I am planning to get a Kia cerato, and have been hearing left, right and centre from ppl that Kia maintenance and parts are very expensive, and resale value is poor.

I am guessing I won't have much to worry about during the warranty period, but what about long term? Will I have to burn holes in my pockets in the future just to upkeep the car or is this just a perception that people have from Kia's older models?

Korean cars are quite reasonable to maintain. When people say Korean parts are expensive they are comparing original parts with Taiwan and China parts for Jap cars and not original to original. But nowadays you can also get non-original parts for Korean cars if you like. Parts are also easily available.

So buy with confidence. It's not like you are maintaining a Conti car.

Bought the Cerato in March 2015, now already clocked 65,000km

Only claim car battery once, other than that only normal service according to the schedule
Resale value not sure, but this car is so packed with features- really worth it. If you're looking for power than its got none, but if you're looking for a car that u can use daily without worries then you should go and buy

This post has been edited by kapalterbang_737: Jul 26 2016, 03:54 PM

Inkambing professor andnhis disciple with their elongated story about how Kia failed by not hiring them, and furthermore steal their master plan to conquer the world.

Oh wait.....

Ok, just FYI, gonna send my forte to service center to do the following :-

1. Air cond condenser replacement (FOC, claim warranty).
2. due to above change, need to change Expandable Valve (RM250).
3. Air cond Gas, RN50 orRM 150? not sure i hear wrong or not.
5. Labour RM50.

Owned a Kia previously for 5 years, would say that it's quite similar to Japanese makes if you go to the official SC.

3rd party workshops might not carry much Kia parts, so better buy from spare part shops around Jalan Ipoh for cheaper parts.

About the resale value, you should look at the % drop instead of the final 2nd hand amount, as well as the interest saved by taking lesser amount of car loan. At the end, might be quite similar as well.


This post has been edited by atah: Jul 26 2016, 04:16 PM

Frankly speaking, it is not necessary to replace expansion valve when replacing condenser coil.

Believe it or not, Korean car original part is slightly and sometimes a lot cheaper than Japanese car part. If you are fan of OEM and China part, you just need to know where to get it.

Cerato is a nice car. With the features that you get against the price u pay no one else can beat. Not to mentioned it looks good too!

U from KL ?
Then mobis segambut is ready to serve u with a lot of cheaper parts...

Still using a 1st gen picanto. 10yr+ clocked 150k.

changed parts, inc labor;
absorber - 1x (2pcs) (RM300)
ball joint - 1x (RM60)
lower arm - 1x (RM200+)
top overhaul - 1x (change gasket head, change all new pipes, radiator cleaning, etc etc) - 1x (RM1200+)
Fuel/gearbox filter - 1x (RM100-200 if i can recall, every 80k)
Aircon & timing belt - 1x (RM200-300)

I service at enoes 1utama after warranty ended. rm120+ for semi, every 7k. Normal service only.

Parts I buy myself and sometimes I get outside workshop to pasang with small fees.

RM50+ can gives 350km 100% city drive.

Cabin noise n comfort are still best compare to viva, myvi, axia. (as i usually rent those car while outstation work, some even brand new with few K mileage, fyi) Especially assemble parts, still intact nicely, not like those falling apart.

But RV is worst compare to the above mentioned car.

So conclusion, it's reliable and not costly to maintain a KIA. And parts are available easily.

don't listen to those people who hearsay or from last generation or typical jepunis cars fansi.... find real owner and get to know the numbers from them... those haters no matter what will say korean cars need to maintain like CONTI CAR... jokers....

Normally high maintenance and low reliability cars have low second hand value and this especially applies to Conti cars. However Korean cars have low resale value due to perception not reliability or maintenance cost. This benefits the smart buyer of used cars. Some Jap models have so high second hand value that it is ridiculous to buy them.

Im waiting also... Why still not kambing yet

dont forget that usually the korean cars come with extra safety features. that alone worth a lot of money

VSC is a must, dun buy T brand kosong car without VSC.

I have been around and owned Korean cars for 15 years and counting

so this is a true narration and not dramatized

- spare parts and repairs for Korean cars ARE AS EXPENSIVE IS MERC AND BMW

+100000