A chipped or cracked windscreen can be a small job or an expensive one, and the published prices vary because the cars, the glass and the work involved vary. This guide collects dated, attributed figures from several sources, explains when a windscreen can be repaired instead of replaced, lists what changes the price and suggests questions to ask before you pay. Car Buyers Assist is an independent information site. We do not replace or repair windscreens and we do not provide glass or mechanical services, and we have not calculated a national average, because the figures below come from different sources measuring different things.
Short answer: how much does a windscreen replacement cost?
In the sources below, a chip or crack repair is published at roughly $60 to $105, and a replacement is published from about $175 to $400 for a typical car without extra technology, rising to $1,000 or more for some cars. One insurer’s guide says paying yourself can cost from $300 to over $1,500, depending on which part of the page you read. Treat these as examples and ranges, not a national average, and get a written quote for your car.
Published figures by source (checked 23 October 2026)
| Source | What it publishes | Date and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airtasker (marketplace) | Chip or crack repair about $60 to $80. Replacement typically $200 to $400, up to $1,200 for severe damage or special features. Front windscreen “from $175”. Examples: Toyota Prado without technology about $295 to $300, with technology about $1,000 to $1,200; Hyundai i20 and i30 without technology about $200 to $400; Mazda 3 SP25 Astina about $1,000 to $2,600. | Page published 21 January 2026. Presented as averages and examples, not fixed quotes. |
| AutoGuru (online booking platform) | Replacement may be “around $300” in some cases and could exceed $1,000 in others. | Page states no price date. A booking platform that lists providers. |
| AAMI (insurer), windscreen guide | Key takeaways say paying yourself is about $300 to $1,000 or more; the body text says about $500 to over $1,500. The two figures in the same guide do not match, so we show both. | Guide first published 17 November 2023; the page showed a September 2026 date when we checked. Insurer content. |
| RACQ (motoring club) | Chip repair $60 for RACQ members at RACQ Auto Glass stores; $80 for members and $105 for non-members at other RACQ contractor locations; mobile repairs at an extra fee. All prices include GST. | Page says the offer runs until 17 November 2026. Members and non-members are priced differently. |
Sources: Airtasker, AutoGuru, AAMI, RACQ. Accessed 23 October 2026. These are commercial parties without independent methodology, some figures carry no date, and prices today may be different. The ranges overlap only partly, which is a good reason to ask for local quotes instead of relying on one number.
Repair or replace? What the sources say
Whether a windscreen can be repaired comes down to the size and position of the damage. RACQ says a chip in the driver’s critical vision area can be repaired if it is no bigger than 20mm (about the size of a $2 coin), and a chip elsewhere on the windscreen can be fixed if it is no bigger than 25mm (about a $1 coin); otherwise the windscreen is replaced. AAMI says replacement is generally needed if the damage is longer than about 7cm, is deep, sits in the driver’s line of sight or is near the edge of the glass. A repairer will make the final call, so treat these as rules of thumb.
Airtasker’s published repair range is far lower than its replacement range, so it is worth having a small chip assessed promptly instead of assuming it will need a full replacement.
Why the prices differ
- Make, model and year. AAMI lists the make and model and the vehicle’s year among the factors. Airtasker’s examples show the same effect, with a Hyundai i20 or i30 published far below a Mazda 3 SP25 Astina.
- Technology fitted to the windscreen. AAMI says some features, such as lane assist, are calibrated to the windscreen. Airtasker publishes much higher figures for the Prado with technology than without, and mentions special features such as heads-up displays.
- Glass type. AAMI notes aftermarket and manufacturer glass can differ in price. It says replacement glass should meet the Australian Design Rules and the relevant Australian standard, so ask what is being fitted.
- Repairer and location. AAMI lists the repairer and where you are as factors. Airtasker’s “from” price is for a car; it publishes a higher starting figure for a truck.
- Mobile or workshop. AutoGuru says a mobile provider can come to your home or workplace, and RACQ lists in-store and mobile options with different pricing. Ask whether a mobile visit costs extra.
- Memberships and offers. RACQ’s published chip repair prices differ for members and non-members.
Windscreen technology and recalibration
Newer cars can have cameras or sensors that look through the windscreen. AAMI says features such as lane assist are calibrated to the windscreen, and RACQ says cameras, radars and sensors are calibrated if required. In practice that means the replacement may involve extra work beyond the glass, and the quote may or may not include it. Which features your car has, and whether calibration is needed after a replacement, depends on the vehicle, so check your owner’s manual and ask the repairer to confirm in writing.
Questions to ask before you pay
- Is the quote for repair or replacement, and why?
- Is the price for my exact make, model and year, and does my car have features that need calibrating?
- If calibration is needed, is it included in the quote?
- What brand and type of glass will be fitted, and does it meet Australian standards?
- Is there a mobile fee, a call-out fee or a member discount?
- Is the work guaranteed, and for how long?
- How long before I can drive the car, and is there anything I should avoid afterwards?
- Can I have the quote in writing?
A brief note on insurance
Whether your insurer covers a windscreen, and what excess applies, depends on your policy. AAMI says an optional windscreen cover can waive the excess on one claim, but policies differ. Read your product disclosure statement, and see our guide to what an excess is in car insurance before deciding whether to claim or pay yourself.
Buying a used car? Check the glass
A chip or crack in the windscreen is a visible condition to look for and an easy item to price before you agree to a deal. See what to check when buying a used car, the pre-purchase inspection cost guide and how to inspect a used car. For other running costs, see our car service cost car battery replacement cost, and wheel alignment cost guides, and for the wider picture see buy a car.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a windscreen replacement cost?
Published figures differ: Airtasker gives a typical $200 to $400 and says it can reach $1,200 (page published 21 January 2026), and AutoGuru says around $300 in some cases and over $1,000 in others. Get a written quote for your car.
How much does a windscreen chip repair cost?
Airtasker gives about $60 to $80. RACQ publishes $60 for members at its Auto Glass stores and $80 for members or $105 for non-members at contractor locations, with mobile repairs at an extra fee.
Can a chipped windscreen be repaired?
RACQ says a chip of up to 20mm in the driver’s critical vision area, or up to 25mm elsewhere, can be repaired; otherwise it is replaced. The repairer makes the final decision.
Why is windscreen replacement dearer on some cars?
AAMI points to the make, model and year, features calibrated to the windscreen, the repairer and the type of glass. Airtasker’s examples show cars with technology priced well above those without.
Can someone replace a windscreen at my home or work?
AutoGuru says a mobile provider can come to your home or workplace, and RACQ lists mobile options. Ask whether there is an extra fee.
Does Car Buyers Assist replace or repair windscreens?
No. We provide independent information and buyer assistance only.
This article is general information only and is not mechanical, legal, insurance or financial advice. Prices and conditions change; confirm current details with a glass repairer or your insurer. Car Buyers Assist is not a government agency and does not replace or repair windscreens or provide glass or mechanical services.
Written and reviewed by the team at Car Buyers Assist. Figures from third-party sources are attributed and dated; we have not verified their methodology. Accessed 23 October 2026.