Average Car Maintenance Cost in 2026: Cheapest Cars to Maintain by Brand

The average car maintenance cost is about $500 to $700 a year, or roughly $42 to $58 a month, for a well-kept non-luxury car. Toyota is the cheapest brand to maintain at about $520 a year, followed by Honda at about $550 and Mazda at about $580, while Jeep averages about $980. Below are costs by brand, by month and by year, plus how to budget for the repairs that maintenance cannot prevent.

Average Car Maintenance Cost: What Owners Really Pay

When you shop for a car, the purchase price gets most of the attention. But a $6,000 Honda Civic that runs another 150,000 miles is a better deal than a $5,000 Chrysler 300 that needs $2,000 in repairs in its first year.

Most owners spend about $500 to $700 a year on maintenance, assuming no major breakdowns. The range by car is wide: some average $400 a year and others top $1,200. That $800 gap adds up to $4,000 over five years and $8,000 over ten.

Over ten years, maintenance and repairs on one car can total $4,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the model. That is why it pays to avoid the most expensive cars to maintain if your budget is tight.

Toyota and Honda, and more and more Hyundai and Kia, lead the low-cost list. Their parts are affordable, repairs are simple and labor stays reasonable. On some other brands, a mechanic can spend four hours on a job as simple as spark plugs.

Monthly vs Yearly Car Maintenance Costs

Here is what a well-maintained, non-luxury sedan typically costs to keep running at a shop.

Routine Maintenance Every Year

• Oil and filter changes (2 to 3 a year): $100 to $150
• Tire rotation and balance: $80 to $120
• Engine air filter: $40 to $80
• Cabin air filter: $30 to $60
• Fluid top-ups and inspections: $50 to $100
• Yearly total: $300 to $510

Every 3 to 5 Years

• Brake pads (full set): $150 to $300
• Transmission fluid service: $100 to $200
• Coolant flush: $75 to $150
• Spread over 3 to 5 years: about $65 to $215 a year

Every 5 to 10 Years

• Spark plugs: $100 to $250
• Suspension bushings or parts, if needed: $200 to $500
• Brake fluid service: $75 to $150
• Battery: $100 to $200
• Spread over 5 to 10 years: about $50 to $220 a year

What It Adds Up To per Year, Month and Mile

Add the three groups and routine upkeep comes to about $415 to $945 a year, or about $35 to $79 a month. Owners of reliable brands usually land in the middle: about $500 to $700 a year, or $42 to $58 a month.

To get your cost per mile, divide your yearly cost by the miles you drive. For example, $600 a year over 12,000 miles is 5 cents a mile.

Unexpected Repairs

• Water pump: $300 to $800
• Alternator: $300 to $700
• Power steering pump: $400 to $900
• A/C compressor: $400 to $1,200

These repairs are not part of a routine budget, and they decide whether a car feels cheap or expensive to own. A Honda owner may go five years without a major repair, while a Jeep owner may face several in the same time.

Car Maintenance Cost by Brand

The table compares average yearly maintenance and repair costs for popular non-luxury brands, based on industry averages and owner data. The monthly figure is the yearly average divided by 12.

The spread is large. A Toyota owner spends about $520 a year and a Jeep owner about $980. That is $460 a year more, or about $4,600 over ten years.

Cheapest Cars to Maintain: Toyota and Honda

Let's start with the clear winners: Toyota and Honda. These brands have dominated the "cheapest to maintain" conversation for decades, and for good reason.

Toyota: Simple Engineering and Cheap Parts

Toyota vehicles are engineering marvels of simplicity. A Toyota engine isn't trying to win any awards for innovation. It's trying to run for 200,000 miles with minimal fuss. Parts are everywhere. If you need a water pump for a 2010 Camry, you can order it online for $80, and any decent mechanic can swap it in under an hour. The parts ecosystems around Toyota vehicles is massive, which drives prices down through competition.

Honda: Close Behind Toyota

Honda sits right alongside Toyota in the reliability and affordability conversation. Honda engines have a legendary reputation, and that reputation is earned. The Civic, Accord, and CR-V platforms have been refined over decades. Honda's simplicity philosophy matches Toyota's. Parts are competitive with Toyota parts. Labor is straightforward.

