How Much Does a Car Hood Replacement Cost?
The hood of the car can be damaged in many ways. For example, it could be hit by a rock or another foreign object from the road, or in a worst-case scenario, you could have been in an accident that bends the frame of the car, affecting the hood as well, forcing you to replace it.
Because the hood provides protection for the engine, it is extremely important that it gets replaced and that it fits properly. The car hood is comprised of an outer and inner panel, and while all hoods will have similar characteristics, each car make and model will have its own specifications.
How much does a car hood replacement cost?
On average, the price of a car hood only is going to be anywhere from $70 to as much as $500. Like any other car part, it will really come down to the make and model of your car and what kind of car part you want. An OEM part, which comes straight from the manufacturer, whereas an aftermarket part will be a bit cheaper, but it won’t be the “official” part. Lastly, if you were able to find a car hood at a local junkyard, then this would be your cheapest option, but it may not match the color of your car and it will be considered used. Again, this price is for the hood only and does not include labor expenses.
The Auto Parts Warehouse, for instance, has over 1,000 car hoods available in its database. Most of the car hoods we looked at ranged anywhere from $125 to $375.
If you are going to have the hood professionally replaced at a local dealer or collision shop, then the parts and labor will probably cost anywhere from $700 to $1,900.
On this The Globe and Mail article, a reader asked why the estimates he received from three body shops were so high. According to his quotes, the cost of a new hood for his family minivan was in the $800 to $2,000 range. The range, according to the expert answering, will be due to the replacement parts they are ordering and the local labor rates.
Car hood replacement overview
Generally, with a car hood, the most expensive option will be the original equipment from the manufacturer, and a local dealership will almost always go this route, hence, the higher prices. Now, if you were to use a local mom and pop mechanic, they could either purchase a car hood from a local salvage yard or an aftermarket hood. An aftermarket hood will be brand new; however, it won’t meet the same standards as the OEM part.
Car hoods, depending on the type you buy, will be mate from either steel, fiberglass or carbon fiber.
What are the extra costs?
If you purchase a used car hood, then you need to consider having it painted to match the color of your vehicle. Not only will they want to paint the entire hood, they will want to paint the fenders as well to make sure it blends. The additional paint job should be less than $200.
Tips to know:
The perfect time to replace your car hood is when your hood begins to rattle as you drive. Hinges may be rusty, bolts are lost or there is improper alignment. You may also feel a pull on the hood because of the wind.
Do not buy a hood from a store or company that could not fit the hood for you. Most of the times, these stores and companies do not accept returns.
Consider purchasing your car hood from your supplier. This will ensure a perfect finished fit.
Questions to ask a mechanic
Do you fit the hoods you supply?
Is it possible to come to your shop to have the car hood fitted?
How long does it take to get my car hood?
Do you repair car hoods?
Do you offer free maintenance on my car hood?
How can I save money?
If you do not need an exact match in terms of the color, consider a local junk yard. Here, there are hundreds of scrap parts that can be picked up for next to nothing. Even if you’re able to find a hood in okay condition, it could be a few hundred dollar cheaper than a new one.
Don’t forget to check with your auto insurance if the hood damage was due to an accident.
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