Most Expensive Cars to Maintain in 2026: Brands, Models and Repair Costs

Maserati and Porsche are the most expensive cars to maintain, at about $3,000 to $4,000+ a year for a Maserati and $2,800 to $3,500+ for a Porsche once the factory warranty ends. Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, BMW and Audi follow at roughly $1,100 to $2,500 a year, while a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord costs about $550 to $600. The gap comes from brand-only parts, dealer labor at $150 to $250 an hour, and electronics and air suspension that cost thousands to fix.

Below are yearly costs by brand and model, the repairs behind the biggest bills, and how to keep an expensive car without draining your budget. For costs beyond the repair shop, see the real costs of owning a used car.

Which Cars Cost the Most to Maintain?

These are the yearly maintenance costs for each brand out of factory warranty, ranked from most to least expensive, with the repairs that most often push owners over budget.

Yearly Maintenance Cost by Model: 5-Year Comparison

This table shows estimated maintenance costs for 2022 models over five years of ownership after the factory warranty ends:

For contrast, check out our guide to the cheapest cars to maintain to see the other end of the spectrum.

The Reality Check: A Mercedes E-Class costs roughly three times more per year to maintain than a Toyota Camry. Over five years, that's $6,000 in additional maintenance expenses. That's essentially a used car budget right there.

Why Luxury Cars Get Expensive Fast

Five things push luxury car maintenance far above mainstream brands:

Specialized Parts and Engineering

Luxury brands engineer their vehicles with precision-tuned components that are simply different from economy cars. A Mercedes doesn't use generic parts; it uses Mercedes-specific components engineered to exact specifications. Want to replace a water pump? That's a $600 part instead of a $150 part in a Toyota. The engineering is more sophisticated, which means the parts cost more, and they're often proprietary to the brand.

Dealership Monopoly

Unlike mainstream manufacturers, luxury brands have tighter control over their service networks. You'll almost always find cheaper repairs at independent shops, but warranty coverage, proper diagnostics, and manufacturer-approved repairs typically require going to a dealership. And dealerships charge premium labor rates: we're talking $150 to $250 per hour for luxury brands, compared to $80 to $120 at independent shops.

Advanced Technology

Modern luxury cars are essentially computers on wheels. They feature sophisticated diagnostic systems, advanced infotainment networks, adaptive suspensions, and technology that requires specialized training to repair. A simple diagnostic scan at a dealership? That could run $150 to $300 before they've even identified the problem. And that's just to read the code.

Tighter Tolerances

European luxury manufacturers build to tighter tolerances than mainstream brands. This means components wear differently, fail more specifically, and sometimes the entire system needs rebalancing when one part goes bad. It's like the difference between a Swiss watch and a standard clock. One requires a specialist.

Brand Image and Premium Service

Let's be honest: luxury brands charge premium prices partly because they can. Owning these vehicles comes with an expectation of premium service, premium facilities, and premium everything. Some of these costs are justified by quality; some are pure brand tax.

Maintenance vs Repair Costs: What You Can Plan For

Owning an expensive car means two kinds of bills. They need different plans.

• Maintenance is the scheduled work: oil changes, brake pads, spark plugs, filters, fluid services, carbon cleaning and major 30,000 and 60,000 mile services. It is predictable, so you can budget for it. On a luxury car it runs from about $800 a year for a Volvo to $3,000+ for a Porsche or Maserati.
• Repairs are the breakdowns: a failed transmission, turbocharger, air suspension part or electronic module. They are rare but can cost $4,000 to $15,000 at once, and they are what turns an expensive car into an unaffordable one.

Save for maintenance every month. For repairs, either keep a large emergency fund or move the risk to a repair protection plan. No extended warranty pays for maintenance, so judge one only on the repairs it covers.

Brand-by-Brand Maintenance and Repair Costs

Here is what each brand costs to keep on the road, ranked by yearly maintenance cost, and the repairs owners should know about before they buy.

1. Maserati

Annual Maintenance Cost: $3,000 to $4,000+

Maserati is the wild card of expensive luxury. It's Italian engineering meets European sophistication, which means it's beautiful, complex, and absolutely expensive to maintain.

