By Azerbaijan.US Editorial Board
For many buyers in Azerbaijan, Chinese-made cars look like a perfect solution. They are new, stylish, and noticeably cheaper than European, Japanese, or Korean alternatives. Even after recent price increases, they remain one of the few ways to drive a brand-new vehicle without stretching a limited budget.
But the real cost of ownership may only become clear after the excitement wears off.
In recent months, growing concerns have emerged among parts suppliers, mechanics, and owners. According to auto parts specialist Nazar Tagiyev, Chinese vehicles are already showing a pattern of early technical failures – not cosmetic flaws, but issues affecting core systems.
Shock absorbers, stabilizer links, suspension components, electronic pumps, steering mechanisms, and bearings are among the most frequently replaced parts. These are not optional accessories; they directly impact safety, handling, and long-term reliability.
Tagiyev says demand for spare parts has risen sharply. “We initially brought in a small batch just to cover basic demand,” he explained. “Everything sold out within a week. We had to place an urgent follow-up order. Now more than 300 parts have been ordered, and demand is still strong.”
The deeper problem, he argues, is inconsistency. Even parts for the same model can vary significantly in durability. Some components fail almost immediately after entering service – an alarming trend for vehicles that are often marketed as low-risk, factory-fresh purchases.
To be fair, this is not a new story in the global automotive industry. Many manufacturers entering international markets go through an early phase of quality issues – the so-called “teething problems.” The difference lies in how quickly these issues are addressed and whether consumers are protected in the meantime.
In Azerbaijan, the burden is increasingly falling on buyers. Many experienced mechanics reportedly avoid working on certain Chinese models altogether. The reason is simple: repairing one fault is often followed by another, leading to frustrated customers and reputational damage for service centers.
The mood among owners reflects this tension. Sellers and first-time buyers tend to remain optimistic. Others worry that these cars could depreciate rapidly, becoming difficult to resell and losing value far faster than expected.
For consumers, the question is no longer just about the purchase price. It is about total cost of ownership – reliability, repair frequency, spare part quality, and resale value. A cheap new car can quickly turn into an expensive lesson if downtime and repair bills accumulate.
Chinese automakers may yet prove critics wrong. But until consistency, after-sales support, and long-term reliability are clearly demonstrated, buyers in Azerbaijan should approach these vehicles with caution – and calculate not just the price at the dealership, but the cost over the years ahead.
