The 2017 Kinsey Report: Which Cars Have the Cheapest Parts?

It’s easy to compare sales prices for new cars. What’s less easy is comparing what different cars will really cost to own and drive. Along with factors like fuel efficiency, this will depend on the price of replacement parts and spares.

Every year since 1990, Malcolm Kinsey has compiled a survey comparing the costs of auto parts for popular vehicles – those with “reasonable to good sales figures volumes” – in South Africa.

About the 2017 Kinsey report

According to Kinsey, this year’s report reflects the “considerable turmoil” affecting the South African motor industry, with well-established brands like Citroën and Chevrolet exiting the market.

The 2016 report was based on a survey of parts for a total of 69 different cars; with various brands and manufacturers departing, this year’s report is down to 62 vehicle models.

Like in previous years, Kinsey investigated average dealer prices for car parts in three subcategories – service, repair and crash parts. For each car, the findings are combined to give an overall “total parts basket” cost.

The results are published for nine vehicle categories, such as city cars, family favourites and SUVs.

Cars with the cheapest car parts in South Africa

Some of the “winners” in the report, with the lowest total parts basket costs, are the Toyota Corolla Quest, Fortuner or Prado; the Nissan NP200; the Datsun GO and the Volvo S60.

Some of the “losers”, with comparatively high costs for parts – the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Creta, Volkswagen Move UP, Kia Rio, Volkswagen Amarok and Mercedes-Benz GLE.

You can link to the full 2017 Kinsey report from here. For easy reference though, these are the cars with the cheapest car parts, by category, for 2017.

City cars

1. Datsun GO 1,2 Lux (total parts basket cost: R44 373)
2. Volkswagen Polo Vivo hatch 1,4 Conceptline: (total parts basket cost: R59 284)
3. Hyundai i10 1,1 Motion: (total parts basket cost: R64 317)

Datsun Go has been the overall winner in this category for three years running.

In the category of city cars, the Tata Bolt placed second in the repair costs category and third for service costs. However, it failed to make the top three because of the high price of replacing its rear fender, which includes the whole side of the vehicle, from its front door.

The car with the most expensive parts (of those surveyed) was the VW Move Up 1.0 3-door.

Superminis

1. Volkswagen Polo 1,2TSI Comfortline (total parts basket cost: R87 992)
2. Renault Sandero 66 kW Expression (total parts basket cost: R93 022).
3. Renault Clio 66 kW Expression (total parts basket cost: R105 176)

The supermini with the most expensive parts in this category was the Kia Rio 1.4 Hatch.

Family favourites

1. Toyota Corolla Quest 1,6 (total parts basket cost: R71 875)
2. Toyota Corolla 1,6 Prestige (total parts basket cost: R73 520)
3. Nissan Almera 1,5 Acenta (total parts basket cost: R76 395)

The car with the most expensive parts (of those surveyed) was the VW Golf GTi.

Compact crossover

1. Mahindra KUV100 K8 (total parts basket cost: R81 597)
2. Peugeot 2008 1,6HDi Active (total parts basket cost: R90 920)
3. Ford EcoSport 1,0T Trend (total parts basket cost: R90 944)

The vehicle with the most expensive parts in this category was the Hyundai Creta 1.6 Executive.

Crossover

1. Toyota Fortuner 2,8 GD-6 auto (total parts basket cost: R84 992)
2. Toyota RAV4 2,0 GX CVT (total parts basket cost: R115 293)
3. Ford Kuga 1,5T Trend (total parts basket cost: R117 149)

The crossover with the most expensive parts in this category was the Honda CRV 2.0 Comfort.

Executive crossover

1. Toyota Prado 3,0 VX (total parts basket cost: R178 391)
2. Volvo XC90 D4 Momentum (total parts basket cost: R199 836)
3. Range Rover Evoque SE TD4 (total parts basket cost: R233 259)

The vehicle with the most expensive parts in this category was the Mercedes GLE 250 D Auto.

Double-cab bakkies

1. Toyota Hilux 2,8 GD-6 auto (total parts basket cost: R67 066)
2. Nissan Navara 2,3D 4×4 LE (total parts basket cost: R78 865)
3. Isuzu KB300 D-Teq (total parts basket cost: R82 971)

Most expensive in this category was the GWM Steed 6 2.0 VGT.

Single-cab bakkies

1. Nissan NP200 1,6i (total parts basket cost: R53 179)
2. Nissan NP300 2,0 (total parts basket cost: R57 546)
3. Toyota Hilux 2,4 GD-6 (total parts basket cost: R65 835)

Most expensive in this category was the VW Amarok 2.0 TDI, with a total parts basket cost of R139 995.

Executive saloons

1. Volvo S60 T4 Momentum (total parts basket cost: R159 862)
2. BMW 320i auto (total parts basket cost: R161 113)
3. Jaguar XE 20d Prestige (total parts basket cost: R171 223)

Most expensive in this category was the Mercedes C 200 Auto.

Affordable parts and spares from Masterparts

Of course, it’s not only the car you drive that determines what you’ll pay for parts and spares – it’s also the supplier you use.

At Masterparts, we take pride in offering affordable car parts and spares to auto shops and individuals in the Western Cape, as well as in Durban and Windhoek, Namibia.

Often our parts are significantly cheaper than those you’ll get from local dealerships, but this doesn’t mean you’ll be compromising on quality. We deal directly with original equipment manufacturers and suppliers, and the auto parts we provide are often the same as those provided by dedicated dealerships – just at lower prices.

Contact us for more information or to discuss your needs.