Question: After accidentally bumping a divider while driving, I now have a serious gash on my car’s left rear quarter panel that I need to get rid of. This is definitely out of my skill level to fix, so I’ll need to take my car to a mechanic. How much is a quarter panel replacement going to cost?
Answer: Having a quarter panel repaired or replaced can cost as little as $100 or as much as $3,000, depending on the vehicle you drive and where you have the work done.
A quarter panel is important because it helps protect your vehicle’s engine and transmission. It also helps provide stability by keeping the body of your car attached to the frame. If you have significant structural damage to your quarter panel, it might be affecting the integrity of the entire car—meaning you should have it repaired right away.
If your quarter panel is slightly dented, rusted, or scratched, the situation isn’t as urgent—but to prevent further damage, it’s still a good idea to have it repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Factors that can alter the cost
Here are a few things that can affect the cost:
- Material: Quarter panels can be made of steel, aluminum alloy, or plastic. The material that the quarter panel is made of will greatly affect the cost of the replacement part. A new or an OEM quarter panel will likely cost more than an aftermarket or salvaged part, as well.
- Where you live: If the hourly labor rate or cost of living is high where you’re getting the work done, your quarter panel replacement will cost more.
- The shop you choose: You may find more affordable rates by going to a shop that specializes in body work instead of a dealership because they do a lot of the same kinds of repairs. That said, be sure the shop you choose has experience working on your particular make and model to ensure a quality replacement.
- Whether the replacement is covered by insurance: If you have full coverage insurance and the damage to your quarter panel occurs due to something like falling objects, vandalism, or a collision with an object or another vehicle, your insurance will likely pay for a quarter panel replacement.
- The extent of the damage: In some cases, a technician may be able to just pop out a dent or cover a scratch without having to replace the whole quarter panel. This will be a lot less expensive than a full replacement, which will require removing multiple components, then cutting and welding the replacement panel.
- The type of paint needed: Painting the fixed or replaced panel will cost less if your car is a common color like black or white, but it can quickly get expensive if you have a rare color, or if you need multiple coats of paint. One coat of synthetic paint might cost around $500, but multiple coats will run you several thousand dollars.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Everett Cook is an award-winning journalist and editor with more than 10 years of experience across a variety of industries. In editing for Jerry, Everett’s mission is to help readers have a better understanding of the costs of owning or leasing a car and to better understand their vehicle in terms of insurance and repairs. Prior to joining Jerry, Everett was an editor for Axios. His previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlantic, Atlantic Re:think, The Boston Globe, USA Today, and others. He’s also been a freelance writer and editor with experience in SEO, audience building, and long-term content roadmaps. Everett is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.