The problem with Maserati is that parts and labor are premium, and reliability issues are more common than you'd expect for the price. Maserati owners often face surprise repair bills. An electrical gremlins issue that would be a $200 fix on a Japanese car? That's a $2,000 diagnosis and repair on a Maserati. The Quattroporte and Levante both have had known transmission issues that can cost $5,000 to $10,000 to address.

Maserati service is expensive (it's an Italian luxury brand with lower production numbers), parts take longer to source, and many shops simply won't touch them. You're largely locked into dealership service, which charges rates that would make your head spin. A Maserati service advisor told us their shop bills out at $275 per labor hour. That's not including the parts markup.

2. Porsche

Annual Maintenance Cost: $2,800 to $3,500+

Porsche owners are the ultimate enthusiasts willing to pay for performance. And they pay. A lot.

A basic oil change on a Porsche 911? You're looking at $400 to $600 because the oil is specialized synthetic, the labor is meticulous, and a mistake could cost six figures when you're dealing with a precision sports car engine. Brake service? Try $1,500 to $2,500 per axle. Spark plugs? That's a $600 to $800 job because the mechanic needs to access them through the engine bay of a mid-engine machine, requiring hours of labor.

The 911 remains one of the most expensive cars to maintain because every component is engineered for performance. There are no shortcuts, no generic parts, and no such thing as a quick fix. Tire replacements alone run $250 to $400 per tire because they need to be specific sport compounds. A transmission fluid change costs $1,500. Replacing brake fluid? $400. This isn't a car you fix in your driveway on a Saturday afternoon.

Even routine maintenance on a Porsche Cayenne (the 'affordable' Porsche) runs $1,500 to $2,000 annually. If something goes wrong (suspension work, engine issues, transmission repairs), you're looking at five-figure repair bills without blinking.

3. Land Rover

Annual Maintenance Cost: $1,800 to $2,500

Land Rovers look rugged and capable, but under the hood, they're complex British engineering that costs a fortune to maintain. These vehicles are packed with advanced suspension systems, complicated electrical architectures, and components that seem to fail more frequently than competitors.

The air suspension systems on Range Rovers are notoriously expensive. A single air spring failure costs $1,500 to $2,500 to fix, and it's not uncommon for multiple springs to fail at once. A complete suspension overhaul on a Range Rover can easily hit $10,000 to $15,000.

Land Rovers also have frequent electrical issues. Something about the way the electrical systems are designed makes them prone to gremlins that are difficult to diagnose and expensive to repair. We've heard stories of $5,000+ diagnosis and repair bills for electrical issues that a dealer struggled to identify.

Transmission issues are another pain point. Land Rover transmissions are sophisticated, and when they fail, they fail expensive. A transmission rebuild or replacement on a Range Rover is a $5,000 to $10,000 proposition. Regular transmission fluid servicing is expensive too, around $1,000 to $1,500.

The silver lining? If you're willing to use independent shops (and there are good ones who specialize in Land Rovers), you can save 25% to 40% compared to dealership rates.

4. Mercedes-Benz

Annual Maintenance Cost: $1,300 to $2,500 depending on model

Mercedes is the gold standard of the luxury brands in terms of popularity, but that doesn't make them cheaper to maintain. Far from it.

The Mercedes E-Class and S-Class are particularly expensive to own after the warranty expires. A simple brake pad replacement on an E-Class is $800 to $1,200 because Mercedes uses premium brake compounds and requires specialized labor. The transmission fluid on a newer Mercedes? That's not something you just top off. It's a complete flush that costs $1,500 to $2,000.

Where Mercedes really gets you is in preventative maintenance. They recommend specific services at specific intervals, and all of it is pricey. A major service on an E-Class runs $1,500 to $2,000. An air filter? $400. A cabin air filter? Another $200 to $300. These aren't optional upgrades. These are items that the manufacturer recommends for proper operation.

The newer Mercedes models with advanced infotainment systems and driver assistance features are even more expensive because any electrical or software issues require dealership diagnostics. We've seen simple electrical gremlins turn into $3,000 to $5,000 repair bills.

Mercedes also loves technology, which means more things to break. The air suspension systems they use are incredibly sophisticated and incredibly expensive. A single air strut can cost $1,500 to $2,000. If you need to replace the entire suspension, you could be looking at a $10,000+ bill.

