Vehicle repair costs up 6.7% last year
An independent study has revealed that vehicle repair costs escalated 6.7% last year, with electric vehicle repairs about 15% higher than the average bill.
The report found that average vehicle repair costs increased by 6.7% last year, and have now risen by 25.7% since 2020.
These figures are based on analysis carried out by French body Securite et Reparation Automobiles (SRA) of 1.5 million repairs in 2024.
It found inflation is being driven by the rising cost of parts, which increased 7.3% last year and 29% higher since 2020.
Parts costs make up 52% of the cost of repairs, and although bodyshops are moving to repair over replace, more than 90% of damaged parts were replaced last year
Meanwhile, paint costs have also risen sharply, up 26.8% since 2020 and 5.1% higher last year, although paint only accounts for 10.4% of total repair costs.
The data also revealed that labour rates have increased by 20.8% in four years.
Repair cost inflation is even more sharp for electric vehicles, with hybrids 15.7% higher than the average repair bill and pure electrics 14.3% higher. This is attributed to EVs sustaining more severe damage because of their increased weight, the use of more complex materials such as aluminium and composites, and longer repair times.
