Used car resale value: Mahindra Scorpio vs Tata Safari

If you are in the market for a used SUV, this is a good time to look for one as there are many who are upgrading to bigger, newer models. Two of the most popular SUVs in the budget segment are the Mahindra Scorpio and the Tata Safari.

Here we take a look at the used car prices of the two – the Mahindra Scorpio and the Tata Safari, across multiple listings on the Internet collected in our used car database. One thing we have noticed is that between the Mahindra Scorpio and the Tata Safari, there are a higher number of listings for each model year for the Mahindra Scorpio than the Tata Safari. The ratio of Mahindra Scorpios to Tata Safari listings available is nearly 4:1, which is reflective of the new car sales figures as well, where the Scorpio outsells the Safari over three times at least. Checklist for buying a used Mahindra Scorpio

From the collective database, we’ve got a fairly good indication of the average price of each model year of the Scorpio and the Safari. The prices listed are an average of all prices for that particular model year, across variants – and so it evens out to a mid-variant price. Prices also vary by number of kilometres covered and by city (prices in Bangalore are much higher compared to Delhi).

Prices of Used Mahindra Scorpio (Updated March 2013)

The Mahindra Scorpio was launched in 2002 and has steadily risen in sales since then. The vehicle has been undergoing constant updates as well. It was launched with a 2.6 litre DI diesel engine and a 2 litre petrol engine (which was discontinued after three years). The first upgrade was in 2003, with a change to the diesel engine components. In 2004, the engine was further refined and a few more features were added on, as well as further variants. In end 2005, the new CRDe 2.6 diesel was introduced. In 2006, the Scorpio body got a makeover with distinct styling changes coming in. In 2007, the 2.2 litre M-Hawk diesel engine was introduced. In 2009, the new body styling came in, which is seen on the present Scorpio too. In 2012, it got a change in suspension design.

Mahindra has been refining the Scorpio over the years and has added a number of features, including safety features such as ABS and airbags in the top-end variants. It sells at least nine different variants now in 4×2 and 4×4 versions.

Prices of the first generation Mahindra Scorpio are relatively low, at Rs. 2.2 lakh for a 2002 model going up to Rs. 3.54 lakh for a 2003. Post 2006 models fetch much better resale value, with prices for a 2006 model averaging over Rs. 5 lakh. A three year old, 2010 model Mahindra Scorpio is available for about Rs. 8.5 lakh (which is more than the price of an entry-level new Scorpio). New Mahindra Scorpio prices range between Rs. 7.8 lakh to Rs. 12.21 lakh ex-showroom. Meanwhile, check out our Mahindra Scorpio: Used Car Buyers’ Guide for great, comprehensive advice on buying one right!

Mahindra Scorpio resale values

2002-2003: Rs. 2.20 lakh – Rs. 3.54 lakh

2004-2005: Rs. 3.40 lakh – Rs. 4.06 lakh

2006-2007: Rs. 5.06 lakh – Rs. 5.74 lakh

2008–2009: Rs. 6.29 lakh – Rs. 7.59 lakh

2010–2011: Rs. 8.49 lakh – Rs. 8.90 lakh

Prices of used Tata Safari (Updated March 2013)

The Tata Safari is older to the Mahindra Scorpio by four years. Launched in 1998, the original Tata Safari came with a 2-litre diesel engine that put out 90 bhp of power. This engine was upgraded in 2004 only to a 3-litre Dicor engine in the interim, before the launch of the 2.2 Dicor engine in 2008, and which continues in the present Tata Safari as well. There was a petrol variant of the Tata Safari on sale with a 2.1 litre engine for a couple of years but it was discontinued due to poor sales. The Tata Safari hasn’t had as many refreshes as the Mahindra Scorpio. However, the latest Tata Safari Storme, launched in 2012, was its biggest change till date. Checklist for buying a used Tata Safari

Tata has been making fewer changes in the Tata Safari over the years compared to Mahindra. It has fewer variants as well, with only five variants of the Dicor on sale till recently, while the Storme has only about four variants.

Unfortunately, when it comes to resale value the Tata Safari does not hold its value as much as the Mahindra Scorpio. Mechanically, the Tata Safari, especially after the 2.2 litre variant was introduced is quite reliable. The latest Safari has more power than the Scorpio and it has always enjoyed a space advantage. Still, in the market, the perception of Tata service and a history of earlier niggling troubles have resulted in the Safari fetching a lower resale value. For example, a 2006 model Safari has an average price of Rs. 4 lakh, compared to Rs. 5.06 lakh for the Mahindra Scorpio. A 2010 model has an average price of Rs. 6.40 lakh compared to Rs. 8.49 lakh for the Mahindra Scorpio, and this when the Tata Safari is actually more expensive than the Scorpio when new. Prices of the Tata Safari (new) range between Rs. 8.32 lakh to Rs. 13.68 lakh ex-showroom.

Tata Safari resale value

2002-2003: Rs. 1.5 lakh – Rs. 2.65 lakh

2004-2005: Rs. 2.75 lakh – Rs. 3.5 lakh

2006-2007: Rs. 4 lakh – Rs. 4.7 lakh

2008-2009: Rs. 5.18 lakh – Rs. 6.52 lakh

2010-2011: Rs. 6.38 lakh – Rs. 7.86 lakh

If you are a seller, you would be better off owning a Mahindra Scorpio, as it would fetch you better resale value. However, if you are a buyer looking for a good deal, a used Tata Safari, post 2008 models especially, would be a better deal compared to a Mahindra Scorpio. Also read: Buying used SUVs in India