Lexus maintenance: cost, plans and service schedule

Is Lexus maintenance expensive?

According to data from RepairPal, the average yearly cost of repairs and maintenance on a Lexus is $551, which is relatively affordable. This may come from the fact that Lexus vehicles are highly dependable.

RepairPal gives Lexus a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5, ranking it seventh out of 32 automakers. Lexus also has a comparatively low rate of repairs that are prohibitively expensive (8% versus the industry average of 12%).

How Lexus compares with other automakers

Lexus maintenance and repair costs by model

Expected maintenance costs vary by Lexus model. For example, Lexus ES 350s only cost about $468 per year to keep running, while the Lexus NX 200t averages $690 per year, according to 2019 RepairPal data.

Lexus maintenance schedule

Lexus car maintenance schedules don’t look much different from what other major automakers recommend. It’s worth mentioning that some aspects of your maintenance schedule will vary based on which model you drive. You can find the specific maintenance schedule for your vehicle on Lexus’ website.

• Every 5,000 miles: Cars generally require that you change the oil, rotate the tires and inspect certain components, including fluid levels, brake pads and rotors every 5,000 miles.
• Every 15,000 miles: You should plan for key component inspections on the axle shaft boots, ball joints, brake lines, hoses, exhaust pipes, steering system and brake calipers, with other services needed at longer intervals.

What about oil changes?

While Lexus recommends changing your oil every 5,000 miles, this can seem like overkill if you're using synthetic motor oil. However, a mechanic would tell you that it’s important to follow all the recommended guidelines, especially if you want any repairs covered by the warranty. You can never be too proactive with your car’s maintenance.

Another thing to keep in mind: Lexus offers complimentary maintenance, known as LexusCare, which pays for all maintenance services needed during a Lexus’ first 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Lexus repair costs

The repair costs for a Lexus can be tough to estimate because no two vehicles will break down in exactly the same way. Repairs can be unexpected and often occur at the worst times. Yet, you can sometimes identify trends when you look at the bigger picture.

Typical replacement costs for a 2019 Lexus RX 350

What to know about Lexus warranties

New Lexus vehicles come with factory warranties that can cover repair costs for the first few years of their lives. Lexus also provides a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty along with a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty on new vehicles.

Lexus also offers prepaid maintenance plans for new and certified pre-owned vehicles that can save you money on scheduled maintenance services. Plan details vary depending on whether your vehicle is new or used:

• New vehicle maintenance may be covered for up to five years or 90,000 miles.
• Certified pre-owned vehicles can be covered for up to three years or 30,000 miles.

The warranty coverage and prepaid maintenance that come with a new Lexus can help you avoid maintenance and repair costs, but these plans are of limited use if your Lexus is more than six years old.

If you worry about affording an expensive repair after your Lexus warranty expires, consider getting an extended car warranty. It may be worth it if a significant repair bill would be catastrophic to your financial well-being. On the other hand, if you have savings you can dip into, buying an extended warranty may not make financial sense.

» MORE: Pros and cons of extended car warranties