The key difference you'll notice: Honda owners tend to get slightly better fuel economy and a bit more driving engagement, but they'll spend roughly the same amount on maintenance as a comparable Toyota. If you prefer Honda's driving characteristics, the cost difference is negligible.

Hyundai and Kia: Low Costs and Long Factory Warranties

Here's something that surprised a lot of people: Hyundai and Kia have become genuine contenders for "cheapest cars to maintain."

Ten years ago, these brands had a reputation for being cheap transportation that might not last. Today? They're completely different companies. Both Hyundai and Kia now offer some of the longest warranties in the industry (10-year powertrain coverage for newer models), which gives you insight into their confidence in the product. That confidence is backed up by actual reliability improvements.

Modern Hyundai and Kia vehicles are simple, well-designed, and parts are becoming increasingly affordable as their fleet grows. Because these brands have exploded in popularity, the aftermarket parts supply is catching up. You can now find third-party parts for Hyundais and Kias at competitive prices, which wasn't always the case.

The real advantage is the factory warranty. Newer Hyundai and Kia models come with a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. If you buy one used, check how much of that coverage is left and whether it still applies to you as a later owner. A major repair right after it ends can wipe out the savings over a Toyota or Honda.

Mazda: The Overlooked Option

Mazda doesn't get as much attention as Toyota or Honda in the "cheap to maintain" conversation, but it absolutely deserves a spot here.

Mazda vehicles are well-engineered, parts are reasonably priced, and they share some components with Ford (which actually helps with parts availability and affordability). Maintenance costs sit only slightly above Honda, maybe $30 to $60 per year on average, but you get a car that's genuinely fun to drive.

This is underrated: buying the cheapest car to maintain doesn't mean you should buy something boring. A Mazda3 will cost almost exactly as much to maintain as a Civic but feels sportier and more engaging to drive. For people who plan to keep their cars long-term, that matters.

Brands That Cost More to Maintain and Repair

On the flip side, let's talk about brands that consistently eat owners' wallets.

Nissan

Nissan vehicles used to be reliable, but several generations have been plagued with transmission problems, particularly the CVTs used in Altimas and Rogue models. A transmission replacement or rebuild can easily run $3,000 to $5,000. Even if you avoid transmission models, Nissan's electrical systems are notoriously finicky.

Volkswagen and Audi

Volkswagen and Audi vehicles are fun to drive and generally well-built, but they're genuinely expensive to maintain. German engineering means German parts prices. A simple repair that costs $200 on a Honda might cost $400 on a VW. Diagnostic work is expensive because the systems are complex. If you love these cars, budget accordingly, but they're not the choice for someone trying to minimize maintenance costs.

Dodge and Jeep

Dodge and Jeep vehicles (both Stellantis brands) have serious quality control issues. Electrical problems are rampant. Water leaks are common. Paint quality is subpar. If you check a Jeep forum or Dodge forum, you'll find owners consistently frustrated with recurring electrical gremlins and build quality issues. When you compare this to Toyota and Honda forums, where owners discuss whether they should keep their car past 200,000 miles or trade it in, the difference is stark.

Understanding what happens at 100,000 miles can help you budget for upcoming maintenance needs.

Understanding the true cost of car ownership requires looking at the total picture.

Why Luxury, European, Hybrid and EV Costs Differ

Brand averages hide big differences by type of car.

• Luxury and European cars: a BMW 3 Series averages about $1,200 a year and a Mercedes C-Class about $1,300, against about $550 for a Honda Accord. Parts, special fluids and diagnostic time all cost more. Compare the full list of the most expensive cars to maintain.
• Hybrids: they still need regular service, but regenerative braking makes brake pads last longer. The risk is the battery once its warranty ends: replacement runs about $3,000 to $5,500 on a Toyota Prius.
• Electric cars: no oil changes, transmission fluid changes or spark plugs. Out of warranty, a battery costs about $4,000 to $6,500 for a Nissan Leaf and $12,000 to $20,000 for a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y. See best used hybrid and electric cars for battery life and warranty terms.
• Trucks and larger SUVs: bigger tires, brakes and fluid capacities raise the bill. Full-size trucks and SUVs often run $900 to $1,400 a year.

