Is the Suzuki Baleno expensive to maintain?
Maintenance can be a bit of a bugbear with car ownership, especially considering costs. However, some cars can be pretty cheap and easy to maintain. Now comes our long-term Suzuki Baleno, where we'll investigate if it's expensive to maintain.
Suzuki generally has a track record of vehicles that are relatively easy and cheap to maintain. Then comes along the Suzuki Baleno, specifically our long-term Baleno, which we have been enjoying. You can read our many stories here.
Related: Heavily updated Suzuki Baleno launched locally
The Baleno's trusty K15B non-turbo 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine powers it. The 77 kW and 138 Nm are sent to the front wheels via either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. Remember also that the Baleno has a 980 kg kerb weight, which makes it quite sprightly, even at altitude. How much is this all to maintain, though?
Do we have a service plan?
The Baleno range comes with a 4-year /60 000 km service plan, a 5-year /200 000 km mechanical warranty, 5-year / unlimited km roadside assistance, and a 6-year /unlimited km anti-corrosion warranty. These plans are part of the Baleno's purchase price.
How much does the Suzuki Baleno cost to maintain?
We spoke to Suzuki Kyalami and queried how much it costs to service and maintain a Baleno.
Minor Service
From R1600.00
The minor service consists of an engine oil service, which changes the oil and oil filter, and an air filter inspection.
Major Service
From R4100.00 - R7500.00
The major service consists of the minor service and, in addition, includes an air filter, spark plugs, pollen filter, accessory belts for the alternator and/or air conditioning, and fuel filter, depending on the mileage and condition of certain components.
Other notable components
Front brake pads R1243.00 including VAT
Front brake discs (pair) R4229.55 including VAT
*Pricing stated here was correct when publishing and is subject to change without prior notice. Pricing obtained here may differ from dealership to dealership.
Verdict
Looking at the above maintenance pricing, we can conclude that the Baleno range isn't that expensive. Pair that with the 4-year /60 000 km service plan included in the purchase price, and your maintenance needs will be entirely reasonable. Even after the service plan, the service pricing isn't expensive.
If you're keen on a Baleno after reading this, you can search AutoTrader for the latest used and new offerings and sell your car, too.
