Bad bumpers bump up repair costs
24/01/2008
SGIO is calling on car manufacturers to improve bumper bar design after testing revealed poor-performing bumpers can contribute to higher smash repair costs.
The SGIO testing program, the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere, puts the spotlight on bumper performance in a simulated 10km/h collision - the most common type of road crash.
The test was used on nine of Australia's top selling small vehicles and revealed inconsistent repair costs ranging from around $1000 to more than $7000.
SGIO Product Manager Dearne Arrah said the cars' bumper designs had a big impact on the amount of damage caused in low speed collisions.
"The test results show large differences in repair prices across the range of vehicles we've tested, as a poorly designed bumper can slide under other bumpers on impact, causing more damage to both vehicles," Ms Arrah said.
"We are certainly urging consumers to think about repair costs when in the market for a new car, as repair costs can have a significant bearing on the insurance premium they will pay," he said.
Of the vehicles tested, the Honda Civic was the most expensive to repair, costing an estimated $7,386 or 31.4 per cent of its purchase price.
"The Suzuki Swift also registered a disappointing result, with damage after a low speed crash costing $5,547.15 or a staggering 34.7 per cent of its purchase price," Ms Arrah said.
"There are a couple of cars that really stand out as performing well, such as the Toyota Corolla. The average cost of repair after a low speed collision was just $1,019 or 4.4 per cent of its purchase price," Ms Arrah said.
This year's results also discredit the argument that pedestrian-friendly bumpers don't protect the vehicle from damage.
"Both the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic scored similar leg protection results in the EURO NCAP pedestrian safety program, yet the repair costs of these vehicles are very different," said Ms Arrah.
"This proves that manufacturers are able to design vehicles that perform well in both pedestrian safety as well as vehicle protection."
The SGIO low speed crash test program was designed in conjunction with research centres in six other countries to assist car manufacturers improve vehicle design, and to help keep the cost of collision repairs affordable.
"The new crash apparatus uses a device almost like a roller coaster to simulate a 10km/h collision, allowing us to accurately compare the costs of repair."
"The first round of testing we've conducted has looked at some of the best selling small cars in Australia, and we'll now start to work with manufacturers over the next 12 months to expand the program into other classes of car," Ms Arrah said.
While design enhancements may largely go unnoticed by vehicle owners, they can have a sizeable impact on the cost of insurance.
"We encourage drivers to think about the cost of repairing a particular car before they buy, as a bargain in the showroom may not be such a good deal when taking the cost of insurance and repairs into account," added Ms Arrah.
| Vehicle | Repair Cost | Repair Cost as a % of the RRP price |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Corolla (5 Door Hatch) |
$1,019 | 4.4% |
| Ford Focus (Sedan) |
$2,358 | 10.7% |
| Holden Astra (5 Door Hatch) |
$2,627 | 10.9% |
| Mazda 3 (5 Door Hatch) |
$2,886 | 12.6% |
| Toyota Yaris (5 Door Hatch) |
$4,016 | 22.1% |
| Hyundai Getz (5 Door Hatch) |
$3,363 | 22.4% |
| Mitsubishi Lancer (Sedan) |
$5,467 | 23.5% |
| Honda Civic (Sedan) |
$7,386 | 31.0% |
| Suzuki Swift (5 Door Hatch) |
$5,547 | 34.7% |
For more information and a full report, please visit www.sgio.com.au/lowspeed