Top Damaged Parts Illuminate Repair vs. Replace Trends

In its latest Industry Trends Report, Mitchell took a look at the top 10 parts most often damaged in a repairable collision to see the frequency with which they are replaced versus repaired. Mitchell said the results point to the need for bumper cover repair training, as it is the part most involved in collisions, and the accuracy of the repair versus replace decision is critical. In addition, as the metallurgy of commonly involved parts shifts to new materials, the replacement rates for these parts—such as hoods, bumper reinforcements and headlamps—will go up, increasing the average repair severity and repair costs.