For car owners, the joy of driving can quickly be overshadowed by the dread of maintenance and repair costs. While some cars are notorious for expensive upkeep, others stand out for their affordability, especially when it comes to replacement parts. If you’re looking to minimize your long-term car expenses, focusing on brands known for cheap parts is a smart move.
This list, compiled using data from CarEdge, highlights vehicles with the lowest projected maintenance and repair costs over a 10-year period. This data encompasses annual expenses and the likelihood of major repairs, providing a comprehensive view of long-term affordability. By focusing on the average total 10-year maintenance cost, we’ve identified 20 cars that excel in keeping your wallet happy.
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, combines comfort and practicality with reasonable maintenance costs. Known for its spacious cabin and comfortable “Zero Gravity” seats, the Altima offers a smooth ride and available all-wheel drive, making it a versatile and budget-friendly choice in its class. Its parts are generally affordable, contributing to its lower long-term expenses.
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 SUV that consistently earns high marks for reliability. Its spacious interior, fuel efficiency (with both gas and hybrid options), and reputation for longevity make it a smart buy for those seeking to minimize running costs. Toyota’s widespread parts network also ensures that replacements are readily available and won’t break the bank.
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%
Surprisingly, the Lexus ES 350, a mid-size luxury sedan, makes this list, boasting the lowest maintenance costs among non-electric luxury vehicles. While perhaps not the sportiest option, it prioritizes comfort and luxury without the premium price tag for parts and service typically associated with luxury brands. Lexus’s shared engineering with Toyota contributes to the availability of reasonably priced components.
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 become a strong contender in its segment thanks to its blend of practicality, efficiency, and affordability. It offers a comfortable ride, decent fuel economy, and importantly, low ownership costs. Nissan’s commitment to value extends to parts pricing, making the Sentra a budget-conscious choice for compact car buyers.
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 distinctive styling, provides a more economical alternative to larger SUVs like the RAV4. Being front-wheel drive only, it maximizes fuel efficiency and minimizes operational costs. Toyota’s reputation for reliability and accessible parts pricing applies to the C-HR, ensuring affordable maintenance.
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 newly redesigned mid-size sedan, mirrors the virtues of its smaller sibling, the Civic, offering a refined driving experience and a range of trims from well-equipped to luxurious. Honda’s engineering is synonymous with reliability, and their parts are generally priced competitively, contributing to the Accord’s low long-term costs.
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 versions, is known for its engaging driving dynamics and stylish design. Now featuring standard all-wheel drive, it’s a fun-to-drive option in all weather conditions. While Mazda is known for sporty performance, it also maintains reasonable parts costs, making the Mazda 3 a balanced choice.
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 sub-compact sedan, is a prime choice for budget-conscious buyers. It’s well-styled, practical for basic transportation, and inexpensive to own. Nissan prioritizes affordability, and this is reflected in the Versa’s accessible parts and overall low cost of ownership, making it an excellent entry-level car.
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 for those who prefer it over a hatchback, while maintaining the Mirage’s core value proposition: affordability. It’s cheap to buy and own, and Mitsubishi is committed to keeping parts costs low, making the Mirage G4 a practical choice for those prioritizing budget above all else.
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 compact car available in sedan and hatchback forms, is renowned for its refinement and reliability. Serving as the foundation for the Acura Integra, the Civic benefits from Honda’s engineering prowess and commitment to durability. Honda parts are widely available and reasonably priced, contributing to the Civic’s reputation for low running 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 performance car sharing components with the BMW Z4, is surprisingly affordable to maintain, especially for a sports car. Toyota’s engineering and parts network ensure that even this performance model benefits from relatively cheap parts compared to other sports cars in its class.
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 might be underpowered, it excels in fuel economy and low ownership costs. Mitsubishi’s focus on value means that parts for the Mirage are among the cheapest on the market, making it an exceptionally budget-friendly car.
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 crossover SUV version of the Model 3, boasts impressive range and performance. Electric vehicles generally have fewer moving parts, leading to lower maintenance needs. Tesla’s efficient design and increasing parts availability contribute to surprisingly low maintenance costs, especially compared to luxury gasoline SUVs.
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 revolutionized the EV industry, offering style, speed, and comfort. Its long range and access to Tesla’s Supercharger network make it a practical EV. Like the Model Y, the Model S benefits from lower maintenance demands inherent in electric vehicles, and Tesla’s focus on streamlining parts and service keeps costs down.
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 now-discontinued Toyota Avalon, the larger sibling to the Camry, offers Lexus-like comfort and a spacious cabin at a more accessible price point. Sharing many mechanical components with the Camry, including the V6 engine, the Avalon benefits from Toyota’s reliability and affordable parts, making it a cost-effective large sedan.
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. Its long-term dependability and the availability of affordable Toyota parts make it a consistent top choice for those seeking value and minimal maintenance expenses. The Camry’s reputation is built on its ability to go the distance without breaking the bank.
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, the plug-in hybrid version of the Prius, bridges the gap between gasoline and electric cars. Its electric range for shorter trips and hybrid efficiency for longer journeys combine to minimize fuel costs. Furthermore, it benefits from Toyota’s engineering for reliability and affordable parts, keeping overall running costs low.
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 perennial favorite among practical car buyers, prioritizes efficiency and reliability above all else. While not flashy, it’s a workhorse that gets the job done consistently and affordably. Toyota’s commitment to quality and accessible parts makes the Corolla one of the cheapest cars to maintain over the long haul.
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 a fuel economy champion, achieving impressive MPG figures. Beyond fuel savings, it rewards owners with remarkably low maintenance and repair costs. Toyota’s hybrid technology is well-established and reliable, and Prius parts are readily available and affordably priced, contributing to its excellent value proposition.
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, smaller than the Model S, tops the list for the lowest expected maintenance and repair costs of any car today. Electric vehicles inherently require less maintenance, with fewer fluids to change and fewer moving parts to wear out. Tesla’s efficient design and focus on minimizing service needs, with many visits only requiring tire rotations, make the Model 3 the king of low maintenance and cheap parts in the long run.
FAQs
What Car Brand Is The Cheapest To Maintain?
Toyota and Honda are consistently recognized as among the cheapest brands to maintain, with Nissan, Mazda, and Mitsubishi also offering models with low repair costs. In the luxury segment, Lexus and Tesla lead the way with strong reliability and lower ownership costs compared to their peers. These brands often prioritize reliability and utilize parts that are manufactured and distributed efficiently, leading to lower prices.
What Car Lasts The Longest?
Toyota SUVs like the Sequoia and Land Cruiser are renowned for their longevity, often exceeding 300,000 miles with proper care. This speaks to the durability of Toyota engineering and the robustness of their parts.
How Long Will Most Cars Last?
With proper maintenance, most modern cars can reach over 200,000 miles, with some even hitting 300,000 miles. The average vehicle age in the US is around 12 years, with mileages between 144,000 and 180,000 miles, indicating the increasing lifespan of vehicles and the availability of durable, affordable parts to keep them running.
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
