Make Sure That Your Repair Was Done Right

If your vehicle is seemingly repaired and ready to go, how do you really know if the repair was done right? To address this issue, we offer you these simple steps that we recommend you take to review what’s been repaired on your car and ensure everything is operating like it should be.

1.    Whenever you go in to pick up your vehicle from the repair shop, allow a minimum of thirty minutes to complete the whole process.

2.    Ask to go over the vehicle with either the person who wrote the estimate or the person that does the actual repair on the car.

3.  Be ready to ask questions and never hesitate to take all the time that you think is necessary to review the repairs.

4.    Take a printout of the initial estimate with you and compare it to the final statement.

5.    Assess the final statement and make sure that they explain it to you thoroughly. The final bill should be very detailed. They should be able to walk around the vehicle with you and tell you exactly what every expense is for.

6.    Be sure to get a warranty for all of your repairs and understand where the warranty will be good at and what the limitations will be.

7.    If it's raining when the car is repaired, ask to check out the inside of the car. Also, be sure to clear the rain off of the exterior so that you can see the paint.

8.    Ensure that all of the new parts were installed wherever possible.

9.    All of the paint should match completely (color, darker, lighter).

10.    Inspect all of the gaps around the trunk lid, doors, and hood.  Gaps should all be very similar in size.

11.    Open the all of the doors, the trunk, and the hood so that you can inspect for polish or rubbing compounds.

12.    Check the mileage, but keep in mind that most repairs will require a test drive to ensure that the repairs worked.

13.    Check the fuel level. You should have noted your fuel level at the drop-off.

14.    If alignment is what your vehicle needed, get a before and after printout. These should be in factory specification tolerances.

15.    If structural damage is what your car needed, get a before and after printout of that. As with the alignment report, this should be in factory specification tolerances.

16.    Be sure that your radio works fine.

17.    Make sure that the heater and air conditioning blower fan work, keeping in mind that debris may come out of vents from the repair work.

18.    Inspect warning lights on the dash to make sure that none are on.

19.    Check external lights on the vehicle if they were replaced.

20.     Take it to Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center because ‘Relax We’ll Take It from Here’.

Your Front End Doesn't Have To Freeze This Winter

Before you know it, we'll be experiencing all manner of winter weather; and with it comes the inevitable salty, sandy roads, foggy driving conditions and limited visibility for your car or truck.  With all of this in mind, we recommend these few simple tricks to give your automobile the same thing as a winter parka and ski goggles to protect it all winter long.

The key to protecting your car's exterior is to get all of the finishes on the outside cleaned and ready for a protective winter coat, then you need to actually apply the coat to the car.  Our top ten tips include:

1. A good bath is just what your car needs to start out, and don't forget to use the car wash soap so that you can remove that summer dirt and grime without removing wax protection.

2.    Tar and debris can easily be removed from your car with an adhesive remover. All you have to do is rub it on with a micro-fiber cloth. If you let it sit for a few minutes to loosen dirt, old wax and tar, then it will be easy to just wipe it off.

3.    Plastic headlight lenses can be taken back to like-new lucidity before you have to deal with winter fog and snow with nothing more than a brief trip to Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center to eliminate the hazing and discoloration that lessen your headlights' performance and visibility.

4.    Clean the tires and wheels to rub off any brake dust or highway grime. All you need to restore the tires to a new finish after that is a tire restorer.

5.    Use a cleaner wax to remove surface scratches.  One of these simple to use waxes eliminates scratches on the surface and restores the shine to the finish in one effortless step.

6.    Scratches and dents that can't be addressed by a cleaner wax should be repaired at Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center before rust has the opportunity to set in.

7.    A protective coat of synthetic wax is essential, as it chemically bonds with clear coat finishes and makes sure that the car’s finish looks good all winter.

8.    Get all of the glass clean on the outside and inside for improved visibility.

9.    Protect your vehicle's upholstery with a vinyl and leather restorer, which restores the natural shine and smooth feel of the factory finish.

10.    Clean the carpet of the car with a top-quality carpet cleaner and protect from winter salt and dirt with a protective spray.

Tips For Travel During Your Holiday Vacation

If you're on the long road to grandmother’s house or just going down to the local mall for some last minute shopping, it is essential for you to take these few precautions to prevent the holiday headache of a car accident.

Large amounts of traffic, drivers that are distracted with their holiday plans, and troublesome winter weather comes together to create the perfect storm for drivers during December.  Really, it’s one of the worst months for traffic accidents.

