Even affordable Chinese cars can require costly repairs. The biggest expenses are the automatic transmission, turbocharged engine, and body parts, optics, and safety systems, reports infohub.kz.
Nikita Rodionov, technical director of the international car service chain FIT SERVICE, explained which components can be most expensive for owners.
One of the most costly operations can be repairing the automatic transmission, especially a CVT or robotic gearbox. These units are sensitive to overheating, oil condition, and operating conditions. In case of serious malfunctions, repairs with replacement of friction discs, valve body, and pump can cost about 1.3–2.6 million tenge.
According to the expert, problems with CVTs in some budget Chinese cars can occur at around 90–120 thousand km. However, the specific lifespan depends on the model, gearbox design, and operating conditions. Therefore, when buying a used car, the condition of the transmission is very important: its repair can amount to a significant share of the car's value.
The second major expense is the powertrain. Modern Chinese cars often feature compact turbo engines with direct injection. Such engines require adherence to maintenance schedules and the use of appropriate fuel and oil. In severe cases, damage to cylinders and bearings, as well as turbocharger failure, can occur.
An engine overhaul with replacement of the piston group, block restoration, turbocharger, and related parts can cost from 1.6 million to 2.6 million tenge. However, overhaul is not always possible. If the manufacturer does not provide the relevant procedure and does not supply technical documentation or necessary spare parts, the service may need to replace individual components or the entire engine.
Another potentially expensive item is post-accident repair. Even relatively cheap Chinese cars come with complex lighting, electronic sensors, driver assistance systems, and several passive safety elements. Replacing headlights, bumpers, sensors, steering components, and safety system parts can significantly increase repair costs.
According to the expert, restoring a car after even a minor accident can cost about 1–1.6 million tenge. An additional problem can be rare body parts and electronic modules, which take longer to deliver and increase the final repair cost.