Like everything else over the past few years, vehicle maintenance expenses have climbed higher, too. That means a few trips to the mechanic could wreak havoc on your finances, leading some experts to recommend budgeting $1,350 annually for car maintenance and repairs.
However, if you want an easier way to protect your budget that will also save you the frustration of being in the repair shop, consider buying a vehicle from a car brand with a reputation for having inexpensive repairs. Here are five of the best ones, according to Consumer Reports’ research.
1. Tesla
One- to five-year maintenance cost: $580
Electric vehicles typically cost more upfront than similar gas-powered models, but getting a Tesla is a smart bet if you’re looking for a reliable vehicle with low maintenance costs. Consumer Reports says the average maintenance and repair costs for the first one to five years for a Tesla is about $580, which works out to be less than $10 per month over a half decade.
One of the cheapest new Teslas you can buy is the Model 3, which starts at $42,490. However, you can probably lower that cost by using the $7,500 IRS tax credit.
Tip: Electric vehicles can be more expensive to insure than traditional cars. Even if you don’t have an EV, car insurance costs have jumped 26% over the past year! That’s why shopping for cheap car insurance is a smart idea, no matter what vehicle you decide to buy.
2. Buick
One- to five-year maintenance cost: $900
Buick may not have always topped a list of low-maintenance vehicles, but the brand ranked in second place on the Consumer Reports list, costing just $900 in the first one to five years. I did a quick search on RepairPal to see how the brand ranked, and the data confirmed that Buick has an overall above-average reliability rating.
Even better news for budget-conscious buyers is that the cheapest Buick, which is a compact crossover SUV called the Envista, starts at just $23,700. That’s nearly $25,000 cheaper than the average new car transaction price of $48,623!
3. Lincoln
One- to five-year maintenance cost: $940
Lincoln is your brand if you’re looking for low-cost maintenance but still like a little luxury. Lincoln is the upscale brand of Ford, and while German automakers often receive high marks for their luxury vehicles, Lincoln’s lower repair costs are equally impressive.
With a new Lincoln costing under $1,000 in maintenance up to the first five years, you can live large without a large repair budget. Lincoln only sells SUVs, and the cheapest one, the Corsair, will set you back $38,990. While not cheap, it’s still far below the average new car selling price.
Most luxury vehicles cost more to insure, so I did a quick check, and Lincoln (thankfully) didn’t make it onto Car & Driver’s list of most expensive vehicles to insure. If you think you might be overpaying for car insurance, check out our review of the best car insurance companies.
4. Ford
One- to five-year maintenance cost: $1,100
Ford’s overall low maintenance costs in the first five years of ownership make it a good choice for those who want a new vehicle and plan to stay far away from the repair shop for as long as possible.
Not all of Ford’s vehicles have stellar reliability, so I dug deeper and found that its popular Maverick pickup truck and Edge SUV have above-average reliability. The great thing about this is the Maverick is one of Ford’s least expensive vehicles, starting at just under $24,000.
5. Toyota
One- to five-year maintenance cost: $1,125
Last but certainly not least is Toyota, which has a long history of reliability. Its vehicles (along with its luxury brand Lexus) are at the top of many reliability lists, including the most recent comparison of Consumer Reports.
To give you a bit of perspective on just how well a Toyota might hold up, Consumer Reports recently put Toyota’s Camry, Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, Corolla, 4Runner, and Highlander on its list of 12 vehicles that most often make it to 200,000 miles and beyond — that’s seven out of 12!
While there’s no guarantee your vehicle will come with low maintenance and repair costs, picking the right brand ahead of time can make it more likely. It’s also good to look closely at a manufacturer’s warranty details, as some have much longer coverage and even include basic maintenance for the first few years.