Are Rolls-Royces expensive to maintain?
Rolls-Royces aren’t expensive to maintain for the first four years of owning a new model. In fact, there’s no cost at all. But if you own a Rolls-Royce past the four-year complimentary maintenance period, the cost of a service visit every 7,000 miles thereafter rises to about $4,000 to $5,000, depending on the model, according to Rolls-Royce Pasadena.
“Rolls-Royce vehicles require maintenance every 7,000 to 10,000 miles,” a California-based Rolls-Royce service adviser told us. “The first service is pretty basic — we change the oil, oil filter and pollen filter. But the third visit is much more involved, since we replace the spark plugs, engine air filter and more.”
He added that if you purchase a pre-owned Rolls-Royce, you’ll still receive complimentary maintenance until the vehicle turns 4 years old. Depending on how many miles you put on your Rolls-Royce annually, four years of free maintenance could save you tens of thousands of dollars.
How Rolls-Royce compares with other automakers
The only ultraluxury competitor that beats Rolls-Royce’s complimentary maintenance period is Ferrari, which offers seven years of free maintenance, and annual maintenance costs after the seven years are lower than Rolls-Royce’s on average.
Bentley, meanwhile, offers one year of complimentary maintenance. After that, the cost of a standard Bentley service visit is around $2,350.
| Make | Average maintenance and repair costs |
|---|---|
| Rolls-Royce | $4,000 per year (first 4 years free) |
| Bentley | $2,350 per year (first year free) |
| Aston Martin | $2,350 per year |
| McLaren | $2,820 per year |
| Ferrari | $2,000 per year (first 7 years free) |
| Lamborghini | $2,250 per year |
| BMW M | $1,800 per year |
| Mercedes-AMG | $2,400 per year |
» LEARN: Average car maintenance costs
Rolls-Royce maintenance cost and schedule
We briefly touched on the Rolls-Royce maintenance schedule above, but here’s a bit more detail, courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Miami:
- Every 7,000 to 10,000 miles: You’ll receive a comprehensive inspection, oil change, alignment, pollen filter, brake fluid change and more.
- Every third visit: You’ll get new spark plugs, engine air filters, transmission fluid and more.
Once your four years are up, the cost of owning your Rolls-Royce will skyrocket. You’ll be paying out of pocket for things like oil changes, brake jobs and new tires.
“The oil change on a Rolls-Royce can cost you anywhere from $600 to $2,500,” said experienced mechanic Sean Kim. The cost can vary based on whether you go to the dealer or a third party, as well as the cost of living in your area.
| Maintenance | Cost |
|---|---|
| Oil change | $600 to $2,500 |
| Brake job | $5,000 to $30,000 |
| Tire replacement | $1,200 or less |
Rolls-Royce repair costs
Rolls-Royce repairs are actually a similar story to maintenance. All new Rolls-Royce vehicles come with a 4-year/unlimited-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, so if your Rolls suffers a breakdown or a part failure within that period, the cost to you should be $0.
Just keep in mind that even the most robust bumper-to-bumper warranty will only cover repairs needed due to factory defects. Misuse, abuse and repairs needed due to delayed maintenance will not be covered.
Outside of warranty, the cost to repair a Rolls-Royce can range from “expectedly high” to “catastrophic.” Here are just a few examples of real quotes we found from Rolls-Royce dealerships online:
- Engine replacement: $45,000
- Passenger rear door handle: $4,000
- Post-collision body work: $141,000
- General refurbishment of a 2004 model to 2026 standards: About $80,000
“Rolls-Royce vehicles are honestly a lot more reliable than you’d think,” said Kim. “They’re just stupidly expensive when things do break.”
» LEARN: What is a manufacturer’s warranty?
How can an extended warranty help?
An extended warranty can extend your factory coverage as your vehicle ages, potentially helping offset the high cost of luxury-car repairs. However, many third-party warranty providers that cover brands like Mercedes-Benz or BMW tend to avoid ultra-exotic vehicles such as Rolls-Royce or McLaren.
Rolls-Royce offers one potential path to longer coverage through its Provenance Certified Pre-Owned program. Provenance vehicles receive an additional year of unlimited-mileage warranty coverage, bringing total factory coverage to up to five years from the vehicle’s original in-service date.
CPO Rolls-Royce vehicles must pass a comprehensive inspection and refurbishment process and come with verified service history. Owners also gain access to the brand’s Whispers digital membership platform, making certified pre-owned models one of the more practical ways to maximize warranty protection on a Rolls-Royce.
FAQ
How much does it cost to change the oil on a Rolls-Royce?
Several Rolls-Royce dealerships say the average cost for an oil change on a Rolls-Royce is about $600 to $700. Sean Kim, an experienced mechanic we spoke with, said it could cost as much as $2,500, depending on the model. The cost will also vary based on where you have your car serviced and the cost of living in your area.
How much does a brake job cost on a Rolls-Royce?
While the cost of a brake job on the average car tends to hover around $600 per axle, you can expect to spend much more than that on a Rolls-Royce. “A full brake job on a Rolls will cost between $5,000 and $30,0000, depending on which type of brakes your vehicle is fitted with,” Kim said.
How much does it cost to replace the tires on a Rolls-Royce?
Replacement tires are not included in the Rolls-Royce four-year complimentary maintenance plan. For most owners, the stock tires should last at least 30,000 miles.
According to TireRack, Rolls-Royce vehicles have pretty standard tire sizes (e.g., 255/50-19 on the Ghost), meaning you can purchase a set of four and have them installed and balanced for less than $1,500.
Does my Rolls-Royce need maintenance if hardly driven?
Yes, your Rolls-Royce will still need maintenance even if it’s hardly driven. Mileage (even if it’s low), time and other facts still cause wear and tear on your vehicle, meaning you should have it serviced at the suggested intervals.
Which Rolls-Royce models are the most reliable?
Generally speaking, when it comes to Goodwood-era Rolls-Royce models (2004 to now), there isn’t really one specific model in the lineup that stands out for being vastly more or less reliable than another. They’re all manufactured in the English county of West Sussex with a similar level of care and attention, and with similar parts.
That said, you may still want to avoid any used Rolls-Royce with limited or unknown maintenance history. If the previous owner didn’t take care of it, you could be inheriting a gaping money pit. If you want the most long-lasting and dependable Rolls-Royce available, consider purchasing one new or CPO.
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:
- Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Pasadena, "Rolls-Royce Maintenance Costs." Accessed March 17, 2026.
- Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America, LLC, "Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Maintenance & Warranty Model Year 2025." Accessed March 17, 2026.
- Autoscope Car Care, "How Much Does It Cost to Maintain a Rolls-Royce?" Accessed March 17, 2026.
- Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Miami, "Servicing Your Rolls-Royce: A Handy Guide." Accessed March 17, 2026.
- Tire Rack, "2020 Rolls-Royce Ghost Tires." Accessed March 17, 2026.
