There’s a lot to be said for owning a vehicle that’s not only affordable to buy but also easy on the wallet when it comes to upkeep. Forget the notion of “cheap cars” being synonymous with bare-bones transportation. Today, you can find vehicles that are well-equipped, comfortable, and, importantly, won’t break the bank with expensive repairs and maintenance. We’re talking about cars that reliably get you where you need to go while demanding little more than routine servicing. This list isn’t just about basic economy cars; it features a diverse range, from compact cars to SUVs, and even includes models from luxury and performance segments, all united by their remarkably low maintenance costs.
To bring you this definitive list, we’ve utilized data from CarEdge, a trusted source for vehicle ownership cost information. We focused on vehicles with the lowest predicted maintenance and repair expenses. The data encompasses crucial factors like estimated annual and 10-year maintenance costs, along with the probability of needing a major repair. Our ranking is based on the average total 10-year maintenance cost, revealing the top 20 cars that stand out for their long-term affordability in terms of parts and labor.
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, provides a comfortable and spacious ride, featuring Nissan’s acclaimed Zero Gravity seats. Available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations, the Altima also offers advanced driving aids like Nissan’s ProPilot Assist. Its position on this list highlights its reasonable running costs for a family sedan, making it a smart choice for those seeking practicality without excessive maintenance bills.
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 hugely popular compact crossover SUV, known for its blend of comfort, space, and fuel efficiency. Offered with either a standard gasoline engine or a fuel-sipping hybrid powertrain, the RAV4’s reputation for reliability is well-deserved. Its appearance on this list underscores not just its dependability but also the accessibility of Toyota parts and the ease of servicing, contributing to lower long-term ownership expenses.
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 car with the lowest maintenance and repair costs outside of the electric vehicle segment. While it may not be the sportiest option in its class, the ES 350 prioritizes comfort and refinement, appealing to buyers who value a smooth and dependable luxury experience. Its Lexus badge implies higher parts costs to some, but in reality, the shared Toyota engineering beneath the skin contributes to its surprising affordability in terms of maintenance.
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, especially after its 2022 update, has become a strong contender in the competitive compact car market. Practical and efficient, the Sentra combines comfort, reliability, and low ownership costs into an attractive package. Its inclusion here highlights that affordable parts and straightforward mechanics make the Sentra a smart choice for budget-conscious drivers looking for a reliable daily commuter.
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 is a subcompact SUV with a distinctive style, positioned below the RAV4 in Toyota’s SUV lineup. Uniquely, it’s offered exclusively with front-wheel drive, which enhances fuel economy and contributes to lower overall operating costs. Its presence on this list demonstrates that even stylish and modern SUVs can be surprisingly economical to maintain, thanks to Toyota’s engineering and readily available parts.
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 recently redesigned Honda Accord shares many of the positive attributes of the smaller Civic, including a refined driving experience and a range of models from well-equipped to almost luxurious. Honda’s reputation for reliability is a major factor in the Accord’s low maintenance costs. Common parts and a straightforward design mean that when servicing is needed, it’s typically affordable and hassle-free.
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 compact Mazda 3, now featuring standard all-wheel drive, is known for being fun to drive across all seasons, with responsive handling and spirited performance. Available in both sedan and hatchback styles, the Mazda 3 continues to impress with its low maintenance costs. Despite its sporty nature, Mazda maintains a focus on reliability and accessible parts, keeping ownership costs down.
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 sub-compact sedan is an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. Pleasingly styled and well-suited for basic transportation needs, the Versa is also remarkably inexpensive to own. Standard automatic emergency braking across all models makes it a safe and sensible option, especially for new drivers looking for a car with cheap parts and low running costs.
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 is the sedan version of the Mirage hatchback, offering a traditional trunk for those who prefer it. It remains one of the most affordable cars to buy and own, making it a practical choice if budget is a primary concern. Its simple engineering and the availability of inexpensive parts contribute to its low maintenance profile.
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%
Redesigned for 2022, the compact Honda Civic is available in both sedan and hatchback forms, ranging from basic models to sporty versions. Known for its refinement and serving as the foundation for the Acura Integra, the Civic boasts a well-established reputation for reliability. This reliability directly translates to lower maintenance needs and affordable parts, making it a consistently smart choice for economical car ownership.
