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Car parts prices in SA: We list cheapest vehicles

*Update: Comments are open

Cape Town - From spark plugs to clutch plates... unless you're covered by a warranty and/or service plan, replacing car parts can be incredibly expensive.

Do you know how much it would cost to replace your car's brake pads? How about fixing a dent in your bumper? Sadly, many South African car owners are unaware of the long-term cost of vehicle ownership until it's too late.

Fortunately, there's the annual Kinsey Report  published since 1990.

74 vehicles, nine categories

The 2015 Kinsey Report covers 74 vehicles within nine categories and shows a list of prices of 35 parts and the cost of each "parts basket" as a percentage of the vehicle's price.

Whether you own an entry-level hatch, workhorse bakkie or luxury sedan, being aware of replacement parts (and the cost thereof) is critical to avoid nasty surprises down the line.


Have you made costly repairs to your car? How much did you have to fork out to your dealer/repair shop? Email us and we'll publish your thoughts on Wheels24!



Journalist Malcolm Kinsey, author of the report, says: "The method of data capture remains unchanged, with all prices collected within the same calendar month, including VAT. Prices are sourced almost exclusively from franchise dealers around Durban, to replicate as closely as possible what the customer would experience. Where possible we provided a VIN number for the exact vehicle required. 

'Alarmingly high prices'

"For the customer it is very important to take note of the VIN number found on all vehicles when getting a quote for any parts required (left bottom corner of the windscreen – a 17-digit alfa numeric code that identifies every component of the vehicle). This will ensure that everything from trim to engine, gearbox, tyres etc will be specific to your model vehicle and with all the variations on the market this makes part identification both easier and more precise.”

“Th 2015 Report shows some alarmingly high prices which I don’t think can be blamed entirely on the deteriorating rand. There are instances where items like mag rims and windscreens cost R10 000 and more."

Kinsey further adds that some vehicles have been dropped and included others which were absent from the 2014 report. The choice is huge and one has to be selective, he said.

Consideration is given to the National Automobile Association of Southern Africa’s monthly sales figures which reflect the volume of sales for each vehicle. 

Click here for the full report

Below you'll find the top three best performers in each category.

2015 Kinsey report: Cheapest parts basket by category

City cars/entry level
1 Datsun Go - R37 631
2 Nissan Micra 1.2 - R44 479
3 Polo Vivo 1.4 - R49 805

Kinsey said: "The new Datsun GO is a clear winner here with a parts basket of R37 631 (and a low selling price of R102 500). It’s a great first-time purchase, making owning a new car affordable. It may lack a few refinements like ABS brakes and airbags, but it’s a solid little vehicle for basic transport. Best for servicing parts is the 4th placed Ford Figo followed by the Micra and Spark."

Super Minis
1 Renault Sandero - R65 517
2 Fiat 500 - R65 738
3 Peugeot 208 - R67 463

Kinsey said: "The least expensive car to service is 7th placed Polo, some R250 less than the Sandero in second place, followed by the Fiat. In the repair portion you are better off with a Fiat 500 while accident parts costs are lowest for the Sandero, followed by the Peugeot 208 and Fiat."

Family favourites
Toyota Corolla Prestige - R67 078
Toyota Corolla Quest - R69 466.
Alfa Giulietta - R85 384

Kingsey said: "A pair of real family favourites, two Toyota Corollas take 1st and 2nd – the Prestige just edging out the Quest at R67 078 and R69 466. Third is the Alfa Giulietta which always seems to surprise with its competitiveness."

Executive sedans
1 BMW 3 Series 320i - R106 194
2 Audi A4 – R106 952
3 Infiniti Q50 - R108 700

Kinsey said: "All these vehicles are automatic, so there are no pricey clutch and flywheel costs. Audi comes out top in the servicing section ahead of the Infiniti and all the cars are within a thousand rand or so. The repair portion has the Infiniti well ahead with a larger range of costs.

"The crash parts costs reflect the overall basket – 1st to the BMW, 2nd to the Audi and 3rd to the Infiniti."

Compact crossovers
1 Toyota Avanza - R67 786
2 Ford Eco Sport 1.0T - R78 804
3 Renault Duster - R79 693

Kinsey said: "The Duster is the least expensive vehicle to service followed by the Avanza and new Citroen Cactus 1.2.(4th). The Avanza is substantially less pricey for both repair and crash parts, with the Renault Duster second in repair parts and the Eco Sport second in crash parts."

Crossovers
1 Toyota Fortuner 3.0 D-4D - R77 413
2 Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi - R92 992
3 Toyota Rav4 2.2 D-4D - R97 708

Kinsey said: "Toyota’s Fortuner heads the list here once more with a parts basket of R77 413 compared with the second-placed Kia Sportage at R92 992 and the Toyota Rav 4 at R97 708.

Most economical Crossover to service is the Mitsubishi ASX followed by the Hyundai iX 35 and the Nissan X Trail."

Executive crossovers
1 Volvo XC90 D4 – R164 508
2 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI – R172 662
3 Toyota Prado – R173 713

Kinsey said: "These are the real top dog SUVs and I felt they warranted a class of their own. Priced at over R750 000, and all automatic, the parts prices are probably more of academic than economic interest to their owners, but might be an eye opener to many of us.

"The winner here is the Volvo XC90 with a total parts basket price of R164 508, followed by the Audi Q7 and close on its heels the Toyota Prado. Volvo has the lowest service parts cost at R4,810, followed by the Range Rover Evoque (4th ) and the Prado. "

Double cabs:
1 Tata Xenon - R58 527
2 Toyota Hilux Raider - R85 986
3 GWM Steed 6 - R89 437

Kinsey said: "The GWM has the most competitive service costs at R2269 ahead of the Tata and Isuzu KB300 (4th overall). Repair parts winner is the VW Amarok. Crash parts sees Tata Xenon the clear winner by more than R20 000 on second-placed Toyota Raider."

Single cabs
1 Nissan NP 200 - R47 026
2 Nissan NP 300 Hardbody - R49 314
3 Chevrolet Ute 1.4 Club - R59 096

Kinsey said: "Servicing honours go to Nissan Hardbody, a scant R23 from the NP 200 with the Chev Ute in third. The Chev Ute retaliates by having the best repair parts basket ahead of the two Nissans. And in the crash parts it’s the two Nissans in 1–2 position again."

Users respond:

Chad Young: So I own a 2007 Peugeot 207 GTI. It blew a head gasket and my current bill is close to R35000, yup that’s Rands not zim dollars, and can you believe it, the car is still not finished. If I had gone through an agent it would have been upward of 60 grand.

Daniel Amos: Replaced the whole front-end on a 2004 Toyota Hilux not so long ago; Fan, viscous, radiator, condensor, bumper and grilles, badges, bonnet, two fenders, both headlights, cradle, stiffener. Grand total for parts was about R7000.


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