How to Estimate Repair Costs on a Salvage Car Before You Bid

The repair estimate is the hardest number to get right — and the most important. Get it wrong and the entire deal falls apart. Here's how to estimate repair costs using only the information available before you buy.

Step 1: Read the Damage Description

Both Copart and IAA list the primary and secondary damage type. Common descriptions:

  • Front End — bumper, hood, headlights, radiator support. Usually $2,000-$6,000.
  • Left/Right Side — doors, quarter panels, rocker panels. $1,500-$8,000 depending on how many panels.
  • Rear End — bumper, tail lights, trunk. Usually cheapest to fix: $1,500-$4,000.
  • Rollover — roof, pillars, multiple panels. Usually totaled for a reason. $8,000+.
  • Biohazard — mold, fluid contamination. Exterior usually clean. $500-$3,000 for remediation.

Step 2: Study Every Photo

Photos are your primary tool. For each photo:

  • Check panel alignment — uneven gaps mean structural damage
  • Compare wheel angles — a wheel sitting different from the other side means suspension damage ($500-$2,000)
  • Look for missing parts — missing bumper is obvious, but also check mirrors, trim, lights
  • Check for airbag deployment — if bags are out, add $2,500-$5,000 to your estimate
  • Look at the interior — flood damage, mold, missing parts

The damage description is a starting point. Photos are the truth. Sometimes the listing says "Front End" but the car is nearly clean — and sometimes "Minor Dent" turns out to be a crushed quarter panel.

Step 3: Price the Parts

Parts cost varies dramatically by vehicle tier:

Economy (Camry, Civic, Corolla):Bumper $150-300 | Hood $200-350 | Headlight $100-200
Midrange (Mustang, Charger, RAV4):Bumper $250-450 | Hood $300-500 | Headlight $200-400
Luxury (BMW, Lexus, Mercedes):Bumper $400-800 | Hood $500-900 | Headlight $600-2000+

Where to check real prices: eBay (used parts), PartsGeek (aftermarket), or the manufacturer's parts site (OEM). Used parts are cheapest, OEM is most expensive.

Step 4: Add Labor and Paint

Labor rates depend on your situation:

  • You own a shop: $0/hr — just parts cost
  • DIY: $0/hr labor, but add your time
  • Budget body shop: $40-60/hr
  • Quality shop: $75-100/hr
  • Dealer/premium: $120-150/hr

Paint: budget $400-800 for economy cars, $800-1,500 for midrange, $1,500-3,000 for luxury. A full respray costs more than spot repair.

Or Just Let AI Do It

All of the above takes 30-60 minutes per car. Or you can paste the listing URL into sendit scan and get an AI damage assessment from photos, itemized repair estimate, market comps, and a flip verdict in 15 seconds. The tool adjusts estimates to your repair profile — whether you own a shop or use a budget body shop.

30 minutes of research → 15 seconds.

AI damage assessment + repair estimate + market comps + flip verdict.

Try sendit scan free