Dusting off repair costs
The Duster has been one of Renault's best-selling models, alongside the Clio and Kwid. Unfortunately, French cars have a reputation for being expensive to repair and maintain, which has chased potential customers away.
Related: Renault Duster 1.5 dCi 4x4 - Leave them in the dust
This couldn't be further from the truth, as we have found that the newer Renault models are very affordable and easy to fix when needed. With a brand new Renault Duster on the horizon, we look at the outgoing model to see what costs you can expect from these vehicles.
Renault Duster 1.5 DCI Dynamique 4WD – Much tougher than you’d think
Warranty and service
Renault South Africa provides a 5-year and/or 150 000 km warranty on the vehicle (whichever occurs first).
This warranty applies to any new vehicle sold and delivered by an authorised Renault dealership. It warrants that the vehicle will be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service. This warranty is subject to certain conditions and exclusions, which you will find in your owner's manual.
Customers also receive a 3-year / 45 000 km service plan with 15 000km service intervals.
Cost of Ownership
Renault quotes between R2500 and R3000 for a minor service (approximately) and roughly R7 500 to R8 800 for the major services at 15 000 km intervals outside the service plan. It will be worth checking with your Renault dealership, as the dealerships' franchise nature will result in slightly different pricing.
Another factor to consider is fuel costs. The Duster has a 50-litre fuel tank, real-world consumption figures of 5.0 L/100km, and a cost of roughly R22.16 a litre. For R 820, you should return around 1100km on a tank.
Verdict
The Renault Duster long held the title of cheapest 4x4 in SA. Not only was it cheap to buy, but it was also manageable to run. It has minimal maintenance costs and won't break the bank to operate on a daily basis and will allow you to hit the trails on a budget.
