The 2017 Kinsey Report has landed, detailing the costs of 35 replacement parts commonly needed for servicing and repairing 62 similar cars with reasonable to good sales across nine categories.

The annual report, compiled by veteran journalist Malcolm Kinsey since 1996, continues to be the definitive guide to parts pricing in the South African market, giving consumers a reasonable idea of the damage you can expect to your bank account if you own any of these cars and run into any part replacement expenses that are not covered by warranty, service plan or insurance.

The ranking of the cars in each category below is determined by adding up the costs of typical servicing parts (filters, spark plugs, wipers, brake pads, etc.), repair parts (cam belt, shocks, clutch plate, flywheel, fan belt, etc.) and parts that are commonly needed in the event of a crash (doors, fenders, bumpers, glass, lights, wheels etc.). The highest-ranked is the car with the lowest total expenses across all three of these categories.

For the 2016 results – click here

City Cars and Entry Level (10 cars):

The Datsun Go Lux came out top amongst its nine competitors in all three parts categories: service, repair and crash parts. This is a welcome accolade for Datsun, who have only been in the country for three years and have just reported a 203% volume increase across dealer sales channels on a year-on-year, year-to-date basis. The Polo Vivo is in second spot but boasts the lowest parts cost when calculated as a percentage of the price of the vehicle. The Tata Bolt was included for the first time and fared well in the repair costs category (2nd) and service costs (3rd), but took a knock in the crash section because if you bust a rear fender you’ll need a whole new side section.

1. Datsun Go 1.2 Lux

2. VW Polo Vivo 1.4 Conceptline

3. Hyundai i10 1.1 Motion

4. Ford Figo 1.5 Trend

5. Toyota Etios 1.5 XS

6. Honda Brio 1.2 Comfort

7. Renault Kwid 1.0 Expression

8. Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL

9. Tata Bolt 1.2T XT

10. Volkswagen Move UP 1.0

Super Mini (5):

Top spot here goes to the VW Polo 1.2 TSi with both the most economical parts basket and best basket to purchase price of the car – a good indication of all-round value for money. It also scores first in repair and crash parts and second in service. Renault takes second and third place with its Sandero and Clio respectively.

1. VW Polo 1.2 TSi Comfortline

2. Renault Sandero 66kW Expression

3. Renault Clio 66kW Expression

4. Ford Fiesta 1.0T Trend

5. Kia Rio 1.4

Family Favourites (8):

For the third straight year this category is dominated by the Toyota Corolla – the 1.6 Quest just pipping the 1.6 Prestige by a few thousand on the overall parts basket and also the percentage value for money. The VW Golf GTi, comparatively expensive as a package, scores well in repair parts, in 2nd place.

1.Toyota Corolla Quest 1.6

2. Toyota Corolla 1.6 Prestige

3. Nissan Almera 1.5 Acenta

4. Mazda3 1.6 Dynamic

5. Honda Jazz 1.5 Elegance

6. Ford Focus 1.5T Trend

7. Hyundai Elantra 1.6 Executive

8. Volkswagen Golf GTI

Compact Crossovers (6):

Winner here is the Mahindra KUV 100, followed in second place by the Peugeot 2008, ahead of the Ford Ecosport 1.0T by a mere R23. Mahindra is lowest in the both the service and repair section with the Peugeot best in the crash parts section.

1. Mahindra KUV100 K8

2. Peugeot 2008 D Active

3. Ford Ecosport 1.0T Trend

4. Mazda CX3 2.0 Active

5. Renault Duster 1.6 Dynamique

6. Hyundai Creta 1.6 Executive

Crossovers (8):

This category is again won by the Toyota Fortuner, convincingly in both least expensive parts basket and percentage calculation. Second goes to the RAV 4 2.0 – up seven places from last year, and third the Ford Kuga1.5 T, also very much improved this year. All three have the least pricey crash parts and it is interesting to note that all three have managed to beat inflation with their overall baskets being lower than in 2016.

1. Toyota Fortuner 2.8GD

2. Toyota RAV4 GXC VT

3. Ford Kuga 1.5 T Trend

4. Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Premium

5. Nissan X-Trail 1.6 dCi XE

6. Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi EX

7. Mitsubishi ASX 2.0 GLS

8. Honda CR-V 2.0 Comfort

Executive Crossovers (8):

Here it’s Toyota again in both overall parts basket price and percentage. All the vehicles in this section have automatic transmissions – the manual options not being as popular. Winner is the Toyota Prado 3.0 VX followed by the Volvo with good prices in service (1st), repair (2nd) and crash (2nd) parts. The Range Rover Evoque holds on to the third place which it achieved last year.

1. Toyota Prado 3.0DT VX

2. Volvo XC90 D4 Momentum

3. Range Rover Evoque Td4 SE

4. Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD Laredo

5. Audi Q7 3.0 TDI Quattro

6. BMW X5 xDrive25d

7. VW Touareg TDI V6 Luxury

8. Mercedes-Benz GLE 250D

Double Cabs (5):

It’s a third win for Toyota in this category, with the Hilux 2.8 GD, clinching best basket price and affordability percentage. Second is the Nissan Navara and third, the Isuzu KB 300, all tried and tested favourites. GWM Steed 6 gets a look-in with impressively low servicing parts costs.

1. Toyota Hilux 2.8GD

2. Nissan Navara 2.3dCi LE

3. Isuzu KB300 D-Teq LX

4. Ford Ranger 2.2 Highrider XL

5. GWM Steed 6 2.0 VGT Xscape

Single Cabs (7):

Nissan is smiling here with first and second going to the NP 200 (half tonne) and NP 300 (1 tonne) respectively. These genuine workhorses may lack a creature comfort or two but prove their value when put to work.

1. Nissan NP 200 1.6i

2. Nissan NP 300 2.0

3. Toyota Hilux 2.4GD

4. Isuzu KB250

5. Mahindra Scorpio 2.2 Pik-Up

6. Ford Ranger 2.2 D Hi-Rider

7. Volkswagen Amarok 2.0 TDI

Executive Saloons (5):

These are again all automatic transmission vehicles – like the executive crossovers, the demand in this luxury category is almost exclusively for automatics. Volvo clinches first spot again with the S60 with the BMW 320i close behind. The BMW came out tops for percentage value for money.

1. Volvo S60 T4 Momentum

2. BMW 320i

3. Jaguar XE 2.0 D Prestige

4. Audi A4 2.0 TFSi

5. Mercedes-Benz C200