The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is definitely the flagbearer of premium hatchbacks in India. First launched all the way back in October 2015, the hatchback was able to cross an incredible 10-lakh sales milestone by November 2021. Putting that into perspective, that is 14,000 cars sold per month for a period of 72 months – more than what many carmakers sell all their models put together.
Being such a dominant success, the Baleno seems to be among the most valued cars as well in the used car market in India. It is praised for its family-friendly practicality coupled with its frugal powertrains, a combination that Indian consumers crave for. In this article, we will look at some valid points and guidelines that will help you fetch the best resale value for your Baleno.
Factors Affecting Maruti Baleno Resale Value
As a car owner, there are several facets you need to take into consideration while putting up your Maruti Suzuki Baleno for sale, to ensure that the resale value does not face a major blow.
Condition
One of the key factors a buyer will look into when purchasing a used car is the overall condition. How the used car looks and feels to drive usually helps understand a rough estimation of its resale value. You need to ensure that your Baleno is in spick and span condition, i.e, free of any dents, abrasions or scratches and ensure that all the features and components are functioning well.
Any suspicious dents or flaws will lead the buyer to assume that the car has a history with a potential accident and will lead them to further negotiate the price. The mileage shown on the odometer should justify the wear and tear seen in the paint, tyres or even the interiors. The condition of the seat covers and tyre treads will also help determine how much your Maruti Suzuki Baleno is valued at depending on its usage.
Odometer Reading
The odometer is a gauge installed in your car that helps to measure the distance travelled by the vehicle. It is the most crucial factor that a buyer checks during the resale process, as they use it to determine how much your Baleno is worth. It’s as simple as if the odometer reading is high, your car will have a lower resale value.
If you are thinking ahead and plan to sell your car off in a couple of years, it is recommended to keep a check on the mileage and try to keep it as low as possible, so you can claim a higher selling price. Clocking around 10,000 km per year is considered average, and it can help maintain the resale value of your Baleno to a decent amount.
Number of owners
Maruti cars have great resale value in general, owing to its popular brand image in India. However, one hindrance for even such a popular brand is the ownership history of your Maruti Baleno. The more owners use your car, the more difficult it becomes to determine the resale value of your car.
A single-owner used car will have a higher resale value than a second or third-owner car. Cars are depreciating assets, and one of the major reasons people tend to sell their cars after a period of time is to ensure they get the best resale value. Since you are an owner of a Maruti Baleno, known for its reliability and low cost of ownership, it will not be hard to find a buyer for your car even if you are a second or third owner.
Model popularity
Most of the Maruti Suzuki models in India are highly popular and products such as the Swift, Vitara Brezza and Wagon R all sell like hotcakes every year. The Baleno is no stranger to this popularity contest and since its inception back in 2015, it has been a raging success. The first-gen Baleno was one of the few hatchbacks back then that came with both petrol and diesel options, making it more versatile.
The second-gen Baleno came through next in 2022, with a different outlook. The car was more feature rich than its predecessor, but only came with a single engine option. No matter the variant or generation, the Maruti Baleno has always been a popular Indian car, and the all-new generation also helps increase the resale value by a large margin.
Age
There is nothing you can do as an owner to control the age of your car. It is something that surpasses your control when you evaluate your car’s resale value. Just like us humans, age has a deteriorating effect on cars as well, with its price declining as the time passes. For example, a 2016 model Maruti Baleno Alpha will have a resale value of around Rs. 5.40 lakh, whereas the same variant in 2017 can cost you around Rs. 6 lakh.
Accidental Status
Accidents have a great effect on your car’s resale value as it is unpredictable in nature and can eat a chunk of your car’s resale value. No matter how careful you are behind the wheel, accidents are bound to happen and can pop out of nowhere. Major accidents can substantially decline your Baleno’s resale value in no time at all.
Major accidental cars are harder to sell, which means you might end up selling your car at a throwaway price. The resale value of a Baleno with a major accident in its past is 60-80% lower than the value of its non-accidental value, which is quite significant. Make sure to add in this factor to your resale value if your Baleno has encountered an accident in its history.
Powertrains, Transmission, and Features
The first-gen came with a 1.2 L petrol engine and a 1.25 L turbo diesel engine. Both these engines were mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, which the petrol version has CVT as optional too. The latest iteration comes with two 1.2 L naturally aspirated petrol engines – the K12B with 83 hp and K12C with 90 hp.
Although the diesel variant production ended three years ago, it delivers better mileage than its petrol variant, which could come into the fray while determining the resale value of your Baleno. Coming to features, the second-gen is a major upgrade which aides the value of your Baleno. Features add greatly to Baleno’s resale value, and more features simply mean better resale value.
Expected Resale Value of Maruti Baleno
The Maruti Baleno’s resale value depends on several factors explained in the sections above such as the condition, odometer reading, age and so on. Here, we take a look at a list of the expected resale value of the Baleno based on its model year. Note that there will be other factors that will affect the final resale value.
| Model Year | Fuel Type | Resale Value |
| 1st Generation: 2015 – 2022 | Petrol | Rs. 5.10 – 7.50 lakh |
| Diesel | Rs. 4.78 – 6.40 lakh | |
| 2nd Generation | Petrol | Rs. 7.90 – 8.90 lakh |
Best Time to sell your Maruti Baleno
The value of your Maruti Baleno keeps depreciating with time and every single kilometre you drive. Plus, the operating cost of your car will keep rising gradually and the resale value can drop overnight, without you having any say in it. With roughly around 10% cost depreciation every year, your Baleno will be barely worth half its price within 5 years of purchase. Do note that a lesser driven car often has higher resale value as it is seen as a barely used car. For example, a 2022 model Maruti Baleno clocking 20,000 km on its odometer can easily claim around Rs. 7.10 lakhs.
FAQs on How To Get The Best Resale Value – Maruti Baleno
Does the Maruti Baleno have a good resale value?
Since it has the brand tag of a Maruti, the Baleno easily pulls a better resale value than its closest rivals.
Does a used car depreciate faster than a new car?
The rate of depreciation of a car depends on its age, condition, make and model. Hence, if the car is well-maintained, it should not depreciate fast.
Can I sell my Baleno after five years?
If you manage to maintain your car in top shape, you can sell your Baleno after five years of usage. It is the ideal period to sell your car as it can fetch a good resale value in the used car market.
Will depreciation rate be higher if I am the third owner of the car?
Typically, a car with several owners will attract a higher depreciation owing to wear and tear it has undergone under several owners. However, it also depends on how well the car is maintained and the age of the car.
