Windscreen Replacement
Replace a cracked or smashed windscreen with new laminated safety glass. Vehicles with lane-keep assist or autonomous emergency braking need ADAS camera recalibration, which costs extra.
Windscreen Replacement costs $160–$1,200 AUD in Australia in 2026, parts and labour included. Independent mechanics typically charge 30-40% less than dealers for the same job.
🔧 What Mechanics Don't Tell You
- Labour is the real variable. The same repair can cost 30-50% more at a dealer than an independent, purely on labour rate. Always ask for a written quote with labour hours itemised — if they won't itemise, walk away.
- Aftermarket parts are fine for most jobs. OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts carry a 30-60% premium. For non-safety-critical parts (pads, rotors, filters), reputable aftermarket brands (Bosch, Brembo, Sachs) perform identically for a fraction of the price.
- Get 3 quotes — the spread is real. We've seen the same job quoted from $400 to $1,800 across Brisbane shops. The cheapest quote is not always the best, but neither is the most expensive.
- If they won't itemise, walk away. A reputable mechanic will break down the quote into parts cost + labour hours + markup. If they give you a single round number, get a second opinion.
Cost by Brand (AUD)
| Brand | Total | Labour | Parts |
|---|---|---|---|
| MG | $160-$480 | $80-$240 | $0-$400 |
| Chery | $164-$492 | $80-$250 | $0-$412 |
| Haval | $166-$498 | $80-$250 | $0-$418 |
| BYD | $170-$510 | $80-$260 | $0-$430 |
| GWM | $170-$510 | $80-$260 | $0-$430 |
| LDV | $176-$528 | $90-$260 | $0-$438 |
| Suzuki | $180-$540 | $90-$270 | $0-$450 |
| Mitsubishi | $184-$552 | $90-$280 | $0-$462 |
| Kia | $186-$558 | $90-$280 | $0-$468 |
| Hyundai | $190-$570 | $100-$280 | $0-$470 |
| Nissan | $196-$588 | $100-$290 | $0-$488 |
| Toyota | $200-$600 | $80-$200 | $120-$400 |
| Honda | $204-$612 | $100-$310 | $0-$512 |
| Mazda | $210-$630 | $100-$320 | $0-$530 |
| isuzu | $210-$630 | $100-$320 | $0-$530 |
| Subaru | $216-$648 | $110-$320 | $0-$538 |
| Jeep | $224-$672 | $110-$340 | $0-$562 |
| Skoda | $230-$690 | $120-$340 | $0-$570 |
| Ford | $230-$690 | $120-$340 | $0-$570 |
| ram | $240-$720 | $120-$360 | $0-$600 |
| renault | $244-$732 | $120-$370 | $0-$612 |
| Volkswagen | $250-$750 | $120-$380 | $0-$630 |
| peugeot | $250-$750 | $120-$380 | $0-$630 |
| lexus | $270-$810 | $140-$400 | $0-$670 |
| volvo | $280-$840 | $140-$420 | $0-$700 |
| Audi | $300-$900 | $150-$450 | $0-$750 |
| BMW | $310-$930 | $160-$460 | $0-$770 |
| Mercedes-Benz | $320-$960 | $160-$480 | $0-$800 |
| land-rover | $340-$1020 | $170-$510 | $0-$850 |
| porsche | $400-$1200 | $200-$600 | $0-$1000 |
Is your quote in this range? Get 3 local quotes — free
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Get My Free Quotes →The $2,000 Windscreen: Why ADAS Calibration Changes Everything
If your car is a 2020 or newer Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage, Toyota Kluger or anything with a camera mounted near the rear-view mirror, replacing the glass is no longer a $350 job. The camera behind your windscreen runs your emergency braking, lane-keep and adaptive cruise — and it must be recalibrated after every glass replacement.
- Static calibration (targets in a workshop): $150-$400 on top of the glass
- Dynamic calibration (road drive after fit): $100-$250, sometimes bundled free
- Both required on some European cars: budget $400-$900 for calibration alone
- Comprehensive insurance usually covers glass + calibration — check your excess first; a $500 excess on a $900 windscreen job may not be worth claiming
O'Brien vs Novus vs Your Local Independent — The Honest Comparison
The big glass chains dominate this search because they are genuinely good at logistics — but “good at logistics” and “cheapest for you” are different things. Here is the trade-off, without the marketing:
- National chains (O'Brien, Novus, Glass repair networks): lifetime workmanship warranty, insurance claim handled for you, mobile service everywhere. You pay for the machine calibration gear and the brand.
- Local independents: often $100-$250 cheaper for the same glass, will use OEM or OEM-equivalent glass if you ask, and are more flexible on non-standard jobs (classic cars, van windows). Ask if they subcontract calibration or own the target rig.
- Dealership: OEM glass only, 2-3x the price, rarely necessary unless your insurer insists or the car is under a glass-specific warranty.
Three questions that save money: Is the glass OEM or aftermarket-equivalent? Is ADAS calibration included in the quote or billed separately? What is the workmanship warranty in writing? Get those three answers from two shops and you have a real comparison.
Tips
- ✓ADAS recalibration: if your car has a camera behind the rear-view mirror (lane-keep assist, auto braking), budget an extra $200-$2,000+ to recalibrate it after the glass is fitted
- ✓Small chips (under a $2 coin, roughly 10mm) can often be repaired for $50-$150 instead of replacing the whole windscreen
- ✓Don't drive for at least 1 hour after fitting - the urethane adhesive needs time to cure
- ✓Ask for OEM-quality glass. Cheap aftermarket glass can cause wind noise and distort the ADAS camera view
- ✓Check your comprehensive insurance - many Australian policies include windscreen cover with no excess and no impact on your no-claim bonus
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