- Acura
- Alfa Romeo
- Aston Martin
- Audi
- Bentley
- BMW
- Buick
- Cadillac
- Chevrolet
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- Ferrari
- Fiat
- Ford
- Genesis
- GMC
- Honda
- Hyundai
- Infiniti
- Jaguar
- Jeep
- Kia
- Lamborghini
- Land Rover
- Lexus
- Lincoln
- Lotus
- Lucid
- Maserati
- Maybach
- Mazda
- McLaren
- Mercedes-Benz
- MINI
- Mitsubishi
- Nissan
- Pagani
- Porsche
- Ram
- Rivian
- Rolls-Royce
- SMART
- Subaru
- Tesla
- Toyota
- Volkswagen
- Volvo
10 Least Expensive Car Brands to Maintain
Consumer Reports' analysis reveals significant disparities in vehicle maintenance and repair costs across different brands over a decade. Tesla boasts the lowest cumulative 10-year cost, contrasting sharply with premium German automakers, which incur the highest expenses in the same period. During the initial five years of ownership, routine costs are minimal; however, after the expiration of standard warranties, typically around three years, these expenses can increase dramatically.
The report underscores the importance of considering long-term ownership costs when purchasing a car. Brands like Buick, Toyota, and Lincoln are highlighted for their relatively lower maintenance and repair fees compared to their luxury counterparts. Consumer Reports emphasizes the practicality of choosing a car brand with affordable long-term costs, offering a clearer financial picture for current and prospective vehicle owners.
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This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.
10 Least Expensive Car Brands to Maintain
Photo credit: Hadrian / Shutterstock.com
Buick
Total 10 Year Cost: $4,900 6 to 10 Year Cost: $4,000 1 to 5 Year Cost: $900 Photo credit: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock.com
Toyota
Total 10 Year Cost: $4,900 6 to 10 Year Cost: $3,775 1 to 5 Year Cost: $1,125 Photo credit: Magda Wygralak / Shutterstock.com
Lincoln
Total 10 Year Cost: $5,040 6 to 10 Year Cost: $4,100 1 to 5 Year Cost: $940 Photo credit: Trong Nguyen / Shutterstock.com
Ford
Total 10 Year Cost: $5,400 6 to 10 Year Cost: $4,300 1 to 5 Year Cost: $1,100 Photo credit: Terence Toh Chin Eng / Shutterstock.com
Nissan
Total 10 Year Cost: $5,700 6 to 10 Year Cost: $4,400 1 to 5 Year Cost: $1,300 Photo credit: Philip Lange / Shutterstock.com
Mazda
Total 10 Year Cost: $5,800 6 to 10 Year Cost: $4,400 1 to 5 Year Cost: $1,400 Photo credit: Hatchapong Palurtchaivong / Shutterstock.com
Honda
Total 10 Year Cost: $5,835 6 to 10 Year Cost: $4,400 1 to 5 Year Cost: $1,435 Photo credit: Stanislavskyi / Shutterstock.com