When looking to trade-in your current car for an upgrade, you shouldn’t accept the first offer you get. Various factors affect the trade-in value of your car, and we’ll list only a few of them below.

1. Make, model and variant of your car
   

   Some brands are more popular than others, some have been in the market for much longer, and others keep their value for a longer period. Other factors that the evaluator needs to consider is the model and engine variant of your trade-in as well as any history of defects in such models or variants.

2. Recondition Costs
   

   Dealers need to resell your trade-in at a profit, but they also need to ensure that it is in the best possible condition when it gets delivered to a new owner, and therefore the dealer needs to provide for any reconditioning of the car, including body work, mechanical and valet for example.

   The worse the condition of your trade-in, the lower the offer you will receive.

3. Popularity

   It was mentioned before, but some cars and brands are more popular and in higher demand than others and often dealers will pay a strong amount for trade-ins that are in high demand.

4. Service History

   Abiding by your car manufacturer’s service schedule not only ensures that won’t experience a costly breakdown on the side of the road, it also helps with the amount that you are offered when you trade your car in for a new one.

   By providing a service history on your car, you’re giving the dealer and prospective new owner peace of mind that the car has been well maintained and won’t fall apart around the next corner.

5. Mileage
   

   The mileage on your car affects your trade-in offer to a certain extent. We all know that cars aren’t made to last forever and with higher mileage comes the possibility of mechanical issues and potential costly repairs.

6. Age

   An older car doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t get a decent deal when you trade it in, but as with mileage, the possibility of a costly breakdown on an older car is far more likely than that of a newer model, and will be taken into consideration when your car is evaluated.

7. Colour
   

   The colour of your car not only affects your insurance premium, but also plays a part in the trade-in and resell value of your car, since white and lighter coloured cars are easier to spot on the road making it safer to travel in – a vital aspect for many buyers.

There are many more factors that could affect the trade-in value of your car – but it all comes down to the same principle: take good care of your car, drive safely and adhere to regular services and you should be just fine.

With perfectly-designed, sleek curves inside and out, unmatched space, and attention to detail, the appeal of the Baleno is crystal clear. But just in case you need convincing – keep reading.

Innovation in safety

Let’s start with the most important feature – the safety of you and your passengers when travelling. The Suzuki Baleno is equipped with class leading active and passive safety features, making sure that your worries are laid to rest. Such features include ant-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist function, SRS front-, side- and curtain airbags as well as LED daytime running lights.

Achieve driving harmony

Now that your mind is at ease about the safety features present in the Suzuki Baleno, it’s time to take a look inside.

The spacious interior will not only fit five people comfortably, it hosts a range of impressive features to make the journey even more enjoyable, like all around electric windows, cruise control, automatic air conditioning and rear parking distance control that helps you get into the tightest parking spots.

Synchronise yourself

On to the fun stuff. Cars haven’t been just a means of getting from point A to point B for many years now, Suzuki realizes this and has therefore ensure that the Baleno comes equipped with a 6.2” touchscreen and Bluetooth hands free telephone with audio streaming and multi-function steering wheel.

How’s that for entertainment?

Passionate performance, energetic transmission

The Baleno’s 1.4-litre engine is designed to maximise energy efficiency and increased running power, for an invigorating and stimulating driving experience.

It is available in a 5-speed manual, and 4-speed automatic transmission.

Passion through design

The sleek curves and modern design elements of the Baleno reflects your drive, your pace and your passion. A car for the individual that reflects the personality of the driver with attention to detail inside and out.

Aftersales

Suzuki offers you a 5 year/200,000km promotional warranty and 4 year/60,000km service plan on the Baleno.

Test drive yours today, it’s a way of life.

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of buying a new car – however, the thrill could be short lived if you have any of these bad driving habits that are damaging your vehicle and shortening its lifespan.

