We’ve sorted through South Africa’s new-vehicle market to identify the 5 most affordable cars that come standard with a maintenance plan…
In most cases, the purchase price of a new vehicle in South Africa includes a service plan. But what about models that instead ship standard with a full maintenance plan? Well, we’ve scoured the market to identify the 5 most affordable such vehicles.
As a reminder, while a service plan includes basic scheduled servicing, a maintenance plan is far more comprehensive, also covering various “wear-and-tear” components (but often excluding items like tyres and glass).
Of course, not all maintenance plans are created equal, so we’d advise that you carefully examine the terms and conditions (and particularly the exclusions) of any such coverage related to a vehicle you’re considering. Note all pricing below is correct in September 2026.
Read more: Out of plan, out of pocket? Your guide to extending car coverage in 2026
1. BYD Sealion 5 DM-i – from R509 900
The Comfort version of the Sealion 5 DM-i plug-in hybrid currently holds the title of South Africa’s most affordable new car with a maintenance plan as standard. The front-wheel-drive BYD Sealion 5’s powertrain is built around a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol motor. With some help from a front-mounted electric motor, this arrangement offers peak system power of 156 kW and 300 Nm.
- Maintenance plan: 4-year/60 000 km
- Warranty: 5-year/100 000 km (vehicle) & 8-year/200 000 km (battery)
- Find a BYD Sealion 5 on Cars.co.za
- BYD Sealion 5 (2025) Launch Review
2. Audi A1 Sportback – from R530 900
The A1 Sportback serves as the entry point to Audi South Africa’s range (until local stock runs dry, what with global production having ended) and is currently available in a trio of grades: Advanced, S Line and Black Edition. All 3 employ a turbocharged 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine delivering 85 kW and 200 Nm to the front axle via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
- Maintenance plan: 5-year/100 000 km
- Warranty: 1-year/unlimited km
- Find an Audi A1 on Cars.co.za
- Audi A1 (2021) Review
3. BYD Dolphin – from R599 900
With the Standard Range derivative (which had been priced at R539 900) having seemingly fallen away, the Extended Range variant is now the sole version of BYD’s Dolphin available locally. This fully electric front-wheel-drive hatchback has peak outputs of 150 kW and 310 Nm, along with a claimed single-charge range of 427 km. Interestingly, it features a longer maintenance plan but shorter vehicle warranty than the Sealion 5 above.
- Maintenance plan: 5-year/100 000 km
- Warranty: 3-year/100 000 km (vehicle) & 8-year/200 000 km (battery)
- Find BYD Dolphin on Cars.co.za
- BYD Dolphin (2025) Review
4. Mini Cooper C 3-Door – from R607 052
As is the case with Audi, all models in Mini South Africa’s line-up come standard with a maintenance plan. The Cooper C 3-Door serves as the entry point to the local range, featuring a turbocharged 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine. Maximum outputs of 115 kW and 230 Nm are delivered to the front wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
- Maintenance plan: 5-year/100 000 km
- Warranty: 2-year/unlimited km
- Find a Mini on Cars.co.za
- Mini Cooper SE (2025) Review
5. Subaru Crosstrek – from R609 000
With a maintenance plan standard across the Subaru range, the Crosstrek ranks as the most affordable derivative in the Japanese brand’s local portfolio. This model employs a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre, flat-4 petrol engine, which offers 115 kW and 196 Nm to all 4 wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
- Maintenance plan: 3-year/75 000 km
- Warranty: 5-year/150 000 km
- Find a Subaru Crosstrek on Cars.co.za
- Subaru Crosstrek (2023) Review
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the most affordable new car sold in South Africa with a standard maintenance plan?
A: The BYD Sealion 5 DM-i (Comfort) takes the title, priced from R509 900. It includes a 4-year/60 000 km maintenance plan.
Q: What is the difference between a maintenance and a service plan in South Africa?
A: While a standard service plan only covers basic scheduled servicing (such as oil and filter changes), a maintenance plan is more comprehensive by covering wear-and-tear components like brake pads and wiper blades, though usually excluding tyres and glass.
Q: Which 5 vehicles that include a maintenance plan as standard in SA are the most affordable?
A: As of September 2026, this list includes the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i (R509 900), Audi A1 Sportback (R530 900), BYD Dolphin (R599 900), Mini Cooper C 3-Door (R607 052) and Subaru Crosstrek (R609 000).
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