Even Cheap-to-Maintain Cars Have Expensive Repairs

Even the cheapest brands cost real money over time. At about $520 a year, a Toyota needs $3,640 to $5,200 in routine care over 7 to 10 years. One major repair, such as a timing belt, transmission or engine job, can add $1,500 to $5,000 or more.

What a reliable brand buys you is predictability. With less reliable brands, a transmission failure or engine knock can arrive with no warning.

Over seven years, a Toyota owner at $520 a year spends about $3,640 on maintenance. A Jeep owner at $980 a year spends about $6,860, which is $3,220 more. To see what a major failure costs by system, read about the most expensive car repairs.

Total Cost of Ownership: Economy Car vs Luxury Sedan

Purchase price, maintenance and resale value together decide what a car really costs. Cheap-to-maintain brands differ little from each other, but a lot from luxury or less reliable brands.

Take a 2015 Toyota Camry bought for about $16,500 and sold five years later for about $9,500. It loses $7,000 in value and needs about $2,600 in maintenance at $520 a year, for a five-year cost of about $9,600.

Now take a 2015 Infiniti Q50 bought for about $18,000 and sold five years later for about $6,000. It loses $12,000 in value and needs about $7,500 in maintenance at about $1,500 a year, for a five-year cost of about $19,500. That is about twice as much, for a less reliable car.

This is why Toyota and Honda resale values hold up so well.

How to Budget for Repairs and Reduce Surprises

These steps keep maintenance costs low and make big repairs less of a shock.

Set Aside a Monthly Repair Fund

Put away your brand's monthly average plus a cushion. For a Toyota or Honda, maintenance alone is about $43 to $46 a month. Adding $50 to $100 a month builds a $1,000 to $2,000 repair fund within two years.

Buy With Service History

A used car with full service records shows what has been done and what is due next. It also points to an owner who took care of the car.

Never Skip Preventive Maintenance

The $80 oil change you skip can lead to engine damage, and major engine work starts around $4,200 on an economy car. Fluid services cost far less than the parts they protect.

Learn Basic Maintenance Yourself

You do not need to be a mechanic. Doing simple jobs such as air filters yourself can save $100 to $150 a year.

Use a Trusted Independent Shop

Independent shops usually charge less than dealers, especially after the factory warranty ends. A brake pad job that costs about $400 at a dealer can cost $200 to $250 at an independent shop. Get more than one quote for large jobs. More ideas are in our guide on how to save money on car repairs.

Know Your Model's Weak Spots

Every car has common failure points. Some Nissan Altima and Rogue model years had CVT problems, and a replacement or rebuild costs $3,000 to $5,000. Read a problems-by-year guide for your model before you buy.

Join Owner Forums

Online owner forums for your model share common problems, fair repair prices and good local shops.

Is Repair Protection Worth It on a Cheap-to-Maintain Car?

Not always. For a newer Toyota, Honda or Mazda that is still under factory warranty, you may not need more coverage yet, and the same goes for a Hyundai or Kia with powertrain coverage left. Repair protection makes more sense once the factory warranty ends, on a used car bought from a private seller, or if a $2,000 repair would mean taking on debt.

An extended car warranty, legally a vehicle service contract, does not pay for maintenance. Oil changes, brake pads, tires and wipers are excluded, so keep budgeting for them. What it covers is the large, unplanned breakdowns.

Protect the repairs maintenance cannot prevent. CoverageX plans can pay for covered breakdowns once your factory warranty ends. Essential covers the engine, transmission and drivetrain, and Signature adds electrical systems, air conditioning and suspension, so an alternator or A/C compressor failure can be covered on the right plan. CoverageX pays the licensed repair shop directly and includes 24/7 roadside assistance. Get a quote or call 1-800-258-3413 to see which plans fit your car.

Car Maintenance Cost FAQ

What is the cheapest car to maintain?

Toyota models are the cheapest cars to maintain on average, at about $520 a year, with Honda close behind at about $550. Simple engines, cheap and easy-to-find parts, and straightforward repairs keep their bills low. A well-kept Camry, Accord or Civic is usually a safe low-cost choice.

Which car brands have the lowest maintenance costs?