5. Jaguar

Annual Maintenance Cost: $1,300 to $2,000

Jaguar has improved in reliability over the years, but maintaining the brand's heritage involves older models that have some specific weak points. The F-Type and newer XF models are better, but they still carry premium maintenance costs.

Jaguar's electrical systems are complex and sometimes finicky. Electrical issues are common, and diagnoses can be expensive ($300 to $500 just for the diagnostic). The brand also uses sophisticated suspension systems that are expensive to maintain. Air suspension repairs on a Jaguar run $1,500 to $2,500 per strut.

Jaguar dealerships charge premium labor rates ($150 to $200 per hour), and parts are proprietary. An alternator replacement that might cost $400 on a Toyota costs $900 to $1,200 on a Jaguar, because it's a specialized component with specific installation requirements.

The positive? Jaguar is working hard to improve reliability, and newer models have better track records. You're not getting the same level of 'expensive surprises' that older Jaguars were famous for.

6. BMW

Annual Maintenance Cost: $1,200 to $2,000 depending on model

BMW gets a reputation for expensive maintenance, but interestingly, it's not quite as bad as Mercedes or Porsche in terms of raw annual costs. That said, BMW owners face some specific expensive failure points that are notorious in the enthusiast community.

The BMW N54 and N55 turbocharged engines are known for failure-prone fuel injectors (common repairs: $1,000 to $2,000), high-pressure fuel pump failures ($1,500 to $3,000), and carbon buildup issues that require expensive cleaning procedures. These are common failures, not freak occurrences, which means many used BMW buyers are ticking time bombs waiting for that service bill.

BMW's transmission issues are also legendary. Automatic transmissions in certain models are prone to failures that cost $4,000 to $8,000 to address. The ZF eight-speed automatic is more reliable, but it still costs a fortune when something goes wrong.

Brake work on a BMW is expensive ($1,000 to $2,000 per axle), suspension work is pricey, and routine service intervals include many expensive items. An oil change with filter on a newer BMW is $200 to $300. It sounds reasonable until you realize you're paying dealership rates and using BMW-approved oils and filters.

Costs climb once the warranty ends. Our guide to the true cost of owning a BMW puts older BMWs at $2,500 to $4,000+ a year, and our BMW 3 Series problems by year guide shows which N54 and N55 years to watch. For protection options, see luxury car warranty coverage.

The good news? Independent shops can handle most BMW work for 30% to 50% less than dealerships. The bad news? You might lose warranty coverage, and some shops mess up luxury repairs, creating bigger problems.

7. Audi

Annual Maintenance Cost: $1,100 to $1,800 depending on model

Audi occupies a sweet spot in the luxury world. They're slightly cheaper to maintain than BMW and Mercedes, but not by much. However, certain Audi models have specific expensive failure points you need to know about.

The carbon buildup issue plagues Audi's turbocharged engines just like it does BMW's. Owners often need expensive carbon cleaning procedures ($800 to $1,500) to maintain proper engine performance. The direct injection engines that Audi loves are powerful but prone to this specific issue.

Audi's transmission fluids are also expensive to service. Audi recommends transmission fluid changes on certain models, and the service runs $800 to $1,200 depending on the transmission type. The DSG dual-clutch transmissions are particularly expensive when they need service: parts and labor can easily exceed $2,000.

Timing chain issues have plagued certain Audi models, and when a timing chain fails, you're looking at an engine rebuild or replacement. That's $5,000 to $10,000+ of damage.

The good news with Audi? They're German engineering with a slightly lower price point than Mercedes or BMW, so some repairs are slightly cheaper. Independent shops are also more common and generally more affordable.

8. Volvo

Annual Maintenance Cost: $800 to $1,300

Volvo is actually one of the more reasonable luxury brands to maintain, which makes it a smart choice for people who want luxury without the total financial bleeding. However, don't get complacent. Volvo still costs more than mainstream brands.

The advantage Volvo has is that many of their components are shared with other manufacturers (Ford, Geely, etc.), which means parts availability is better and independent shops are more willing to work on them. A Volvo service is expensive at a dealership, but many independent shops can handle Volvo work, and that competition keeps prices down.

That said, Volvo's turbocharged engines need carbon cleaning periodically, and their six-speed and eight-speed transmissions can be pricey to service. A transmission fluid change on a newer Volvo is around $800 to $1,000.