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, in its latest iteration, shares many components with the BMW Z4. However, it maintains its unique styling and is surprisingly affordable to maintain, especially for a performance car. Its position in the top 10 underscores that even sports cars can be engineered for relative ease and economy of maintenance, challenging the stereotype of high performance equating to high running costs.
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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 subcompact Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback is the epitome of basic, affordable transportation. Its small three-cylinder engine might be underpowered, but it’s adequate for city driving. Key advantages include excellent fuel economy and very low ownership costs. Its ranking high on this list confirms its status as one of the cars with the cheapest parts and lowest overall maintenance expenses.
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 version of the Model 3, offers a long electric range of up to 330 miles on a single charge. Like all Teslas, it delivers strong performance but with added practicality due to its increased space. Its presence here highlights the inherently lower maintenance nature of electric vehicles, with fewer moving parts and reduced reliance on traditional servicing.
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 electric car market, offering a stylish, fast, and comfortable vehicle. With a near 400-mile range and access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network, it matches the versatility of gasoline cars while costing less to run and maintain. Its high ranking demonstrates the long-term savings associated with electric vehicle maintenance, particularly in terms of reduced parts replacement and servicing.
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, though now discontinued, is the larger sibling of the Camry, sharing many mechanical components, including the V6 engine. It provides occupants with a spacious cabin, a smooth ride, and Lexus-like comfort, all while maintaining low maintenance costs. Its inclusion emphasizes the consistent reliability and affordable parts across Toyota’s sedan range.
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%
Low operating costs and long-term reliability are hallmarks of the mid-size Toyota Camry. It remains one of the few models in its class to still offer a V6 engine as an alternative to the standard four-cylinder. The Camry’s consistent ranking among the cheapest cars to maintain is a testament to its durable engineering and the easy availability of affordable replacement parts.
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 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the Toyota Prius, the Prius Prime, bridges the gap between gasoline and full-electric vehicles. It can run on battery power for the first 25 miles before switching to hybrid mode, achieving an estimated 54 mpg combined. Its low maintenance costs, even lower than the standard Prius, further highlight the economic advantages of hybrid and electric powertrains.
3. Toyota Corolla
- 10-Year Cost: $4,087
- $148 In Year One, $755 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 11.9%
A perennial favorite for practical car buyers, the Toyota Corolla may not be flashy, but it’s efficient and exceptionally reliable. Its enduring popularity is partly due to its reputation for low maintenance and readily available, inexpensive parts. The Corolla consistently proves that affordable cars can also be incredibly dependable and economical in the long run.
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 one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market, with an EPA-estimated 58 mpg city and 53 mpg highway. It also rewards owners with remarkably low maintenance and repair costs. The Prius’s position near the top of this list reinforces the benefits of hybrid technology not just for fuel savings but also for reduced long-term maintenance expenses and cheap parts.
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%
Smaller than the Model S, the Tesla Model 3 boasts the lowest overall expected maintenance and repair costs of any car currently available. Most scheduled service visits for a Model 3 are minimal, often just involving tire rotations. Taking the top spot, the Tesla Model 3 definitively answers the question of “What Car Has The Cheapest Parts?” – at least in terms of long-term maintenance costs, it’s a clear winner due to its electric drivetrain and simplified mechanics.
FAQs
What Car Brand Is The Cheapest To Maintain?
Toyota and Honda are consistently ranked among the cheapest brands to maintain, but several models from Nissan, Mazda, and Mitsubishi also exhibit low repair costs. In the luxury segment, Lexus and Tesla lead, demonstrating strong reliability and lower ownership costs compared to other premium brands. These brands generally benefit from efficient manufacturing processes, reliable engineering, and a focus on using durable components, which translates to cheaper parts and less frequent repairs.
What Car Lasts The Longest?
The Toyota Sequoia and Toyota Land Cruiser are known for their exceptional longevity, with many reaching 300,000 miles or more. These models are built with robust components and over-engineered in many aspects, contributing to their extended lifespan. Their durable construction means they can withstand demanding use and often require less frequent major repairs, though parts for these larger vehicles can sometimes be more expensive when needed.
How Long Will Most Cars Last?
With proper maintenance, most modern cars can last well over 200,000 miles, with some even reaching 300,000 miles or more. The average age of a passenger vehicle in the US is around 12 years. Assuming average annual mileage of 12,000 to 15,000 miles, this equates to between 144,000 and 180,000 miles on average, indicating the increasing durability and lifespan of contemporary vehicles.
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
