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Latest Kinsey Report highlights some alarmingly high auto-parts prices

13th November 2015

By: Irma Venter

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

  

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South African motoring guru Malcolm Kinsey in October released his twenty-sixth Kinsey Report. This report compares the prices of the most common automotive parts that may require replacement on a vehicle.

The 2015 Kinsey Report covers 74 vehicles in nine categories – the same number of vehicles as last year, but with the crossover section now separated into two, namely the crossover and executive crossover segments.

The method of data capture remains unchanged, with all prices collected within the same calendar month, including value-added tax.

Comparisons are made between similar vehicles, in the same or similar category, since the physical size of the part will also affect costs.

When choosing the vehicles to be included in the study, consideration is also given to the monthly new-vehicle sales figures, which reflect the volume of sales for each vehicle.

However, some iconic vehicles are also included, even though their sales are “not in the Polo or Corolla league”, explains Kinsey.

This year’s report shows that shopping around for parts may still deliver dividends, he notes.

Manufacturers are only allowed to set a recommended selling price on a part, while individual dealerships may charge whatever they feel is fair and reasonable.

“This year’s Kinsey Report shows some alarmingly high prices, which I don’t think can be blamed entirely on the deteriorating rand,” he notes.

“There are instances where items like mag rims and windscreens cost R10 000 and more.

“Admittedly, there are cases where we are not comparing like for like – an example of this is the rear fender, which may be just that, or a complete side with door apertures.”

The area of crash parts is probably the most important in this study – most certainly the most costly, adds Kinsey.

“Service and warranty plans cover most costs, but the moment you drive your new vehicle out of the showroom, you and your insurance company are potentially liable for enormous costs.

“Vehicles with aluminium body panels and chassis components, for example, are complicated and very expensive to repair and some are even written off when the repair costs reach 50% of the resale value of the vehicle.

“The use of alloys is very in at present – ostensibly to lighten the vehicle and, thus, improve fuel consumption. This is a false environmental greening effort, since aluminium requires much more energy to produce and recycle than steel does.”

Selected Results (The parts basket includes items such as wiper blades, brake pads, clutch plates, windscreens, tailgates, bonnets and doors.)

City Cars and Entry-Level Cars (11 Cars Included)
The new Datsun Go Lux is a clear winner with a parts basket cost of R37 631. Kinsey regards the Go as a “great first-time purchase”, even if it may “lack a few refinements like airbags”. Second overall in parts is the Nissan Micra 1.2 Visia + at R44 479 and third the Polo Vivo 1.4 hatchback Trendline at R49 805.

To put the 2015 prices in perspective, consider that the winner in 2010 in this segment was the Renault Sandero 1.4 Authentique at R30 580. In 2005, it was the Volkswagen CitiGolf 1.4i at R12 653.

Super-Mini (10 Cars)
The Renault Sandero Dynamique (R65 517) narrowly pips the Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge (R65 738), with the Peugeot 208 1.2 Active a not-too- distant third, with a parts basket of R67 463.

Family Favourites (9 Cars)
Two Toyota Corollas take first and second spot, with the 1.6 Prestige edging out the 1.6 Quest at R67 078 and R69 466 respectively. Third is the 1.7 Bi Alfa Giulietta.

Compact Crossover (4 Vehicles)
The 1.5 Toyota Avanza SX heads up this class with a parts basket of R67 786, ahead of the Ford EcoSport 1.0 Trend. Third is the Renault Duster 1.6 Dynamique.

Crossover (10 Vehicles)
Toyota’s Fortuner 3.0 D4D Auto heads the list here, with a parts basket of R77 413, compared with the second-placed Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDI Auto at R92 992 and the Toyota Rav4 2.2.GX at R97 708.

Executive Crossover (7 Vehicles)
The winner here is the Volvo XC 90 D4 Momentum with a total parts basket price of R164 508, followed by the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI Quattro and, close on its heels, the Toyota Prado 3.0 VX Auto.

Double Cabs (8 Vehicles)
Here, the Tata Xenon XT 2.2 is first, with a basket price of R58 527, followed by the Toyota Hilux 3.0 D4D at R85 986 and China’s GWM Steed 6 2.0 VGT Xscape at R89 437.

Executive Saloons (7 Cars)
The leader here is the BMW 320i Auto, at R106 194, followed closely by the Audi A4 2.0 TDI SE Auto and the Infiniti Q50 2.0 T Premium.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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