Find out which cars will be easy to maintain and affordable in the long run.
When looking at a new or used car to buy, one of the most common factors to consider is maintenance expenses over the years and an operating expense account. While the initial cost of buying a car will set you back a little and may put you in a difficult situation, calculating the cost of maintenance expenses for the car is one of the factors for the success of the car, and maintenance expenses can increase quickly if you buy a car that has more problems than other cars.
And if you want to keep annual repair costs low, you’ll need a car with very little maintenance. Today and in this report, we will take a look at the cheapest car brands that need to be serviced and the best car to buy with the lowest cost of maintenance, which of course reflects the longest-lived cars for us.
Toyota maintenance expenses
Toyota topped the list, no surprise. Toyota has one of the best, if not the best, reputation for quality, long-lasting cars in the competition. From smaller passenger cars like the Corolla and Camry to the larger Tundra trucks, Toyota really takes the time to make sure their vehicles pass a rigorous quality control check. This is one of the many reasons why you can still see many vintage Toyotas on the road today. One of the byproducts of Toyota’s great quality and low maintenance cost is your Toyota’s keeping value above most, giving you great resale value.
Toyota Camry expenses
When it comes to Toyota’s lineup, many of their vehicles have a place in most of the 10 cheapest cars to keep among various car lists. And in this article, we will take a look at one of their most famous cars, the Toyota Camry. The average cost of owning a Toyota Camry for 5 years is $30,199. This price takes into account depreciation, insurance premiums, maintenance/repair, loan interest and fuel costs. The Camry is an ideal passenger vehicle that can be used for commuting, road trips, commercial use, and more. The Camry is also one of the longest-lived Toyota vehicles in its lineup, which is why we chose it as a model here.
Mitsubishi Maintenance Costs
Although Mitsubishi isn’t one of the more popular brands compared to most of them on this list, it shouldn’t count when it comes to cost of ownership. Mitsubishi offers one of the lowest average maintenance costs when looking at its lineup of passenger cars and SUVs. This is one of the reasons why you can still see Lancer, Eclipse, Mirage, GT 3000GT and Outlanders as the oldest cars on the road today.
Mitsubishi Mirage fees
When looking at the lowest vehicle maintenance cost that Mitsubishi offers, the Mirage is going to take the cake. Coming to just $2,658 after 5 years with all things included, it will actually be one of the cheapest cars we keep on our list. While there is nothing sporty or exciting about a Mitsubishi Mirage, if you are simply looking for a small passenger car that is good to fuel and will cost very little to maintain, the Mirage should be on your list.
Honda operating expenses
Honda has long been known for
its reliability not only in the automotive industry but in other industries as well .
Honda Civic is one of the biggest competitors to Toyota Camry in many different aspects which makes it very clear why the Civic is on our list.
Honda’s entire lineup is known for reliability and low cost of ownership and we expect that won’t change anytime soon.
With the introduction of electric cars, we’re eager to see if Honda can maintain its reputation for electric vehicles.
Honda Civic maintenance costs
Since the early 1970s, Honda has been improving the Honda Civic and making it one of its leaders in reliability, safety and low cost of ownership.
Fast forward to 2021, and Honda is now in the eleventh generation Honda Civic with no signs of slowing down.
Every year, Civic becomes safer, more technologically advanced, and cheaper to maintain.
Technological advances have allowed engineers at Honda to design a more intelligent and efficient Civic,
allowing the end user to pay less over the course of years of ownership .
The average cost of ownership of a Honda Civic for 5 years is $26,746.
Mazda maintenance expenses
Mazda cars are kind of a middle ground when it comes to popularity. It is not as popular as Toyota or Honda, but it is bought more often than cars from Kia or Mitsubishi. Mazda 3, Mazda 6 and MX-5 are all very popular Mazda cars with low cost of ownership. The average cost of ownership for Maza vehicles will be approximately $27,000 over 5 years taking all costs into account, including depreciation. With Mazda transforming its lineup quite a bit in 2022, it will be exciting to see how Mazda maintains its reputation.
Mazda 6 operating expenses
While the Mazda range of cars will provide you with a lower maintenance cost, the Mazda 6 will be the most popular vehicle on the road and will provide a lower maintenance cost. With the Mazda 6, you can expect an average cost of ownership of $31,093 over 5 years. About 40% of that cost will come from depreciation because Mazda doesn’t have the best resale value. The good news is, if you plan on keeping your Mazda forever, only 5% of that cost comes from maintenance, so you can expect to have less worry about repairs to your property.
Nissan maintenance cost
With one of the lowest costs of ownership on the list , Nissan has held its place as one of the cheapest cars to maintain. Nissan has relied on the flagship Altima as one of its most popular vehicles over the past few decades, and while the cost to own is also low, the Nissan Versa will take the cake with the lowest cost of ownership. Let’s take a closer look at the Nissan Versa and see how much you can expect to pay for maintenance over 5 years.
Nissan Versa expenses
Just like the Mitsubishi Mirage, the Nissan Versa won’t be the sportiest car, but it will be one of the cheapest cars to maintain. You can expect the annual maintenance cost of your Nissan Versa to be under $500. At this price point, this compact four-door car is a great way to get plenty of gas mileage, low maintenance costs, and enough room to comfortably travel with a small family.
