Used Honda City: The Cost of Luxury in the Second-Hand Market

The Honda City was once known as the gold standard for middle-class luxury. For more than two decades, it has been the car families aspired to and enthusiasts trusted for its high-revving i-VTEC engines. Even today, the sight of a clean second hand Honda City on the road signals comfort, refinement, and long-term value.

But in the used car market, admiration is not enough. Buyers want to know the bottom line: what is the real Honda City ownership cost once the car has clocked in serious mileage? That's where service bills, resale math and running costs filter out the good ones from the bad ones. Keep reading. 

Purchase Price Breakdown 

Prices for a second hand Honda City vary sharply depending on the generation and condition:

• 3rd Gen (2008–2013): Up to ₹3–4 lakh for cars with 80,000–140,000 km. Suggested only if the budget is a constraint and you find a clean 2012 or 2013 model. Watch out for rust, suspension issues and electrical wear.
   
• 4th Gen (2014–2020): ₹5.5–9 lakh for cars under 90,000 km. 2017–2019 cars with full history deliver the best value. These units deliver on modern features, better refinement, and stronger resale.
   
• 4th and 5th Gen (2020–2023): ₹10–15 lakh. Many are still under warranty, which keeps prices firm. Buyers get the latest design, updated safety kit, and smoother CVT, but they are only a value play if you want near-new at a used price. Check our detailed guide on the Honda City 4th Gen vs 5th Gen.

Resale Value Trends

The Honda City has always been a level above in the resale area. Thanks to bulletproof reliability and a great reputation, demand for clean second hand Honda City remains high even after a decade. As per data, here's what you can expect: 

• Year 1: Car retains 73% of value.
• Year 2: 69%.
• Year 3: 63%.
• Year 4: 59%.
• Year 5: 55%.

Beyond 5 years, the depreciation is slower. By year 7-8, a well-kept Honda City still retains 40–45% of its original value, and even 10+ year-old cars hover at 30–35%, provided it's without an accident.

This steady resale curve means the Honda City ownership cost is offset by a higher resale value than its competitors, such as the Ciaz, particularly when the vehicle has a full service history. Do note that at the end of the day, these are just benchmark figures and the real value of the City also depends on the condition and service history. 

Maintenance & Service Costs

The reason why many people trust a 2nd hand Honda City is that the maintenance is predictable. Servicing is not the cheapest in the segment, but stable and predictable.

• Minor services (every 10,000 km): ₹6,000–8,000 at dealers.
• Major services (brake pads, fluids, plugs, etc): ₹12,000–18,000 when due.
• FNG (Friendly Neighbourhood Garage) savings: Using a trusted garage with OEM-spec parts can drop these bills further, but only recommended if the car is at least 6 or more years old.

The above figures are mostly for petrol units and diesel Citys cost slightly more to maintain. On average, owners report their Honda City ownership cost for servicing falls between ₹7,000–15,000/year, with spikes when suspension or AC jobs come up.

Big-Ticket Repairs Owners Face

Even with the reputation of Honda, there are parts that go bad after running for a long time. These are the common wallet-hitters when it comes to Honda City ownership costs: 

• Clutch/pressure plate: ₹15,000–22,000 (petrol and diesel).
• CVT oil change: ₹6,000–10,000 (essential every 25,000 km).
• Suspension overhaul: ₹30,000–55,000 (usually after 80–100k km).
• AC compressor/evaporator: ₹20,000–30,000.
• Steering rack: ₹30,000–₹45,000.
• Tyres (set of 4): ₹20,000–28,000.

These don’t come up every year, but smart buyers factor them into long-term Honda City ownership cost planning.

Real Running Cost Math

In real-world urban conditions, the City returns around 13 kmpl for the petrol manual, 12 kmpl for the petrol automatic and around 19 kmpl for the diesel manual. To put numbers in perspective, here is how the Honda City ownership cost pans out for different usage patterns.

