The sticker price is only the beginning. Maintenance and repair costs over 5–10 years can vary by thousands of dollars depending on the make and model you choose. Some cars cost twice as much to own as others in the same price class — simply because of parts availability, reliability, and repair complexity. Here's what to buy if you want to keep your long-term costs as low as possible.
Several factors determine long-term maintenance costs:
| Make/Model | Avg. Annual Repair Cost | Reliability Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Corolla | ~$362 | Excellent |
| Honda Civic | ~$368 | Excellent |
| Toyota Camry | ~$388 | Excellent |
| Honda CR-V | ~$407 | Very Good |
| Mazda3 | ~$433 | Very Good |
| Toyota RAV4 | ~$429 | Very Good |
| Subaru Forester | ~$452 | Good |
European luxury cars (BMW, Audi, Mercedes) average $1,000–$1,700/year in maintenance — 3–4x more than a reliable Japanese car over the same ownership period.
Toyota and Honda have prioritized reliability engineering for decades. Their engineering philosophy focuses on proven, simple systems rather than cutting-edge complexity. Parts are standardized, widely available at any auto parts store, and inexpensive. Any independent mechanic can service them, so you're never forced to use a dealership.
Contrast this with European luxury brands. A BMW oil change at a dealership can cost $150–$200 compared to $50–$80 for a Toyota. Specialized parts, proprietary electronics, and labor-intensive designs drive up every repair. A BMW alternator replacement might cost $900; the same job on a Camry runs $400.
If low maintenance costs are a priority, avoid these categories:
Electric vehicles have significantly lower maintenance costs than gas-powered cars. Here's why:
EV owners typically save $500–$900/year in maintenance compared to equivalent gas car owners. Over 10 years, that's $5,000–$9,000 in savings — a meaningful offset against any higher purchase price.
Even the cheapest cars to maintain require regular service. Here's what to expect annually on a reliable gas car:
On a Toyota or Honda, unexpected repairs are infrequent. On a luxury European car, unplanned repair bills of $800–$2,000 are common once the warranty expires.
See how fuel costs add up alongside maintenance with our fuel cost calculator.
Fuel Cost Calculator →New cars come with warranties that cover most repairs for the first 3–5 years, making maintenance costs very predictable. Used cars have no warranty coverage (unless CPO), so unexpected repair costs fall on you immediately. However, used cars cost significantly less to purchase — and on reliable brands like Toyota and Honda, the repair risk at 50,000–80,000 miles is still quite low.
The cheapest overall ownership scenario is often a 3–5 year old Toyota or Honda with 30,000–60,000 miles. You avoid the steepest depreciation of the new car, while the vehicle is still young enough that major repairs are unlikely for several more years.
Electric vehicles have significantly lower maintenance costs than gas cars. EVs have no oil changes, no transmission fluid, no spark plugs, and fewer brake pad replacements (regenerative braking reduces brake wear). The primary EV-specific costs are tire replacement and eventual battery replacement, which is typically not needed until 150,000+ miles on modern EVs.
Consumer Reports estimates that EV owners spend about 40% less on maintenance than gas car owners over 5 years. However, EV repair costs when something does go wrong can be higher, and not all mechanics can service them.
Regardless of which car you choose, these habits reduce long-term maintenance costs: