When considering a new car, the initial purchase price is often the primary focus. However, savvy car buyers know that the true cost of ownership extends far beyond the sticker price. Repair and maintenance expenses can significantly impact your long-term budget. Fortunately, there are many vehicles on the market that are not only affordable to buy but also remarkably cheap to repair and maintain, offering peace of mind and savings down the road.
This list, compiled using data from CarEdge, highlights the top 20 cars with the lowest predicted maintenance and repair costs over a 10-year period. We’re not just talking about stripped-down, bare-bones models. These are dependable vehicles, ranging from fuel-efficient compacts to versatile SUVs and even a few surprising luxury and sports car entries, that offer a blend of value and reliability without breaking the bank when it comes to upkeep. Discover which models will keep you on the road without constant trips to the mechanic and hefty repair bills.
Top 20 Cheapest Cars for Repair: Ranked by 10-Year Maintenance Costs
Here are the vehicles ranked from 20th to 1st based on their estimated 10-year maintenance and repair costs, revealing the ultimate champions in affordable car ownership.
20. Nissan Altima
- 10-Year Cost: $5,561
- Annual Costs: $196 In Year One, $1,034 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 16.4%
The Nissan Altima, a popular mid-size sedan, provides a comfortable and spacious ride without excessive maintenance demands. Its reputation for reliability contributes to lower long-term repair expenses. Available with optional all-wheel drive and Nissan’s ProPilot Assist for highway driving, the Altima combines practicality with reasonable running costs.
19. Toyota RAV4
- 10-Year Cost: $5,531
- Annual Costs: $201 In Year One, $1,021 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 16.1%
Toyota’s RAV4 is a best-selling compact SUV known for its dependability and fuel efficiency. Whether you choose the standard gasoline engine or the hybrid version, the RAV4 delivers a comfortable and versatile driving experience with minimal maintenance worries. Its strong reputation for reliability ensures fewer unexpected repairs, keeping ownership costs down.
18. Lexus ES 350
- 10-Year Cost: $5,488
- Annual Costs: $217 In Year One, $989 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 15.1%
The Lexus ES 350 stands out as the luxury vehicle with the lowest maintenance costs on this list. While prioritizing comfort and a smooth ride over sporty handling, the ES 350 benefits from Toyota’s engineering and reliability, resulting in lower repair bills compared to other luxury sedans. If you desire luxury without premium maintenance costs, the ES 350 is an excellent choice.
17. Nissan Sentra
- 10-Year Cost: $5,441
- Annual Costs: $184 In Year One, $1,022 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 16.4%
The Nissan Sentra, a compact sedan, has significantly improved in recent years, becoming a strong contender in its class. Offering a comfortable ride, good fuel economy, and a suite of standard safety features, the Sentra also boasts low ownership costs, making it a practical and budget-friendly option for daily commuting and beyond.
16. Toyota C-HR
- 10-Year Cost: $5,425
- Annual Costs: $190 In Year One, $1,101 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 16.1%
The Toyota C-HR, a subcompact SUV with a distinctive style, offers a unique blend of personality and practicality. As a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the C-HR maximizes fuel efficiency and minimizes drivetrain complexity, contributing to its lower maintenance costs compared to all-wheel-drive SUVs. Its smaller size also often translates to less expensive parts and servicing.
15. Honda Accord
- 10-Year Cost: $5,412
- Annual Costs: $200 In Year One, $994 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 15.6%
The Honda Accord, a long-standing favorite in the mid-size sedan segment, is renowned for its reliability and well-rounded performance. Sharing many of the same dependable components as the Civic, the Accord offers a refined driving experience and a range of trims to suit different needs, all while keeping maintenance costs impressively low thanks to Honda’s reputation for durability.
14. Mazda 3
- 10-Year Cost: $5,409
- Annual Costs: $186 In Year One, $1,013 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 16.2%
The Mazda 3, available in both sedan and hatchback forms, is known for its sporty driving dynamics and stylish design. Now offering standard all-wheel drive, the Mazda 3 provides enhanced confidence in various weather conditions. Despite its fun-to-drive nature, the Mazda 3 maintains reasonable maintenance costs, making it a compelling choice for drivers who value both performance and practicality on a budget.
13. Nissan Versa
- 10-Year Cost: $5,331
- Annual Costs: $173 In Year One, $1,011 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 16.4%
The Nissan Versa, a subcompact sedan, is one of the most affordable new cars on the market, and its low price extends to ownership costs as well. Providing basic, reliable transportation with essential features like automatic emergency braking standard, the Versa is a smart choice for budget-conscious buyers and first-time car owners seeking cheap and dependable wheels.
12. Mitsubishi Mirage G4
- 10-Year Cost: $5,254
- Annual Costs: $175 In Year One, $991 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 16.0%
The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 sedan offers an alternative to the Mirage hatchback for those preferring a traditional trunk. Both Mirage models are focused on affordability and economy, making them some of the cheapest cars to buy and maintain. If your priority is minimizing car expenses above all else, the Mirage G4 is a strong contender.
11. Honda Civic
- 10-Year Cost: $5,245
- Annual Costs: $183 In Year One, $977 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 15.6%
The Honda Civic, a perennial favorite in the compact car segment, has been redesigned and continues to impress with its refinement and reliability. Available in sedan and hatchback forms, the Civic offers a range of models from basic to sporty, all sharing Honda’s reputation for durability and low maintenance needs. Its solid engineering translates to fewer repairs and lower long-term costs.