1. Hitting potholes and speed bumps.
   
   • Potholes have become a very common occurrence on South African roads and these everyday hazards can cause great damage to your vehicle if not spotted in time. If your vehicle hits a deep, dreaded divot in the road, steering system misalignment to a full-on tire puncture or bent rims may follow.
2. Overloading your vehicle.
   • All vehicles have a loading capacity for a reason. No vehicle behaves in the same way when overloaded, but generally, steering becomes more difficult. Overloading a vehicle usually occurs towards the back of a car or bakkie. This causes the front wheels to touch the road surface under less weight, with a resulting loss in traction and steering control. In extreme cases, the front wheels may, at times, even lift off the road surface.
3. Shifting from drive to reverse before stopping.
   • Shifting too quickly while your car is still in motion can cause significant damage in the transmission because there is a spinning coupling mechanism that can prematurely fail if it becomes worn from the harsh gear change. Always come to a complete stop before shifting into another gear.
4. Neglecting warning lights.
   
   • Its right there in the name, “WARNING LIGHTS”. If any of these lights comes on, it is best to take your vehicle to your nearest service center for a checkup (if you are unsure of what the light means), or to attend to whatever warning light has come on. You can also consult your car’s owner manual for a breakdown of what each warning light means.
5. Late braking.
   • There is a huge difference between an emergency brake and constant late braking. Frequent hard braking accelerates the wear and tear on the parts that make up the braking system, reducing the efficiency of these systems as well as their lifespan.
6. Shifting to a lower gear at high speed.
   • While it may be necessary to downshift to overtake on the highway, skipping a couple of gears while downshifting at high speed can have a negative impact on the engine and transmission. The engine speed rises suddenly at lower gears and can be dangerous for the car. To save the engine from high revs, manufacturers include engine-cutoff sensors. If the engine speed reaches a certain limit it can get cut-off and the car can come to a complete halt, in some cases. It can also cause wheel spin and send the vehicle out of control.
7. Not following the service schedule.
   
   • By not following your car’s service schedule, you risk voiding the manufacturer’s warranty that your car comes with, as well as putting yourself and other road users at risk by driving a poorly maintained vehicle. Even if your car seems fine, the service schedule provided by the manufacturer is there to ensure you get the best possible, safest performance from your car.
8. Riding the clutch.
   • “Riding the clutch” simply refers to the act of keeping the clutch pedal partially pressed down. This pushes the pressure pad against the clutch plate but doesn’t engage completely, therefore creating more friction and wearing out the clutch faster. The best way to avoid this from happening is to keep your foot well away from the clutch unless you are actually changing gear.

The Celerio may be small in body, but it’s loaded with big ideas and larger-than-you-expect spaces to make everyday life richer and more fun.

1. XL Space

• The spacious interior of the Celerio offers more than enough room for up to 5 individuals, with enough space for all your grand plans. With its intelligent design, it is easy to get in and out of, although you may never want to leave.
• The already impressive luggage compartment can be expanded to 1034-liters by folding down the rear seats.

2. XL Performance

• The compact Celerio is powered by a K10B 1.0-liter, lightweight petrol engine, which offers a fuel consumption of 4.6 liters per 100km. Perfect for South African roads.
• It offers you the choice between a 5-speed manual transmission or automatic gear shift – depending on your preference.

3. XL Comfort

• So, it looks good – but what else does it offer?
• The Celerio is big on comfort and convenience which becomes evident when you look at the spacious cabin, 14-inch alloy wheels and minimum turning radius of only 4.7m – which makes navigating the city that much easier.

4. XL Safety

• Perhaps the most important aspect for some when it comes to buying a new car – safety features.
• The Suzuki Celerio might be compact, but it doesn’t compromise on safety, with features like dual front SRS airbags, ABS, front fog lights and ISOFIX child seat anchorages to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.

5. XL Aftersales

• By now, you’re probably convinced that the Suzuki Celerio is without a doubt your next car – if not, the 3 year/100,000km factory warranty and 2 year/30,000km service plan should be enough to convince you.

The Suzuki Celerio is more than just a car, it’s a Way of Life.