Volvo's strength is in reliability. They tend to need less repair work than other luxury brands, which means even though routine service is expensive, the total cost of ownership is more reasonable.

Common High-Cost Repairs on Luxury Cars

Here is what common jobs cost on a luxury car, which ones are routine maintenance, and which ones a CoverageX plan can pay for. For full cost guides, see transmission replacement cost, turbocharger replacement cost and the most expensive car repairs that extended warranties can cover.

Protect the repairs, not the oil changes. A CoverageX vehicle service contract can pay for covered breakdowns like a failed transmission, turbocharger or suspension part, and CoverageX pays the repair shop directly. It does not pay for maintenance, and coverage starts 30 days and 1,000 miles after purchase. Get a quote for repair protection on your vehicle or call 1-800-258-3413.

Who Should Avoid These Cars?

An expensive-to-maintain car is a poor fit if any of these apply to you:

• One repair of $4,000 to $10,000 would mean borrowing money or missing other bills.
• There is no independent shop near you that specializes in the brand, so every job goes to a dealer at $150 to $250 an hour.
• You are buying a used model that is already out of factory warranty and has no service records.
• You drive a lot and plan to keep the car past 100,000 miles, when major services and failures pile up. See what happens at 100,000 miles.

If you still want the car, buy the best example you can find: full service records, no warning lights and a pre-purchase inspection from a shop that knows the brand. A specialist inspection on a luxury car costs about $200 to $500+, which is small next to one major repair. If the numbers do not work, lower-cost brands like Toyota, Honda and Mazda cost a fraction as much to keep.

Know When to Walk Away

If you're shopping for a used luxury car and the asking price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop that specializes in that brand. Spending $300 to $500 on a thorough inspection can save you from a $10,000 mistake.

How to Lower Maintenance Costs on an Expensive Car

If you're committed to owning a luxury vehicle, here are strategies to manage the costs:

Choose the Right Independent Shop

Not all independent mechanics can handle luxury cars, but those who specialize in them can save you 25% to 50% compared to dealerships. Find a shop that specializes in your specific brand and has good reviews. The investment in finding the right shop pays dividends.

Keep Detailed Maintenance Records

Even out of warranty, following the manufacturer's maintenance schedule helps prevent expensive surprise repairs. A $1,500 transmission fluid service now prevents a $7,000 transmission replacement later.

Negotiate Service Prices

Dealerships' prices aren't always set in stone. Getting quotes from multiple shops and bringing them back to your dealership can result in 10% to 20% discounts. Service managers have flexibility, especially for loyal customers.

Buy Repair Protection Before You Need It: A vehicle service contract makes the most sense on a used luxury car past its factory warranty, where one transmission or air suspension repair can cost more than years of maintenance. Buy it while the car is healthy, because problems that already exist are not covered. Compare luxury car extended warranty costs with the repair prices above before you decide.

How an Extended Warranty Can Reduce Surprise Repair Bills

An extended car warranty, legally a vehicle service contract, pays for covered mechanical and electrical breakdowns after the factory warranty ends. It is not car insurance and it does not pay for maintenance. On an expensive car, its value comes from the big failures in the table above.

CoverageX offers four plans:

• Essential: engine, transmission and drivetrain, including seals, gaskets and turbocharger parts where applicable.
• Signature: adds electrical systems, air conditioning and suspension.
• Premium: near-complete mechanical coverage, including advanced technology parts and major systems.
• Executive: exclusionary coverage. Everything is covered unless the contract lists it as excluded.

Coverage starts 30 days after purchase and after you drive 1,000 miles. When something breaks, call the claims team before any repair starts. You take the car to a licensed repair shop, CoverageX approves the repair with the shop and pays it directly, and you pay only your deductible. Diagnostic fees are paid with an approved claim, and every plan includes 24/7 roadside assistance. See how CoverageX works and compare the plans.

Two limits matter on a luxury car. Plans have labor rate caps, so ask how the cap compares with the hourly rate at the shop you plan to use. And problems that existed before you bought the plan are not covered.

When it is not worth it: skip it if the car is still under factory warranty, if you plan to sell it soon, or if you have savings that can cover a $10,000 repair without strain. CoverageX does not sell vehicle service contracts in California.

