The Hidden Cost of Car Ownership: A Look at Spare Part Prices

Malcolm Kinsey, a well-known authority on spare-part prices, has been gathering and assessing the costs of replacement parts for over 20 years, providing a fascinating insight into the often-overlooked cost of car ownership. His Kinsey Reports have become a valuable resource for the motoring industry, shedding light on the prices of service parts, repair parts, and crash parts. This year, Kinsey added a new category to his survey, including the quintessential South African vehicle, the double-cab bakkie. The results of the 2010 Kinsey Report provide a comprehensive look at the cost of replacement parts for various car models.

Key Takeaways:

• The Renault Sandero takes top honors in the ENTRY LEVEL category, with the cheapest parts basket, followed closely by the Chevrolet Spark and Hyundai i10.
• The Tata Indica has the most expensive parts basket in the ENTRY LEVEL category, despite being one of the cheapest cars in the sample.
• In the B SEGMENT category, the VW Polo 1.4 has the cheapest parts basket, followed by the Hyundai i20 and Fiat Grand Punto.
• The Toyota Yaris has the most expensive parts basket overall in the B SEGMENT category.
• In the C SEGMENT category, the Nissan Tiida comes out on top, just ahead of the Alfa MiTo, followed by the Ford Focus 1.8 and the Mazda 3 Sport.
• The VW Golf 6 Trendline has the most expensive parts basket in the C SEGMENT category.
• The Toyota Avanza has the cheapest parts basket in the CROSSOVER category, followed by the Nissan Livina and the Suzuki SX4.
• The Land Rover Freelander has the most expensive parts basket in the CROSSOVER category.
• In the DOUBLE CAB BAKKIES category, the Mazda BT 50 tops the list of six double cabs, closely followed by its Ford stablemate, the Ranger 3.0.

Statistics:

• The left front door of the Renault Sandero costs R1 500, while that of the Chery QQ costs R4 902, and the Tata Indica's costs R4 866.
• The price of glass for the right front window costs R546 for the VW Polo 1.4, R1 436 for the Honda Jazz, and R2 156 for the Toyota Yaris.
• A replacement clutch plate costs R1 185 for the Nissan Tiida, R3 164 for the Mazda 3, and R6 999 for the VW Golf 6 Trendline.
• The replacement bonnet of the Toyota Avanza costs R2 000, while that of the Subaru Forester costs R4 476, and the Hyundai iX35 costs R9 480.
• To replace the Mazda's tailgate costs R3 189, while the Toyota Hilux 3.0 D4D Raider 4x2 would set you back R5 577.

Sources:

• Kinsey, M. (2010). Kinsey Report 2010. Retrieved from www.kinsey.valueweb.co.za.