Scenario A: 1,000 km/month (12,000 km/year, petrol i-VTEC manual)

• Fuel: 13 kmpl avg = 923 litres/year × ₹95/l = ₹87,700.
• Routine servicing: ₹7,000/year (dealer); ₹4,000–5,000 at FNG.
• Insurance: ₹20,000–30,000/year can be lower depending on IDV (insured declared value).
• Tyres: One set (around ₹24,000) every 40,000 km, which comes down to ₹6,000/year amortised.
• Big-ticket allowance: Around ₹5,000–10,000/year (clutch, AC, suspension averaged).
• Ownership cost: Approximately ₹1.25–1.45 lakh/year.

Scenario B: 1,500 km/month (18,000 km/year, petrol CVT)

• Fuel: 12 kmpl avg = 1,500 litres/year × ₹95/l = ₹1.42 lakh.
• Routine servicing: ₹8,000/year (CVT fluid adds extra).
• Insurance: ₹22,000–32,000/year.
• Tyres: ₹9,000/year amortised (higher because of more kms driven).
• Big-ticket allowance: Around ₹7,000–12,000/year.
• Ownership cost: Approximately ₹1.9–2.1 lakh/year.

Scenario C: 1,500 km/month (18,000 km/year, diesel manual)

• Fuel: 19 kmpl avg = 950 litres/year × ₹90/l (diesel avg) = Around ₹85,500.
• Routine servicing: ₹8,000/year.
• Insurance: ₹20,000–30,000/year.
• Tyres: ₹9,000/year amortised.
• Big-ticket allowance: ₹8,000–12,000/year (clutch, injectors).
• Ownership cost: Around ₹1.3–1.5 lakh/year.

This is why petrol City models work brilliantly for light and moderate users, but becomes heavy in terms of fuel cost at high mileage. Diesel variants turn the equation around with a little bit more maintenance, but the money saved on fuel makes them ideal for users clocking 15,000+ km annually.

Common Problem Areas

Even the best-loved sedans have problems. The following are the common issues in the Honda City to watch out for:

• Suspension wear: Bushings and link rods tend to go soft on bad roads around 60,000 to 90,000 kms.
• Electrical niggles: Older models may have power window switches and locks that do not work.
• Rust: Reported on 3rd-gen cars, especially from coastal states.
• Diesel clutch life: Wears faster than petrol, sometimes at less than 90,000 km in traffic-heavy use.
• Service centre complaints: Honda ASS in metros is generally solid, but in smaller towns, there are complaints of inflated labour charges.

None of these are deal breakers, but skipping them during inspection can make the Honda City ownership cost go from stable to painful.

Strengths That Keep Owners Loyal

Owners across forums point out the same positives that make the City stand apart in the used market even across so many Honda City generations:

• Engine reliability: The i-VTEC petrols are reputed for smoothness and longevity and clocking lakhs of kms is quite common with proper servicing.
• Cabin quality: Little rattles, even 10 years later. The premium experience in the City lasts longer than competitors.
• Ride comfort: Rear seat space and cushioning are benchmarks for the class.
• Features that age well: Climate control, touchscreen, sunroof, leather trims, even on the older cars, these features still feel great.

In short, the price of luxury in a used Honda City isn't down to a series of unexpected breakdowns: it's down to known, manageable expenses. Buyers step in knowing they'll spend more than a Ciaz or Verna, but also know that it's worth it. These are the reasons why people stretch their budget and accept slightly higher Honda City ownership costs because the comfort and longevity are unmatched. 

Summary 

Buying a second hand Honda City is not about going for the cheapest sedan. It's about paying a little more each year, and enjoying real sedan luxury without stepping into overpriced new cars. Yes, the Honda City ownership cost averages ₹1.2–2 lakh per year, depending on the usage, and yes, you may face a ₹20k–50k suspension or AC bill along the way.  But what you do get back is unparalleled comfort, reliable i-VTEC powertrains and a sedan that feels premium long after its rivals feel dated.

That's why the Honda City continues to be one of the smartest long-term plays in the Indian pre-owned market. And if you want peace of mind beyond just service records and sellers' promises, CARS24 offers verified used Honda City listings so you can step into luxury without stepping into uncertainty.