Car maintenance cost per year
The average car costs $400 to $1,200 a year to maintain and repair, or about $34 to $100 a month. Brand matters a lot: Honda and Toyota owners average under $450 a year, while luxury brands average close to $1,000 or more.
Quick answer
$400 – $1,200per year, maintenance and repairs
Averages run from $428 a year (Honda) to $1,192 (Porsche). AAA's driving cost study puts maintenance, repairs and tires at about 11 cents a mile for a new car.
Maintenance cost by brand
| Brand | Average per year |
|---|---|
| Honda | $428 |
| Toyota | $441 |
| Mazda | $462 |
| Hyundai | $468 |
| Kia | $474 |
| BMW | $968 |
| Audi | $987 |
| Jaguar | $1,123 |
| Land Rover | $1,174 |
| Porsche | $1,192 |
RepairPal data reported by ConsumerAffairs (July 2026).
Common maintenance prices
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Oil change | $158 – $186 |
| Tire balance and rotation | $109 – $159 |
| Alignment | $187 – $274 |
| Engine air filter | $77 – $97 |
| Cabin air filter | $86 – $114 |
| Wiper blades | $99 – $122 |
| Brake pads | $330 – $390 |
| Battery | $423 – $460 |
RepairPal averages reported by ConsumerAffairs (July 2026). Quick-service shops and DIY are often cheaper.
Cost per mile
AAA's 2025 Your Driving Costs study estimates 11.04 cents per mile for maintenance, repairs and tires on a new vehicle, about $1,656 a year at 15,000 miles. Electric vehicles had the lowest maintenance costs in the study, and hybrids ranked among the lowest.
How to budget
- Set aside $50 to $100 a month for a typical car, more for an older or luxury vehicle.
- Follow the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual; skipping fluids and belts leads to bigger bills.
- Expect costs to rise after the factory warranty ends.
How to get a fair estimate
- Ask for a written estimate that lists parts, labor hours and the shop’s hourly rate before any work starts.
- Ask whether the quote uses OEM, aftermarket or remanufactured parts, and what warranty comes with the parts and the labor.
- Get a second quote for any repair over a few hundred dollars. Independent shops often charge less per hour than dealers.
- Ask the shop to show you the old part or the reading that proves it failed, and to call you before doing extra work.
- Check for recalls and warranty coverage first: many powertrain, emissions and hybrid parts carry longer factory warranties.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for car maintenance?
About $400 to $1,200 a year, or $34 to $100 a month, depending on the brand and the car's age.
Which car brands are cheapest to maintain?
Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Hyundai and Kia average under $500 a year, according to RepairPal data.
Sources
Prices are national averages and typical ranges from published cost data. Your price depends on your vehicle, location, parts and shop, so get a written estimate. Car Repair Atlas is not a repair shop; read our disclaimer.