As newer vehicles become increasingly sophisticated, replacement and repair costs have soared. According to a recent RATESDOTCA report the cost of repairing  the windshield and central mirror alone of a 2023 Honda Civic is approximately $1,361 more than the cost of replacing the same in a 2013 Honda Civic. The report compares repair costs for a 2013 and 2023 Honda Civic and a 2013 and 2023 BMW X3. 

According to a J.D. Power study, Canadians spent $9.1b on car repairs in 2023, with each trip to the dealership ringing in at $432, marking an increase from $394 in the previous year.  

Increasing repair costs are contributing in part to rising auto insurance premiums. In 2023 Canada saw a 9 per cent rise in ‘average severity’, i.e., the cost of an insurance claim, compared to 2022. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) has been approving substantial rate increases for insurers for the better part of two years.  

According to RATESDOTCA quoter data*, a 2013 Honda Civic costs approximately $154 to insure monthly or $1,852 annually, while a 2023 Honda Civic costs approximately $284 to insure monthly or $3,403 annually, a difference of $130 and $1,551, respectively. A 2013 BMW X3 costs approximately$153 to insure monthly or $1,835 annually, while a 2023 BMW X3 costs $272 to insure monthly or $3,265 annually, a difference of $119 and $1,430, respectively. 

* The average insurance premiums are based on the profile of a 35-year-old male driver living in downtown Toronto with about 19 years of driving experience with no prior claims or convictions. 

Key report findings: 

• Replacing the windshield and central mirror of a 2023 Honda Civic costs approximately $1,361 more than replacing the windshield and central mirror of a 2013 Honda Civic.  
• Replacing the headlights of a 2023 Honda Civic, which use LED technology, costs approximately $1,747 more than replacing the headlights of a 2013 Honda Civic, which don’t use LED technology. 
• Replacing the headlights of a 2023 BMW X3, which use LED technology, costs approximately $6,606 more than replacing the headlights of a 2013 BMX X3, which don’t use LED technology. 
• Replacing the radar sensors, which play a role in modern safety features such as adaptive cruise control, collision detection and automatic emergency braking of a 2023 BMW X3 costs approximately $6,613. These radar sensors are not present in the 2013 BMW X3. 
• Replacing the ultrasonic sensors and rear camera on the rear bumper of a BMW X3 costs approximately $1,296.95. These sensors and rear camera are not present in the 2013 BMW X3.  
• As cars become more technologically advanced, mechanics need to undergo more training to keep up with the new systems and technologies. Access to key repair information is also restricted. In the past, access to the on-board diagnostic port provided technicians with information needed for repairs on older vehicle models. However, the on-board diagnostic port of newer models selectively shares certain information only with technicians at authorized dealerships.