How Much Does Car Maintenance Cost?

Average car maintenance costs about $1,475 annually or $123 monthly, varying by vehicle type and driving conditions. Costs include routine tasks and unexpected repairs. The right insurance coverage can help mitigate expenses.

By Nathan Paulus

Edited by Rae Osborn

Updated: November 1, 2024

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

The average cost of car maintenance is approximately $1,475 per year or $123 per month, based on AAA's Your Driving Costs data, which calculates expenses at nearly 10 cents per mile over a five-year period covering 75,000 miles. These costs can vary depending on factors such as vehicle type, brand and driving conditions.

Car maintenance costs can be categorized into routine tasks and unexpected repairs. Routine tasks — such as oil changes, brake pad replacements and tire rotations — are more predictable. Unexpected repairs — like fixing a broken transmission or replacing a faulty catalytic converter — can significantly increase your expenses, highlighting the need for an emergency fund. Leveraging car insurance and understanding what it covers can also mitigate some unexpected repair costs.

Car Maintenance Cost by Vehicle Type

Broken down by vehicle type, electric cars stand out as the cheapest choice, with annual maintenance costs of approximately $1,218. Medium sedans incur the highest maintenance costs at $1,628 per year. The table below illustrates maintenance costs across vehicle types based on 15,000 annual miles.

Vehicle Category	Cost Per Mile	Monthly Maintenance Cost	Annual Maintenance Cost
Small Sedan	9.11 cents	$113.88	$1,366.50
Medium Sedan	10.85 cents	$135.62	$1,627.50
Subcompact SUV	9.51 cents	$118.88	$1,426.50
Compact SUV (FWD)	10.39 cents	$129.88	$1,558.50
Medium SUV (4WD)	10.57 cents	$132.12	$1,585.50
Midsize Pickup	10.35 cents	$129.38	$1,552.50
1/2 Ton/CrewCab Pickup	9.42 cents	$117.75	$1,413.00
Hybrid Vehicle	9.09 cents	$113.62	$1,363.50
Electric Vehicle	8.12 cents	$101.50	$1,218.00

10 Cheapest Car Brands to Maintain

The cost of maintaining a car varies significantly across brands, with traditional economy brands like Toyota and Honda leading in affordability. These insights are important for prospective buyers, who should consider the total cost of car ownership in addition to the price of a new car.

CarEdge's analysis of maintenance and repair costs offers insightful data on how popular vehicle brands stack up in terms of upkeep expenses over five years. Here's a summary focusing on the top 10 least expensive car brands to maintain, providing a clearer picture for budget-conscious car owners and buyers.

Rank	Brand	Five-Year Maintenance Cost
1	Toyota	$1,605
2	Mitsubishi	$2,019
3	Honda	$2,090
4	Volkswagen	$2,107
5	Nissan	$2,118
6	Mazda	$2,118
7	Kia	$2,167
8	MINI	$2,178
9	GMC	$2,238
10	Hyundai	$2,280

Types of Routine Car Maintenance Costs

Routine car maintenance costs range from $10 for simple windshield wiper blade replacements to over $200 for more complex services like tire replacements. Use your vehicle owner’s manual and maintenance schedule for precise budgeting at recommended service intervals for your car. By proactively budgeting for these routine tasks, you maintain your vehicle's optimal condition and safeguard against unexpected, costly repairs in the future.

Below is a detailed breakdown of common maintenance tasks, providing both the frequency and cost range to help you plan your budget effectively:

Routine Maintenance Service	Frequency	Cost Range
Basic Inspection	Annually	Varies by service provider
Oil Changes	Every 5,000–7,500 miles for conventional oil; every 10,000–15,000 miles for synthetic oil	$35–75 for conventional oil; $65–125 for synthetic oil
Tire Rotation	Every 5,000–8,000 miles	$25–50
Brake Pad Replacement	Every 30,000–70,000 miles	$100–300 per axle
Cabin Air Filter Replacement	Every 15,000 miles	$20–100
Fuel Filter Replacement	Every 20,000–40,000 miles	$50–175
Engine Filter Replacement	Every 30,000–45,000 miles	$20–70
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	Every 6–12 months	$10–25
Battery Replacement	Every 3–5 years	$100–250

Unexpected Car Repair Costs

Even with meticulous maintenance, cars can require sudden and expensive repairs. Unexpected car repair costs can range from as low as $50 for minor issues like flat tires to over $10,000 for major problems such as engine replacements. Having an emergency fund can help you manage these expenses; your insurance and warranty coverages might also mitigate costs.

