JOHANNESBURG: If your warranty and service plan have expired, auto parts prices can hit you hard when your trusty steed needs repairs or scheduled maintenance. And when it comes to pricing strategies for original parts, not all car manufacturers apply the same rules.

Automotive journalist Malcolm Kinsey, who sadly passed away earlier this year, kept motorists informed of parts prices through his annual Kinsey report, but in his absence the Automobile Association (AA) set out to compile a price report.

The AA aftermarket parts pricing guide, released this week, ranks parts prices in 11 different vehicle categories, from entry-level to family SUVs, double cabins and even electric cars. A total of 63 vehicles are included in the guide, which covers regular maintenance parts as well as auto body repair parts.

Entry-level vehicles: Datsun Go

In this category, the Datsun Go established itself as the vehicle with the cheapest basket of parts relative to its price, at R74,024, or 40% of its list price. It was followed by the Suzuki Swift (43.28%) and the Renault Kwid (46.71%). The most expensive spare parts basket belonged to the Kia Picanto at R 107,349 (56.5%). When it comes to service parts, however, the Toyota Agya was the cheapest at R10,891 and 5.98%, while the Kia was once again the most expensive (R19,545, 10.3%).

Economy vehicles: Ford Figo

The Ford Figo 1.5 Titanium won the award in the budget category, with a total parts basket cost of R53 254, representing 20.8% of its purchase price. It was significantly cheaper than other competitors, which included the Volkswagen Polo Vivo (30.98%) and the Suzuki Vitara Brezza (40.17%). The Mahindra XUV300 was the most expensive at 45%. When it comes to maintenance parts, the Figo was also in the lead (R8,699, 3.4%), while the Mahindra was the most expensive (R21,455, 8.19%).

Compact family: Mazda CX-3

The Mazda CX-3 led the compact family segment, with a total basket of R131,920 parts representing 33.08% of its purchase price. It is followed by the Haval Jolion (35.9%) and the Hyundai Venue (37.4%), while the Kia Seltos came in last place (46.6%). On the maintenance parts side, the CX-3 was again in the lead (R15,834, 3.97%) and the Kia Seltos was last (R31,738, 7.93%).

Family SUV: Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V 2.0 Elegance is the parts price hero in the wagon class, with a total basket cost of R 171,790, or 29.1% of the purchase price. It narrowly beat the Toyota Rav4 (30.7%) and the Mazda CX-5 (36.4%), while the Peugeot 3008 was the most expensive at 41.16%. When it comes to maintenance parts, the Peugeot was in the lead (R17,915, 3.12%) and the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V were last, with baskets around the top 25 points.

Executive SUV: Alfa Romeo Stelvio

In the executive SUV segment, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio established itself as the cheapest, with its R179 210 basket accounting for just 21.4% of its retail price. The Alfa was followed by the Mercedes-Benz GLB (23.5%) and the Jaguar E-pace (30.7%), while the Hyundai Santa Fe was last (40.1%). In the service parts category, the Mercedes-Benz (R20 789, 2.45%) narrowly beat the Jaguar and Alfa Romeo, while the Volvo XC60 was the most expensive (R48 944, 5.7 %).

Luxury SUV: Land Rover Defender

When it comes to premium SUVs, the Land Rover Defender D300 has the winning parts basket, at R336,202 or 23.1% of its purchase price. The second and third were the Range Rover Sport TDV6 (25.7%) and the Lexus RX 450h (26.5%), while the most expensive basket belonged to the Mercedes-Benz GLE 300d (34.8%). In the service parts category, the Lexus was the best (R32,062, 2.2%) and the Mercedes the last (R124,084, 8.4%).

4×4 Adventure: Ford Everest

In the all-terrain SUV category, the Ford Everest 2.0 Bi-Turbo came out on top, with its basket R117,037, which only represents 15.4% of the vehicle’s purchase price. Next came the Toyota Fortuner (16.04%) and the Isuzu MU-X (18.1%), while the Jeep Cherokee was the most expensive (42.1%). When it comes to maintenance parts prices, Toyota takes the lead (R14 237, 1.8%), followed by Jeep (2.3%) and Ford (2.8%) while the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport was the most expensive (3.4%).

Single cab LCV: Isuzu D-Max

Isuzu takes the lead in the single cab bakkie category, with the D-Max 250C Fleetside basket costing R79,038 (22.7%). It was followed by the Ford Ranger 2.2 TDCi (24.9%) and the GWM P Series 2.0 TD (28.3%), while the Nissan Navara 2.5 XE (R187 443, 53.6%) and the Fiat Fullback 2.4 (R231 152, 71.4%) turned out to be extremely expensive in comparison.

LCV Double Cab: Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger 2.0 SiT XLT was the double cab winner, with its R96,083 parts basket accounting for just 13.6% of its purchase price. The Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD followed closely behind (14.2%), as did the Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 (15.3%). The Nissan Navara 2.5 LE was the most expensive (R296,424, 43.8%). In terms of maintenance parts, the Ford won again (R11 433, 1.6%), while the Nissan Navara (R28 161, 4.2%) and the Mitsubishi Triton (R31 417, 4.5 %) were the most expensive.

Why budgeting is essential

“The AA aftermarket parts pricing guide is important research that consumers should be aware of,” the AA said.

“Often times, buyers do not consider the potential lifecycle costs of vehicles at the time of purchase, and budgeting for these expenses is essential.

“Our research shows that more and more people are keeping their vehicles longer, due to current economic conditions and personal finances; the information in our guide is an essential part of proper research when buying a new or used vehicle, ”said the AA.

Click here to view the full AA parts price guide