The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently crash tested a set of midsize sedans at low speed, and the sticker shock of repair costs could lead buyers to consider used cars in New Jersey.

Bumpers on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and 2010 Ford Fusion performed poorly compared to earlier models, and none of the six cars tested attained the institute’s top rating of good.

At speeds of three to six miles per hour, the tests are designed to simulate minor mishaps like backing into another vehicle in a parking lot.

The IIHS reports that construction choices in the Fusion would cost more than $2,500 to repair in tests of the front bumper, while owners of a new Malibu could expect a bill over $2,000 if they backed up into something accidentally based on test results.

“Consumers buy midsize cars for practical reasons,” said Joe Nolan, IIHS senior vice president. There’s nothing practical about a $1,000-plus repair bill after a minor bump in commuter traffic.”