Used Tata Nexon – How To Buy

Used Tata Nexon

Tata Motors launched the Nexon in 2017 amid of a lot of anticipation. The vehicle was launched at a price of Rs. 5.85-9.44 lakhs (ex-showroom) and it got 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines. The vehicle found decent success in India and both the engine options got enough buyers.

The Tata Nexon got a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder, turbo petrol engine making 110 HP and 170 Nm while the 1.5-litre diesel engine made 110 HP and 260 Nm. At launch, both the engines were offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox only but in 2018 Tata launched AMT variants with both the powerplants.

While the Tata Nexon is a relatively new car in the market, there are plenty of them available in the used car market and there could be different reasons for people selling their cars so early. Yes, the initial batches of the vehicle did have some minor niggles and irritants but then Tata ironed out these issues in further batches. The Nexon got multiple special editions like the IPL Edition, Kraz Edition, etc. In January 2020, the Nexon got a mid-life facelift but these cars aren’t available in the used car market yet.

Tata Nexon – Overview

The Tata Nexon is a good looking compact SUV. Just like its rivals, this also measures under 4-metres in length. The design is funky and a bit different from what we’ve seen from older Tata cars. The rear styling does draw mixed opinions from people but overall it’s a nice looking car and it gets bright colour options, along with dual tone themes.

The cabin has always been one of the highlights of the Nexon. It has a well laid out dashboard, comfortable seats and a good view of the road ahead. The thick pillars do create a couple of blind spots while turning though. The Nexon has a meaty steering wheel and a simple instrument cluster. The rear seat isn’t too spacious though and fitting 3 people is a bit tight.

The diesel engine has proven itself to be another USP of the Tata Nexon. It is decently refined, has good punch and even gets driving modes like Eco, Comfort and Sport. The engine has a very torquey nature and is extremely fuel efficient which results in low running costs. The turbo petrol engine is powerful too but we weren’t happy with the engine’s tuning when we drove the car. It felt inconsistent and the power delivery too wasn’t very linear. The RPM band seemed to have some flat spots. The petrol engine also drinks more fuel and being a 3-cylinder unit, it isn’t very smooth.

The suspension setup on the vehicle is brilliant. The Tata Nexon offers a fantastic ride and this car literally glides over bad roads without disturbing the passengers. The steering is also nicely weighted and while this car isn’t meant for attacking corners, it does boast of good highway manners. Apart from the petrol engine’s tuning and the electrical gremlins, the Nexon doesn’t really have many flaws.

Pre-Owned Tata Nexon – What To Check

You need to be very careful while purchasing a used Tata Nexon. It is a good car but you don’t want to end up with a unit that has issues. Prepare a checklist before heading out to see any car and make a list of the usual things to look out for. Start with a basic checklist and include the body panels, paint quality, panel gap consistency, tyres, features, etc.

Inspect these things first and then have a closer look at the electricals and mechanicals. Initial batches of the Tata Nexon used to throw up niggles with the lights, central locking and infotainment system. Owners have complained about the lights switching off without reason, infotainment system lagging or restarting and the central locking malfunctioning.

The mechanicals of the Tata Nexon are quite well-sorted. As long as the vehicle has been serviced properly, there shouldn’t be any major mechanical problem. Few cars have had this problem of the steering becoming heavy while taking turns so if the car you’re checking out has an unusually heavy steering or the steering is making noises, get it checked out.

Both the petrol and diesel engines got the option of an AMT. The AMT isn’t very quick, it has some lag while shifting gears but it also has a creep function which allows the car to start rolling but this doesn’t work in some cars so if you’re testing an AMT car do try the creep function and even the manual mode. The clutch of the Nexon is very light so if it has become heavy then you might have to get some parts changed. If we ignore these electrical issues with the Nexon, it is actually a great car to live with and if you find one which has everything working as intended, don’t let it go.

Used Tata Nexon Expenses

The Tata Nexon has a service interval of 15,000 kms or 1 year which is good. A general service can cost between Rs. 7000-8500/- if you’re not replacing any extra parts. Customers have had mixed experiences with Tata service centres so it would be useful speaking to other Nexon owners about their experiences and get to know more about the service centres.

