USA Today recently reported on the experience of getting
a collision-damaged Chevrolet Volt repaired – and found that it cost $2,181
more and would have taken a week to a week-and-a-half longer than the repair of
a Chevrolet Malibu.
After an initial estimate of $10,500, a revised estimate
came to $11,588. The final total was $14,187. The main culprits for the higher
final total were:
• An error in the ordering system that suggested a parts
package included a few items that were actually not in it.
• Damage to the cooling system that was discovered once the
car was reassembled. According to the USA Today article, a Volt has more
cooling systems than a regular car to cool the battery and electronics.
• A check-engine light that came on after the Volt left the
shop, which resulted in the car coming back for a couple days of diagnosis and
replacement of a pinched wiring harness.
The article reported that, from the day of the crash, it
took nine weeks before the Volt was ready, and seven weeks from the time the
insurance company "gave the go-ahead."
More information:
Read the entire article and see photos of the damaged vehicle
