Whether you are looking for a large car for long road trips or a smaller compact one for riding around the city, what you must keep in mind is not only the initial cost of the vehicle but also its maintenance in the future, the cost of the broken parts, insurance, fuel, etc. No matter if you are looking for a new car or a used one, the maintenance fee should play a significant role in your decision. Over a period of ten years, the average cost of a car can reach around $12,000, and knowing which brands are least and most expensive can help you decide which brand is best for you.
If you were to look for online guides with tips on things to consider when making this purchase, this one about the maintenance expense would be at the top of every list. Due to its significance, in the following article, we will introduce you to some of the popular models of vehicles.
The least expensive brands
Toyota
A Japanese brand Toyota is customers’ favorite for years now for their first concern is the satisfaction of the buyers, and in addition to that, they are constantly improving their design and technology. Their Toyota Corolla is considered to be the most reliable car on the market when it comes to maintenance. Over a year period, you would need to spend about $710 to keep this vehicle in good shape, which is certainly a small price when compared to a monthly average of $1,200 for other four-wheelers. When it comes to SUVs, Toyota C-HR has the lowest maintenance fee for cars among its class. Over a period of three years or 45,000 kilometers, this model’s servicing will cost only about $585.
Honda
Another brand that is worth taking into consideration is Honda, another Japanese company. Honda Accord is a vehicle known for its long lifespan, with an average expense of $351 a year. Thanks to the popularity of this car, its parts are easily accessible, and this fact reduces the overtime cost for maintenance, and it is available in two-door models and in sedans. Honda Odyssey is a minivan and another type of vehicle that is known for its long lifespan. So, if you are looking for something that can fit your entire family, this one is worth considering.
Kia
Korea’s car brand Kia is known for its affordability yet high-quality vehicles for decades. Kia Soul is a multi-purpose vehicle and has amazing reliability ratings, and only 10% of repairing could be called expensive. The annual fee for its maintenance is around $365. Kia Rio has decent power of its engine, but it is still light and compact. Rio’s consumption of fuel is pretty low, so it would save you money in the long run. Over a year, this four-wheeler’s maintenance cost is about $342.
Ford
If you want to make your childhood dreams come true and get yourself a sports car, Ford Mustang should definitely be on your list of potential vehicles. When it comes to this type of vehicle, this one is one of the least expensive ones, at least when it comes to annual maintenance. It might be hard to believe it, especially if you were to compare it with the ones from the 1960s, but this expense per year would be around $980. What makes this cost so affordable? Well, the truth is that newer models are quite reliable, which means that you won’t experience any problems, at least during the first few years. The chances of needing unscheduled maintenance are quite slim, which will save you a significant amount of money.
Infiniti
Who says that you cannot get a luxurious car with a low maintenance cost? If you don’t think that this is possible, check out the Infiniti Q70. Not only is this another reliable vehicle, but also if some damage does occur, the repairs won’t be very expensive, simply because the model uses numerous same parts as Nissan vehicles, which are, according to adorecars.com, fairly cheap. When it comes to the annual maintenance cost, it is around $1,400 approximately.
The most expensive brands
Porsche
It’s no surprise that one of the costliest car brands when it comes to maintenance is Porsche. However, it is also one of the most reliable automobile brands out there. Porsche 911 is one of the most popular models, but it is also the most expensive sport automobile to maintain, with an incredible price of $19,600 over a ten year period. Next to the 911 model, another delight from this company is Porsche 718 Boxer. It might be a little bit less expensive in contrast to 911, but it’s no less fun. Its ten-year maintenance cost is $13,000.
BMW
BMW is another German high-end company that produces luxury vehicles. Their priciest automobile to maintain is certainly the BMW 640i Gran Coupe. Its high style and excellent performance would not betray you, but you’d need to put aside $15,700 a year for keeping this vehicle in top shape. BMW M4 is yet another high-performance luxury sports coupe from this company with a bit lower price of $14,900 over a decade.
Audi
Again, Germany’s companies do not fail us when it comes to the performance of their automobiles, as well as their price. One of the most expensive vehicles to preserve in its good shape is definitely Audi A4 Allroad Quattro. It has also earned high-reliability ratings, thanks to its all-wheel drive. Keeping this car in top condition would cost you around $13,700 a decade. Audi A4 Quattro is another luxury sedan. Its elegance and capability are surely great qualities but at the price of $12,900.
Mercedes-Benz
There is a reason why Mercedes is both expensive to buy and to maintain over the years. Their beautiful design, luxury interior, and great performance offer the best customer experience. Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG S is a sporty yet compact sedan with a price of $12,800 over the course of a decade.
Conclusion
To sum up, these are some of the most popular car brands. As you can see, many of them offer vehicles at affordable prices, while others require a significant annual investment. Our advice is to always stay within your budget since there is no point in purchasing something that you cannot preserve in top shape.