The front bumper of the Tata Nexon costs approximately Rs. 4500-4700/- while the rear bumper is priced at Rs. 5600-5800/-. A single ORVM with auto-fold motor and electric adjustment will cost Rs. 4500-5000/-. The front and rear windshields are priced at Rs. 6500/- and Rs. 2800/- respectively. A clutch kit for both the petrol and diesel variants costs almost Rs. 13,000/-.

A single headlamp costs Rs. 6200-6400/- while a tail lamp costs Rs. 4600-4800/- (inner+outer light). Front suspension struts are priced between Rs. 6000-7000/- though it could go a bit higher while the rear shock absorbers cost Rs. 3200/-. We couldn’t find out the exact cost of the entire EPAS steering column assembly but expect it cost in the whereabouts of Rs. 50,000/-. All these prices may vary from city to city and dealer to dealer.

A good comprehensive insurance for the Tata Nexon will cost anywhere between Rs. 9000-13,000/- depending on the car’s age, add-ons and IDV. It makes sense investing in a zero depreciation policy and there’s a lot of peace of mind involved too. Since the Nexon isn’t a very old car, there’s a good chance you might land a car that still has its warranty. Speak to Tata dealers and get the maximum possible extended warranty coverage for your vehicle. Ensure you get a warranty plan that is offered by the company and don’t opt for dealer-exclusive packages.

The petrol variants will deliver 8-12 km/l in day to day conditions while the diesel variants give 15-19 km/l easily. The petrol AMT could have a slightly lower fuel efficiency figure in traffic conditions so keep these costs in mind too. We recommend going for the diesel variant because this engine is superior, torquey and very efficient. When you shortlist a car, please take it to a nearby Tata service centre and get it checked properly. It’ll take time but it’ll be worth it. If any used car diesel refuses to give the car for a check-up, please avoid that car/dealer.

Used Tata Nexon Price

For 2017 models, you’ll have to sell out Rs. Rs. 5-5.50 lakhs depending on the variant and fuel type. Try and opt for the XT or XZ+ trims as they have a good list of features. The base XE trim misses out on a lot of goodies while the XM has a fair amount of necessary features.

MY2018 cars are priced anywhere between Rs. 6-7.50 lakhs with the diesel cars (especially in the higher trims) commanding a premium. Expect the AMT models to command an extra price too. 2019 models are priced between Rs. 7.50-10 lakhs because the Nexon has a lot of variants on offer and naturally the base variants are priced much lesser than the higher trims.

Pre-Owned Tata Nexon Alternatives

In this price bracket you get tons of options from every segment in the used car market. If you want a compact SUV only, you can consider the Maruti Vitara Brezza and Ford EcoSport. These are also sub-4-metre vehicles and get both petrol and diesel engine options. These are good cars, known to be reliable and are practical too. However, they do have different USPs.

You will also be able to find the Renault Duster in this price range. The Duster is a basic SUV and the older models got lesser features than the Nexon but it is a tough car, it is fairly reliable and it offers a very pliant ride which is also the best in its segment. The Duster is also bigger than the Nexon (and its rivals) and offers a larger boot too. Avoid the petrol Duster though and get the diesel, preferably in the 110 PS trim. The Duster 110 got AWD and AMT options too.

If you’re open to sedans then again a whole lot of options open up. You get some really good C-segment sedans like the Honda City, Maruti Ciaz, Hyundai Verna, Skoda Rapid and Volkswagen Vento. These cars have different positives and negatives but all of them have proven themselves in the Indian market. You will also find some D-segment sedans like the Volkswagen Jetta, Skoda Octavia and Toyota Corolla Altis at this price but expect the former two to be more maintenance-heavy than the Nexon. Another great option in this price is the older Toyota Innova but because this MPV’s resale value is too good, you’ll land old cars (2010-2013 models) in this budget. The Innova is a proper 7-seater, has a workhorse of an engine and its reliability needs no introduction.