Scheduled car maintenance costs
Maintenance and repair costs generally vary by make, model and year. For instance, a Toyota Corolla will have cheaper maintenance costs than a Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63. Some other factors that will affect your car maintenance costs include:
- Driving habits, such as how frequently or aggressively you drive
- The climate where you live
- Where you drive your car, such as city versus highway driving
The best way to keep repair costs down is to keep up with routine maintenance. The table below shows a list of general maintenance items, how often you should schedule them and how much they typically cost.
| Service | Recommended maintenance schedule | Average cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Oil change | Every 7,500 to 10,000 miles or every 1 year, whichever comes first | $142 to $170 |
| Tire balance and rotation | Every 7,500 to 10,000 miles or every 1 year, whichever comes first | $108 to $159 |
| Windshield wiper replacement | Every 1 year | $97 to $120 |
| Engine air filter change | Every 1 year | $75 to $96 |
| Alignment | Every 5,000 to 10,000 miles or every 1 year, whichever comes first | $189 to $277 |
| Cabin air filter change | Every 15,000 to 20,000 miles or every 2 years, whichever comes first | $85 to $114 |
| Brake pad replacement | Every 30,000 to 50,000 miles | $320 to $379 |
| Rotor replacement | Every 30,000 to 70,000 miles | $577 to $719 |
| Battery replacement | Every 4 to 5 years | $412 to $448 |
Keep in mind that this is a general list. Every vehicle will come with its own recommended maintenance schedule that you can find in your owner's manual.
Example: Mazda CX-5 maintenance schedule
The table below shows selected items from the recommended maintenance schedule for a Mazda CX-5.
| Service | Standard schedule |
|---|---|
| Tire rotation | Every 7,500 miles |
| Change oil and filter | Every 7,500 miles |
| Replace cabin air filter | Every 2 years or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first |
| Inspect drive belts | Every 3 years or 22,500 miles, whichever comes first |
| Inspect fuel lines and hoses | Every 2 years or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first |
| Inspect front and rear suspension, ball joints and wheel bearing axial play | Every 2 years or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first |
| Replace engine coolant | Replace first at 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first, then every 5 years or 60,000 miles after that |
| Replace spark plugs | Every 40,000 or 75,000 miles, depending on the model |
Example: Kia Sorento maintenance schedule
The table below shows selected items from the recommended maintenance schedule for a Kia Sorento.
| Service | Standard schedule |
|---|---|
| Tire rotation | Every 8,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first |
| Change oil and filter | Every 8,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first |
| Inspect brake discs, pads, lines, hoses and connections | Every 1 year |
| Inspect cooling system | Every 1 year |
| Replace climate control air filter | Every 2 years or 16,000 miles, whichever comes first |
| Replace spark plugs | Every 48,000 to 96,000 miles, depending on the engine type |
| Replace engine coolant | First at 120,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first, then replace every 24,000 miles or 2 years |
Typical car repair costs
The main difference between maintenance and repairs is that maintenance items are routine, expected and predictable. In contrast, repairs are random and unpredictable. Understanding potential repair costs is crucial for effective budgeting, as it helps car owners prepare for both expected and unexpected expenses.
The table below shows how much certain repairs might cost you as your car ages.
| Service | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| Air bag control module replacement | $845 to $914 |
| Air conditioner compressor replacement | $1,004 to $1,356 |
| Alternator replacement | $757 to $1,032 |
| Axle shaft replacement | $974 to $1,094 |
| Catalytic converter replacement | $2,164 to $2,483 |
| Engine mount replacement | $607 to $747 |
| Fuel pump replacement | $1,247 to $1,506 |
| Head gasket replacement | $2,475 to $3,246 |
| Ignition coil replacement | $231 to $333 |
| Oxygen sensor replacement | $434 to $537 |
| Radiator replacement | $1,307 to $1,471 |
| Transfer case replacement | $3,205 to $3,517 |
| Transmission replacement | $5,892 to $6,402 |
» MORE: 10 most expensive car repairs
Annual maintenance and repair costs by brand
Annual maintenance and repair costs will typically vary by car brand, among other factors such as parts availability, labor rates and changes in vehicle reliability over time. The table below shows average annual repair and maintenance costs for a variety of car brands, according to RepairPal.
