At the end of last year, the Automobile Safety and Repairs (SRA) organization to which all insurance companies are members published a very first study on the cost of front bumper repairs in the event of an accident with the aim of demonstrating that the stylistic artifices of our cars were not without consequences on said amounts. The least we can say is that the results were already inglorious for certain manufacturers.
The SRA had promised that this investigation would include a second part specially dedicated this time to optics. We could expect the conclusions to be bad, but probably not to this extent…
From single to sevenfold
After reading the data published today, we begin to wonder if the beautiful light signatures that manufacturers boast so much in their communication are not a scourge both for our wallet and for that of the companies. insurance. A wide range of vehicles was screened by the SRA: general, premium, sedans, SUV, thermal, electric, etc. This allows you to have an overview.
First thing, “while the average increase in parts in collision repairs was 8.5% between 2022 and 2023,” notes the organization, “the average cost of headlight optics increased by 15.6 %, that of the front lights by 15% and the rear lights by 12.1%. So this is much more than average.
By adding up the different parts constituting the light signature both at the front and at the rear (note that “any anti-fog lights, 3rd brake light, reversing lights and reflectors have been set aside in the calculation”) “), we arrive at sometimes truly mind-blowing totals. Where the worst student from the previous selection asked for an already hefty €5,270 to replace his complete front shield, we arrive at additions sometimes reaching five figures by focusing on the light signature alone!
Red card for the Hyundai-Kia group!
The dunce cap once again goes to a model badged Hyundai, but it is not the Tucson this time (although the latter is not well placed either), no, it is the Kona latest generation. Replacing all of the headlights at the front and rear will cost you a whopping €14,635! Yes, yes, you read that right! “This total price, calculated excluding labor costs for replacement, adjustments and possible recalibrations,” notes the SRA, “represents more than 40% of the sale price of the new vehicle.”
So of course, such a situation will probably never happen (having to simultaneously change all the optics, front and rear), but this does mean that certain parts in particular are excessively expensive to repair. We cannot advise you enough to pay close attention to the central front light. In the event of an accident, changing it will cost a staggering €9,257.
Generally speaking, the Hyundai-Kia group certainly deserves the dunce cap. It’s simple, the four worst performers are all Korean: besides the Kona, the latest Kia Niro, the Tucson, again, and the Kia EV6. By multiplying the parts at the rear, the latter also requires well over €10,000 to replace everything.
Some surprises
While we won’t talk about good surprises to the extent that when prices “are between €3,500 and €5,500”, this still represents “5 to 10% of the selling price of the new vehicle”, some brands nevertheless surprise. This is how the pre-restyling Tesla Model 3 does better than an “ordinary” older generation Citroën C3 While a BMW X1 does barely worse. simplicity pays off, like the Dacia Duster (older generation, it should be noted), the best student in the selection.
Conversely, the complex light signatures of the latest DS make the bill particularly painful in the event of an accident. Daytime running lights are no stranger to this. Bad score also for the 100% electric Renault Mégane on which the front lights alone are worth almost €2,500. In summary, be wary before setting your sights on a new car. Be careful not to let yourself be charmed by a lighting signature that is a bit too seductive.
The cost of complete replacement of optics, from the cheapest model to the most expensive
| Model | Total cost |
| Dacia Duster II | €1,985 |
| Ford Puma | €2,087 |
| Tesla Model 3 | €2,218 |
| Citroën C3 III | €2,268 |
| BMW X1 III | €2,636 |
| Citroën C4 III | €2,788 |
| Peugeot 208 II | €2,899 |
| Nissan Juke II | €3,063 |
| Volvo XC40 | €3,178 |
| Peugeot 408 | €3,332 |
| Toyota Yaris IV | €3,448 |
| Volkswagen Golf VIII | €3,462 |
| Mercedes Class A IV | €3,578 |
| Mercedes GLA II | €3,578 |
| BMW 1 Series | €3,678 |
| Fiat 500e | €3,720 |
| Opel Mokka | €3,763 |
| DS4 II | €3,806 |
| Cupra Formentor | €3,872 |
| Alfa Romeo Tonale | €4,087 |
| DS3 | €4,150 |
| Audi Q4 e-tron | €4,519 |
| Renault Megane E-Tech 100% Electric | €4,535 |
| Tesla Model Y | €4,550 |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | €4,632 |
| Renault Austral | €4,829 |
| Lynk & Co 01 | €4,832 |
| Toyota C-HR | €5,420 |
| Lexus NX II | €5,461 |
| Audi Q3 II | €5,752 |
| Kia Niro II | €7,916 |
| Hyundai Tucson III | €8,414 |
| Kia EV6 | €13,805 |
| Hyundai Kona II | €14,635 |
Join Auto-Moto on WhatsApp so you don’t miss any car and 2-wheel news!
Also read on Auto-Moto.com:
Fuel prices: why the situation is unlikely to change for a long time
The hefty bill for anti-radar vandalism in 2023
A13 motorway closed: the surprising origin of the damage finally identified?
Featured Podcasts
MEN LIFE
To sum up
The SRA organization has just published the 2nd part of its study on repair costs. After the shields at the end of last year, this time it tackled the front and rear optics. The results are even more alarming!
