Guesstimate of repair costs

OurCognitiveSurplus · Postby **OurCognitiveSurplus** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 9:22 am

One of my work colleagues reversed into my MX5 yesterday (Twilight Blue NB8A) in the work car park. We’re trying to figure out if the damage will fall easily below the excess, or if we should use insurance. Assuming a professional repair using genuine parts.

The impact was on the headlight, which is heavily scratched and pushed into the body about 5cm. There is a lot of scratching on the plastic front bumper, and maybe minor damage to the metal front/side wheel guard. The plastic headlight protector is broken.

Looking at the inside of the wheel arch, there is some movement of the plastic guard in the front wheel, so I assume the headlight has pushed its way in a fair bit and caused some domino.

Mania sells a new NB8B headlight for $550. I assume the 8A would be similar. I can’t find a price on the mx5 headlight protectors, but my bet is that Mazda would gouge for them. Panel beating and respraying on the nose and fender? I have no idea.

Basically I’m just after a +/- a few hundred dollar guess so I can figure out the best course of action. All guesses appreciated.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 10:19 am

the headlight alone beats most excesses. depends what you excess is for yours or your friends policies.

headlight = $550
2x panels = 2x $250
headlight protectors (comes in pair) = $???
+ whatever else you find inside guard thats broken = $???

its a $1000+ job already in my mind.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 10:24 am

>$1200

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 10:39 am

A dent in my rear guard was quoted at $600 to pull out, smooth down, and repaint.

The headlight will be a few hundred.
The bumper probably a couple of hundred to paint
Headlight protectors, no idea but I would expect $100 at a minimum.
The headlight brackets are likely bent/broken, that will need straitening.
The wheel arch splash guard was probably dislodged by the bumper, so hopefully it just needs the clips replaced.

Even if you use secondhand parts and DIY a lot of it, it will still probably cost a few hundred in just parts/painting.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 10:43 am

it certainly will be an insurance claim- my guess and thats all it is $1500 at least.

Black_Penguin · Postby **Black_Penguin** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 11:08 am

I have a set of genuine headlight protectors you can have for a six pack.
They longer fit my car after I fitted eyelids to my headlights.
I had the front bar re-sprayed and the drivers side guard repaired and re-sprayed for around the $700 mark a couple of years ago. Add a headlight and I imagine your repair to be around $1300-$1500.