Car ownership costs can go far beyond what people pay for a vehicle. And it’s a fact that as a vehicle gets older, maintenance and repairs start to accumulate.
Seeking to understand how costs increase over time and differ by brand, the U.S.-based Consumer Reports asked its members how much they paid out-of-pocket for car maintenance and repairs during the previous 12 months.
The result of its 2023 Annual Auto Survey found significant differences in car maintenance and repair costs as cars age, underscoring how these things can rise over time.
New-car comparisons can be a bit muddy because several brands offer free maintenance periods. Additionally, cars usually need little work in the first couple of years beyond oil changes and tire rotation. After these offers, however, the costs can skyrocket.
In comparing cumulative costs by brand for years one through five and six through 10, Consumer Reports found that Tesla had the lowest maintenance costs, followed by Buick, Toyota, Lincoln, and Ford. Tesla shouldn’t come as a surprise since as an EV, they don’t require engine air filters, oil changes, and some other routine maintenance, lowering their average costs.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, premium brands and, gasp, even Subaru are clustered as the most expensive.
Knowing the typical ownership costs for each brand can help consumers save money in the long run, either by choosing a less expensive brand to maintain or budgeting accordingly.
Below, is Consumer Reports’ ranking of Least and Most Expensive Car Brands to Maintain. The cost in U.S. dollars is included, but in addition, we have added the proportion of the expected costs over two periods: 1-5 years and 6-10 years to give you an idea how the costs will increase as the vehicle from that brand gets older.
10 Least Expensive Car Brands To Maintain For 10 Years
- Tesla (USD 4,035) – 14 percent / 86 percent
- Buick (USD 4,900) – 18 percent / 82 percent
- Toyota (USD 4,900) – 23 percent / 77 percent
- Lincoln (USD 5,040) – 19 percent / 81 percent
- Ford (USD 5,400) – 20 percent / 80 percent
- Chevrolet (USD 5,550) – 22 percent / 78 percent
- Hyundai (USD 5,650) – 20 percent / 80 percent
- Nissan (USD 5,700) – 23 percent / 77 percent
- Mazda (USD 5,800) – 24 percent / 76 percent
- Honda (USD 5,835) – 25 percent / 75 percent
- Land Rover (USD 19,250) – 22 percent / 78 percent
- Porsche (USD 14,090) – 28 percent / 72 percent
- Mercedes-Benz (USD 10,525) – 27 percent / 73 percent
- Audi (USD 9,890) – 19 percent / 81 percent
- BMW (USD 9,500) – 18 percent / 82 percent
- Volvo (USD 9,285) – 19 percent / 81 percent
- Infiniti (USD 8,500) – 25 percent / 75 percent
- Acura (USD 7,800) – 23 percent / 77 percent
- MINI (USD 7,625) – 20 percent / 80 percent
- Subaru (USD 7,200) – 24 percent / 76 percent
Most of that Subaru maintenance cost will come from engine replacement or engine overhaul. Flat engines flatten your wallet
ReplyDeleteSays the guy that never had a Subaru. This is RG with Ford all over again.
Deletebarely 5 years old and casa-maintained, I traded in my forester because it already had failing aircon and 2 instances of that dreaded engine light warning sign.
ReplyDeleteBakit yung 14 year old ko na Subaru Impreza wala naman? 🤔
DeleteSince it has a boxer engine layout, it's no surprise that it will be more expensive to maintain than comparable cars with inline engines. But Subaru's are reliable and safe.
ReplyDelete