Toyota, Honda and Mazda have the lowest average maintenance costs, at about $520, $550 and $580 a year. Hyundai and Kia follow at about $610 and $620. Subaru, Nissan, Volkswagen, Dodge and Jeep cost more, up to about $980 a year for Jeep.

What is the cheapest car to repair?

Toyota and Honda are usually the cheapest cars to repair. Parts are affordable and easy to find, and most shops know these cars well, so labor stays low. A water pump for a 2010 Camry costs about $80 online and takes under an hour to swap. German brands cost more: a $200 repair on a Honda can cost $400 on a Volkswagen.

Which compact cars and wagons have the lowest maintenance costs?

Compact cars from Toyota, Honda and Mazda cost the least to keep running. A Honda Civic and a Mazda3 cost almost the same to maintain, with brand averages of about $550 and $580 a year. Wagons with all-wheel drive cost a bit more: Subaru averages about $650 a year because the boxer engine and AWD system add service work.

Which SUV is cheapest to maintain: Toyota, Honda or Hyundai?

Toyota is usually the cheapest of the three, with a brand average of about $520 a year, then Honda at about $550 and Hyundai at about $610. Larger SUVs cost more to maintain than compact ones. On a newer Hyundai, the 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty can offset the higher average. Compare models in the most reliable SUVs of 2026.

Which 2026 cars are the cheapest to maintain?

New 2026 models from Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Hyundai and Kia should be the cheapest to maintain, because these brands have the lowest average costs. In the first years you mostly pay for oil changes, filters and tire rotations. Hyundai and Kia add a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, twice as many years as Toyota's 5-year or 60,000-mile powertrain coverage.

How much does car maintenance cost per month?

Most drivers spend about $42 to $58 a month on car maintenance, which is $500 to $700 a year. Toyota owners average about $43 a month and Jeep owners about $82. Set aside a little more for an older car, because one repair such as an A/C compressor can cost $400 to $1,200.

What costs the most to fix on a car?

The engine and the transmission cost the most to fix. Major engine work runs about $4,200 to $12,000, and a transmission repair or replacement about $3,800 to $9,500. Suspension, electronics and the A/C system follow. See the most expensive car repairs for typical prices by system.

Are EVs cheaper to maintain than gas cars?

Yes for routine maintenance. An EV needs no oil changes, transmission fluid changes or spark plugs, and regenerative braking makes brake pads last longer. The big risk is the battery: out of warranty, a replacement runs about $4,000 to $6,500 for a Nissan Leaf and $12,000 to $20,000 for a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y, so check how much battery warranty is left.

Do luxury cars really cost more to maintain?

Yes. A BMW 3 Series averages about $1,200 a year and a Mercedes C-Class about $1,300, compared with about $550 for a Honda Accord. That is more than twice as much. Parts, special fluids and diagnostic time all cost more, and the gap grows as the car ages.

How can I lower repair costs on an older car?

Keep up with oil changes and fluid services, use a trusted independent shop instead of the dealer, and get more than one quote for big jobs. Doing simple jobs like air filters yourself can save $100 to $150 a year. Learn your model's known weak spots before they fail.

Does an extended car warranty cover routine maintenance?

No. An extended car warranty, legally a vehicle service contract, pays for covered mechanical and electrical breakdowns, not upkeep. Oil changes, brake pads, tires and wipers are excluded, so you still budget for maintenance. A contract helps with large, unplanned bills such as an engine, transmission or A/C failure, depending on the plan. See CoverageX auto protection plans.

The Bottom Line

The cheapest cars to maintain are cheap for a reason. Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Hyundai and Kia build cars that are simple to service and use affordable parts. Expect to spend about $500 to $700 a year on maintenance, keep a fund for the occasional major repair, and a well-kept car from these brands can run well past 100,000 miles.

Want the big repairs covered too? Compare CoverageX plans, get a quote for your car, or call 1-800-258-3413.

Related Reading

For a complete breakdown of used car ownership costs beyond just maintenance, consider all the hidden expenses involved.

• Why Car Repair Costs Are Rising in 2026
• Complete Toyota Camry Buying Guide by Year
• Honda Accord Reliability Guide by Generation
• How to Buy a Used Car: The Complete Checklist
• Toyota vs Honda Reliability in 2026
• Visit Our Learning Center