Buying a Second Hand Wagon R: Things You Should Know

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R has become a popular sight on Indian roads having been around for 25 years. Three generations later it still features in the top 10 best selling cars in India. The boxy hatchback offers plenty of space and comfort. Its frugal engines, many features, and affordable price tag have made it a popular family car.

The “tall boy” stance made the Wagon R one of the best used car models in India. The choice of petrol or CNG engines, as well as manual and automatic transmission options, are key to its popularity and good resale value. If you are looking for a second hand Wagon R for cheap, here is what you need to know.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R: Model Overview

The Wagon R was launched in India in 1999 to take on the Hyundai Santro. It became very popular and was soon offered with petrol, LPG, and even CNG later on. The alter-ego Stingray was also offered as a more premium choice.

Maruti Suzuki’s widespread network of dealers and service centres meant the Wagon R was very successful. Today, the Wagon R offers a choice of 1.0 and 1.2 petrol engines, each with manual or AMT options. The 1.0 also has two CNG variants. That makes it easy to find a good quality used Wagon R anywhere in India.

First Generation (1999-2009, MC)

The first-ever Maruti Suzuki Wagon R was launched in 1999. Its unique design easily accommodated taller passengers. The 1.1-litre engine with 62 bhp made the Wagon R larger and more powerful than the popular 800 and Alto. 

A choice of 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic was also offered, making the Wagon R one of the cheapest automatics to buy.

The facelift Wagon R arrived in 2003, with body-coloured bumpers and a chrome strip on the grille. It retained the same engines and transmissions. A comprehensive facelift in 2006 brought in the Wagon R Duo with a petrol+LPG setup.

Second Generation (2010-2019, MP31S)

The second-generation Wagon R grew larger and received a more modern design, along with ABS and airbags. The engine was now a 1.0-litre three-cylinder, producing 67 bhp and 90 Nm. It was available with a 5-speed manual and 3-speed AT, before switching to a 5-speed AMT option for the latter.

The 2013 Wagon R facelift featured a narrower grille, revised bumpers and fog lamps. Inside, it received a dual glovebox and an integrated music system along with AUX and USB connectivity.

Stingray (2014)

The Wagon R Stingray was offered as a more premium model with distinct styling and a nicer equipment list including projector headlamps and more comfort features, selling alongside the standard Wagon R. The ‘Stingray’ name was later dropped and it became the VXi+ top model.

Third Generation (2019-present, MT81S)

The third generation Maruti Wagon R is built on the new HEARTECT platform, making it lighter but stronger than the model it replaced. It is larger and has more rounded edges for its boxy shape. New shape headlights and vertical tail-lights gave it a modern look. 

The 67-bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine and CNG option continued. A more powerful 83-bhp 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine was also offered with a choice of 5-speed MT or AMT.

In 2022, Maruti Suzuki updated the Wagon R top models to the 89-bhp DualJet 1.2-litre petrol engine. The 5-speed MT and AMT option continued. The 1.0-litre petrol and CNG variants also continued. Maruti Suzuki have sold almost 10 lakh Wagon R cars in the last five years.

Maintenance and Service Costs of the Wagon R

When buying a second hand Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, the service cost is a factor especially for high-mileage vehicles. Though it is highly reliable and efficient, older and high-mileage models may need replacement parts and more thorough checks and this directly affects the overall cost of ownership. 

Maruti Suzuki India has an unmatched network of dealers and service centres everywhere in India. Here is the average service cost for the first five years of service for the Maruti Wagon R.

The spare parts for Wagon R are widely available as it is bestseller for Maruti Suzuki. Finding a Maruti service centre is easy and getting your Wagon R serviced on time will ensure its efficiency and reliability are maintained.

Apart from the periodic service schedule, a second hand Wagon R, especially one that has covered high mileage, will require a closer look and a more comprehensive service after 50,000 km or so. This means a replacement of parts such as spark plugs and brake pads apart from the usual filters and oil change. The following are the costs that may be involved:

Brakes: To ensure that your Wagon R stops promptly and predictably, check and replace the brake pads at around 30,000 km. The front disc rotor costs ₹1,340, drums are ₹1,600-2,000, and a brake pad set is ₹3,300.

Under the Bonnet: A high-mileage Maruti Wagon R will mostly need replacements under the bonnet to keep it going smoothly. The Wagon R spark plugs cost ₹145 each, and the timing belt costs ₹600.

Clutch: The Wagon R clutch will last for a long time with normal driving but would need replacement at around 60,000 km. The clutch disc costs ₹1,285 and the total assembly replacement cost is about ₹2,600 plus labour and consumables.

Suspension: If there is noise when going over a bump or an unusually hard ride in a car which has crossed 50,000 km, it may warrant a suspension change. The front strut assembly costs ₹1,960, front arm costs ₹620 and rear arm costs ₹995.

Resale Value of the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

The Wagon R is a great buy for those looking for a more practical family car or a convenient second car. It is a very popular car across India and second hand Wagon R models have retained their resale value well.

For example, a 2012 used Wagon R 1.0 VXi MT done 75,000 km costs ₹1.87 lakh while an LXi CNG costs ₹2.68 lakh, thus retaining about 35-40% of its original value. On the other hand, used examples of the Maruti new Wagon-R prices range from ₹5 lakh for a 2023 1.0 LXi MT and go up to ₹6.8 lakh for a one-year old 1.2 ZXi AMT, which means it retains more than 80% of its value. The resale value depends upon several factors such as:

Model Year: Newer car models will always have a higher resale value than older models.

Location: The city of registration and use makes a difference as cars from suburbs and cities are valued higher than cars used in coastal cities.

Variant: Higher variants such as ZXi or automatic will be more expensive but will fetch a higher resale value due to their better features and equipment.

Condition: A well-maintained Wagon R which has been regularly serviced and has its service history available will hold its resale value better.

Mileage: A used Wagon R with a lower kilometre reading will have a higher value.

Common Problems with a Wagon R

1. High-speed stability:

   
   Many Wagon R owners who take to the highway have reported inadequate stability at highway speed and unsettling behaviour in strong winds. This is all due to its light weight and tall body.

    

2. Bumpy ride:

   
   The softer suspension may lead to a bumpy or bouncy ride over bad roads or undulations.

    

3. Boot space:

   
   Some owners have found the boot too small. CNG cars have much lesser boot capacity.

    

Specifications of the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R (2019–present)

Here are all the specifications you need for the Wagon R versions currently on sale in India.

Conclusion

The Maruti Wagon R is a highly practical compact car for urban use. It is a great family car on a budget and is very reliable and efficient. It is locally manufactured so spare parts and service are easily available everywhere even in remote areas. The choice of petrol and CNG, with manual and automatic variants makes it a sensible used car purchase.