Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Used Car Buyers’ Guide
Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Know the car
India’ best selling sedan has been on sale for the past 11 years and remains a favourite with both family buyers as well as fleet operators.
Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Car Summary
Based on the successful and popular Swift hatchback, the Dzire was Maruti’s first indigenous sedan. It carried forward all the positive traits of the Swift and additionally offered the convenience (and prestige) of a proper boot and hence gained a higher social status. It offered a reliable and peace-of-mind upgrade from smaller hatchbacks. Most owners are Maruti loyalists who are looking at a bigger vehicle as they go up the social and economic ladder.
Brief history of the Maruti Suzuki Dzire
Maruti launched the Dzire in October 2008 and it was based on the (then) Swift. Offering the same driving pleasure, the added benefit of a boot drew in a lot of consumers immediately. The car came with a 1.3-litre petrol and a 1.3-litre DDiS diesel unit with the former being replaced by a more efficient 1.2-litre K series engine in Jan’10. Also see our Maruti Swift Used Car Buyers’ Guide
In 2012, in order to benefit from small car tax norms, Maruti launched the sub-4 metre model and gave it a new design in and out. The car got numerous updates and editions over the years. For example, the Regal edition in April 2013 and Allure in Jan 2017.
The third generation – the current Dzire – was launched in May 2017 while a dedicated Tour S model for the fleet usage was out in March 2018. In August 2018, to keep sales charts soaring, a special edition model was also rolled out. The Dzire continues to be sold with a 1.2 petrol and a 1.3 diesel with AMT being optional on both the fuel types.
Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Typical new car buyer profile
The Maruti Dzire is aimed at second-time car buyers who are looking at up-grading from a small hatchback. Given Maruti’s strong foothold in the Rs 3-6 lakh bracket, most owners of the Dzire are Maruti users who want the same levels of peace of mind, reliability and high resale value.
The Dzire is a hit with small families where owners need the right amount of space for their growing kids. The Dzire is equally popular in smaller towns where Maruti’s sheer network of showrooms and workshops work in its favour.
In the fleet market, the Tour version is extremely popular thanks to a factory fitted CNG kit, low running costs and comfortable interiors for rear passengers.
Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Typical used car buyer profile
A used Maruti Dzire is on the radar for those want to experience the ownership of a sedan without spending more than a new hatchback. Consumers are aware of the reliable nature of a used Maruti Dzire and do not mind opting for an older model too.
The Dzire, being a sedan, is considered as a step up the ladder in the social standings and is an appropriate vehicle for families that have growing kids and a grandparent living with them. Most buyers of a used Maruti Dzire have till now owned a small hatchback and want to continue their association with the Maruti brand name.
Maruti Dzire: Key positives
The Maruti Dzire is well known for its long-lasting, trouble-free ownership experience. Both the petrol and diesel motors last over a lakh kilometres without any major hassles. The diesel engine is frugal and yet delivers good performance while the petrol engine, specially the K series motor sold after Jan’10, offers a good mix of performance and fuel economy.
The ride quality of the Dzire is neutral, offering a good mix of comfort and handling. The later versions have a long list of features too and with AGS now a common thing, finding a used automatic Dzire is not a hard task either. The latest gen model, on sale from May 2017 offers the most spacious cabin ever along with AMT for both fuel types. High end models with alloy wheels do look good too!
Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Key negatives
We will start with the second generation model that was sold from Feb’12 till May’17. Although a hot seller, it suffered from poor 2nd row space with almost all other rivals beating it hands down in this department. Ditto for the boot space.
The current gen model has improved across various parameters but diesel performance isn’t a match for the Volkswagen Vento or the Ford Aspire. The low-cost AGS (automatic) isn’t exactly a pleasure to drive, ground clearance is average and lower and mid level variants look under-tyred due to the thin width size.
The ideal used Maruti Dzire
It our opinion, if you are on a budget, look out for 2012-2014 models that are run less. These offer terrific value but if you are from Delhi NCR, it makes sense to ignore diesel models over 6-7 years old (as diesel cars older than ten years are banned in NCR).
If you have a larger budget around Rs 6 lakh, you can even get the latest generation Maruti Dzire that is best of the lot. It offers more space, a better cabin, a longer feature list and thanks to lighter weight, peppier performance too.
Pros and Cons of older and newer used Dzire cars
Given the immense popularity of the Maruti Dzire, the pre-owned car market is full of examples that are as much as 11 years old. These of course should be avoided, as the first gen model now feels dated.
The most sorted and value-for-money model is the 2nd generation one that sold from Feb 2012 till May’17. If you find a used example that has run less than 50,000km, it is a good choice to pick.
For the latest version, ignore the 2018 / 2019 models, as they will demand a higher resale value.