But with the proper level of preparation, some necessary preventative driving measures and an eye on the weather report, drivers can protect themselves and their vehicles the treacheries of the holiday season.

The true experts on holiday driving accidents, CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts from Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center, repair countless vehicles each and every year that have been battered in icy, snowy accidents.  We're happy to offer these helpful tips to make holiday driving safer.

Keep In Mind:
•   Check the route: Look at road conditions before the trip to know if there's going to be any delays
•   Stay In Touch: Bring a cell phone in case of emergencies
•   Turn down the Jingle Bells: Minimize distractions like loud music
•   Don’t invite thieves: Presents lying around in the back seat are more inviting than cookies and milk is for Santa.  Lock them securely in the trunk to prevent possible break-ins
•   Take a break: If you are traveling a distance and you start to feel tired, take breaks or a quick catnap at a rest stop to stay alert
•   Protect yourself: Never forget to wear a seatbelt
•   Don't Text and Drive: Texting and driving can harm you and your family, not to mention the potential harm to other drivers. Keep the phone stored away for emergencies. When it becomes necessary for you to send a text message, safely pull to the side first.

Check Your Visibility:
•   Fill your fluids: Add some de-icer to your windshield wiper fluid
•   Upgrade your wipers: Make sure that the windshield wipers on your car are free of ice before going out on the road and think about the possibility of updating with new flexible windshield wipers before the snow hits your area
•   Check your visibility: Be sure that all of your mirrors are properly adjusted and clear
•   Look at the lights: Clean any hazed headlights and check bulbs in all of your vehicle lights both in the front and rear

Slow Down and Stay Back:

•   Watch out for holiday revelers: Some drivers might down a few drinks before hitting the roadways. Stay alert and watch other drivers to make sure that you know if they begin to swerve
•   Keep it slow: If there's snow or ice on the ground, reduce your speed ten or 20 miles per hour under the speed limit
•   Leave some space: Have at least two or three car lengths between your vehicle and the one in front of you
•   Cruise with caution: Do not use your cruise control while traveling on icy roads
•   Stay alert to the surface: Use caution while on bridges, overpasses, and infrequently traveled roads as these could be slippery from ice and use extra caution when traveling on one-lane roads

Prepare for a Snow Day:
•   Weight it down: If your car or truck has rear wheel drive, put a couple bags of sand, litter or bricks in the back to help keep your vehicle under control
•   Stock up on supplies: Pack a snow day kit in the even that you get stuck in the snow.  Important items to include are a blanket, gloves, hat, water, granola bars, flashlight and extra batteries, extra cell phone battery, flares, compass, scissors, rope, wooden patches in waterproof container and first aid kit.
•   Take some tools: Have a box of tools prepared for digging your car out if necessary with collapsible shovel, 2x4 planks to put under tires, ice scraper and snow brush, reflective triangles, flares and exterior windshield cleaner

If an accident does occur for you this holiday season, we suggest that you have a collision plan in place so you don't find yourself stranded on the roadside waiting for assistance.  CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts at Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville offers high-quality, reliable repair service in your area. Just give them a call at 618=345=4519 when you have an accident and they will send the tow truck, contact your insurance company, arrange for a rental car and repair your vehicle.

Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center Experts Offer Tips for Safe Driving During the Holidays

KEEP YOUR SLEIGH SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center Experts Offer Tips for Safe Driving During the Holidays

Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois (November 2010) – Whether you’re on the road to grandmother’s house or just heading to the mall for some last-minute shopping, it’s smart to take a few precautions to prevent the holiday headache of an accident.


Heavy traffic, drivers distracted with holiday plans and winter weather create the perfect storm for drivers during December. In fact, it’s one of the highest months for traffic accidents.


But with proper preparation, some preventative driving measures and an eye on the weather report, drivers can protect themselves and their vehicles during the holiday season.


The experts on holiday driving accidents, Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois Repair Experts, repairs thousands of vehicles each year damaged in snowy, icy accidents. Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center offers drivers some helpful tips to make holiday driving safer.


