Choosing a car involves numerous factors, from fuel efficiency and performance to safety ratings and style. However, one crucial aspect often overlooked is the cost of repairs and maintenance. For budget-conscious car buyers and those seeking long-term value, understanding which vehicles are the least expensive to repair can save significant money and hassle over the years. This article, drawing on data from CarEdge, highlights the top 20 cars that stand out for their remarkably low repair and maintenance costs, providing you with a guide to affordable car ownership.
Navigating the world of car ownership, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new features and designs. Yet, the reality of owning a vehicle includes the ongoing expenses of maintenance and potential repairs. Unexpected breakdowns can be stressful and costly, making reliability and low repair costs key considerations. This list isn’t about the cheapest cars to buy upfront, but rather about the vehicles that will be kinder to your wallet in the long run, demanding less in terms of maintenance and repairs. From compact cars to SUVs, and even electric vehicles, discover which models offer peace of mind with their minimal upkeep needs.
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 mid-size sedan, is a practical choice offering a comfortable ride and spacious interior featuring Nissan’s signature Zero Gravity seats. Available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations, the Altima also offers the convenience of Nissan’s ProPilot Assist for highway driving, blending comfort 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 popular compact crossover SUV known for its reliability and versatility. Offering ample space and a comfortable ride, it comes with fuel-efficient engine options, including a hybrid powertrain. The RAV4’s solid reputation for dependability is further enhanced by its low maintenance costs, making it a smart choice for families and individuals alike. Alt text: Side view of a silver Toyota RAV4 SUV, highlighting its modern design and spaciousness.
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 distinguishes itself as the luxury vehicle with the lowest maintenance and repair expenses on this list. While it may not be the sportiest option in its class, the ES 350 excels in providing a comfortable and luxurious experience for drivers who prioritize refinement and reliability over dynamic handling.
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 been revitalized with recent updates, making it a strong contender in its segment. It effectively combines practicality, fuel efficiency, and comfort, all while keeping ownership costs low. The Sentra stands out as a reliable and budget-friendly option in the competitive compact car market. Alt text: Front three-quarter view of a red Nissan Sentra sedan, showcasing its updated styling and modern appeal.
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, boasts a distinctive style and positions itself below the RAV4 in Toyota’s SUV lineup. Uniquely offered as a front-wheel-drive model, the C-HR prioritizes fuel economy and reduced operating costs, making it an economical choice for urban drivers.
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, recently redesigned, mirrors the Honda Civic in many desirable aspects, including a refined driving experience. Available in a range of trims from well-equipped to luxurious, the Accord offers a blend of sophistication and practicality with Honda’s renowned reliability and low maintenance costs. Alt text: Angled shot of a blue Honda Accord sedan, emphasizing its redesigned sleek lines and premium feel.
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, a compact car available in sedan and hatchback forms, now comes standard with all-wheel drive, enhancing its appeal for drivers in diverse climates. Known for its engaging driving dynamics, nimble handling, and responsive engine, the Mazda 3 combines fun-to-drive characteristics with cost-effective maintenance.
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%
For car buyers on a budget, the Nissan Versa sub-compact sedan is an excellent option. It’s not only affordable to purchase but also inexpensive to own, featuring attractive styling and sufficient features for everyday needs. With standard automatic emergency braking across all models, the Versa is also a safe and sensible choice, particularly for new drivers seeking a reliable and cheap-to-maintain vehicle. Alt text: Front view of a silver Nissan Versa sedan parked on a city street, highlighting its budget-friendly and stylish subcompact design.
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 a traditional trunk configuration as an alternative to the Mirage hatchback. Maintaining Mitsubishi’s reputation for affordability, the Mirage G4 is inexpensive to both buy and maintain, appealing to those who prioritize a lower purchase price and running costs over high-end features.
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, redesigned recently, is available in both sedan and hatchback versions, ranging from basic to sporty trims. Known for its refinement and reliability, the Civic also serves as the foundation for the Acura Integra, underscoring its quality engineering and dependable nature, all contributing to lower long-term repair costs. Alt text: Dynamic shot of a white Honda Civic hatchback in motion on a winding road, emphasizing its sporty design and driving dynamics.