Used Maruti Suzuki Dzire for enthusiasts
The 1.2-litre K Series motor is known for its good mix of performance and economy. That said, we simply cannot ignore the DDiS motor that can be re-mapped easily. The same engine has served the Dzire across three generations.. Pick any, invest into a remap, better tyres and a lower suspension and you are good to go. Thrills couldn’t have come cheaper without any unwanted higher maintenance costs.
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Used Maruti Dzire: Buying Advice
What to check before buying
One of the main reasons for the popularity of the Maruti Dzire has been due to its dependable and trouble-free nature. In this regard, we are happy to say that apart from body rattles and suspension issues, a used Dzire will not trouble you too much.
If you are in the market for a used Maruti Dzire with high mileage, check for noisy suspension, inability to soak undulations and a noisy cabin. If the car has run a lot, check for clutch play and how it engages.
Typical problems and maintenance issues for used Maruti Dzire explained
Suspension issues: Drive the Dzire over bad roads and try to understand the absorption abilities of the suspension. If you are thrown around a lot and hear a lot of ‘thuds’, you may ignore the car.
Noise and rattles: The above exercise over broken roads can also lead to lot of noises and rattles inside the cabin. These, over the time, can get irritating for the both the driver and the passengers.
Clutch issues: An abused clutch of a Maruti Dzire will lead to excessive clutch play, in some cases a hard clutch and in most examples, slippage – so make sure your used Dzire test drives are long and you get to use the clutch a lot, including picking up speeds from lower revs.
Expected service costs, spares and repair costs for used Maruti Suzuki Dzire explained
The good part about a used Maruti Dzire is the low cost of maintenance and spare parts. Even if you have to come up with a suspension overhaul, the same can be done in less than Rs 20,000, which will make the car behave like new.
That said, there isn’t a proper cure for body rattles until unless you want to have the doors opened up and invest into sound deafening materials. But this is an expensive repair.
For the clutch again, you can get it all replaced in less than Rs 15,000 and this will last you, if driven well, for a lakh kilometers.
The regular service cost for a used Maruti Dzire, done every 10,000 km, isn’t over Rs 4,000-5,000 for a petrol and Rs 6,000-7,000 for a diesel one. This should be least of your worries when you are looking at buying a pre-owned Maruti Dzire.
Used Maruti Dzire: Expected real-world mileage
One of the highlights about the Maruti Dzire has been its frugal nature. The first gen model, with the 1.3-litre petrol wasn’t too good on the pocket but from Jan’10 onwards, the K series mill ensured an easy 12-13 kmpl in city usage. The 1.3 DDiS unit has only improved over the years with the latest models offering as much as 18-20 kmpl in city runs if you use the higher gears.
Used Dzire: Maintenance and service tips
The Maruti Dzire, thanks to its popularity, can easily be serviced at any popular neighborhood garage. Most parts are available as OES (original equipment spares) but on the whole, if the car has seen regular servicing, you wont have a reason to worry about in terms of changing parts on a used Dzire very often.
Maruti Suzuki Dzire used car: What to avoid
Most first generation Maruti Dzires are known to have a higher odo reading. Avoid these and the ones that are already under a 2nd owner. We don’t want you to invest into a used car that will demand high expenses in terms of maintenance.
Likewise, avoid the ones that have been used in the commercial segment or have an after market CNG kit. The earlier the model, the better it will be.
The ideal used Dzire
A less used 2013-2014 model of the Maruti Dzire is a good buy if you are short on budget. If opting for petrol, make sure it doesn’t have an after market CNG kit. For used diesel models, pick the ones that have less than 60-70,000km on the odometer.
For such a vehicle, you can expect to pay, post negotiations, about Rs 3 – Rs 3.5 lakh post negotiations.
If you have a higher budget and want the most recent model, keep aside a minimum of Rs 5.5 to 6 lakh. But it will be money well spent as you will get hold of a (much) modern model.
Our recommendations
All used Maruti Dzire models have come with ample peace of mind factor. The latest or the current gen models get Airbags and ABS as standard, which does add to the safety factor. If you buy a used Dzire from the current lot, you will also get to own and experience the standard factory warranty and this just adds to the peace-of-mind factor.
Used Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Alternatives
A used Honda Amaze is a great alternative to a used Maruti Dzire. We love the diesel mill, which is known for its reliable, torquey and efficient nature. Ride comfort is better, cabin is far more spacious and routine service costs extremely low.
If you are low on budget, look for out for a less used Hyundai Xcent that is 3-4 years old. It will offer a better cabin, more space and a ride quality that will match a similarly old used Dzire. Resale isn’t too strong which means you pay Rs 3-4 lakh for a 3-4 year old model. We kid you not!
Other options in the same price include a used Tata Tigor. Again, resale value is poor and the sheer number of features on offer along with space and comfort make it a good used deal.