Ministers' prangs cost taxpayer $13,000

The taxpayer has forked out nearly $13,000 to repair ministers' self-drive cars since National came to power in 2008.

Ministers can use a chauffeur-driven BMW but also have a taxpayer-funded self-drive car. This car can be used by other people "at the discretion" of the minister.

TV3 news has broadcast details of an Official Information Act request which showed $12,645 was spent repairing ministers' prangs.

Ministerial Services said claims were not made if; damage cost $1000 (the insurance excess) or less and no third party was involved; or where damage was from wear and tear.

Finance Minister Bill English's car had a lot of work done -- there were 15 different dings in his Ford Mondeo.

"I think we had a bit of a bad run there for a while," Mr English said.

Mr English paid for the repairs himself, having learned a tough lesson from 2009 over his use of expenses, which ended with him paying back money he claimed from Ministerial Services for his family home.

"It seemed to me, in my position, it was important that we were responsible for whatever damage there was to the car."

However, the only other minister to pay their own way was coalition partner Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia, who paid for grazed and scratched paintwork.

Housing Minister Phil Heatley -- previously in trouble for wrongly using his ministerial credit card for personal expenses -- let the taxpayer meet his $3427 repair bill for damage to car doors, panels and the right rear bumper and side mirror.

Other ministers' bills were:

* Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples -- $2024

* Former minister Heather Roy -- $1711

* Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman -- $1165

* Justice Minister Simon Power -- $1064

* Defence Minister Wayne Mapp -- $795

* State Services Minister Tony Ryall -- $771

* Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee -- $650

* Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson -- $435

* Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy -- $433

* Local Government Minister Rodney Hide -- $170

Last week 3News reported the petrol bill for these cars; Police Minister Judith Collins spent $11,536 of public money on petrol for her self-drive car since National came to power.

In comparison, Transport Minister Steven Joyce spent $273, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp $232 and Education Minister Anne Tolley $153.

Dr Mapp said he usually paid for the petrol himself.