NRMA Releases Small Car Repair Costs Report: Barina Bests The Bunch

A new study by insurer NRMA has revealed the high cost of repairing nine of Australia's top-selling small cars, based on low-speed collision tests.

The insurer tested the front and rear bumpers of each vehicle, simulating a low-speed collision - the most common type of road accident.

The study was carried out to show buyers that the cost of repairing a car can have an impact on their insurance premium costs.

“Even travelling at only 10 km/h, we found many of the cars had poor-performing bumper design which resulted in high collision repair costs," NRMA's Robert McDonald said.

Holden's Barina bested the field, with a front and rear bumper repair cost coming in at a combined total of $2574 - 14.3 percent of the car's RRP when new.

Behind the Barina is the Nissan Micra ST-L. The combined repair cost of $6056 represents 35.6 percent, rather more than double that of the Barina.

At the other end of the scale, the Toyota Yaris cost a substantial $13,440 to repair, or a tick under 71 percent of its purchase price.

The Honda Jazz wasn't far behind, with a greater dollar cost of $13,754 - 69.5 percent of the RRP.