10. Toyota Supra
- 10-year cost: $4,950
- Annual Costs: $220 In Year One, $872 By Year 10
- Chance of needing a major repair: 12.6%
The Toyota Supra, a sports car icon reborn, might seem out of place on a list of cheapest cars for repair, but its data speaks for itself. Sharing components with the BMW Z4, the Supra benefits from robust engineering and surprisingly affordable maintenance for a performance vehicle. If you crave sports car thrills without the typical high repair bills, the Supra is an unexpected but welcome option.
9. Mitsubishi Mirage
- 10-Year Cost: $4,939
- Annual Costs: $163 In Year One, $933 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 15.1%
The Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback is the epitome of basic, affordable transportation. While its three-cylinder engine is modest, it excels in fuel economy and keeps ownership costs incredibly low. For drivers prioritizing budget-friendliness and minimal running expenses above all else, the Mirage is a practical and economical choice.
8. Tesla Model Y
- 10-Year Cost: $4,732
- Annual Costs: $217 In Year One, $813 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 11.7%
The Tesla Model Y, a popular electric crossover, demonstrates the lower maintenance potential of electric vehicles. With fewer moving parts compared to gasoline cars, EVs generally require less servicing. The Model Y combines Tesla’s performance and technology with the practicality of an SUV, all while offering significantly reduced maintenance costs in the long run.
7. Tesla Model S
- 10-Year Cost: $4,566
- Annual Costs: $267 In Year One, $708 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 8.6%
The Tesla Model S, a pioneering electric sedan, not only revolutionized the EV market with its range and performance but also boasts remarkably low maintenance costs. Electric vehicles inherently have fewer maintenance demands, and the Model S exemplifies this with its minimal predicted repair expenses over a decade of ownership.
6. Toyota Avalon
- 10-Year Cost: $4,407
- Annual Costs: $180 In Year One, $787 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 11.9%
The Toyota Avalon, a now-discontinued large sedan, shares its reliable underpinnings with the Camry, offering a spacious and comfortable ride with Lexus-like refinement at a more accessible price point. Its Toyota DNA ensures low maintenance costs and long-term dependability, making it a smart choice in the used car market for those seeking affordable luxury.
5. Toyota Camry
- 10-Year Cost: $4,203
- Annual Costs: $160 In Year One, $766 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 11.9%
The Toyota Camry, a benchmark for mid-size sedans, is synonymous with reliability and low operating costs. Known for its longevity and minimal maintenance needs, the Camry is a consistently smart choice for drivers seeking a dependable and budget-friendly car that will last for years with minimal headaches.
4. Toyota Prius Prime
- 10-Year Cost: $4,098
- Annual Costs: $164 In Year One, $736 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 11.2%
The Toyota Prius Prime, a plug-in hybrid version of the iconic Prius, further reduces running costs by offering electric driving capability for shorter trips. Combining electric and hybrid powertrains, the Prius Prime maximizes fuel efficiency and minimizes wear and tear on the gasoline engine, resulting in even lower maintenance costs than the standard Prius.
3. Toyota Corolla
- 10-Year Cost: $4,087
- $148 In Year One, $755 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 11.9%
The Toyota Corolla, a global best-seller, is renowned for its practicality, efficiency, and legendary reliability. While not flashy, the Corolla consistently delivers dependable transportation with minimal fuss and exceptionally low maintenance costs, making it a top choice for budget-conscious car buyers seeking long-term value.
2. Toyota Prius
- 10-Year Cost: $4,008
- Annual Costs: $155 In Year One, $727 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 11.2%
The Toyota Prius, the original hybrid car, remains a leader in fuel efficiency and low running costs. Its hybrid powertrain reduces wear on traditional mechanical components, contributing to its impressive reliability and minimal maintenance requirements. For drivers prioritizing fuel savings and long-term affordability, the Prius is a consistently excellent choice.
1. Tesla Model 3
- 10-Year Cost: $3,587
- Annual Costs: $169 In Year One, $610 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 8.6%
The Tesla Model 3 tops the list as the car with the absolute lowest predicted maintenance and repair costs. As an electric vehicle, the Model 3 benefits from fewer moving parts and reduced wear and tear compared to gasoline cars. Routine maintenance is often limited to tire rotations and occasional fluid checks, making the Model 3 the champion of cheap car maintenance in the long run.
FAQs
What Car Brand Is The Cheapest To Maintain?
Toyota and Honda are consistently recognized as brands with the lowest maintenance costs, thanks to their reputation for reliability and durable engineering. However, several models from Nissan, Mazda, and Mitsubishi also demonstrate excellent affordability in terms of repair expenses. Among luxury brands, Lexus and Tesla stand out for their strong reliability and lower cost of ownership compared to European competitors.
What Car Lasts The Longest?
Toyota SUVs like the Sequoia and Land Cruiser are known for exceptional longevity, with many owners reporting lifespans exceeding 300,000 miles. These robust vehicles are built to withstand demanding conditions and deliver years of reliable service.
How Long Will Most Cars Last?
With proper maintenance, most modern cars are capable of reaching over 200,000 miles. Many well-maintained vehicles can even surpass 300,000 miles. The average age of cars on US roads is around 12 years, with typical mileage between 144,000 and 180,000 miles, indicating the durability of today’s automobiles.
Cheapest Cars To Maintain
- Nissan Altima
- Toyota RAV4
- Lexus ES 350
- Nissan Sentra
- Toyota C-HR
- Honda Accord
- Mazda 3
- Nissan Versa
- Mitsubishi Mirage G4
- Honda Civic
- Toyota Supra
- Mitsubishi Mirage
- Tesla Model Y
- Tesla Model S
- Toyota Avalon
- Toyota Camry
- Toyota Prius Prime
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Prius
- Tesla Model 3
Source: CarEdge.com
