Car maintenance cost comparison Part 8: Entry-level hatchbacks

After Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 and Part 7 of our maintenance cost study, here’s Part 8 comprising of entry-level hatchbacks.

• Maintenance costs calculated over 60,000km

• Entry level hatchbacks maintenance costs compared

• Factors in service life as well as cost of parts and labour (ex-Delhi, inclusive of taxes)

Sitting just above the budget segment, the entry level hatchbacks offer an improvement in terms of space as well as performance and features. Here too, the segment is a petrol-only lineup in the BS-6 era. There are six models on offer with from four manufacturers. 

Unfortunately, Maruti refused to participate in this test, however, we have managed to source the data through our dealer sources for the sake of this comparison study and thus its prices should be treated as estimates.  

Entry-Level hatchbacks maintenance cost comparison

• One year or 10,000km is the standard service interval in this segment, with the exception of Tata which offers a longer 15,000km interval. Tiago owners need to make a routine visit to the service centre for a routine check-up every 7,500km, for which the company charges Rs 850 from the 22,500km check-up onwards.
• The Datsun GO is the most economical to maintain due to fewer replacement parts and a flat Rs 1,770 labour charge from the 20,000km service onwards.
• Trailing the GO is the Hyundai Santro, which is almost as light on the pocket.
• The other Hyundai, the Grand i10, comes in third spot a little further. Hyundai charges for labour from the 30,000km service at a flat rate of Rs 2,620, amounting to a total of Rs. 10,480.
• The Maruti Wagon R is the only one in this segment with two engine options, both have similar maintenance costs and come in below the Tata Tiago, which despite having the least number of services up to 60,000km, sits on top of the maintenance cost chart.

Did you find this maintenance cost comparison helpful? Tell us what you think in the comments section and stay tuned for maintenance cost comparison surveys of other segments that are coming soon.

Entry-level hatchbacks maintenance costs (in Rupees)
	Datsun Go	Hyundai Grand i10	Hyundai Santro	Tata Tiago	Maruti Celerio	Maruti Wagon R	Maruti Wagon R
Engine	1.2P	1.2P	1.1P	1.2P	1.0P	1.0P	1.2P
COST OF PARTS
Air Filter	317	184	165	602	180	192	275
Oil Filter	229	89	89	163	85	85	90
Fuel Filter	NA	397	397	NA	265	310	265
Washer Drain Plug	NA	NA	NA	22	6	6	6
Spark Plug (for entire set)	562	282	NA	342	315	315	800
Coolant	NA	NA	NA	848	338	338	338
Engine Oil	990	1368	1140	1925	1163	1305	1395
Brake fluid	275	NA	NA	218	355	355	355
Pollen / HVAC filter	NA	394	198	232	NA	NA	NA
Service Intervals	1 year or 10,000km	1 year or 10,000km	1 year or 10,000km	1 year or 15,000km	1 year or 10,000km	1 year or 10,000km	1 year or 10,000km
1st Service Cost (parts+labour)	1219	1457	1229	3214	1254	1396	1491
2nd Service Cost (parts+labour)	3264	1820	1412	7132	4283	4425	4520
3rd Service Cost (parts+labour)	2989	4261	3825	8251	3673	3815	3910
4th Service Cost (parts+labour)	4143	4440	3843	7132	4920	5384	6002
5th Service Cost (parts+labour)	2989	4077	3660	NA	3567	3709	3804
6th Service Cost (parts+labour)	3264	5066	4373	NA	4425	4567	4662
Total Cost	17868	21121	18342	25729	22122	23296	24389
Maintenance cost per km	0.30	0.35	0.31	0.43	0.37	0.39	0.41