Australia's top-selling small car Toyota Corolla costs less to repair after a low-speed crash than its main rivals, according to an NRMA Insurance testing program.

The cost of repairing a Corolla after a "bumper test" was less than half the cost of fixing any of the other eight cars tested.

NRMA Insurance, in a statement, said it was "really pleased" with the result for Corolla.

It said Corolla proved vehicle manufacturers could design vehicles that performed well in both pedestrian safety and vehicle protection.

The "bumper test" simulates a 10km/h collision, which NRMA Insurance says is the most common type of road crash.

After the test on nine small and compact cars, NRMA Insurance estimated the Corolla would cost just $1,019 to repair, equivalent to 4.4 per cent of its purchase price.

Repair costs for the other vehicles tested were all above 10 per cent of their purchase prices - and two were over 30 per cent.

Two cars cost more than $5,000 to repair and one exceeded $7,000.

NRMA Insurance said a car's bumper design had a big impact on the amount of damage caused in low-speed collisions.

It said design enhancements - even those unnoticed by owners - could have a sizeable impact on the cost of insurance.

Corolla is the most popular small car in Australia with record sales of almost 48,000 last year.

It was Australia's best-selling vehicle in three months last year - January, June and December- and again in January this year.


NRMA Insurance Bumper Test Results