Chery Bonus - budget friend or “headache”?

Chery A13 is a subcompact car produced from 2008 to 2019. It was available as a liftback (Bonus) and a five-door hatchback (Very). In Iran, this model is known as MVM 315, in Ukraine - ZAZ Forza, in Brazil - Chery Celer.


The A13 was positioned as an affordable car, and it enjoyed moderate success in the Chinese and then Russian markets. The model received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised it for its affordability and practicality, while others criticized it for its poor build quality and mediocre handling. In this article we will analyze the main disadvantages characteristic of Chery Very.

The engine and its problem areas

The car was equipped with an SQR477F engine. The 1,5-liter unit with a distributed injection system and timing belt drive had a power of 109 hp. With. In addition to Very, this motor was installed on Chery Amulet, Elara, Fulwin, Bonus.

One of the disadvantages of the SQR477F is the low quality of assembly and spare parts. The pump, sensors, and attachments may require replacement up to 50 thousand km. Low-quality components lead to premature failure of various internal combustion engine components. The thermostat, ignition coil and canister valve often require replacement closer to 100 km. The timing belt must be checked regularly, as its breakage leads to bending of the valves.

After 200 km, excessive oil consumption appears due to wear of the piston rings and valve stem seals. Blue smoke may come out of the exhaust pipe. It is necessary to check the rings, caps, and valve guides.


Wear of engine mounts is accompanied by vibrations at idle and when starting off. One of the Bonus diseases can be called jamming of the thermostat, which can result in overheating of the internal combustion engine. When the ignition coils break down, misfires occur, power decreases, and jerking occurs when driving. Similar symptoms occur during breakdown.

Vibrations can be caused by faulty attachments or problems with the transmission. Unstable idling is often a consequence of air leaks, contamination of the throttle valve, or failure of sensors.

Typical transmission problems

Chery A13 was equipped with a five-speed QR515MH gearbox. If uncharacteristic sounds appear during the operation of the unit, this may be due to a lack of oil or the use of a fluid of inappropriate quality. Extraneous noise is sometimes caused by wear or damage to bearings and gears. You should also pay attention to possible violations of the normal axial position and clearance of the latter.

Another problem may be oil leakage due to wear of the drain plug, sealing washer, or damage to the seating surface. Difficulty engaging gears or even the inability to shift may indicate either gear wear and lack of oil, or damage to the synchronizer ring, wear or breakage of the cotter spring.


Excessive metal shavings may be due to insufficient lubrication. Unreasonable shutdown of the gear is sometimes associated with a malfunction of the ball retainer spring, derailleur fork, gears and bearings.

The gearbox often requires repair at 50-100 thousand km. Basically, the bearings of the primary and secondary shafts need to be replaced; problems with the first and second gear synchronizers and gears are possible. The factory clutch can wear out after 50-70 thousand km. The original kit will last about the same. Analogs from well-known manufacturers, for example, Valeo, work even better. The original clutch basket and release bearing may fail prematurely.

Chassis

The main configuration features of the pendant remain unchanged compared to Amulet. There are McPherson struts at the front and a semi-independent beam at the rear. However, the suspension geometry has undergone changes, including a longer wheelbase and a wider front track. The elements most susceptible to wear - the rear shock absorbers - can fail within 20-50 thousand km. The front ones will last longer - 40-70 thousand km.

After driving 50-100 thousand km, most likely, you will need to replace the silent blocks of the levers and repair the rear beam. Wheel bearings often wear out after a mileage of 20-70 thousand km. The front ones are replaced separately, while the rear ones must be replaced along with the hub. The steering rack may start knocking at 60-80 thousand km.

Weaknesses and shortcomings

Creaking and rattling of the rear parcel shelf, especially in cold weather, can be called a weak point. The main reasons are poor quality assembly, wear and tear of materials, and deformation due to temperature changes. You can try to eliminate the squeak by lubricating, tightening the fasteners, or replacing the shelf.

It happens that the engine does not start or starts with difficulty after being idle. The reason may be condensation accumulating in the muffler, which is blocking the exhaust gases. The door latches are quite tight, which is why you have to exert a lot of force to close them. The problem may lie in the adjustment of the locks or wear of the seals.


The low quality of materials for interior decoration can be called the weak point of any budget “Chinese”. Inexpensive plastic begins to creak over time. Due to poor engine sound insulation, you can clearly hear the engine running in the cabin. Other disadvantages include insufficient anti-corrosion protection, rust on the body, especially in places of chips and scratches.

Chery A13 does not like heavy loads. Due to weak springs and short travel, the rear suspension begins to sag. Replacing the shock absorbers will help solve this problem. In reviews, owners often complain about the low ground clearance. The subcompact isn't designed for off-road driving, but the low ground clearance means you'll be scraping the underside of uneven roads, curbs and speed bumps. Installing a crankcase protection will help smooth out the consequences of impacts.

In cold weather, the stove cannot cope with heating the interior. This is due to poor thermal insulation and insufficient heater power. Water may enter the cabin through the filter during rain. Installing an additional canopy over the cleaning device will solve the problem.


There are times when brake fluid freezes in severe frost. Again, this is a problem of poor-quality thermal insulation or the use of consumables that do not meet the manufacturer's requirements. Also, in cold weather, the side windows freeze to the seals. This is due to poor quality assembly and moisture ingress. To avoid this problem, periodically treat the rubber bands with silicone grease in winter.

Prices

Chery Very produced in 2012-2013 will cost around 350-400 thousand rubles. For cars in good technical condition, sellers can ask up to 500 thousand rubles. Bonus 2011 can be found on the secondary market for 250-300 thousand rubles.

Chery A13 is a relatively good budget “Chinese” for the money. Like other cars from the Celestial Empire, it has disadvantages that the owner will have to face. Many problems can be avoided by timely and correct maintenance. In any case, the disadvantages characteristic of Chery Very are compensated by the affordable cost and low price of spare parts.