When considering a new car purchase, most buyers weigh price, performance, safety, and style. But an overlooked factor in car ownership is the true cost of maintenance that will be incurred over the long term.
How much you spend on servicing, repairs, and replacement parts over the life of a vehicle can make for a hefty pool of money, one that can outstrip the savings from a lower upfront price in some cases. Globally, a handful of car makers have built a reputation for cost-efficient ownership, thanks to a combination of reliability, rugged engineering, and reasonable spare parts availability.
In this article, we provide a detailed review of the best car brands to go for with the lowest maintenance cost over a period of 10 years of ownership.
Car Brands with the Lowest Maintenance Costs
Tesla
Cost of Average 10-Year Maintenance: ~$4,035
Tesla is the best in low maintenance globally, in large part due to its electric powertrain. Electric vehicles (EVs) are free from standard components like an oil system, timing belt, spark plugs, and fuel injectors, which cuts down on thousands of potential maintenance issues.
“While a remote software update could fix a bug or improve vehicle performance to reduce the need to visit a service center… ” Brake life is also extended because of regenerative braking. But Tesla’s low-cost in maintenance is predicated on being able to have access to its network of service centers, some of which are only available in a number of countries.
Toyota
Average 10-Year Maintenance Cost: $ ~4,900
When it comes to reliability, Toyota is a household name. The likes of Corolla, Yaris, and Camry are out in millions on the roads across the globe, and they have shown themselves to be a vehicle that requires little maintenance over the years.
And Toyota’s parts are everywhere and cheap: Because Toyota manufacturers and supply chains span the globe. Its cars are also designed to be easy to service, lowering labor costs. Toyota’s hybrids, including the Prius, have also been shown to require maintenance less often than conventional internal combustion vehicles.
Hyundai
Average 10-Year Maintenance Cost: Approximately $5,640
Hyundai has come a long way in quality over the past 20 years. With one of the best warranties in the industry, typically 10 years or 100,000 miles in many countries, Hyundai cars are renowned for their reliable performance and straightforward mechanical layout.
From the Accent to the Tucson and Santa Fe, Hyundai’s lineup of models is designed with affordability and ease of maintenance in mind. Routine maintenance is also reliably affordable, and that’s even easier to avail thanks to a global presence that makes sourcing parts effortless in most regions.
Honda
Estimated 10-Year Maintenance Cost: ~$5,850
Honda is another good brand for affordable maintenance. Famed for its tanks of engines, its smooth transmissions, and strong resale value, Honda’s compact and midsize sedans, such as the Civic and Accord, are generally cheaper to own.
Its maintenance is easy, and parts are sold almost across the globe, which all combine to make maintenance costs relatively low. Even those SUVs, the CR-V and Pilot, are structurally meant for the long haul, often proving reliable through 200,000 kilometres with basic maintenance.
Mazda
Average Cost of 10 Years of Maintenance: ~$5,800
Mazda offers the best combination of driving and cheap maintenance. The Mazda3 and CX-5 are built to last, and they don’t have overly complicated systems that are difficult and expensive to maintain. The brand is known for its high reliability ratings and has a strong global parts network. Mazda gets to dodge luxury-tier repair costs while delivering a premium feel.
Ford
Average 10-Year Maintenance: ~$5,400
Ford recently underwent very good years outside the country with the Fiesta, the Focus, and the Ranger, and this made its maintenance costs pretty cheap since there were also many service providers that were offering cheaper spare parts.
Though some of its offerings (especially in North America) might need more regular maintenance, Ford remains at the lower end in maintenance charges due to a good support network that’s found across the globe.
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Chevrolet
Average 10-Year Maintenance Cost: ~ $5,550
Chevrolet, owned by General Motors, provides widely known models such as the Spark, Cruze, and Trailblazer. These are cars with simple mechanicals and accessible budget parts. While reliability scores do shift per model, Chevrolet is known to be the budget-friendly option in developing countries, where simplicity and toughness are considered when buying a car.