The Bottom Line

Owning an expensive car to maintain is a choice, and it's one that requires eyes wide open about the financial implications. A $2,000 to $3,500 annual maintenance cost isn't a bug; it's a feature of luxury car ownership. The precision engineering, premium components, and specialized labor required to keep these vehicles running costs real money.

The good news? If you understand what you're getting into, you can plan accordingly. Factor realistic maintenance costs into your total cost of ownership before you buy. Shop around for independent service providers. Stay on top of preventative maintenance. And seriously consider warranty coverage for vehicles prone to expensive failures.

Luxury cars are amazing to drive and own, but only if you're financially prepared for the commitment. Now that you understand the real costs, you can make an informed decision about which luxury vehicle actually fits your budget.

Keeping an expensive car past its warranty? Protect yourself from the repairs that cost thousands. Get a quote for repair protection on your vehicle or call 1-800-258-3413 to compare Essential, Signature, Premium and Executive. Your monthly price stays locked for the life of the contract.

To compare protection prices, see what an extended car warranty costs.

Most Expensive Cars to Maintain: FAQ

Which luxury car brand is the most expensive to maintain?

Maserati and Porsche are the most expensive brands to maintain, at about $3,000 to $4,000+ and $2,800 to $3,500+ a year. A Maserati Quattroporte averages about $3,500 a year and a Porsche 911 about $3,200, roughly six times a Honda Accord at $550. Land Rover comes next at $1,800 to $2,500 a year, mostly because of air suspension and electrical repairs.

What costs the most to fix on a car?

Major transmission, engine and suspension failures cost the most. On luxury cars, a transmission rebuild runs $4,000 to $10,000+, timing chain failure with engine damage on some Audi engines $5,000 to $10,000+, and a full air suspension overhaul on a Range Rover $10,000 to $15,000. On a typical sedan or crossover, a new transmission costs $3,800 to $8,000 installed (transmission replacement cost).

Why are some cars so expensive to fix?

Mostly parts and labor. Luxury brands use brand-only parts, many jobs need dealer tools, and dealer labor costs $150 to $250 an hour versus $80 to $120 at independent shops. Complex electronics and air suspension add more parts that can fail, and a diagnostic scan alone can cost $150 to $300.

Are luxury cars always expensive to maintain?

No, not all of them. Volvo costs about $800 to $1,300 a year, and an Audi A4 averages about $1,100, still almost double a Toyota Camry at $600 but far below a Porsche or Maserati. Shared parts and good independent shop support keep some luxury brands closer to mainstream costs.

Are Mercedes-Benz cars expensive to maintain?

Yes. Expect about $1,300 to $2,500 a year depending on the model: a C-Class averages about $1,300 and an E-Class about $1,800, three times a Toyota Camry. Brake work on an E-Class costs $800 to $1,200, and replacing the full suspension can top $10,000.

Which cars are the cheapest to maintain?

Toyota, Honda and Mazda are the cheapest brands to maintain, at an average of about $520, $550 and $580 a year. Hyundai and Kia follow at about $610 to $620. See the full list of cheapest cars to maintain.

How much should you budget for maintenance on a luxury car?

Budget the brand's yearly maintenance cost plus a reserve for one large repair. That is about $1,100 to $2,500 a year for most German and British luxury brands, $2,800+ for a Porsche or Maserati, and a cushion of $4,000 to $10,000 for a transmission, turbo or suspension failure once the factory warranty ends. Owners of mainstream cars spend about $500 to $700 a year on maintenance.

Should I avoid buying a car with high repair costs?

Avoid it if one big repair would strain your budget. If you still want the car, get a specialist pre-purchase inspection, check the service records, find an independent shop that knows the brand and price repair protection before you buy. If the numbers do not work, a Toyota, Honda or Mazda costs far less to keep.

Does an extended warranty cover maintenance on a luxury car?

No. An extended car warranty, or vehicle service contract, covers mechanical and electrical breakdowns, not maintenance such as oil changes, brake pads, tires and other routine services. On an expensive car it pays off on covered failures like transmissions, turbochargers, electronics and suspension parts. CoverageX members do get one free oil change after the first monthly payment clears. See what CoverageX plans cover.