Keep In Mind:

• Check your route: Look up road conditions in advance to know if there will be any delays
  
• Turn down the Jingle Bells: Reduce distractions such as loud music
  
• Stay in touch: Bring a cell phone in case of emergencies
  
• Protect yourself: Always wear a seat belt
  
• Take a break: If you are traveling a distance, take breaks or even a quick nap at a rest stop to stay alert
  
• Don’t invite theft: Presents in the back seat are more inviting than cookies and milk for Santa. Lock them in the trunk to prevent break-ins
  
• Don't Text and Drive: Texting and driving can not only potentially harm you and your family but other drivers. Keep the phone stored for emergencies. When it is necessary to send a message, safely pull to the side first
  

Check Your Visibility:

• Check your visibility: Make sure all mirrors are clear and properly adjusted
  
• Update your wipers: Make sure your windshield wipers are free of ice before heading out on the road – and consider updating with new flexible windshield wipers before the snow hits
  
• Fill your fluids: Add de-icer to your windshield wiper fluid
  
• Look at your lights: Clean hazed headlights and check bulbs in all of your vehicle lights – front and rear
  

Slow Down and Stay Back:

• Watch out for holiday revelers: Some drivers may consume a few beverages before hitting the roadways. Remain alert and watch other drivers in case they begin to swerve
  
• Keep it slow: When there is snow or ice on the ground, drop your speed 10 to 20 MPH below the speed limit
  
• Allow some space: Leave at least two to three car lengths between your vehicle and the car in front of you
  
• Cruise with caution: Do not use cruise control on icy roads
  
• Stay alert to the surface: Use caution on bridges, overpasses, and infrequently traveled roads because these may be slippery from ice and use extra caution when driving on one-lane roads
  

Prepare for a Snow Day:

• Weight it out: If your vehicle has rear wheel drive, put bags of sand, litter or bricks to help keep your vehicle easier to control
  
• Stock up on supplies: Pack a snow day kit just in case you get stuck. Important items to include are a blanket, gloves, hat, water, granola bars, flashlight and extra batteries, extra cell phone battery, flares, compass, scissors, rope, wooden patches in waterproof container and first aid kit.
  
• Take your tools: Prepare a toolbox for digging your car out with fold-able shovel, 2x4 planks to put under tires, ice scraper and snow brush, reflective triangles, flares and exterior windshield cleaner
  

You can never be too careful when driving in holiday traffic and in winter weather. Accidents can happen so quickly on slick, icy roads, so slowing down and taking the extra precautions can really make the difference. An accident is never easy to deal with, but having an accident during the holidays can really put a cramp in the holiday cheer. An extra measure of safety is always the perfect present during the yuletide season. For more tips on dealing with an accident or having your car repaired after a collision, visit www.auto-body-maryville-il.com.


If the unfortunate holiday accident does occurs have a collision plan in place so you aren’t stranded on the roadside waiting for assistance. For information and store locations visit Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois.

BE IN THE KNOW WHEN DRIVING ON ICE AND SNOW

BE IN THE KNOW WHEN DRIVING ON ICE AND SNOW

Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center experts Offer Tips for Safe Driving in the Winter Months

Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois – Cold weather can create some of the harshest driving conditions of the year. And, months between October and February top the list for accidents, vehicle damage and injuries.

When the temperature dips and the snow rises, it is important for drivers to increase their attention to safety on the road. With proper preparation, some preventative driving measures and an eye on the weather report, drivers can protect themselves and their vehicles during the winter months. The experts on winter driving accidents at Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois, repairs thousands of vehicles each year damaged in snowy, icy accidents.

Check Your Visibility:

• Add de-icer to your windshield wiper fluid
• Make sure your windshield wipers are free of ice before heading out on the road – and consider updating with new flexible windshield wipers before the snow hits
• Make sure all mirrors are clear and properly adjusted for visibility
• Clean your headlights and check the bulbs in all of your vehicle lights – front and rear

Slow Down and Stay Back:

• When there is snow or ice on the ground, drop your speed to a safe limit
• Leave extra distance between your vehicle and the car in front of you for additional safety
• Do not use cruise control on icy roads
• Use caution on bridges, overpasses, and infrequently traveled roads because these may be slippery from ice
• Use extra caution when driving on one-lane roads

Skidding Safely

• If your rear wheels skid...
• Take your foot off the accelerator
• Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right
• If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control
• If you have standard brakes, pump them gently
• If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal

If your front wheels skid...

• Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
• As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently

Prepare for a Snow Day:

• If your vehicle has rear wheel drive, put bags of sand or kitty litter to help keep your vehicle easier to control
• Pack a snow day kit just in case you get stuck. Important items to include are a blanket, gloves, hat, water, granola bars, flashlight and extra batteries, extra cell phone battery, flares, wooden matches in waterproof container, compass, scissors, rope and first aid kit.
• Prepare a toolbox for digging your car out with fold-able shovel, 2x4 planks to put under tires, ice scraper and snow brush, reflective triangles, flares and exterior windshield cleaner

For information and store locations visit www.auto-body-maryville-il.com. For more tips on dealing with an accident or having your car repaired after a collision, visit Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois.

About CARSTAR CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts is the largest group of branded collision repair facilities in North America with over 400 locally owned and operated locations in 30 states and 10 Canadian provinces. CARSTAR is committed to providing consistent quality services to our customers and insurance partners and has repaired more than 2.5 million vehicles since it was founded in 1989. Our technicians and front office staff receive ongoing training to ensure they are qualified to work on any vehicle. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority as we consistently lead the industry in customer satisfaction ratings.

Getting Your Car Ready For Winter Tips from Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois

Simple Tips Protect Your Vehicle During Cold Temps and Tough Driving Conditions Around Maryville, Edwardsville, Troy, Collinsville, Glen Carbon and Highland Illinois.

Winter weather is just around the corner, and with it come salty, sandy roads, foggy driving conditions and limited visibility for your vehicle.

Your local Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois recommends a few simple tips to give your vehicle the equivalent of winter parka and ski goggles to protect it all winter long.

For the car’s exterior, the key is to get all of the exterior finishes cleaned and prepared for a protective winter coat, then keep damaging salt and sand off of the car’s finish throughout the winter. The top 10 tips include:

1. Give it a good bath with car wash soap to remove summer dirt and grime without removing wax protection
2. Remove the tar and debris from summer road work with adhesive remover. Just rub it on with a microfiber cloth, let sit for a few minutes to loosen dirt, old wax and tar, then wipe off
3. Restore plastic headlight lens to like-new clarity in time for winter snow and fog with a quick trip to your local CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts to remove the yellowing and hazing that reduces headlight performance and visibility
4. Clean the wheels and tires to remove brake dust and highway grime then restore tires to brand new finish with a tire restorer.
5. Remove surface scratches with a cleaner wax. This easy to apply wax eliminates surface scratches and restores the shine to the paint finish in one easy step.
6. Deeper scratches and dents should be repaired at your local CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts before rust sets in.
7. Give the car a good protective coat of synthetic wax, which chemically bonds with clear coat finishes and keeps the car’s finish looking good all winter.
8. Get the glass clean inside and out for improved visibility.
9. Protect the upholstery with a leather and vinyl restorer, which revives the natural sheen and soft feel of the factory finish
10. Clean the car’s carpet with a high-quality carpet cleaner and protect from winter salt and dirt with a protective spray.

Once you’ve cleaned and protected your car, all you need to do is wash it at least once a month to remove damaging salt and sand. When spring comes, you’ll be ready to ride with a great-looking car.

For more tips on dealing with an accident around Maryville, Edwardsville, Troy, Collinsville, Glen Carbon and Highland Illinois or having your car repaired after a collision, visit www.stlcarstar.com.

SHOW YOUR CAR SOME LOVE

Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center recommends you Give Your Car a Makeover that Will Bring Back that New Car Love

There’s nothing like falling in love for the first time with a new car. The smell of the new interior, the shine of the brand new paint and the thrill of those first few drives just made your appreciation for your new vehicle grow. Now, after a few years, it sits in the street looking faded and in need of some help to restore its once beautiful shine.

“It’ sad to see a car that used to be the pride and joy of its owner become run down, lose its looks and be cast aside in favor of a newer, shinier model,” “Rather than go to the expense and trouble of replacing a car, there are a number of affordable improvements that a local Maryville collision center can do that will take years off of a car’s looks.”

With these simple updates, you’ll fall in love with your car all over again. Not only will your car look just like it once did, you’ll preserve the value of the vehicle for years to come.For a $500 investment, a local St Louis area body shop can make the following updates to restore the looks of your car that will last much longer and retain it's value:

1. Replace missing or damaged trim or decorative elements.
2. Restore the headlights to remove scratches and yellow hazing that age the car and diminish visibility.
3. Clean the wheels and tires to remove brake dust and highway grime.
4. Conduct a thorough cleaning of the car’s exterior and interior
5. Repair small scratches in the clear coat and paint to a like-new surface.
6. Repair minor dings and dents without replacing the body panels.
7. Restore black plastic bumpers, door handles and tires to brand new finish.
8. Update all of the light bulbs with newer long-lasting bulbs.
9. Restore the finish of the car, starting with clay bar and rubbing compound and finishing with a long-lasting synthetic wax.
   

