugeot's and 11% above Citroen's. In contrast, Dacia—a budget-friendly brand—ranks among the three cheapest to maintain, alongside Fiat and Suzuki. For context, SRA's study covers a vast dataset of real-world collision claims, offering a reliable benchmark for ownership expenses.

Rising Repair Costs and the Premium Segment

Over the past four years, the average cost of vehicle repairs has climbed by roughly 30%. Notably, electric versions of models tend to be pricier to repair than their gasoline counterparts, with the Renault Twingo III being a notable exception.

In the premium segment, Porsche's restoration cost index is more than double the market average. The Porsche Cayenne III crossover, in particular, triples the typical expense level. Alpine, a sports car brand, also carries a high index of 270 points, where parts account for 72% of the total repair bill.

The findings highlight major disparities in bodywork repair costs across brands, a factor that could sway consumer purchasing decisions. With repair expenses on the rise, potential buyers may weigh long-term maintenance costs more heavily, while budget brands like Dacia could appeal to those seeking lower lifetime ownership costs.