Shopping around for repair services and choosing high-quality parts can also reduce long-term expenses. Regular service checks and learning basic car maintenance can help prevent minor issues from becoming major.

Here’s a look at common unforeseen repairs to help you manage these costs effectively.

Car Repair Type	Average Cost Range	Explanation
Dead Battery	$50–200	Common especially in cold weather or if the car sits unused for long periods
Flat Tire	$50–150 per tire	Often due to punctures or poor road conditions, necessitating immediate repair or replacement
Wheel Alignment	$75–200	Necessary for ensuring proper vehicle handling and tire wear
Tire Replacement	$100–200 per tire	Includes severe damage from road hazards requiring immediate replacement
Brake Pad Replacement	$100–300 per axle	Essential for safety; wear out with use and need replacement periodically
Alternator Replacement	$400–1,000	Crucial for vehicle’s electrical system; failure can cause battery drain and engine stoppage
Suspension Replacement	$500–2,200	Required for maintaining vehicle stability and smooth handling as components wear out or fail
New Timing Belt	$500–1,000	Critical for engine timing and function, typically replaced based on the manufacturer’s schedule
Catalytic Converter Replacement	$950–2,500	Necessary for meeting emissions standards; replacement costs vary by car model and labor
Transmission Repairs	$1,800–3,400	Can be extremely costly, often due to failure or significant wear, sometimes requiring full replacement
Engine Repairs	$200–4,000+	Costs vary widely from minor fixes to major overhauls or complete replacements
Engine Replacement	$3,000–10,000	Necessary if the engine fails completely; among the most expensive vehicle repairs
Body Damage	$500–4,000	Can result from accidents or collisions; repair costs depend on damage severity and location

Using Car Insurance for Maintenance and Repairs

Review your insurance policy to understand what is and isn’t covered so you’re prepared for both routine maintenance and unexpected repairs. For example, comprehensive car insurance covers the cost of repairs or replacements due to non-collision incidents such as theft, vandalism or natural disasters, but it does not cover routine maintenance or wear and tear. Additional coverages like collision coverage, extended warranties and mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) offer further financial protection.

Collision Coverage

Specifically designed to cover damages from accidents, collision coverage is crucial for repairs following a crash, regardless of who is at fault, helping to pay for the expenses of fixing your car.

Extended Warranties

Extended warranties extend the duration of the manufacturer's warranty and typically cover the repair or replacement of specific car parts after the original warranty expires. This can be a valuable investment for covering costly repairs on major vehicle components that are not typically covered by standard insurance policies.

Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI)

MBI or car repair insurance functions similarly to a car warranty and is offered by some insurers. It covers the costs of certain repairs that are not related to accidents, such as electrical or mechanical failures, providing coverage beyond what standard warranties offer.

If your vehicle is not yet covered, shop for car insurance that provides the right coverage to ensure you are adequately protected. Learn more about car insurance with the following MoneyGeek resources:

Additional Resources for Car Owners

We’ve compiled a list of helpful websites, apps and organizations that provide valuable information and tools for car owners:

AAA (American Automobile Association): This offers a wide range of automotive services, including roadside assistance, maintenance advice and repair discounts.
RepairPal: It provides a trusted network of certified repair shops and offers a tool to estimate repair costs based on your location and vehicle type.
Kelley Blue Book: Known for new and used vehicle pricing, Kelley Blue Book also offers car maintenance and repair cost estimates.
CarMD: CarMD offers a device and app that provide diagnostic data and maintenance alerts for your vehicle, helping prevent costly repairs.
YourMechanic: It sends certified mechanics to your home or office to perform routine maintenance and repairs at your convenience.
CarCareKiosk: This provides free video tutorials for car maintenance tasks specifically tailored to your vehicle’s make and model.

About Nathan Paulus

Nathan Paulus is the Head of Content Marketing at MoneyGeek, with nearly 10 years of experience researching and creating content related to personal finance and financial literacy.

Paulus has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of St. Thomas, Houston. He enjoys helping people from all walks of life build stronger financial foundations.

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sources

AAA. "Your Driving Costs: Brochure." Accessed April 10, 2024.
AAA. "Your Driving Costs: Factsheet." Accessed April 10, 2024.
CarEdge. "Ranking the Least Expensive Cars to Maintain After Five Years." Accessed April 10, 2024.