For more information on tips to dealing with an accident or having your car repaired after a collision. Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center offers high-quality, reliable repair service in Maryville, Edwardsville, Troy, Collinsville, Glen Carbon and Highland Illinois. Just call 618-345-4519 when you need a vehicle repair and we will send the tow truck, contact your insurance company, arrange for a rental car and repair your car. For more information on services and locations, please visit the St. Louis Area Carstar website.

Understanding Your Auto Body Repair Estimate

When your vehicle needs to be repaired, you want a repair facility you can trust to keep you informed throughout the process, provide excellent customer service, deliver your vehicle on time and get you back on the road with the highest quality repair. It is also important to know before the work begins how much out of pocket expense you may encounter and to ensure your auto body repair estimate is covering everything.

Your estimate should include: 

• A thorough inspection of the work to be done on your vehicle
• A description of the repair parts to be used
• What items your insurance will and will not cover
• The expected amount of the repair.

One of the reasons estimates may differ from another shop is thoroughness of the appraisal process. Some estimates may leave necessary repairs out of the initial estimate, causing the amount to be different from another facility. At Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, IL we are thorough to identify the steps necessary for a quality and safe repair for your vehicle.

OH DEER! Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center

Avoid the Bucks to Save Big Bucks on Collision Repairs

You’re driving down the highway at the end of the day, when all of a sudden you say “Oh Dear?” as a giant head of antlers runs into your front fender.
You can avoid a car accident with a buck – and spending lots of bucks on the damage – by following some smart driving tips this fall and winter. Every year, some 1.5 million drivers hit a deer, and the cold weather months are peak season for deer-vehicle crashes.

Deer crashes result in at least $1.1 billion a year in vehicle damage, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. On average, the accidents cost $2,800 per insurance claim, and up to $10,000 if there is injury to the driver or a passenger, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

The Risks Are not Just in Rural Areas

The top states for deer-related accidents range throughout the country, and no longer are these accidents relegated to rural areas. The top 10 deer danger states are:

1. Texas
   
2. Minnesota
   
3. Illinois
   
4. Ohio
   
5. Georgia
   
6. Michigan
   
7. Virginia
   
8. Indiana
   
9. Pennsylvania
   
10. Wisconsin
    

As migration and mating season hit full swing, the dangers rise, making October through December the most treacherous months on the road where deer are concerned.

Drive Defensively to Avoid Deer Dangers

Early morning and dusk are the worst times for deer accidents, as visibility is limited and deer are frequently on the move. It is important to drive defensively and anticipate the potential for deer in the road so you can safely stop and avoid the accident.

The auto experts at Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center, who repair thousands of vehicles each year from deer-related accidents, offer the following tips to reduce the deer danger:

1. Use extra caution at sunrise and sunset, and around golf courses, fields and wooded areas.
   
2. Remember that deer travel in packs – if you spot one, there are likely more behind it.
   
3. Don't swerve to avoid striking a deer, as that increases the risk of striking another vehicle or losing control of your car.
   
4. If there is no opposing traffic, use high beams at night to better illuminate deer.
   
5. Don't rely on devices such as deer whistles, which are attached to the outside of a car, to try to scare off deer with an ultrasonic or high-frequency sound. They have not been proved to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.
   
6. If a deer remains on the highway after you strike it, report the incident to the game commission or a local law enforcement agency, as the deer poses a danger to other individuals. If the deer might still be alive, don't go near it because a wild animal with sharp hooves can inflict injuries.
   

Preparation is Smart Protection

If an accident with a deer does occur, it pays to be protected. Many drivers do not realize that carrying only collision coverage does not cover damage from a deer accident, leaving them with a damaged car and a large repair bill.

To fully cover any potential damage, drivers should carry comprehensive insurance that covers such crashes. For those driving an older vehicle who feel their cars aren’t worth the cost of the insurance, it is smart to keep an “accident fund” if something does occur.

For more tips on dealing with an accident or having your car repaired after a collision, visit www.auto-body-maryville-il.com. Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center in Maryville, Illinois is a part of the CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts offering high-quality, reliable repair service in 30 states and 10 Canadian provinces. For more information and store locations, visit www.stlcarstar.com.

About CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts is the largest group of branded collision repair facilities in North America with over 400 locally owned and operated locations in 30 states and 10 Canadian provinces. CARSTAR is committed to providing consistent quality services to our customers and insurance partners and has repaired more than 2.5 million vehicles since it was founded in 1989. Our technicians and front office staff receive ongoing training to ensure they are qualified to work on any vehicle. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority as we consistently lead the industry in customer satisfaction ratings.

DARE TO REPAIR Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center

DARE TO REPAIR

What Will the Vehicle You Buy Cost to Repair If You Have an Collision?

MARYVILLE, IL (July 2010) – When you purchase a new vehicle, the last thing you are thinking about is what it will cost to repair. But the expense of replacing bumpers, door panels and hoods can vary widely by automobile model, and many times the cost of the repair doesn’t correspond to the value.

Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center Experts in Maryville, IL, which completes the repair of a wrecked car or truck every :30 seconds, carefully monitors the cost of vehicle repairs on all makes and models of vehicles. These costs not only contribute to the repair bill, it also drives the cost to insure the vehicle.

“When you’re analyzing what car or truck to buy, it’s important to factor in what it will cost to insure and repair the vehicle should you be in an vehicle accident,” said Dan Young, Senior Vice President, Insurance, for CARSTAR. “We want to help educate car owners about what to expect when they have to make repairs so they make a smart decision on their car purchase and avoid sticker shock at the body shop.”

A few alarming numbers to consider when replacing damaged parts with OEM equipment are:

• The running board on a Lincoln Navigator is $2200
  
• The fender on a Chrysler 300 is less than $100 but the molding is $90
  
• The rear door lock on a 2008 Lexus 460 is over $900, the door trim panel is over $2,000 and the rear door belt molding is over $1,000.
  
• The quarter panel on 2000-2007 Ford Taurus is $1,397.45
  

So what four door passenger type automobiles are the most affordable and most expensive to repair when considering the “collision” coverage loss experience, which is the total cost paid out to repair or replace the damages sustained to the car? 
 
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety loss data shows the Honda Accord as the top performer, while Mitsubishi Galant is the bottom of the list when looking at four door passenger type cars. Judged on a scale where 100 is average and lower scores represent more affordable repairs, the results are as follows.

The 2006-2008 Honda Accord has a relative loss experience rating of 78, which was 23 percent better than the average result of 100. The remaining top nine performers and their relative scores were:

• Saturn Aura (83)
  
• Chevrolet Malibu (new model) (84)
  
• Mercury Milan 4WD (90)
  
• Hyundai Sonata (92)
  
• Chrysler Sebring (93)
  
• Ford Fusion (98)
  
• Mercury Milan (100)
  
• Toyota Camry Hybrid (101)
  
• Subaru Legacy 4WD (102)
  

The worst performing vehicle model during the 2006-2008 years was the Mitsubishi Galant at 132. Rounding out the most expensive vehicles to repair (from a loss cost standpoint) were:

• Nissan Maxima (131)
  
• Pontiac G6 (124)
  
• Nissan Altima Hybrid (123)
  
• Nissan Altima (123)
  
• Volvo S40 (122)
  
• Acura TSX (122)
  
• Mazda 6 Hatchback (121)
  
• Mazda 6 (119)
  
• Chevrolet Malibu (old model) (117)
  

“It’s important to think through the total cost of operating the vehicle, whether you’re buying a new or pre-owned vehicle,” said Young. “Because we repair so many vehicles, we can truly assess which ones are more cost-efficient to repair relative to the value of the car. The more you know about the car you are buying, the better decision you can make.”

If the unfortunate collision does occur, Young recommended having a collision plan in place so you aren’t stranded on the roadside waiting for assistance. Kurt's CARSTAR Collision Center Experts in Maryville, IL offer high-quality, reliable repair service in Maryville, Edwardsville, Troy, Collinsville, Glen Carbon and Highland IL, for information and store locations visit www.stlcarstar.com.

About CARSTAR CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts is the largest group of branded collision repair facilities in North America with over 400 locally owned and operated locations in 30 states and 10 Canadian provinces. CARSTAR is committed to providing consistent quality services to our customers and insurance partners and has repaired more than 2.5 million vehicles since it was founded in 1989. Our technicians and front office staff receive ongoing training to ensure they are qualified to work on any vehicle. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority as we consistently lead the industry in customer satisfaction ratings.