Some things aren’t taught in driving school, but that doesn’t mean you have to remain in the dark forever – with this guide we will teach you how to keep moving when you experience car trouble and are unable to get to a mechanic or repair shop immediately.
The best part? You’ve already got all these items around the house.

1. PROBLEM: Stone chip on your window.
   • Even the smallest windscreen chip can quickly get out of hand if left untreated. A small chip can develop into a full-blown crack almost overnight – which is both dangerous and costly to repair.



2. SOLUTION: Clear nail polish.
   • While nail polish is far from a permanent fix, it will stop the chip from cracking further – buying you some time to get to a windscreen repair specialist.
3. PROBLEM: Car polish on your windscreen.
   • It might not seem like an emergency, but still poses a hazard (not to mention what a pain it is to remove). It hinders your ability to see clearly, and could lead to an accident if you don’t remove it.
4. SOLUTION: Nail polish remover.
   • A small amount of nail polish remover on a cloth will clear your windscreen right up.
5. PROBLEM: A leaky radiator.
   • A leaking radiator can cause your car to overheat, putting your engine at serious risk of seizure.



6. SOLUTION: An egg, some turmeric and some curry powder.
   • It sounds like a delicious breakfast, but could also help you out in a pinch. Turmeric powder is used in the production of radiator sealants and can thus be used as a temporary fix until you are able to get to a mechanic (turmeric could also be substituted with curry powder).
   • Alternatively, use an egg white to form a plug, as the heat of your radiator will cook the egg and seal the gaps.
   • Neither solution is a good long-term solution – so we recommend plugging the leak and ensuring you get your car to a mechanic immediately.
7. PROBLEM: A build up of lead sulphate on your battery.
   • A lead sulphate build up on your battery can corrode your battery terminals, and cause your car’s electronics to malfunction. It appears as a white substance covering your battery.

   

8. SOLUTION: A can of coke and an old toothbrush.
   • For safety reasons – put on a pair of safety gloves and disconnect your car’s battery. Once the battery is disconnected, dip the toothbrush in some coke (yum) and scrub the lead build up off the battery.
   • Once the battery looks clean, you can take a damp cloth and wipe off the coke residue. Let it dry and reconnect the battery.
9. PROBLEM: Sun damage to your headlights.
   • As much as we love getting in our daily dose of vitamin D, the sun’s rays can damage your car’s headlights over time, making them appear dull and murky.



10. SOLUTION: Toothpaste
    • An oldie but a goodie. Polish your headlights by squeezing some toothpaste onto a cloth and lathering your headlights generously. The toothpaste will clear up the murky appearance, making your headlights shine as bright as they did the day you bought your car and improving your visibility when driving at night or bad weather conditions.

You might need to visit a mechanic for more serious car trouble, and when any unusual lights starts flashing on your dashboard – it might be time to visit CMH Suzuki Pinetown to test drive your next set of wheels.

The Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, powered by Wesbank has quickly grown to become one of the benchmarks when it comes to quality within the South African automotive industry. Now in its third year, the awards ceremony saw 39 finalists battle it out for the top spot. Spoiler alert – Suzuki defended its Brand of the Year title successfully and thus holds back-to-back victories in this category.

As an upcoming Japanese brand know for quality and excellence in everything we do, it was clear that one victory would not be enough to distinguish ourselves from the pack. Two other vehicles from the Suzuki stable gladly stepped up to the plate and delivered in spades

 
The Suzuki Ignis was awarded with the title of Budget Car of the Year. The winner of this category represents as much good car as possible for the asking price. Value is very important, as are low running costs and all such “common sense” considerations.

 
Lastly the Suzuki Vitara got to enjoy its own moment by winning Compact Family Car of the Year. With household budgets stretched to breaking point, the reasonably affordable modern-day family car has to wear many hats – from compact traffic dodger, to spacious school-run specialist and even weekend getaway machine. Practicality and spaciousness are important considerations, but so are safety, technology, fuel efficiency and a modicum of lifestyle flexibility.

Can Suzuki make it three-in-a-row in 2018? Only time will tell.