| Brand | Average maintenance and repair cost per year* |
|---|---|
| Acura | $501 |
| Audi | $987 |
| BMW | $968 |
| Buick | $608 |
| Cadillac | $783 |
| Chevrolet | $649 |
| Chrysler | $608 |
| Dodge | $634 |
| Ford | $775 |
| Genesis | $524 |
| Honda | $428 |
| Hyundai | $468 |
| Infiniti | $638 |
| Jaguar | $1,123 |
| Jeep | $634 |
| Kia | $474 |
| Land Rover | $1,174 |
| Lexus | $551 |
| Lincoln | $879 |
| Maserati | No data |
| Mazda | $462 |
| Mercedes-Benz | $908 |
| Mini | $854 |
| Mitsubishi | $535 |
| Nissan | $500 |
| Porsche | $1,192 |
| Ram | $858 |
| Subaru | $617 |
| Tesla | $832 |
| Toyota | $441 |
| Volkswagen | $676 |
| Volvo | $769 |
Car maintenance and repair costs over time
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average cost of car maintenance and repair has gone up about 53% from January 2019 to February 2026. The infographic below shows average vehicle maintenance and repair costs for urban consumers.
How to keep repair costs low
Here are a few ways you can keep your out-of-pocket repair costs to an absolute minimum, both before and after you buy the car.
Choose a reliable vehicle
Driving a vehicle that’s well known for its reliability can potentially keep ongoing repair costs to a minimum. For instance, in J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, Lexus ranked the highest for dependability for the fourth year in a row. Buick, Mini, Cadillac and Chevrolet ranked second through fifth, respectively.
Get a prepurchase inspection
If you’re buying a used vehicle, it’s best to have it inspected by a trained technician to ensure it doesn’t need repairs. This service is called a prepurchase inspection (PPI), and it typically costs around $200. While paying for a PPI might cut into your overall budget, it’s cheaper than buying a car that urgently needs $11,000 in engine work.
Follow routine maintenance schedules
Every vehicle sold has a recommended maintenance schedule listed in its owner’s manual, and if you want your vehicle to last long term, it helps to stick to it.
“If you want to cut costs, get a copy of that regular maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual and take it to your local mechanic,” said Eric Hamilton, a prepurchase inspection specialist.
If you want to cut costs, get a copy of that regular maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual and take it to your local mechanic.”
“I once looked at a BMW with 34,000 miles on it and it already had a seized [broken] engine,” Hamilton said. “The owner thought it had ‘lifetime fluids’ and had never changed the oil.”
Routine maintenance may be a bit tedious and occasionally expensive, but it’s still preferable to a seized engine. Plus, routine maintenance keeps your car feeling new for longer and can provide invaluable peace of mind on long trips.
Do small maintenance yourself
To keep costs down, it can help to do small maintenance tasks yourself, such as installing wiper blades, batteries or cabin air filters. With a little experience, you may eventually be able to repair small scratches or do an oil change.
Just be careful not to get in over your head with difficult repairs, or you may make your problems worse. Also, some do-it-yourself (DIY) repairs or aftermarket modifications could void your warranty.
Get an extended car warranty
An extended auto warranty can help cover unexpected repair costs over time. A bumper-to-bumper extended warranty typically costs around $1,000 per year of coverage, but it should almost entirely cover the cost of a suspension repair or an engine replacement, as long as the failure is covered under the contract.
Basically, an extended auto warranty might be worth the cost if you anticipate a lot of breakdowns, worry about getting hit with one massive repair bill or just value having peace of mind.
FAQ
How much should I budget for car maintenance each year?
Generally, it can help to budget anywhere from $400 to $1,200 per year for routine car maintenance and unexpected repairs. However, this varies depending on the make, model, age of your vehicle and your driving habits.
How can I reduce car maintenance costs?
You may be able to reduce car maintenance costs by choosing a reliable vehicle, following the recommended maintenance schedule by mileage, handling simple maintenance tasks yourself and performing regular inspections to catch potential issues early.
Does the climate I live in affect car maintenance costs?
Yes, extreme temperatures can impact car components differently. Cold weather can affect a car’s battery, while hot weather can stress the cooling system. Rust is also more common in humid or snowy climates, which can increase maintenance needs.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- RepairPal, “Car Repair by Make and Model.” Accessed Apr. 6, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, “Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair in U.S. City Average.” Accessed Apr. 6, 2026.
- J.D. Power, “Vehicle Software Updates Become More Routine, but Fall Short on Perceived Benefit, JD Power Finds”.” Accessed Apr. 6, 2026.
