A comprehensive analysis conducted through Consumer Reports’ 2023 Annual Auto Surveys has revealed significant brand-based variations in car maintenance and repair costs over time, highlighting Tesla as the brand with the lowest expenses in this category.
The study, which polled members about their out-of-pocket costs for maintenance and repairs over the past year, underscores the importance of considering long-term ownership costs beyond the initial purchase price of a vehicle.
The study’s findings emphasize the impact of aging on vehicle maintenance and repair expenses, noting that these costs tend to escalate significantly after the expiration of warranty and free maintenance periods offered by many manufacturers. While brands like BMW and Toyota provide free maintenance for new cars, which typically require minimal work in their early years, costs can surge once these benefits conclude.
Steven Elek, Consumer Reports’ program leader for auto data analytics, pointed out the stark differences in maintenance costs between brands, especially over a decade-long period. “The difference to maintain a car on average between some brands can be thousands over a 10-year timeframe,” Elek explained. He further noted that luxury vehicles, in particular, tend to incur higher maintenance costs over time.
The survey’s comparative analysis across different brands for the first five and subsequent five years of car ownership revealed that, while Tesla emerged as the most economical in terms of maintenance costs, several German brands—Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche—were identified as the most expensive. This disparity in costs offers a critical consideration for prospective buyers, especially those eyeing luxury models.
Elek advised, “If you are considering a luxury model, it may be wise to purchase one from a domestic brand that may have lower maintenance and repair costs. For example, over 10 years, Mercedes-Benz models are more than double the cost to maintain and repair as those from Lincoln.”
Check out the full chart below for the top 5, with Tesla in the lead:
…and here’s the bottom 5, the most expensive in terms of maintenance:
It’s clear that driving an EV, particularly a Tesla, results in extremely low maintenance costs versus a gas car. German luxury cars are notorious for having high bills when it comes to out of warranty repairs, and even regular maintenance. It’s another revenue stream for dealerships when they can keep gas car owners coming in on a regular timeline.