Maintenance and operating expenses of Mini Mini
As the only British company on this list, Mini will offer lower maintenance costs on its Mini Coopers. This is a bit surprising as the MINI is owned by BMW, a car company known for its high maintenance costs across its lineup. MINI Cooper has gained a lot of fame thanks to pop culture and blockbuster movies like Austin Powers and Italian Job. On average, a MINI owner is expected to pay about $850 per year for repairs and maintenance. This price will include unexpected repairs, expected repairs and scheduled maintenance items.
Mini Cooper operating expenses
The MINI flagship, the MINI Cooper, will be the most iconic vehicle in its range. Although it is not a very popular car that you see every day on the street, it is a very popular car worldwide. Given the annual maintenance cost, you can expect to pay around $800 to $900 for repairs and maintenance on your MINI Cooper. Being a German-owned vehicle with specialized features, this maintenance cost is surprisingly low. Some of the expected problems that you may encounter while owning a MINI Cooper are VVT issues, front coolant support, coolant hose issues, timing chain noise and transmission issues.
Volkswagen maintenance cost
Volkswagen, a German car manufacturer, tops the list with its extremely low maintenance costs. While some might think that due to German manufacturing, the costs will be higher, but it’s a little more interesting than that. While Volkswagen parts may cost a bit more than you’re used to seeing with domestic cars or more common imported cars like Honda and Toyota, engineering helps prevent ongoing overhaul. German engineering is renowned for reliability, which makes repairs at Volkswagens less common than their competitors. The average Volkswagen maintenance cost will be around $675 per year.
Volkswagen Passat fees
The Volkswagen Passat will be Volkswagen’s most popular car because it offers plenty of space for a sedan with the reliability of German-made engineering. The Passat has its roots in 1972 when the first Passat B1 was launched. Since then, Volkswagen has designed this vehicle to become more stylish, reliable and larger for family-oriented consumers. The Volkswagen Passat will come with an average repair and maintenance cost of less than $650 per year. This makes it perfectly in line with most of the vehicles on this list and allows you to easily budget for unexpected repairs.
GMC maintenance fees
As the only American-made car manufacturer on our list , GMC will offer the lowest cost of maintenance than the large domestic automakers. GMC is owned by General Motors along with famous manufacturers like Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and a few others. GMC is an acronym for General Motors Truck Company and produces some of the best trucks in the industry. GMC is known for its reliability, safety, and low maintenance cost. The average annual cost of maintenance for a GMC vehicle would be near $775.
GMC Sierra Operating Cost
When it comes to GMC trucks, the Sierra 1500 will be one of the most popular vehicles bought. The Sierra has been in production since 1962, making it one of the oldest vehicles on our list. GMC took a break from the Sierra from 1999 to 2002, making a strong comeback and making the new Sierra one of the brand’s best-selling vehicles. And you can expect to spend about $700 to $750 for annual maintenance costs on a Sierra. And there are some of the most common problems you might encounter dealing with your all-wheel drive system are fuel level sensor failures and heating/air conditioning systems.
Kia maintenance expenses
Kia, another brand that is not as popular as many others, is a great vehicle to own if you are looking for a low annual maintenance cost. The Kia lineup has always had a more vibrant, if not popular, Asian design in the United States in its early days, but over time, Kia has adapted well to American car designs. And the Kia Optima, Sedona, Sorento and Stinger sports cars have become very popular over the years. As an average for a Kia brand, you can expect to pay around $650 a year for maintenance and repairs. You can also view the operating and maintenance costs of the Kia Sportage from here .
Operating the Kia Soul
Kia’s compact SUV, the Soul, is a relatively new vehicle when compared to the others on this list, having made its debut in 2008 at the Paris Motor Show. The Kia Soul looks similar to the larger MINI Cooper with room for passengers and cargo for a smaller SUV. Although its design is unique and not for everyone, reliability and low cost of maintenance make this vehicle a great choice for those looking for a budget-friendly vehicle. The Kia Soul will have a very low maintenance cost, coming in at an annual average of about $440.
Hyundai maintenance cost
The last manufacturer on our list will be the South Korean automaker Hyundai. Hyundai Motor Company is part of a larger conglomerate that includes many different Hyundai companies. Hyundai offers a wide range of compact cars, sedans, and SUVs that are the perfect blend of Asian and American influences in design. On average, you can expect to pay around $475 in annual maintenance costs on Hyundai vehicles, and let’s look at one of the cheapest Hyundai Elantras. So let’s take a closer look at the Elantra and what you can expect to pay for repairs and maintenance each year.
Hyundai Elantra fees
Hyundai Elantra has been produced since 1990 and its production is improving year by year. In 2021, Hyundai was in the seventh generation of the Elantra, offering the most technologically advanced and least expensive to maintain the Elantra in history. Comparing previous years of Elantras, you can expect to pay around $450 to repair and maintain your vehicle. Being a compact sedan, this maintenance cost is relatively low compared to many of the other vehicles on our list.
Tips for car maintenance and operating expenses
In conclusion, it is safe to say that you cannot go wrong with an imported car when it comes to maintenance cost. The high level of quality control from foreign manufacturers saves you cheaper annual costs for repairs and maintenance. As always, it’s important to keep up with your vehicle’s maintenance to keep repair costs low. The more you take care of your vehicle, the less you will have to pay in maintenance costs on the road.
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