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 performance car, surprisingly ranks among the least expensive vehicles to maintain. Sharing components with the BMW Z4, the Supra offers unique styling and a reputation for reliability that defies typical sports car maintenance costs, making it an appealing option for enthusiasts seeking performance without excessive upkeep expenses.
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 epitomizes basic, affordable transportation. While its three-cylinder engine may be modest in power, it is adequate for city driving and excels in fuel economy and low ownership costs. For those seeking simple, economical motoring, the Mirage is a practical choice. Alt text: Close-up of a blue Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback parked in an urban setting, highlighting its compact size and fuel-efficient nature.
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, the SUV version of the Model 3, offers electric vehicle efficiency with added space and versatility. With a long range and Tesla’s performance capabilities, the Model Y also benefits from lower maintenance requirements typical of electric vehicles, contributing to its ranking as one of the least expensive cars to repair.
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, revolutionized the EV market with its style, speed, and comfort. Its extensive range and access to Tesla’s Supercharger network mean it can travel anywhere comparable gasoline cars can, often at a lower overall cost, including maintenance. The Model S demonstrates that luxury and electric efficiency can also mean lower repair costs. Alt text: Sleek profile of a silver Tesla Model S driving on a highway, showcasing its aerodynamic design and electric vehicle technology.
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%
Though no longer in production, the Toyota Avalon, the larger sibling to the Camry, shares many of its reliable mechanical components, including the V6 engine. It offers a spacious cabin, a smooth ride, and comfort akin to Lexus models, but with the added benefit of Toyota’s renowned low maintenance costs.
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 mid-size sedan, is synonymous with reliability and low operating costs. As one of the few models in its class still offering a V6 engine option in addition to the standard four-cylinder, the Camry continues to be a top choice for drivers seeking dependable and affordable transportation. Alt text: Front view of a gray Toyota Camry sedan, highlighting its classic and dependable design in the mid-size car segment.
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 electric vehicle (PHEV), bridges the gap between traditional hybrids and fully electric cars. It offers electric-only driving for the first 25 miles before reverting to hybrid operation, achieving excellent fuel economy and benefiting from the inherent lower maintenance needs of hybrid powertrains.
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 consistently popular compact car, is celebrated for its practicality, efficiency, and exceptional reliability. While it may not be the most visually striking car, the Corolla excels in providing dependable and economical transportation, making it a smart choice for those prioritizing function and low running costs. Alt text: Side profile of a silver Toyota Corolla sedan on a sunny day, showcasing its practical and reliable compact car silhouette.
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 hybrid is renowned for its exceptional fuel efficiency, achieving top-tier MPG ratings in city and highway driving. Beyond fuel savings, Prius owners also benefit from remarkably low maintenance and repair costs, making it an environmentally and economically sound vehicle 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%
Topping the list is the Tesla Model 3, recognized for having the lowest projected maintenance and repair costs of any car currently available. As an electric vehicle, the Model 3 inherently requires less frequent servicing, with typical maintenance visits often limited to tire rotations. The Model 3 not only leads in EV innovation but also in minimizing long-term ownership expenses. Alt text: Modern and minimalist front view of a white Tesla Model 3 parked, emphasizing its electric vehicle design and low maintenance appeal.
FAQs
What Car Brand Is The Cheapest To Maintain?
Toyota and Honda are consistently recognized as brands with the lowest maintenance costs. However, several models from Nissan, Mazda, and Mitsubishi also demonstrate excellent low repair costs. In the luxury segment, Lexus and Tesla stand out for their reliability and lower-than-average ownership costs.
What Car Lasts The Longest?
Toyota’s Sequoia and Land Cruiser are known for their exceptional longevity, with many vehicles exceeding 300,000 miles. This speaks to Toyota’s overall commitment to durability and reliability across its model range.
How Long Will Most Cars Last?
With proper maintenance, most modern cars can last well over 200,000 miles, and some can even reach 300,000 miles or more. The average vehicle age in the US is around 12 years, with typical mileage accumulation suggesting many vehicles reach between 144,000 and 180,000 miles during their lifespan.
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
